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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 36 · Out and about · A1–A2
Checking out and paying the bill
Check out of a hotel, check your bill, ask about a mistake and arrange your bags or a taxi.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
When do you need English for checking out and paying the bill? What words do you already know?
Key phrase 1 of 8
I'd like to check out, please.
Say this at reception when you leave.
Key phrase 2 of 8
Did you have anything from the minibar?
Reception checks for extras to add to your bill.
Key phrase 3 of 8
Could I have a look at the bill?
Ask to check the bill before you pay.
Key phrase 4 of 8
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
A polite way to say the bill is wrong.
Key phrase 5 of 8
I didn't order room service.
Explain the problem clearly.
Key phrase 6 of 8
Could you email me the receipt?
Ask for a copy for your records or work.
Key phrase 7 of 8
Can I leave my bags here until three?
Ask the hotel to keep your bags after check-out.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Could you call me a taxi, please?
Ask reception to book a taxi for you.
Conversation
Receptionist and Linh
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 10
Linh
Good morning. I'd like to check out, please. Room 418.
Conversation · line 2 of 10
Linh: Good morning. I'd like to check out, please. Room 418.
Receptionist
Of course. Did you enjoy your stay?
Conversation · line 3 of 10
Receptionist: Of course. Did you enjoy your stay?
Linh
Yes, it was lovely, thanks.
Conversation · line 4 of 10
Linh: Yes, it was lovely, thanks.
Receptionist
Did you have anything from the minibar?
Conversation · line 5 of 10
Receptionist: Did you have anything from the minibar?
Linh
Just two bottles of water. Could I have a look at the bill?
Conversation · line 6 of 10
Linh: Just two bottles of water. Could I have a look at the bill?
Receptionist
Sure, here it is.
Conversation · line 7 of 10
Receptionist: Sure, here it is.
Linh
Hmm, I think there's a mistake. I didn't order room service on Tuesday.
Conversation · line 8 of 10
Linh: Hmm, I think there's a mistake. I didn't order room service on Tuesday.
Receptionist
Let me check... You're right, I'm sorry. That was another room. I'll take it off.
Conversation · line 9 of 10
Receptionist: Let me check... You're right, I'm sorry. That was another room. I'll take it off.
Linh
Thank you. Could you email me the receipt? And can I leave my bags here until three?
Conversation · line 10 of 10
Linh: Thank you. Could you email me the receipt? And can I leave my bags here until three?
Receptionist
No problem. I'll email it now, and here's a ticket for your bags.
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Receptionist. Student B is Linh. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
I'd like to check out, please. Room …
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
Can I leave my bags here until …?
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
What's the best thing to do before you pay a hotel bill?
- A Check the bill carefully
- B Pay quickly and leave
- C Ask for a discount
✓ A: Look for anything you didn't use, like room service or minibar items.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
Which is a polite way to say the bill is wrong?
- A This bill is rubbish.
- B I think there's a mistake on the bill.
- C You made a big mistake.
✓ B: 'I think there's a mistake' is polite and clear.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
What is a 'minibar'?
- A A small fridge with drinks and snacks in your room
- B The hotel restaurant
- C A small bar on the roof
✓ A: Items from the minibar are usually added to your bill.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
Your flight is at 6 pm, but check-out is at 10 am. What can you ask?
- A Can I have a window seat?
- B Is breakfast included?
- C Can I leave my bags here until three?
✓ C: Most hotels can keep your bags for a few hours after check-out.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
Complete: 'Could you call ___ a taxi, please?'
- A I
- B my
- C me
✓ C: 'Call me a taxi' means 'book a taxi for me'.
Good to know in Australia 🇦🇺
Always ask for a receipt or an itemised bill (a list of every charge) when you check out, especially if your work is paying. Many Australian hotels will email it to you, so you don't need to keep the paper copy.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.au/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.au
· englishcoaching.au
Teacher notes
Level: Out and about · A1–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: "When do you need English for checking out and paying the bill? What words do you already know?" 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 Receptionist and student B is Linh. 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: Receptionist is read by Josh and Linh by Mel. 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
Always ask for a receipt or an itemised bill (a list of every charge) when you check out, especially if your work is paying. Many Australian hotels will email it to you, so you don't need to keep the paper copy.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Checking out and paying the bill. 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 36: Checking out and paying the bill
Check out of a hotel, check your bill, ask about a mistake and arrange your bags or a taxi.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: anything · leave · look · mistake · please · receipt · service
- I'd like to check out, . (Say this at reception when you leave)
- Did you have from the minibar? (Reception checks for extras to add to your bill)
- Could I have a at the bill? (Ask to check the bill before you pay)
- I think there's a on the bill. (A polite way to say the bill is wrong)
- I didn't order room . (Explain the problem clearly)
- Could you email me the ? (Ask for a copy for your records or work)
- Can I my bags here until three? (Ask the hotel to keep your bags after check-out)
- Could you call me a taxi, ? (Ask reception to book a taxi for you)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Linh: Good . I'd like to check out, please. Room 418.
- Receptionist: Of . Did you enjoy your stay?
- Linh: Yes, it was , thanks.
- Receptionist: Did you have anything from the ?
- Linh: Just two of water. Could I have a look at the bill?
- Receptionist: Sure, it is.
- Linh: Hmm, I there's a mistake. I didn't order room service on Tuesday.
- Receptionist: Let me check... You're right, I'm sorry. That was room. I'll take it off.
- Linh: Thank you. Could you me the receipt? And can I leave my bags here until three?
- Receptionist: No . I'll email it now, and here's a ticket for your bags.
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
What's the best thing to do before you pay a hotel bill?
a) Check the bill carefullyb) Pay quickly and leavec) Ask for a discount
Which is a polite way to say the bill is wrong?
a) This bill is rubbish.b) I think there's a mistake on the bill.c) You made a big mistake.
What is a 'minibar'?
a) A small fridge with drinks and snacks in your roomb) The hotel restaurantc) A small bar on the roof
Your flight is at 6 pm, but check-out is at 10 am. What can you ask?
a) Can I have a window seat?b) Is breakfast included?c) Can I leave my bags here until three?
Complete: 'Could you call ___ a taxi, please?'
a) Ib) myc) me
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- I'd like to check out, please. Room
- I think there's a mistake on the bill.
- Can I leave my bags here until ?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/checking-out-and-paying-the-bill/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 36: Checking out and paying the bill
A. Key phrases
- I'd like to check out, please.
- Did you have anything from the minibar?
- Could I have a look at the bill?
- I think there's a mistake on the bill.
- I didn't order room service.
- Could you email me the receipt?
- Can I leave my bags here until three?
- Could you call me a taxi, please?
B. Conversation gaps
- morning
- course
- lovely
- minibar
- bottles
- here
- think
- another
- problem
C. Quiz
- a) Check the bill carefully
- b) I think there's a mistake on the bill.
- a) A small fridge with drinks and snacks in your room
- c) Can I leave my bags here until three?
- c) me
englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/checking-out-and-paying-the-bill/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach checking out and paying the bill 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?
Out and about level, about CEFR A1–A2. It is lesson 36 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/checking-out-and-paying-the-bill/. 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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