Polite directions at reception
CEFR: A2
Read/Listen first
At reception, a guest arrives slightly early for a meeting. The receptionist smiles and says, “Welcome to our building.” She checks the schedule and adds, “There is a meeting room ready for you at ten.” She continues, “Please sign in and print your badge.” The guest asks, “Where is the elevator?” The receptionist points and replies, “The elevators are on the left. Please take them to the second floor.” She explains, “The stairs are behind the desk, but the elevator is faster.” The guest thanks her and waits a moment to finish the registration. The receptionist prints a map and says, “Please follow the signs to Room B.” The guest repeats the directions and confirms the time again. Finally, the receptionist adds, “If you need help at any point, please ask me.” Thanks to the clear, polite directions, the guest finds the room quickly and the meeting begins on time.⚡ Learning goals
- Give and follow polite directions inside a building.
- Confirm times using there is/there are.
- Use prepositions to describe location.
✨ Key language
- Please take + transport/direction “Please take the elevator.”
- There is/There are + noun “There is a meeting room ready.”
- on the left / behind the desk “The elevators are on the left.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Polite imperatives with please
Rule: Use please + base verb to give directions.Examples: Please sign in; Please take the elevator; Please follow the signs
Common pitfall + fix: Using the -ing form — Use the base form after please.
Choose the polite instruction.
Tip: please + base verb.
Fill with the best answer: Please ____ your badge at reception.
Tip: Use base verb print.
2️⃣ There is/There are for schedules
Rule: Use There is/There are to announce available rooms or events.Examples: There is a meeting at ten; There are two sessions today; There is a room ready
Common pitfall + fix: Using have for existence — Use there is/are instead of have.
Pick the best sentence.
Tip: There is + singular noun.
Fill with the best answer: _____ are two elevators on the left.
Tip: There + are + plural.
3️⃣ Present simple for fixed times
Rule: Use present simple to talk about scheduled events.Examples: The meeting starts at ten; The guest arrives early; The team meets weekly
Common pitfall + fix: Using will for timetables — Use present simple for fixed schedules.
Choose the correct sentence about a schedule.
Tip: Use base verb with -s.
Fill with the best answer: The elevators ____ open at eight.
Tip: An adverb of frequency fits.
4️⃣ Prepositions of place
Rule: Use on, behind, next to, opposite to describe location.Examples: on the left; behind the desk; next to the stairs
Common pitfall + fix: Dropping the article — Use the before nouns for specific places.
Complete: The elevators are ___ the left.
Tip: on the left/right.
Fill with the best answer: The stairs are ______ the desk.
Tip: Use behind for position.
✍️ Vocabulary
elevator
Meaning: a lift that moves people between floorsSynonyms: lift, hoist
Chunk/Idiom: take the elevator
Example: Please take the elevator today.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say: Take the elevator to floor two
badge
Meaning: a printed label you wear for accessSynonyms: pass, ID
Chunk/Idiom: print your badge
Example: Please print your badge now.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Describe where you wear your badge
stairs
Meaning: a set of steps between floorsSynonyms: stairway, steps
Chunk/Idiom: take the stairs
Example: The stairs are behind the desk.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say where the stairs are at work
sign in
Meaning: to register your name on arrivalSynonyms: register, check in
Chunk/Idiom: please sign in
Example: Please sign in at reception.
Morphology: verb
Self-practice: Say: I sign in at nine
meeting room
Meaning: a room for business discussionsSynonyms: conference room, space
Chunk/Idiom: book a meeting room
Example: There is a meeting room ready.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say: The meeting room is on two
second floor
Meaning: the level above the first floorSynonyms: level two, floor two
Chunk/Idiom: on the second floor
Example: Go to the second floor.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: State which floor your team is on
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
Please follow the signs to Room B.
There is a meeting at ten.
The elevators are on the left.
The stairs are behind the desk.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the correct phrase for a polite instruction.
Tip: Polite imperative uses please + base form.
Select the sentence that describes existence.
Tip: Use there is/are.
Fill with the best answer:
The meeting ____ at ten.Tip: Present simple for schedules.
Fill with the best answer:
The elevators are ___ the left.Tip: on the left/right.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
Which word means a printed access label?
Tip: Wear a badge to enter.
Which phrase means register on arrival?
Tip: Sign in at reception.
Fill with the best answer:
Please take the ______ to the second floor.Tip: Lift in American English = elevator.
Fill with the best answer:
Go to the ______ room on the second floor.Tip: Common compound: meeting room.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Welcome. Please sign in and print your badge.B: Thanks. Where is the elevator, please?
A: On the left. Please take it to the second floor.
Why this matters:
Clear directions reduce late starts. Polite language keeps the tone professional. Checking time avoids confusion.Verb & Adjective Pack:
follow — “Please follow the signs.”confirm — “There is a room ready.”
locate — “The stairs are behind the desk.”
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Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: Please ____ the signs to Room B.
Tip: Use the base verb after please.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: There are a room ready.
Tip: Use is with singular nouns.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
Please take the elevator to the second floor.
Tip: Stress elevator and second floor.