English speaking lesson · Everyday Life

At the post office

You're at the post office counter, ready to send a parcel. You practise it as a real conversation, at whichever of the four levels fits you — the room and the steps stay the same, only the words get harder.

A post office counter · you talk to the post office clerk

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At the post office — English speaking practice scene

What you have to do

Say what you're sending, where it's going, choose a delivery speed, and pay. You finish the lesson by getting there in conversation — not by answering questions about it. Nothing is corrected while you talk; the corrections are collected and handed to you at the end.

How it opens

Morning! What can I help you send today?

Spoken aloud by the tutor playing the post office clerk.

The 5 steps that finish it

A step clears when you say the thing that clears it. The steps are identical at all four levels — only the example line fades, and at Natural there is none at all.

01
Say what you're sending
Say what you'd like to send.
“Hi! I'd like to send a parcel — it's in a small box.”
02
Say where it's going
Say where it's going.
“Here's the address — it's going to another country.”
03
Choose a speed
Say whether you'd like standard or express.
“The fast way, please.”
04
Check the order
Check the order is right, and ask how much it costs.
“Yes, that's everything. How much is it?”
05
Pay and finish
Say how you'd like to pay, and finish politely.
“By card, please!”

The words, at all four levels

The same room and the same steps, four vocabularies. These are the words the lesson listens for and scores you on — with what each one means and how it sounds when you are talking to the post office clerk.

Starter

A1 – A2

Simple, everyday words with a full hint on every step.

parcel: a wrapped package; “I'd like to send a parcel.”
send: to have something delivered; “I'd like to send this.”
box: a container things come in; “It's in a small box.”
address: where someone lives, written out; “Here's the address.”
country: a nation, like France or Spain; “It's going to another country.”
fast: quick; “The fast way, please.”
slow: not fast; “The slow way is fine.”
much: used to ask the price — 'how much'; “How much is it?”
please: a polite word when you ask; “The fast way, please.”
card: a bank card you pay with; “By card, please.”

Conversational

A2 – B1

Common words at a natural pace, with hints to lean on.

package: something sent by post; “I'd like to send a package.”
deliver: to bring something to its destination; “How long to deliver it?”
overseas: to another country; “It's going overseas.”
tracked: able to be followed online; “Could I get it tracked?”
insured: protected in case of loss or damage; “Should it be insured too?”
standard: the normal, regular option; “Standard delivery is fine.”
express: a faster, more expensive option; “Or is express much quicker?”
everything: all of it — 'is that everything?'; “That's everything, thanks.”
total: the full amount to pay; “What's the total?”
cheers: informal thanks; “Cheers for that!”

Confident

B1 – B2

Richer, more specific words, with only light hints.

shipment: an item or items sent together; “This is a small shipment.”
customs: border checks for international goods; “Does it need a customs form?”
weight: how heavy something is; “What's the weight limit?”
dimensions: the size measurements of something; “Do the dimensions matter much?”
signature: a required proof of receipt; “Should it need a signature?”
guaranteed: certain to happen by a set time; “Is next-day guaranteed?”
altogether: in total — 'how much altogether'; “How much altogether?”
receipt: the printed proof of payment; “Could I get a receipt?”
sorted: arranged and settled; “That's sorted, thanks.”
appreciate: to be grateful for; “I'd appreciate that.”

Natural

B2 – C1

Advanced, idiomatic words — no hints at all.

consignment: a batch of goods sent together; “It's a small consignment, really.”
freight: goods transported in bulk; “Is this handled as freight or post?”
declaration: an official statement of contents; “Do I need a customs declaration?”
insured: protected in case of loss or damage; “Best to have it insured, I think.”
tracked: able to be followed online; “Tracked would put my mind at ease.”
damage: the cost — 'what's the damage?' (informal); “What's the damage for that?”
tap: to pay by touching your card; “I'll just tap.”
cheers: informal thanks; “Cheers, appreciated.”
sorted: dealt with and settled; “Perfect, we're sorted.”
obliged: grateful for a favour; “Much obliged, thank you.”

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At the post office

What you have to do

The 5 steps that finish it

Say what you're sending

Say where it's going

Choose a speed

Check the order

Pay and finish