At the Restaurant: Reservations, Orders, and Oops
Beyond ordering: Kate has a reservation, a question about the menu, and a dish that isn't hers. The recovery phrases matter most — 'Sorry, I ordered the…' said with a smile fixes almost anything. · B1 · Role-Play
How to practice: first listen to the whole dialogue. Then play BOTH roles out loud — or take one role and answer the other from memory. When it flows, record the full dialogue below.
Host Good evening, welcome to Harbor House. Do you have a reservation?
Kate Yes — under the name Bennett, for two, at seven.
Host Bennett… got it. Right this way. Your server will be with you shortly.
Server Hi there, I'm Alex. Can I start you off with something to drink?
Kate I'll have the lemonade, please. And a quick question — is the salmon grilled or baked?
Server Grilled, with lemon butter. It's our most popular dish, honestly.
Kate Then that's what I'll have. Oh, and could I get the dressing on the side for the salad?
Server Of course. And for you, sir? … Great, I'll put that in right away.
Server Here's your chicken — enjoy!
Kate Sorry — this looks great, but I actually ordered the salmon. No rush at all.
Server Oh no, my mistake entirely. I'll bring the salmon right out — and dessert is on us tonight for the mix-up.
Kate That's very kind, thank you. These things happen.
The full dialogue with real voices. Listen first, then take your role.
Record yourself, play it back, and compare with the model. Recordings stay in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Your task
Run the full restaurant arc out loud: book by phone ('A table for two, under the name…, at seven'), order with one question and one special request ('on the side', 'without nuts'), handle one polite problem (wrong dish, cold soup, a missing fork), and finish by asking for the check with a compliment.
Coach tips
- 'Under the name…' is how reservations live — names, not 'I have a reservation' alone.
- Special requests ride on 'Could I get…?' + please — short and sweet.
- Polite problems get free dessert; angry problems get a manager. Choose dessert.
Self-Assessment — Your Honest Checklist
There is no automated speaking score here — and we will not fake one. Play your recording, judge these five areas honestly, and tick what you truly did. Next session, pick ONE unticked box to fix.
Fluency
Grammar
Vocabulary
Pronunciation
Organization
Speaking connects to everything
🗣️ Pronunciation Lab — train the sounds in this lesson🎧 Listening Lab — hear these patterns in real dialogues🌱 Vocabulary Builder — grow the words you reached for📘 Grammar Course — fix the pattern you noticed🩺 Say It Right — Real-Life English, mistake by mistakeKeep going
Customer Service: Returning the Headphones
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