A1 · Beginner · Services
At the post office
5 short A1 English scripts to practise how to at the post office. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase I'd like to send this to…
Fifty photos in one envelope
Hello. I'd like to send this letter to Istanbul, please. Do I need a stamp? Oh, I've got one. It's in my pocket. Here it is.
Can you weigh it? It's only a letter, but there are fifty photos in the envelope. Yes, I know. It's a post office, not a photo shop. Sorry!
American English
Hello. I'd like to send this letter to Istanbul, please. Do I need a stamp? Oh, I have one. It's in my pocket. Here it is.
Can you weigh it? It's only a letter, but there are fifty photos in the envelope. Yes, I know. This is a post office, not a photo store. Sorry!
The postman left a card
Hi. The postman tried to deliver my parcel, but I was in the shower. He left a card in the postbox. I'd like to collect it, please.
Here's my tracking number. Do you need ID? Yes, here. Sign here? OK. Oh no, I wrote my name in the wrong box. Sorry! Do you have a pen?
American English
Hi. The mail carrier tried to deliver my package, but I was in the shower. He left a card in the mailbox. I'd like to collect it, please.
Here's my tracking number. Do you need ID? Yes, here. Sign here? Okay. Oh no, I wrote my name in the wrong box. Sorry! Do you have a pen?
Grandma's vase is fragile
I'd like to send this vase to my sister in Germany. It's fragile, so please be careful. It was my gran's. How long will it take?
By airmail, five days? Good. What about first class? Is it faster? It must arrive before her birthday on Friday, or she'll be very angry. With me, not you.
American English
I'd like to send this vase to my sister in Canada. It's fragile, so please be careful. It was my grandma's. How long will it take?
By airmail, five days? Good. What about first class? Is it faster? It must arrive before her birthday on Friday, or she'll be very angry. With me, not you.
Who's the sender?
Next, please. Hello. What can I do for you? You'd like to post this box? OK, but it isn't closed. Who's the sender?
That's me. Sorry, I need to wrap it again. Can I borrow some tape? Thanks. Do you want to see my ID? It's in the car. Oh. Is it OK if I come back?
American English
Next, please. Hello. What can I do for you? You'd like to mail this box? Okay, but it isn't closed. Who's the sender?
That's me. Sorry, I need to wrap it again. Can I borrow some tape? Thanks. Do you want to see my ID? It's in the car. Oh. Is it okay if I come back?
Six postcards, one sentence
Hi! I've got six postcards for my family in Turkey. Which counter do I need? This one? Great. How much is a stamp for Turkey?
Do I need a return address? It's only a postcard? Good. I wrote the same message six times: "Weather great, food great, wish you were here." My hand hurts. Can I post them with my left hand?
American English
Hi! I've got six postcards for my family in Turkey. Which counter do I go to? This one? Great. How much is a stamp for Turkey?
Do I need a return address? It's only a postcard? Good. I wrote the same message six times: "Weather great, food great, wish you were here." My hand hurts. Can I mail them with my left hand?
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| post office noun | a place where you send letters and parcels |
| stamp noun | a small paper you stick on a letter |
| envelope noun | a paper cover for a letter |
| send verb | make something go to another person |
| weigh verb | find out how heavy something is |