Arrival in a Country (Novice-Intermediate)

Practice on Your Own

Imagine you are arriving in a country where the language is spoken and you need to go through immigration and customs.

• Practice saying words like passport, visa, country, work, student, tourist, etc.
• Do some research online about the procedures for entering the country. This will give you an idea of the kinds of questions you may be asked, items you should avoid bringing into the country, etc. Perhaps you can even find sample immigration and/or customs forms.
• Think about questions the immigration officer may ask you, such as the reason you are in the country, how long you will stay in the country, what you will do there, where you will work or go to school, where you will live, etc.
• Write a dialogue of a conversation between yourself and an immigration officer. Also practice the conversation out loud.
• Then think about going through customs. What questions might you be asked (are you bringing any plant or animal products, commercial merchandise to sell in the country, etc.)?

Practice in Conversation Session

• Be prepared to tell your conversation partner the vocabulary that you have prepared. Your conversation partner can help if you have questions.
• Be prepared to do a role play where your role play partner will be an immigration officer and you will answer their questions accordingly. Then switch roles and repeat the role play.
• Do another role play where your role play partner is a customs officer and asks you about the items you are bringing into the country. Then switch roles.