Learning Goals

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Use polite expressions, like “Can I have…”, “I’d like…”, and “Could I have…” to order food and drink.
• Respond appropriately to questions from café staff (e.g., “For here or to go?”, “Is that all?”).
• Understand and use container vocabulary (a cup of, a slice of, a piece of).
• Handle common payment questions and phrases.
• Ask for the check and understand simple prices.

1. Functional Language: Ordering at a Café

When you order in English, it is important to be polite. We use modal verbs to make polite requests.

A. Making Your Request

B. The Server’s Questions

• What can I get for you today? (Greeting)
• Anything else? / Is that all? (To confirm the order is complete)
• What size? (Asking for small, medium, or large)
• For here or to go? (Eat in the café or take away)

2. 📦 Vocabulary: Containers and Units

Since many foods and drinks are uncountable (like coffee or cake), we use containers or units to specify a quantity.

3. 💵 Paying the Bill

A. The Cashier’s Phrases

• That’ll be $5.75. (Tells you the total price)
• How would you like to pay? (Asking for cash, card, or electronic transfer)
• Do you need a receipt? (Asking if you want the paper bill)

B. Your Response Phrases

• I’ll pay with cash.
• I’ll pay by card.
• I’ll pay electronically. (e.g., Zelle, PayPal, or mobile transfer)
• Here you go. (Said when handing over money, card, or confirming transfer)
• Thank you. (Always polite!)

4. Functional Grammar Note: Ordering “A Water”

In a previous lesson, we learned that water is an uncountable noun (U), so we usually say “some water” or “a glass of water.”

In a service context (café, restaurant), it is completely acceptable and common to say: “Can I have a water, please?”

This is a functional exception where “a water” simply means one serving or one container (a bottle, a glass) of water.

5. Practice Dialogue 1: Ordering

Read and practice this short café conversation. Pay attention to polite expressions.

6. Practice Dialogue 2: Full Transaction

S: What can I get for you today?
C: I’d like a large tea and a slice of the chocolate cake.
S: Is that all? For here or to go?
C: To go, please. How much is that?
S: That’ll be $12.50. How would you like to pay?
C: By card. Here you go.
S: Great, thank you. Do you need a receipt?
C: No, that’s fine. Thank you.

✍️ Practice Task: Complete the Conversation

Instructions: Write the missing lines for the customer to complete this interaction:

1. Staff: Good morning! What would you like to order?
2. Customer: _______________________________________ (Order a tea and a piece of bread).
3. Staff: And is that everything?
4. Customer: _______________________________________ (Say no and ask for the check).
5. Staff: That will be seven dollars and twenty cents.