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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 12 · Basic · A2
Calling about a rental property
Call or message an agent about a rental, ask key questions and book an inspection.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
What's most important to you in a home: the price, the place or the size?
Key phrase 1 of 8
I'm calling about the two-bedroom unit on King Street.
Say which property you mean.
Key phrase 2 of 8
Is it still available?
Check the place hasn't been rented.
Key phrase 3 of 8
When is the next inspection?
Ask when you can see the property.
Key phrase 4 of 8
How much is the rent per week?
In Australia, rent is usually quoted per week.
Key phrase 5 of 8
Is the bond four weeks' rent?
Ask about the bond (security deposit).
Key phrase 6 of 8
Are pets allowed?
Ask before you apply if you have a pet.
Key phrase 7 of 8
Is there parking?
Ask about a car space or garage.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Can I apply online?
Most agents use online applications.
Conversation
Agent and Carlos
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 8
Agent
Good morning, Harbour Real Estate, Emma speaking.
Conversation · line 2 of 8
Agent: Good morning, Harbour Real Estate, Emma speaking.
Carlos
Hi Emma, I'm calling about the two-bedroom unit on King Street. Is it still available?
Conversation · line 3 of 8
Carlos: Hi Emma, I'm calling about the two-bedroom unit on King Street. Is it still available?
Agent
Yes, it is. It's five hundred and twenty dollars a week.
Conversation · line 4 of 8
Agent: Yes, it is. It's five hundred and twenty dollars a week.
Carlos
OK. When is the next inspection?
Conversation · line 5 of 8
Carlos: OK. When is the next inspection?
Agent
Saturday at ten thirty. It's an open inspection.
Conversation · line 6 of 8
Agent: Saturday at ten thirty. It's an open inspection.
Carlos
Great. Is there parking?
Conversation · line 7 of 8
Carlos: Great. Is there parking?
Agent
Yes, one car space. And you can apply online after the inspection.
Conversation · line 8 of 8
Agent: Yes, one car space. And you can apply online after the inspection.
Carlos
Perfect. Thanks, Emma. See you on Saturday.
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Agent. Student B is Carlos. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
Hi, I'm calling about the unit on … Is it still available?
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
When is the next inspection?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
How much is the rent per week?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
How is rent usually quoted in Australia?
- A Per day
- B Per week
- C Per year
✓ B: Rent ads usually show the weekly price, for example $520 per week.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
What is an 'open inspection'?
- A A time when anyone can view the property
- B A check by the owner
- C A free night in the property
✓ A: Many people come at the same time to look at the property.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
What's the best first question when you call?
- A Is it still available?
- B Who owns it?
- C Why are they renting it?
✓ A: Check it's available before asking more questions.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
What is a 'bond'?
- A A monthly fee
- B Money held as security and usually returned at the end
- C The agent's commission
✓ B: The bond is usually held by a government authority, not the agent.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
Complete: 'I'm calling ___ the unit on King Street.'
- A about
- B for to
- C of
✓ A: 'I'm calling about…' is the natural phrase.
Good to know in Australia 🇦🇺
In most states, your rental bond is lodged with a government bond authority, not kept by the agent. You should get a receipt or confirmation.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.au/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.au
· englishcoaching.au
Teacher notes
Level: Basic · A2 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "What's most important to you in a home: the price, the place or the size?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Agent and student B is Carlos. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Agent is read by Mel and Carlos by Josh. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Good to know in Australia
In most states, your rental bond is lodged with a government bond authority, not kept by the agent. You should get a receipt or confirmation.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Calling about a rental property. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 12: Calling about a rental property
Call or message an agent about a rental, ask key questions and book an inspection.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: allowed · available · calling · inspection · online · parking · rent · weeks
- I'm about the two-bedroom unit on King Street. (Say which property you mean)
- Is it still ? (Check the place hasn't been rented)
- When is the next ? (Ask when you can see the property)
- How much is the per week? (In Australia, rent is usually quoted per week)
- Is the bond four ' rent? (Ask about the bond (security deposit))
- Are pets ? (Ask before you apply if you have a pet)
- Is there ? (Ask about a car space or garage)
- Can I apply ? (Most agents use online applications)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Agent: Good morning, Harbour Real Estate, Emma .
- Carlos: Hi Emma, I'm calling about the two- unit on King Street. Is it still available?
- Agent: Yes, it is. It's five and twenty dollars a week.
- Carlos: OK. When is the inspection?
- Agent: Saturday at ten . It's an open inspection.
- Carlos: Great. Is parking?
- Agent: Yes, one car . And you can apply online after the inspection.
- Carlos: Perfect. Thanks, Emma. See on Saturday.
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
How is rent usually quoted in Australia?
a) Per dayb) Per weekc) Per year
What is an 'open inspection'?
a) A time when anyone can view the propertyb) A check by the ownerc) A free night in the property
What's the best first question when you call?
a) Is it still available?b) Who owns it?c) Why are they renting it?
What is a 'bond'?
a) A monthly feeb) Money held as security and usually returned at the endc) The agent's commission
Complete: 'I'm calling ___ the unit on King Street.'
a) aboutb) for toc) of
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- Hi, I'm calling about the unit on Is it still available?
- When is the next inspection?
- How much is the rent per week?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/calling-about-a-rental/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 12: Calling about a rental property
A. Key phrases
- I'm calling about the two-bedroom unit on King Street.
- Is it still available?
- When is the next inspection?
- How much is the rent per week?
- Is the bond four weeks' rent?
- Are pets allowed?
- Is there parking?
- Can I apply online?
B. Conversation gaps
- speaking
- bedroom
- hundred
- next
- thirty
- there
- space
- you
C. Quiz
- b) Per week
- a) A time when anyone can view the property
- a) Is it still available?
- b) Money held as security and usually returned at the end
- a) about
englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/calling-about-a-rental/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach calling about a rental property to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Basic level, about CEFR A2. It is lesson 12 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/calling-about-a-rental/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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