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AylaraTalks

Role-play

Booking by Phone Role Play (A2–B1)

Booking a birthday table when the numbers, the time and the stairs all get in the way.

Age
Ages 13+
Level
A2–B1
Skill
Speaking
Format
Teacher guide
More in the library

The situation

A phone call to a busy restaurant on a Tuesday afternoon. Someone wants to book a table for a friend's birthday.

5-minute timer

Role card A

Caller

You are phoning a restaurant to book a table for a friend's birthday dinner on Saturday.

Your goals

  • Book a table for eight people at 7.30 pm on Saturday.
  • Ask if you can bring your own birthday cake.
  • Give your name and phone number.

Only you know

  • One of your friends uses a wheelchair.
  • There might be ten of you, but you won't know until Friday.

Role card B

Restaurant staff

You are answering the phone at a busy restaurant.

Your goals

  • Take the booking: day, time and number of people.
  • Take a name (spelled) and a phone number.
  • Repeat the booking back to the caller.

Only you know

  • At 7.30 pm on Saturday, the only free table is upstairs, and there's no lift. At 8.30 pm, a big table for up to ten is free downstairs.
  • Customers can bring their own cake, and groups can change their numbers until midday on Friday.

Model dialogue

One good version. Read it after the pairs have tried, not before.

Show the model dialogue
A
Hello, I'd like to book a table for Saturday evening, please.
B
Of course. For how many people, and what time?
A
For eight people at half past seven.
B
Let me check… At half past seven, we've only got a table upstairs. Is that OK?
A
Is there a lift? One of my friends uses a wheelchair.
B
I'm afraid there isn't. But we've got a big table downstairs at half past eight. Would that suit you?
A
Yes, half past eight is fine. Also, there might be ten of us — I'll know on Friday.
B
That's no problem. The table seats ten, so just call us by midday on Friday to confirm.
A
Great. And it's a birthday — can we bring our own cake?
B
Of course. We can bring it out with candles if you like.
A
That would be lovely. Do you need my name?
B
Yes, please, and a contact number.
A
It's Sam Rivera — R-I-V-E-R-A — and my number's 07700 900418.
B
Thanks, Sam. So that's eight to ten people on Saturday at 8.30, downstairs. See you then!

Extension for stronger students

On Friday, A phones back: now there are twelve people and one of them is vegan. B must explain that the big table only seats ten and suggest options, such as two tables side by side or a later time.

Printable role cards

Card A and card B on one page, with a cut line between them, plus the phrases.