Confirming delivery addresses and postcodes
CEFR: B1
Read/Listen first
“Courier support, Ben speaking.” — “Hi, I need to correct my delivery address. It should be 14 Baker Street, flat B.” — “Thanks. Could you confirm the postcode?” — “Sure, it’s W-one-two, 6HT.” — “Is that ‘one’ or lowercase ‘l’?” — “One. I’ll spell the street as well: capital B-a-k-e-r, then Street.” — “Great. Is ‘flat’ written as the word, not the symbol?” — “Yes, the word. The intercom name is Chen, capital C, then h-e-n.” — “Let me read that back: fourteen Baker Street, flat B, postcode W12 6HT, name Chen.” — “Perfect. Could you add a delivery note: ‘leave at reception if no answer’?” — “Done. I’ve updated the label and sent a text confirmation.” — “Thanks, Ben. I appreciate the careful check.”⚡ Learning goals
- Spell, confirm, and correct information clearly over phone or email.
- Politely request repetition and clarify capital/lowercase, hyphens, and underscores.
- Check back important details like names, postcodes, and reference codes.
✨ Key language
- “Let me spell that for you…” “Let me spell that for you: capital A, then two es.”
- “Could you repeat the last part?” “Could you repeat the last three digits?”
- “Did you say hyphen or underscore?” “Is that a hyphen or an underscore?”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Numbers vs letters in codes
Rule: Always clarify similar shapes (1 vs l, 0 vs O).Examples: Is that one or lowercase L?; Zero, not capital O; Two, then six
Common pitfall + fix: Assuming the character from context — Ask explicitly when shapes can be confused.
Which pair is often confused?
Tip: Round letter vs digit zero look alike
Fill with the best answer: Write capital W, then _____ 12.
Tip: Postcodes usually include a space.
2️⃣ Functional read-back formula
Rule: Read items in the same order to confirm accurately.Examples: address, flat, postcode, name; Read slowly with short pauses; Invite correction
Common pitfall + fix: Changing the order while reading back — Mirror the speaker’s structure.
What makes a read-back clearer?
Tip: Mirror structure for accuracy
Fill with the best answer: Let me _____ that back: flat, postcode, name.
Tip: Use the base verb after ‘let me’.
3️⃣ Capitalization in proper nouns
Rule: Use a capital for street and names.Examples: Baker Street; Chen on the intercom; Building names capitalized
Common pitfall + fix: Leaving names in lowercase — Capitalize all proper nouns.
Which is correctly capitalized?
Tip: Capitalize both words in street names.
Fill with the best answer: The intercom shows _____ C, then h-e-n.
Tip: Say ‘capital’ before the letter.
4️⃣ Adding delivery notes
Rule: Quote notes clearly to avoid ambiguity.Examples: ‘leave at reception if no answer’; Use single quotes in speech; Keep notes short and clear
Common pitfall + fix: Mixing notes with the address line — Say ‘delivery note’ before the quote.
Which is a clear delivery note?
Tip: Make notes actionable.
Fill with the best answer: Please add the delivery _____ to the label.
Tip: A single noun completes the phrase.
✍️ Vocabulary
postcode
Meaning: letters and numbers used for addressesSynonyms: ZIP code, postal code
Chunk/Idiom: confirm the postcode
Example: Could you confirm the postcode?
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Spell three local postcodes aloud.
flat
Meaning: apartment within a buildingSynonyms: apartment, unit
Chunk/Idiom: flat B
Example: The parcel goes to flat B.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say your flat and floor politely.
intercom
Meaning: entry system at a building doorSynonyms: buzzer, entry phone
Chunk/Idiom: name on the intercom
Example: Ring the intercom labeled Chen.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Describe your building’s intercom routine.
label
Meaning: printed address on a parcelSynonyms: sticker, tag
Chunk/Idiom: update the label
Example: I updated the shipping label.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: List two things on a delivery label.
capitalization
Meaning: writing with capital lettersSynonyms: uppercasing, capital letters
Chunk/Idiom: proper capitalization
Example: Use proper capitalization for names.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Rewrite two addresses with correct capitals.
delivery note
Meaning: short instruction for the courierSynonyms: comment, instruction
Chunk/Idiom: add a delivery note
Example: Add a delivery note for reception.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Write two clear delivery notes.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
Is that one or lowercase L?
Please confirm the postcode again.
Capital B for Baker Street.
I’ll read the address back now.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Which keeps the read-back clear?
Tip: Mirror structure for accuracy.
Choose the correct capitalization:
Tip: Proper nouns take a capital first letter.
Fill with the best answer:
Write W12 6HT with a _____ between parts.Tip: Many postcodes include a fixed space.
Fill with the best answer:
Add a delivery _____: ‘leave at reception’.Tip: Use a clear noun for the instruction.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
Which word means apartment in British English?
Tip: ‘Flat’ equals ‘apartment’.
What do you press at the entrance?
Tip: An intercom lets visitors contact you.
Fill with the best answer:
Please update the shipping _____.Tip: A printed sticker with the address.
Fill with the best answer:
Use correct _____ for street names.Tip: Capitalize proper nouns.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Could you confirm the postcode and the flat number?B: Yes, W12 6HT, flat B, name Chen on the intercom.
A: Thanks. I’ll add a delivery note for reception.
Why this matters:
Couriers rely on exact codes. Clear notes prevent missed deliveries. Good structure saves time on the call.Verb & Adjective Pack:
confirm — Confirm the postcode twice.spell — Spell the street name slowly.
capitalize — Capitalize flat and building names.
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: Write W12 ___ ___ ___ — the three final characters.
Tip: Letters are lowercase when typed here.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: the postcode is w12 6ht.
Tip: Start with a capital and keep spacing.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
Please leave the parcel at reception if no answer.
Tip: Keep your intonation calm and clear.