MODULE

ENGLISH FOR
WAITER

THE BUCKET LIST

20 Places to Visit Before You Turn 30

Listening | Speaking | Discussion | Vocabulary | Grammar

LESSON 1
BASIC LANGUAGE: GREETING























Greeting is very important in waiter’s workplace.

How do you usually greet your customer?






LISTENING
Listen to the dialogue and practice it with your partner.

Waiter : Good afternoon, sir. Welcome.
Customer : Thanks.

Waiter : Good morning, Madame. May I help you?
Customer : Yes please.

Waiter : Good evening, gentlemen. Are you ready to order?
Customer : Yes please.





LESSON 1 | Introduction: Welcoming the Guest 1

Day of the time








Look at the time below. Write the appropriate greeting that you will use.

1. 7 pm : ____________________________
2. 10.00 : ____________________________
3. 13.00 : ____________________________
4. 8 am : ____________________________
5. 9 pm : ____________________________





LESSON 1 | Introduction: Welcoming the Guest 2

Mentioning customer’s title is important while serving the
customer.






With name Without name In group

Man Mr. Sir Gentlemen
e.g. Mr. Smith

Woman Ms. Miss Ladies
e.g. Ms. Carrey Ma’am
Mrs. Madame
e.g. Mrs. Grey



Listen to the audio and choose the correct answer.

1.
a. b.







a. b.



















LESSON 1 | Introduction: Welcoming the Guest 3

2. a. b.

a. b.

3. a. b
a. b.

LESSON 1 | Introduction: Welcoming the Guest 4

LESSON 2

WELCOMING THE GUESTS


































DISCUSSION

Discuss these questions with your peers.
Is it important to welcome the guests in your workplace? Explain your answer.

What expression do you usually use when welcoming the guests?

Look at the picture above. What does the waiter do? How is his body
language? Do the customers look pleased?





LESSON 1 | Welcoming the Guest 5

VOCABULARY


Read the definitions of the words, then complete each sentence. Compare your answers
with a partner.


available (adj.) able to be used or obtained
reserve (v.) arrange for (a room, seat, ticket, etc.) to be kept for the use of a particular
person and not given to anyone else:
reservation (n.) the action of reserving something
book (v) reserve (accommodations, a place, etc.)
seat (n.) a thing made or used for sitting on, such as a chair or stool.
order (v.) request (something) to be made, supplied, or served
prefer (v.) like (one thing or person) better than another or others; tend to choose
party (n.) group of people at or waiting for a table

1. Waiter : Are you ready to _________ now?

Customer : Yes, please.

2. Customer : Can we sit here?
Waitress : I’m sorry, Sir, but that table is ____________ by another customer.

3. Waiter : Here is your table, Madam. Please, take a __________.
Customer : Thank you.

4. Waiter : Do you have a ______________?
Customer : Yes. It’s Phoebe Connor.

5. Waitress : Do you __________ smoking or non-smoking area?
Customer : Non-smoking, please.


6. Customer : A table for six, please.
Waitress : I’m sorry, Ma’am. There’s no ___________ table at a moment.

7. Customer : A ________ of four, please.
Waitress : Please, follow me.

8. Waitress : Welcome to Kingsman Restaurant. Have you _________?
Customer : Yes. The name’s Parker.


Listen to the pronunciation on each word and practice it with your partner.

LESSON 1 | Welcoming the Guest 6

LISTENING

Listen carefully and fill in the blank.

Waiter : Hi. Good evening. Welcome. Table for four?
Customer : Yes, please.
Waiter : This way please.
Customer : Thank you.
Waiter : I’ll be your host today. Do you want me to take your jacket?
Customer : Yes. Thank you.
Waiter : You’re welcome. I’ll get you the menu. I’ll come as soon as possible.
: Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?
Waiter
Customer : Yes, I do. The name’s Champbell.
Waiter : Thank you. Your table is ready, Mr. Champbell. This way, please.

Customer : Have you got a table for six?
Waitress : Afternoon. Have you booked?
Customer : No, we haven’t
Waitress : I’m sorry, but all the tables are taken
Customer : Can we wait?
Waitress : Yes, but it will be about half an hour.
Customer : Okay. We’ll leave. Bye
Waitress : Sorry about that. Bye

Customer : Hi, can we sit here?
Waiter : Hi, that table’s reserved, I’m afraid. How about this one by the window?
Customer : Okay. Thanks.


Customer : Hello, is it table service?
Waitress : Hello. Yes. Just take a seat and I’ll be with you a minute
Customer : Thanks.

Waiter : Good afternoon. Are you ready to order?
Customer : Not quite yet, can you give us a few more minutes?
Waiter : Sure.
Customer : And, could you bring the children’s menu, please?
Waiter : Yes.

Waitress : Hi.
Customer : Hi, do you have a table for two?
Waitress : Do you prefer inside or outside?
Customer : Outside. It’s such a lovely day.
Waitress : Yes, it is. Is this table okay?
Customer : That’s fine. Thanks.

Choose one of the dialogues above and practice it with your partner.


LESSON 1 | Welcoming the Guest 7

Useful
Expressions/Phrases



• My name is …
• I am …

• Welcome to …

• Please, follow me.
• Here is your menu(s).

• I’ll be your waiter/waitress/server today.
• I’ll be back in a minute to take your order.
• Just take a seat. I’ll be with you in a minute.
• Do you have a reservation?
• Table for …






GRAMMAR

Simple Present Tense

In waiter’s workplace, the tense that is often used is simple present tense
because it expresses an action that is happening now. Simple present tense can
also be used when:

• it happens regularly,

• it is habitually,

• it is a general truth or fact


Simple present tense uses a base verb form or a verb that ends with –s/-es.
E.g. We have a spicy asparagus soup.
Table four needs more tissues.


Affirmative sentence (+)
E.g. We have a chicken salad with mayonnaise.

Negative sentence (-)
E.g. I’m sorry, the food is not ready yet.
We don’t serve alcohol, sir.

Interrogative sentence (?)
E.g. Do you want to try our special menu?


LESSON 1 | Welcoming the Guest 8

SPEAKING


Make your own dialogue using the phrases and expressions that you have learned.
Practice it with your friends.







Did you know that a host and waiter are different, but
in Indonesia we ar e hardly known about host?



A host is the one who greets and helps the guests get
sreesattaeudr.a An th ioss tn omta by ugsoy aarnodu n adls oa ntda kceh epcaky omne ntatb flreosm if tthhee
guests.

A waiter usually takes orders from customers, brings food
and drinks for them.


To know more about host and waiter, visit:
http://work.chron.com/hostess-vs-waitress-24342.html

LESSON 1 | Welcoming the Guest 9

LESSON 3

FOOD AND BEVERAGES




















DISCUSSION

Discuss these questions with your peers.
Does your workplace have a speciality? What is it?

When is the right time to mention the speciality to the customers?

Look at the picture above. What happens in that pictures?



LESSON 3 | Food and Beverages 10

VOCABULARY 11
































Listen to the pronunciation on each vocabulary. Practice it with partner.



LESSON 3 | Food and Beverages

Additional Information





starter entrée

appetizer main course



Starter and appetizer as well as entrée and main
course are basically the same thing. It depends on

each restaurant which one they want to use.
What about in your workplace?

LESSON 3 | Food and Beverages 12

LISTENING

Listen to the audio and fill in the blank.
Dialogue 1


Good evening, and welcome to Claude's Chowder House. Here's
_________________ to get you started. My name's Chad, and I'll be
your waiter tonight. Our ________ tonight are __________ Newburg
with clam chowder, and swordfish with ____________. The
__________ is at the back of the ________, ______________ are at
the front, and ____________ are listed on page three. I'll be back in a
few moments to take your order. In the meantime, feel free to help
yourself to our all-you-can-eat ___________. Do you have any
questions I can answer for you right now? No. OK, if you have any
after you've looked over the menu, feel free to ask. Now then,
_____________________________________ while you decide?

Dialogue 2
Waiter : Are you ready for the ________________, madam?
Guest : Yes, but I am still looking at the _________. Tell me what would you _____________
for the ___________________?
Waiter : Why don’t you try Beef Chasseur? It’s very good.
Guest : Well, I am afraid. I am not willing to have beef right now.
Waiter : ___________________, Ma’am. What about Noisettes Milanese?
Guest : Sorry. I don’t get it. What exactly is this Noisettes Milanese?
Waiter : That’s lamb cooked with herbs and served with spaghetti.
Guest : Hmm. That’s sound interesting. I will like to try it, then.
Waiter : Very good, Madam. ________________ vegetables?
Guest : Umm… Green peas and potatoes.
Waiter : __________________, Madam?
Guest : A glass of water, please.
Waiter : All right, ________. I will be with your meal in few minutes.

Try to practice your speaking skill using one of the listening texts above.

LESSON 3 | Food and Beverages 13

Useful Expressions


• Chef’s speciality is …

• Today’s specials are … and …

• It comes with …
• I recommend you try our special ….
• Our recommendation is …

• Our salmon steak is very good, Ma’am
• That is …









SPEAKING

Making Suggestions and explaining the dish

Sometimes, a customer cannot decide what he/she wants to choose from the
menu. As a waiter, it is your job to make a recommendation or suggestion to
the customer.

If the customer asks, “What do you suggest?” or “What’s your
recommendation?” You could response:


• Would you like (mention the recommendation)?
• Why don’t you try our recommendation? It is (mention it).
• What about (mention the dish)?
• I would recommend (mention the dish).
• Our (mention the dish) is (tell the quality of the dish).

The customer also likes to ask about the restaurant’s special, so you need to
know the dishes very well. Here is some expression that can be used in
explaining the dish:
• It is (mention the dish) and comes with (mention the side, e.g.

vegetables and potatoes).
• Today’s special is (mention the dish).



Practice your suggestion making and dish explanation using the pattern that you have
learned with your partner.

LESSON 3 | Food and Beverages 14

Practice your speaking skill in making suggestions and explaining the dish by following these
instructions:
1. Bring two copies of your restaurant menu to the class. One copy for the instructor
and the other for you to keep.
2. If your restaurant menu does not provide English version, you should consult it with
your instructor.

3. Practice your suggestion making and dish explanation using your own restaurant
menu.
4. If you have any difficulty, you can always ask your instructor for consultation.

ROLE PLAY













The instructor
No script will be your

guest!
needed!



The material will be from lesson 1 to 3




All you need to do is prepare, prepare, and
prepare!

LESSON 3 | Food and Beverages 15

LESSON 4

TAKING ORDERS




16
DISCUSSION

Discuss these questions with your peers.


What expressions do you usually use for taking order from guest?

How long does it take for you to take order from guest?

Look at the picture above. What does the writer ask to the guest?



LESSON 4 | Taking Orders

VOCABULARY DEFINITION

• stoo mweatnh ti nogr w(inisfho rfmora l)

• a portion of food
VOCABULARY served and eaten at
• dressing (n.) one time
• steak (n.)
• meal (n.) • make a choice from a
• decide (v.) number of
• out of (phrase) alternatives
• care of (phrase)
• a sauce for salads

• not having (a
particular thing)

• high quality beef
taken from the
hindquarters of the
animal

Fill in the blank using the vocabulary in the box.
1. Today’s special is chicken _____________ with vegetables and fries.
2. Have you _____________ on your starter?
3. Would you ___________________ for anything to drink?
4. The ______________ is mayonnaise, vegetables, and fruit.
5. What ____________ do you want to order?
6. I apologize, we are ________________ salmon.

LESSON 4 | Taking Orders 17

LISTENING

Listen to the dialogue and fill in the blank.

Dialogue 1
Waiter : Hello.
Jamie : Hi. ___________________, please.
Waiter : Of course. Over here, please. Here’s the menu.
Sally : Thank you.
(pause)
Waiter : ____________________________?
Sally : Yes, we are.
Waiter : ________________________________________?
Jamie : I’d like French onion soup, please.
Sally : And I’ll have a tomato salad, please.
Waiter : ______________________________________?
Jamie : Mmm, I’m not sure. I don’t know whether to have the steak or Thai chicken.
Sally : Oh, I’d like the Thai chicken and rice please.
Jamie : OK, me too.
Waiter : So that’s two Thai chicken and rice. _______________________________?
Jamie : I’ll have a fresh orange juice and ...
Sally : I’d like some mineral water, please.
Waiter : OK, thank you.

Dialogue 2
Waiter : Hi. Welcome to Heavenly Pies. __________________?
Man : Uh . . . yes. I'd like the chicken fried steak.
Waiter: Okay. _______________ fries, bread, or rice with your meal?
Man : Umm. I'll take the rice?
Waiter : ____________________ anything to drink?
Man : Yeah. I'll take a medium orange juice.
Waiter : I'm sorry. We only have large or small.
Man : Well, in that case, uh, I'll have a small one.

LESSON 4 | Taking Orders 18

Waiter : Okay. A small juice. And ________________ would you like with your salad. It
comes with the fried steak.

Man : What dressings do you have?
Waiter : We have French, Italian, blue cheese, and ranch.
Man : Oh! Ranch, please.
Waiter : ______________________________?
Man : Well, I'd like to see your pie menu. That's the main reason why I like to dine here.
Waiter : Oh, I'm so sorry, but we aren't serving pies today.
Man : Huh? I thought this was Heavenly Pies Restaurant.
Waiter : Well, it usually is, but, Dave, our baker, slipped in the kitchen on a banana two days

ago, and hurt his leg. [Oh] He'll be out for at least two weeks. In the meantime,
___________________ ice cream sundaes instead. Sorry.
Man: Wow. I'm sorry to hear that. Well in that case, I'll have an ice cream sundae.
Waiter : I'll be back with your order in a few minutes.

Try to practice your speaking skill using one of the dialogues above.




Useful Expressions


• Are you ready to order?
• May I take your order?

• What kind of dressing?
• And you, sir?
• How about you, Ma’am?






LESSON 4 | Taking Orders 19

GRAMMAR

Modal verb for making offers

Modal verb has many function, one of them is making offer. While taking the
orders, the waiter will use modal verb to make an offer.
For example:

• Would you prefer hot or cold?
• Would you like to order now?
• How would you like your steak p repared?
• What would you like to drink?
• Can I help you?

Would is politer while can is more casual.



SPEAKING


Make your own dialogue using the expressions and modal verbs that you have learned.
Practice it with your friends.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

LESSON 4 | Taking Orders How would you
like your steak
prepared?



20

LESSON 5 21

HANDLING COMPLAINT





















DISCUSSION

Discuss these questions with your peers.


Has your guest ever complained? What are they complaining?

How do you usually handle the guest complaint?

Look at the picture above. What happens in there?



LESSON 5 | Handling Complaint

LISTENING

Listen to the conversation and fill in the blank.

Guest : Excuse me, but this is cold.
Waiter : _____________________ for you Madam.
Guest : Thank you.

Guest : Excuse me, but this isn't what I ordered.
Waiter : ______________________________ straightaway.
Guest : Thank you.

Guest : Why does it take so long?
Waiter : I’m sorry, sir. It will come out a couple of minute.
Guest : OK.

Guest : Excuse me
Waiter : Yes, may I help you?
Guest : There’s something in my soup!
Waiter : ____________________________. I’ll change it immediately.

Guest : I would like to speak with your manager! Look, what is this?!
Waiter : ___________________________. We will change the meal for you.
Guest : No. I want to speak with your manager! What a bad service!
Waiter : ________________, ma’am. _______________________. I’ll call the manager now.


Choose one of the dialogue and practice it with friends.





LESSON 5 | Handling Complaint 22

SPEAKING

Look at the picture below. Tell the class what happen in each picture and how do you
usually handle that situation.


























TShelal rtion gth e class about your own experience while handling the guest’s complaint.

LESSON 5 | Handling Complaint 23

Speaking skill

Apologizing

Sometimes, there will be a problem in a restaurant. As a waiter, you need to
handle the problem properly. Apologizing is used to tell the customers sorry for
the inconvenience or problem.
Here is some expression that you can use:

• I do apologize for …

• I must apologize for …

• I apologize for …

• I’d like to apologize for …

• I am sorry for …

• I’m terribly sorry for …


Since you are working in a restaurant, subject ‘I’ can be changed into ‘we’.

• We do apologize for …

• We must apologize for …

• We apologize for …

• We’d like to apologize for …

• We are sorry for …

• We’re terribly sorry for …

Practice your apologizing expression using the pattern that you have learned with your
partner.









LESSON 5 | Handling Complaint 24

LESSON 6 25

COLLECTING BILL


































DISCUSSION


What kind of payment do your restaurant accept?








LESSON 6 | Collecting Bill

VOCABULARY

Read the definitions of the words, then complete each sentence. Compare your answers
with a partner.



change (n.) money returned to someone as the balance of the amount paid for something:
payment (n.) the action or process of paying someone or something, or of being paid
receipt (n.) a written or printed statement acknowledging that something has been paid
for or that goods have been received.
cash (n.) money in coins or notes, as distinct from checks, money orders, or credit
tax (n.) a compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers'
income and business profits or added to the cost of some goods, services, and
transactions.
charge (n.) a price asked for goods or services
bill (n.) an amount of money owed for goods supplied or services rendered, set out in a
printed or written statement of charges


1. The price is including 10% on ______________ restaurant and services.
2. We only accept ___________ and credit card.
3. The _____________ is Rp. 5.500,00.
4. There is an extra 10% discount for _______________ by credit card.
5. If you don’t get the _____________, you don’t need to pay the bill.
6. The ______ for their meal is Rp. 35.000,00
7. If you use this card, there will be a 3% __________.


Listen to the pronunciation on each word and practice it with your partner.



LESSON 6 | Collecting Bill 26

LISTENING

Listen to the dialogue and fill in the blank.

Dialogue 1
Waiter : Have you enjoyed the meal, Sir?
Guest : Yes, I have. Thanks.
Waiter : How is the service and ambience of us?
Guest : That’s fine. Thanks very much.
Waiter : Do you like to have anything else, Sir?
Guest : Not at all. I have had enough. ________________________?
Waiter : Sure, Sir. (After few minutes) … __________________________.
Guest : That’s fine. Do you accept Master Card?
Waiter : With pleasure, Sir. __________________________.
Guest : Here is my card
Waiter : Thanks sir. (After a minute) _______________________. _______________?
Thanks.
Guest : Keep this for you. It is nice having my meal here. I have really enjoyed your meal
and service.
Waiter : You are always welcome. Hope to see you again, Sir.
Guest : See you then. Goodbye.
Waiter : Goodbye, Sir.

Dialogue 2
Waiter : Can I help you?
Guest : Yes, could we have the bill?
Waiter : _______________.

Dialogue 3
Guest : Can I have the bill, please?
Waiter : Yes, sir. _________________. It totals ____ dollars.
Guest : What's the 3 dollars for?
Waiter : _______________________.

LESSON 6 | Collecting Bill 27

Guest : I see. I'd like to pay it by credit card.
Waiter : No problem.

Dialogue 4
Guest : Waiter, could you please bring us the bill?
Waiter : Yes, _____________________________________?
Guest : Separate bills.
Waiter : _____________________. It comes to ______ dollars. And yours is ____ dollars.
Guest : Here you are. Thank you.

Dialogue 5
Guest : Can I have my bill, please?
Waiter : Sure, ____________.
Guest : How about the service, is that included?
Waiter : Yes.
Guest : Can I pay the bill with credit card?
Waiter : Sorry, sir. ________________________. You'll have to pay in cash.
Guest : OK, here you are.
Waiter : ___________________.
Guest : I'm sorry. How much was the total?
Waiter : It came to ______ dollars
Guest : I gave you _____ dollars, but you only gave me back 5 dollars. I think you short
changed me _____ dollars.
Waiter : Can I see your receipt please? Oh I'm so sorry. ____________________.

Choose one of the dialogues and practice it with your friends.



LESSON 6 | Collecting Bill 28

Useful Expressions

• Here is your bill, Sir.
• Here’s your change
• Yes, it’s including the tax and service














Numbers

When dealing with money, we need to know numbers very well.

1 One 30 thirty
2 Two 40 forty

3 Three 50 fifty
4 Four 60 sixty
5 Five 70 seventy
6 Six 80 eighty
7 Seven 90 ninety
8 Eight 1.00 a hundred
9 Nine 11..000000. 0 00 a thousand
10 Ten a million
11 Eleven
12 Twelve
13 Thirteen
14 Fourteen
15 Fifteen
16 Sixteen
17 Seventeen
18 Eighteen
19 Nineteen
20 Twenty



LESSON 6 | Collecting Bill 29

SPEAKING

Situation 1
The customer wants to pay with credit card but the restaurant only accept cash except the
charge is over 20 dollars.

Situation 2
There is something wrong with the bill. The cashier miscalculated the bill by adding the bill
of the other table.


LESSON 6 | Collecting Bill 30

BIBLIOGRAPHIES

Apologizing. (n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2017, from
http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/communication-lesson-
apologizing.php

Beare, K. (n.d.). English for the Food Service Industry. Retrieved November 22, 2017, from
https://www.thoughtco.com/english-for-the-food-service-industry-1210226

Beare, K. (2017, April 4). How to Make Suggestions in English for ESL Students. Retrieved
December 16, 2017, from https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-a-suggestion-
1211130

Crossword Puzzle Maker. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2017, from
https://worksheets.theteacherscorner.net/make-your-own/crossword/#

Eating out. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2017, from
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening-skills-practice/eating-out

English Conversations: In a Restaurant. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2017, from
http://www.english-at-home.com/conversations-restaurant/

English for restaurant waiters: Giving the bill/check and saying goodbye exercise. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 24, 2017, from
http://www.blairenglish.com/exercises/job_work/exercises/english-for-restaurant-
giving-bill-leaving/english-for-restaurant-giving-bill-leaving.html

Food and Beverage Vocabulary. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2017, from
https://www.englishclub.com/english-for-work/food-drink-vocabulary.htm

Greeting & seating customers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2017, from
http://esol.britishcouncil.org/content/learners/english-work/catering/greeting-
seating-customers

Simple Present. (2017, April 07). Retrieved November 16, 2017, from
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/simple-present/

TOEIC listening: Waiter welcomes guests and informs them about the night's specials. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 20, 2017, from http://www.english-
test.net/toeic/listening/waiter_welcomes_guests_and_informs_them_about_the_nigh
ts_specials.html#TOEIC_Listening_Comprehension

Waiter & Guest English Conversation or Dialogue at Hotel & Restaurant. (2017, June 06).
Retrieved November 23, 2017, from http://www.hospitality-school.com/waiter-
guest-english-dialogue



Bibliographies 31