Eating Out · Part 3 · A1/A2
The Business Lunch Challenge
Today’s goal: use your restaurant English in a real business lunch and decide what makes a lunch professional.
🍽️ Restaurant English
refuse, complain, ask for an alternative
refuse, complain, ask for an alternative
💼 Business Lunch
discover 7 useful professional rules
discover 7 useful professional rules
🗣️ Speaking
plan, negotiate and role-play with your partner
plan, negotiate and role-play with your partner
Architecture: only 5 core blocks + exit. No new listening. By minute 39–40, start the role-play even if an earlier task is unfinished.
🧰 My Chunk Bank — open when you need language
Lexical rule: try to remember the whole phrase, not one isolated word.
🍽️ Restaurant
I’m sorry, but…
I’m afraid I can’t…
I’m allergic to…
Excuse me, the ___ is ___.
Could I have ___ instead?
What do you recommend?
Can I bring you something else?
No, thanks. I’m full.
💼 Business lunch
choose somewhere quiet
ask for starters
order coffee
book a table
plan to finish within two hours
arrive a few minutes early
turn off your phone
don’t talk about politics
ask for the bill
US option: ask for the check
pay with a credit card
🤝 Decide & negotiate
I think we should…
What about…?
Maybe we can…
I agree.
I’m not sure.
What about ___ instead?
That sounds good.
Let’s…
Maybe we can talk about the project instead.
1
⚡ Restaurant Reboot
Fast retrieval → immediate speaking. No re-teaching.
PARTNER MODE · 90 seconds
Teacher listens. Students speak.
Teacher listens. Students speak.
01:30
Bruna → ask Juliana
How’s your morning going?
Juliana → ask Bruna
What are you doing after class?
Keep going with ONE follow-up: Why? · What time? · Really? · And you?
Example → now you
Listen first. Then copy the pattern with your own information.
Host: Would you like the steak?
Guest: I’m sorry, but I don’t eat meat. I’m a vegetarian.
Host: No problem. Can I bring you the salad instead?
Guest: Yes, please. That sounds good. Thank you.
👉 Now you: use the same pattern with fish + allergy.
Challenge A — Fish
The host offers you fish. You are allergic to fish.
Host: Would you like the fish?
Model: I’m afraid I can’t eat fish. I’m allergic to it. What do you recommend?
Challenge B — French fries
Your French fries arrive. They are cold and soft.
Model: Excuse me, the French fries are cold and soft. Could I have another portion, please?
Now make each one a 4-turn conversation.
offer → polite response / problem → solution → response
offer → polite response / problem → solution → response
TTT cap: 6 minutes total for this whole block. If a word is missing: give the chunk once and return the turn. Do not explain allergic / tough / soft / fries / plural unless communication stops.
2
💼 Discover the 7 Business Lunch Rules
Jigsaw reading: each student reads only her cards, then teaches her partner.
Source idea: “Seven dos and don’ts for a successful business lunch.” Today, you will discover the rules by solving verb-pair cards.
Example → now you
See how to solve a card.
Words: choose + look
Choose somewhere that isn’t too cheap or too expensive. Look for somewhere quiet.
Useful chunk: choose somewhere quiet
👉 Now you: complete your own cards, then explain the rule to your partner.
🟢 Bruna — Cards 1, 3, 5, 7
Read your cards. Complete the verbs. Then explain the rule to Juliana in simple English.
1 · The place
_____ somewhere that isn’t too cheap or too expensive. _____ for somewhere quiet.
choose + look
Chunk: choose somewhere quiet
Chunk: choose somewhere quiet
3 · The time
_____ a table for around 1:00–1:30. _____ to finish within two hours.
book + plan
Chunks: book a table · plan to finish within two hours · arrive a few minutes early
Chunks: book a table · plan to finish within two hours · arrive a few minutes early
5 · Phone & papers
Don’t _____ papers on the table. _____ off your phone.
put + turn
Chunks: don’t put papers on the table · turn off your phone
Chunks: don’t put papers on the table · turn off your phone
7 · Ending the meal
_____ the end of the meal by asking for the bill. _____ with a credit card.
signal + pay
Chunks: ask for the bill · pay with a credit card
Chunks: ask for the bill · pay with a credit card
American English option: Can we have the check, please?
🔵 Juliana — Cards 2, 4, 6
Read your cards. Complete the verbs. Then explain the rule to Bruna in simple English.
2 · The menu
_____ for starters you can share. Skip dessert and _____ coffee.
ask + order
Chunks: ask for starters · order coffee
Chunks: ask for starters · order coffee
4 · Other people
Don’t _____ up to greet acquaintances during lunch. _____ until the end.
get + wait
Idea: don’t get up during the meal; wait until the end.
Idea: don’t get up during the meal; wait until the end.
6 · Conversation
Don’t _____ about politics or very personal matters, but _____.
talk + relax
Chunks: don’t talk about politics · relax
Chunks: don’t talk about politics · relax
Example → now you
How to explain one rule to your partner:
Rule 1 says: choose somewhere quiet.
I think this is important because you can talk comfortably.
👉 Now you: explain your rule in 1–2 simple sentences.
TEACH YOUR PARTNER · 3 minutes
Bruna explains 2 rules. Juliana explains 2 rules. Then switch.
Bruna explains 2 rules. Juliana explains 2 rules. Then switch.
03:00
Useful explaining frames:
“Rule number ___ says…” · “I think this is important because…” · “For me, this rule is easy / difficult.”
“Rule number ___ says…” · “I think this is important because…” · “For me, this rule is easy / difficult.”
Do not read the seven tips aloud. The students own the text. If they ask a word, give a 3–5 word meaning and send them back to the card. Target end time for this section: minute 23.
3
🧠 Flashcard Game — Keep the Chunk
Say the full phrase before you flip the card.
Example → now you
Front: quiet → try to remember the complete phrase.
Answer: choose somewhere quiet
👉 Now you: say the complete chunk before flipping each card.
quiet
Say the chunk.
choose somewhere quiet
table
Say the chunk.
book a table
early
Say the chunk.
arrive a few minutes early
phone
Say the chunk.
turn off your phone
politics
Say the chunk.
don't talk about politics
bill
Say the chunk.
ask for the bill
card
Say the chunk.
pay with a credit card
relax
Say the idea.
relax and have a natural conversation
Game rule: 1 point if you say the complete chunk before flipping. ½ point if you need the first word.
Top 3 rules — negotiate
Respond to your partner: I agree. · I’m not sure. · I don’t agree because… · For me, ___ is more important.
Max 6 minutes. No vocabulary lecture. The flashcards are the explanation: cue → chunk → audio → use.
4
🗓️ Your Business Lunch Mission
Plan together. The teacher does not decide.
Client profile
🥗 Food
does not eat meat; fish is okay
does not eat meat; fish is okay
🕐 Time
available 1:00–3:00 PM
available 1:00–3:00 PM
💬 Goal
discuss a new project
discuss a new project
Example → now you
Listen to a short negotiation before you start.
A: I think we should choose a quiet restaurant.
B: I agree. What about an Italian restaurant?
A: That sounds good. Let’s book a table for one o’clock.
👉 Now you: use the same pattern to make your six decisions.
1 · Restaurant
Choose: noisy & cheap · quiet & not too expensive · very formal & expensive
2 · Time
Choose: 1:00 · 1:30 · 2:00
3 · Food
Choose a meat-free option.
4 · Phone
What will you do?
5 · Conversation
Pick 2 good topics + 1 topic to avoid.
6 · Ending
How will you finish the meal?
Decision chunks:
I think we should…
What about…?
Maybe we can…
What about ___ instead?
NEGOTIATION MODE · 7 minutes
Discuss all 6 decisions in English.
Discuss all 6 decisions in English.
07:00
Example → now you
Short presentation model:
For our business lunch, we want to choose a quiet restaurant. We want to book a table for one o’clock, and we want to order fish and vegetables.
👉 Now you: copy the structure, but present your plan.
30-second plan presentation
Bruna
restaurant · time · menu
For our business lunch, we want to…
restaurant · time · menu
For our business lunch, we want to…
Juliana
phone · conversation · ending
During the lunch, we are going to…
phone · conversation · ending
During the lunch, we are going to…
At minute 39–40, stop this block and go to role-play. Even if decision 6 is incomplete. Teacher only monitors and notes up to 3 language items.
5
🎭 The Business Lunch Role-play
This is the core of the lesson. Two rounds. Less support in Round 2.
PRODUCTION ZONE · 16 minutes
Teacher silent unless communication stops.
Teacher silent unless communication stops.
16:00
Example → now you
Listen to the beginning. Copy the structure — not the exact words.
Host: It’s great to see you. Would you like the steak?
Guest: I’m sorry, but I don’t eat meat. I’m a vegetarian.
Host: No problem. What about the vegetarian pasta?
Guest: That sounds good. Thank you.
👉 Now you: continue the conversation for 6–8 turns.
Round 1 — With support
🟢 Student A — HOST
- Welcome your guest.
- Offer a dish.
- Respond to a food restriction.
- Suggest an alternative.
- Respond to a food problem.
- Finish the lunch politely.
🔵 Student B — GUEST
- You don’t eat meat.
- You want a vegetarian option.
- Your onion rings arrive cold.
- You are full at the end.
Welcome
It’s great to see you. / Thanks for coming.
It’s great to see you. / Thanks for coming.
Offer
Would you like the steak? / Would you like some dessert?
Would you like the steak? / Would you like some dessert?
Refuse
I’m sorry, but I don’t eat meat. I’m a vegetarian.
I’m sorry, but I don’t eat meat. I’m a vegetarian.
Alternative
Could I have the vegetarian pasta instead? / What do you recommend?
Could I have the vegetarian pasta instead? / What do you recommend?
Problem
Excuse me, the onion rings are cold.
Excuse me, the onion rings are cold.
Solve
I’m so sorry. Can I bring you something else?
I’m so sorry. Can I bring you something else?
Finish
No, thanks. I’m full.
No, thanks. I’m full.
Bill
Can we have the bill, please?
Can we have the bill, please?
Model opening only:
Host: It’s great to see you. Would you like the steak?
Guest: I’m sorry, but I don’t eat meat. I’m a vegetarian.
Host: No problem. What about the vegetarian pasta?
Now continue without a model.
Host: It’s great to see you. Would you like the steak?
Guest: I’m sorry, but I don’t eat meat. I’m a vegetarian.
Host: No problem. What about the vegetarian pasta?
Now continue without a model.
Round 2 — Swap roles · Less support
🔵 Student B — HOST
welcome → offer fish → solve problem → offer coffee → finish
🟢 Student A — GUEST
allergic to fish → choose another dish → new food is too cold → coffee → bill
Goal: 7–9 turns. Do not stop after the first problem. Listen → respond → continue.
Host: Would you like the fish?
Guest: I’m afraid I can’t eat fish. I’m allergic to it.
Host: No problem. What about the vegetarian pasta?
Guest: That sounds good. Thank you.
Guest: I’m afraid I can’t eat fish. I’m allergic to it.
Host: No problem. What about the vegetarian pasta?
Guest: That sounds good. Thank you.
🎲 Random Complication Game
Only if there is time — or use it as the final 4-turn mini-round.
Click “New problem”.
If politics appears, try: “Maybe we can talk about the project instead.”
Correction rule: do not interrupt. Record 2–3 items and use them in “Make it Better.” If a student freezes, wait 8 seconds, then give only one cue: “I’m sorry…” / “Excuse me…” / “What about…?”
6
✨ Make It Better + Exit Ticket
Use language that actually appeared today.
Example → now you
First version: I don’t eat fish.
Better version: I’m sorry, but I don’t eat fish. Could I have the salad instead?
👉 Now you: improve a sentence that you actually said today.
My first version
My better version
Upgrade options:
I’m sorry, but… · I’m afraid… · Excuse me… · because… · I’m allergic to… · What do you recommend? · Could I have ___ instead?
I’m sorry, but… · I’m afraid… · Excuse me… · because… · I’m allergic to… · What do you recommend? · Could I have ___ instead?
🎟️ Exit Ticket — no teacher help
1 · Restaurant
I’m sorry, but…
2 · Business lunch
I think it’s important to…
3 · Problem
Excuse me,…
End on student output. Do not explain a new point in the final 3 minutes. Record any unresolved item for the next class.