English for Tour Guides

INTRODUCTION
1. Answer the questions:

What does a tour guide have to do? What does this job involve?
2. Pair work: (handout 1)

Complete the lists and compare them with another pair. 1.the personal and professional qualities needed: 2.the things a guide must do/is responsible for:
guides tourists within a specific country, region, city or site provides special information on history, archeology, monuments and works of art, the environment, culture, natural and built attractions, places of interest know much about the history, scenery, and culture (in English) for the places where you are giving tours to keep the tourists interested teaches tourists about safety excellent communication and negotiation skills patience and tact accompanies visitors on tours

problem solving skills and ability to think logically II.TECHNIQUES 1. How to welcome tourists Here you find some examples of welcoming. Practice yourself and present in front of the class.(handout 2) 1. Welcome. I'm Helina, your guide for this tour. I'll tell you all about the things you will see. If you have any questions, please ask. It's my job to answer them. All my time is free to talk to you, sightseers. 2. Hello everyone. My name is Tiiu. On behalf of Ida-Viru Tour Agency I'd like to welcome you all to Narva. The bus ride to your hotel Vanalinn takes you about fifteen minutes. Right now I'd like to take a minute to familiarize you with the area and tell a brief safety precaution. You have to fasten safety belts and remain seated until we reach our destination. 3. Dear guests, Let me introduce myself. My name is Liis. I am your guide and will support you during the tour. I promise you are going to enjoy your stay here in Narva. This is a beautiful, quiet city where you can relax, sit by the beach, enjoy great meals and feel very safe. You can walk into town and enjoy the fountains or take a moonlit walk along the water. 4. Hi, everybody. Im your tour guide Natalja. Its great to meet you in Estonia. Discover Estonia and you will see it is phenomenal. Like Alice in her Wonderland, you will find there is even more to see in Estonia than you have dreamed about. 5. Hi, everybody. I am Steve, your tour guide for today. We're going to be pulling up to the hotel in just a few minutes. Please sit back and enjoy the view of the ocean on the left hand side of the bus as we enter the city. I ask that you remain in your seats until we have come to a complete stop. Our agent Nick will be meeting us at the bus to help you with your bags. Please double check to make sure your bag has

been taken off the bus. On behalf of Narva Travel Tours, have a wonderful vacation in Narga and I hope to see you tomorrow at the information session.

2. How to perform information about places of interest 2.1.Vocabulary The following charts will help you learn some important vocabulary and phrases that you can use with your English-speaking tourists.(handout 3)

Vocabulary (nouns) Word activities Meaning things to do Example sentence There are lots of activities that the whole family will enjoy. The architecture of this building is typical of the Renaissance age. We are going to visit the art gallery where local painters exhibit their art. The water park is our most recent attraction . If you're having trouble getting your bearings just remember that the mountains are west. Keep in mind that this is the business district so that grocery store may be expensive. No one has lived in this castle since the last king died twenty years ago. The church is the central meeting place in this town. There you will find all of your conveniences, from suntan lotion to shampoo. It's a custom to hang beads in the windows at this time of year. While we are en route to the hotel I will point out the beach and the golf course.

architecture

design of a building

art gallery

place to look at professional paintings and drawings places for tourists to see feeling for understanding one's location/surroundings in an unknown area area in a city that has many offices

attractions bearings

business district

castle

a building for royalty

church conveniences

a place to worship God things that make life easier

custom

something people of a region do often on the way

en route

2.2. Language focus

Superlatives:

is one of the finest castles in Estonia more beautiful sights in the world most famous towns in Europe

Passive:

was founded by (person) was painted in (date) were restored 2.3. Here are some different ways you can point out interest points during the tour. (handout 4) Tour Guide

In front of you is... On your right/left you will see... Up ahead... On your left you will see... As we turn the corner here, you will see... In the distance... If you look up you will notice... Off to the north... Look to the east... To your west... In a few minutes we'll be passing... We are now coming up to... As you will see... You may have noticed... Take a good look at... I'd like to point out... Keep your eyes open for...

Tourist Questions

Is that the...you were talking about? Are we going to pass the...? Are we going to see any...? Is it on the right or the left?

I don't see it. Can you point it out again? Did I miss it? Will we see it on the way back?

Sample Conversation (handout 5) Guide: Man: Guide: It's about a three minute ride up to the top of the mountain. As we pass the two towers the gondola may sway a little. This thing is safe, right? Yes, you don't have anything to worry about. We do about 100 trips a day up the mountain, and these tours have been going on for over ten years without any accidents. Keep your eyes open for wildlife as we ascend. It isn't uncommon to see deer and even bears. That's Mount Karen. And to the right of that with the three small points is Mount Brown. Now, if you look up straight ahead, you should be able to see a large eagle's nest. Does everyone see it there? Are there any baby birds? That's a good question. I haven't seen any yet, but we usually see them around this time of year. I'm glad you asked. That's John Lake. It's actually a man made pond that was built as part of a conservation effort over twenty years ago. During the 70's there was a lot of clearcutting of forests in the area, and much of the wildlife was lost. Since John Lake was built, ducks, swans, and geese have returned to the area. Is this the highest mountain in this region? No, actually, Mount Heather, which you we will be able to see in just a minute or so has the highest peak. But, this is the highest mountain for recreational purposes like skiing and guided tours. No, it warms up enough to actually suntan up there in the summer. Oh, look everyone. There are two deer feeding in the clearing right below us. Thanks, that should be a great photo. So... what is there to do besides ski at the top of the hill at this time of year?

Woman: What's that mountain to the left called? Guide:

Man: Guide:

Woman: What's that lake down there, to the right of the green meadow ? Guide:

Man: Guide:

Woman: Can you ski throughout the year? Guide:

Man:

Guide:

Oh, there's plenty to do. We have horseback riding, snowmobile tours, and a petting zoo for children. If you look to your left you'll see the snowmobile trail going through the mountain.

Check your understanding 1 Where is this tour taking place? A. on the top of the mountain B. on the way up a mountain C. at the bottom of the mountain D. inside a mountain Which of the following does the tour guide NOT point out during the tour? A. scenery B. wildlife C. a restaurant D. a trail What does the tour guide do after he points out John Lake? A. He suggests they all go swimming. B. He provides a brief history of it. C. He quickly takes another questions. D. He talks about the water temperature.

Sample Tour Guide Speech 2.4.1. Read this text ''INTRODUCTION A TOUR AROUND NARVA -JESUU''. (handout 6) I promise you are going to enjoy your stay here in Narva-Jesuu. It was called as a Pearl by the Gulf of Finland. This is a beautiful, quiet city where you can relax, sit by the sandy beach, enjoy great meals and feel very safe. You can walk into town and enjoy the fountains or take a moonlit walk along the water. Please do not swim here. This is not a safe place to swim because there is a strong undertow(sng di t b). You can take a short bus ride from your hotel. There you will also enjoy entertainment and dancing.
2.4.2. Read a tour guides speech on a shuttle bus from the airport to the resort.

(handout 7)

Welcoming tourists:

Hello everyone. My name is Luca. On behalf of Suntan Tours I'd like to welcome you all to Los Cabos. The bus ride to your hotel will take about fifteen minutes. Right now I'd like to take a minute to familiarize you with the area and discuss some brief safety precautions. Firstly, I ask that you remain seated until we reach our destination and that you not eat or drink while on the bus. Secondly, please realize that it is against the law to get drunk in public. Enjoy your vacation, but do drink responsibly and do not drink and drive. I promise you are going to enjoy your stay here in San Jose, Los Cabos. This is a beautiful, quiet city where you can relax, sit by the beach, enjoy great meals and feel very safe. You can walk into town and enjoy the fountains or take a moonlit walk along the water. Please do not swim here. This is not a safe place to swim because there is a strong undertow. Cabos San Lucas is the place to go if you want to enjoy swimming in the ocean. You can take a short bus ride from your hotel. There you will also enjoy entertainment and dancing. Suntan tours offers a variety of special discounts depending on your travel plans. We have golf packages, as well as guided whale boat tours, and fishing charters. There will be a short information session at 1pm in the lobby of the hotel tomorrow where you can learn all about these offers. We recommend that you do not purchase packages from street vendors as they are not always 100 percent reliable. They also may charge you more than what they say. Please take my advice and allow Suntan tours to book all of your day trips and activities while you are here.

Describing the location:

Introducing special events and offers:

Offering advice: If you need to exchange your dollars into pesos, please use a bank or money exchange. We don't recommend exchanging your money at the hotel because you won't get a fair rate. Some restaurants will accept American or Canadian money, but you are better off to exchange your money and pay with pesos. Or, if you prefer, you can always use your credit cards. Also, if you want to get around the city, or travel to Cabos San Lucas, we recommend that you take the local bus rather than a taxi. The bus costs about one American dollar, and the driver can give you change if you don't have the exact amount. If you do decide to take a taxi make sure that you negotiate a price before you go.

Closing remarks:

We're going to be pulling up to the hotel in just a few minutes. Please sit back and enjoy the view of the ocean on the left hand side of the bus as we enter the city. I ask that you remain in your seats until we have come to a complete stop. Javier will be meeting us at the bus to help you with your bags. Please double check to make sure your bag has been taken off the bus. On behalf of Suntan Tours, have a wonderful vacation in San Jose and I hope to see you tomorrow at the information session.

Check your understanding 1 What does the tour guide say is illegal in Los Cabos? A. drinking alcohol B. renting cars C. being drunk in public D. standing on buses What advice does the tour guide give about transportation? A. have the correct change B. dont travel at night C. tip the taxi driver D. use public transit Where are tourists recommended to exchange their money? A. at the hotel B. on the bus C. at a bank D. at the tour agency

3. How to ask and answer tour required questions

Tour Guide (handout 8)

Do you have a question, Sir? Yes? (if you see a hand raised) Is there something I can help you with? I'll try my best to answer your questions. I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that. (Sorry I don't know.) That's an interesting question. I wish I knew the answer. (Sorry, I don't know.) Hmm.That's a tough (difficult) question. I'll have to look into that further. I'll have to ask someone about that.

Hmm. I've never been asked that before. Pardon my English; I don't quite understand your question. I'm not sure, but I can find out for you.

Tourist

Where is the ______ from here? How long has _______ been here? Where are we headed (going)now? What time does _______ stay open until? What else is there to do here? Which _________ do you recommend? Are we allowed to take pictures? What's that over there? (tourist points) Where's the best place to buy _______? My son wants to know if _________? (parent asking a question for shy child) Do you know where the nearest washroom is? Could you tell us where the nearest bank is? You don't happen to have a first-aid kit, do you?

Is that the __________you were talking about? Are we going to pass the ________________? Are we going to see any ________________? Is it on the right or the left? I don't see it. Can you point it out again? Did I miss it? Will we see it on the way back?

3.1. Sample Conversation (handout 9) Guide: Man: Guide: Man: Guide: Man: Guide: If you have any .. while we're going along, please don't . to ask. I have a question . .., what's .? the best place to have dinner here? Well, that's a question. There are so many good restaurants. My personal is Black Beauty. . do we.. there? I'll.. it ..when we pass it. It's going to come up on your

in a.. minutes. Woman: My daughter wants to know ..we're going to be. any castles today? Guide: Castles. No I'm. all of the castles are further into the city. We're going to be staying near the. today. I can give you a map of the city, though. It where all of the castles are. Sorry, I have another question. No problem. ..what I'm here for. Are weto take pictures. we get inside the museum? Oh, I'm glad you asked that. I forgot to mention that taking photographs inside the art gallery and the museum is. ., you can take pictures of the and the outside of the buildings. The . is beautiful. We'll.. around.. and.. back at the bus at 12:45..

Man: Guide: Man: Guide:

Woman: Oh, and what.. will we be.. for lunch? Guide:

What does the tour guide recommend? His favourite artist His favourite thing to do His favourite restaurant His favourite view What will this tour not be doing? A. going to a castle B. stopping for lunch C. seeing an art gallery D. visiting a museum What does the tour guide say tourists are prohibited from? A. asking questions B. eating on the bus C. taking pictures of the art D.using a map 3.2. LISTENING: WALK TOUR IN KURESSAARE (handout 10) 1. Pre-Listening exercise: When you travel to a new place, what things would you like to see?

2. Listen to the story and choose the suitable pictures about the sights you hear. 1. Episkopal Castle 2. Resort Club 3. Weighing house

4. Lossi street

5. Kuressaare mill

6. Lasteaja street

3. Post-Listening exercise: Imagine you are guiding a walk tour for tourists in Hanoi. Prepare the monologue - excursion about it.

3.3. SPEAKING: ROLE PLAY 3.4. Final test

prepare a power point presentation about one famous Vietnam sightseeing focus on what to do in that city/town, tourist attractions, traditions, curiosities etc. use pictures, music, video,...