Describing a process in English like cooking or assembling furniture is a skill every ESL student must learn. Anyone able to describe a process confidently should be able to communicate more effectively during a conversation.
In my experience, ESL students often make mistakes in sequencing or forget the steps of the process, which leads to confusion.
So how can you help your students achieve process description skills? Which activity to try?
If you’ve been teaching speaking skills for a while, you know that ESL teachers face at least a few, if not many, challenges while preparing their speaking lessons. One of the primary challenges is selecting the right activity for your ESL speaking class.
To boost my students’ conversational skills, I often use sample conversations as a role-play activity in my classes.
And guess what? My students truly enjoy them!
To improve your students’ conversational skills when they describe any process, you should give them ample opportunity to practice real-life conversations through role-plays.
Give your students these 15 conversations curated for different levels to practice to help them improve their process description vocabulary, transition words, and conversational skills. Supplemented with audio, these conversations will improve their listening skills too.
Table of Contents
Ordering Food at a Casual Restaurant (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Two friends ordering food at a local diner
Emma: Hello, Mark. What do you want to eat?
Mark: Pizza, please. With cheese and tomatoes.
Emma: Good choice. I’ll get the same.
Mark: What to drink?
Emma: Water, please.
Mark: Can we also have some ketchup, please?
Emma: Sure, I’ll ask for extra.
Mark: Thank you, Emma.
Emma: No problem, Mark.
Making Tea (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Friends in the kitchen making tea.
Emma: Hi, John! Want tea?
John: Yes, please. How make?
Emma: Boil water, add tea bag, wait.
John: How long?
Emma: Two minutes. Then add milk.
John: Sugar?
Emma: Sure. How many?
John: One. Smells nice.
Taking Bus (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: At bus stop, strangers waiting for work.
Mr. Smith: Bus stop?
Mrs. Johnson: Yes. Number 10 bus.
Mr. Smith: How often?
Mrs. Johnson: Every 15 minutes.
Mr. Smith: How long ride?
Mrs. Johnson: 30 minutes, traffic depending.
Making Sandwich (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Siblings making picnic sandwiches.
Liam: Hey, Anna! Sandwiches?
Anna: Yes! Ingredients?
Liam: Bread, cheese, ham, lettuce.
Anna: How much bread?
Liam: Two slices each.
Anna: Got it. Next?
Buying Groceries (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Customer and cashier at market.
Mr. Lee: Apple price?
Cashier: $1 per pound.
Mr. Lee: Three pounds, please.
Cashier: Anything else?
Mr. Lee: Six eggs, please.
Applying for a Library Card (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Two friends discussing the process of getting a library card.
Emma: Hey, Mark! I want to get a library card.
Mark: Cool! Just go to the library and ask for one.
Emma: Do I need to bring anything with me?
Mark: Yeah, some ID and proof of address should do.
Emma: Got it. How long does it take to get it?
Mark: Usually they issue it on the spot.
Emma: That’s convenient. Is there a fee?
Mark: No, it’s free. Libraries are awesome that way.
Emma: Alright, I’ll head there tomorrow. Thanks!
Making a Cup of Tea (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Roommates discussing how to make a cup of tea.
Sophie: Fancy a cuppa, Lily?
Lily: Sure! How do you make it again?
Sophie: Simple. Boil water, pour over tea bag, wait.
Lily: How long?
Sophie: About 3-5 minutes, depending on strength preference.
Lily: Got it. Then just add milk and sugar?
Sophie: If you like. Some prefer it black.
Lily: I’ll go with milk and a bit of sugar.
Sophie: Perfect. I’ll get the kettle started.
Lily: Thanks, Sophie! Can’t wait for a cozy cup.
Assembling Flat-Pack Furniture (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Customer service representative guiding a customer on assembling furniture.
Mr. Johnson: Hello, I’m having trouble with the instructions for my bookshelf.
CS Rep: No problem, sir. Which step are you stuck on?
Mr. Johnson: It’s the part where I attach the shelves.
CS Rep: Ah, that can be tricky. Let’s break it down.
Mr. Johnson: Thank you. I appreciate your help.
CS Rep: First, ensure all parts are correctly labeled.
Mr. Johnson: Okay, they seem to be in order.
CS Rep: Then, use the provided screws to secure each shelf.
Mr. Johnson: Understood. I’ll give it a try now.
Baking Chocolate Chip Cookies (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Friends discussing the steps to bake chocolate chip cookies.
David: I’m craving cookies. Want to bake some, Sarah?
Sarah: Definitely! Do you have the ingredients?
David: I think so. Flour, sugar, butter, chocolate chips.
Sarah: Great. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
David: Got it. How long do they bake?
Sarah: About 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
David: Can’t wait. How many should we make?
Sarah: Let’s double the recipe. More to share!
Setting Up a New Smartphone (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Customer service agent assisting a customer with setting up a new smartphone.
CS Agent: Good afternoon, how can I assist you with your new phone?
Ms. Rodriguez: Hi, I’m having trouble with the initial setup.
CS Agent: I’m here to help. What seems to be the issue?
Ms. Rodriguez: It’s asking for my email and password repeatedly.
CS Agent: Let’s troubleshoot. Have you tried restarting it?
Ms. Rodriguez: Yes, but it keeps looping back to the same screen.
CS Agent: Okay. Let’s try a factory reset then.
Ms. Rodriguez: Will I lose my data?
Creating a Personal Budget Plan (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Two friends discussing the process of budgeting for personal finances.
Ryan: Hey Sophia, I’ve been meaning to get my finances in order. Can you help?
Sophia: Of course, Ryan! Let’s start by tracking your monthly expenses and categorizing them.
Ryan: Okay. Should I prioritize fixed or variable expenses?
Sophia: Start with essentials like rent and utilities, then allocate funds for discretionary spending.
Ryan: Got it. How do I determine a realistic budget?
Sophia: Assess your income and set aside a portion for savings and financial goals.
Ryan: What about emergency funds?
Sophia: Aim to save at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses for unexpected situations.
Ryan: That’s prudent. Let’s create a budget spreadsheet to track everything.
Sophia: Great idea, Ryan. Budgeting is essential for financial stability.
Ryan: Thanks, Sophia. I appreciate your guidance.
Sophia: Anytime, Ryan. Let’s get started and take control of your finances together!
Troubleshooting Internet Connectivity Issues (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: A technical support specialist assists a customer with internet connectivity problems.
Customer: Good morning, Technical Support. I’m experiencing issues with my internet connection.
Technical Support: Good morning, sir. Let’s troubleshoot the problem. Are you receiving any error messages?
Customer: No error messages, just unable to connect to any websites.
Technical Support: I see. Have you tried restarting your modem and router?
Customer: Yes, I’ve restarted them both, but the issue persists.
Technical Support: Okay, let’s check your network settings. Can you access the router’s configuration page?
Customer: Yes, I can access it. What should I look for?
Technical Support: Check if the WAN settings are configured correctly and if your IP address is assigned.
Customer: Everything looks fine here. Could it be an issue with my ISP?
Technical Support: It’s possible. Let’s try power-cycling your modem once more and contact your ISP if the problem persists.
Customer: Thank you for your assistance. I’ll try that and contact my ISP if needed.
Technical Support: You’re welcome. Don’t hesitate to call back if you need further assistance.
Planning a Vacation Itinerary (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Two friends discuss planning an upcoming vacation together.
Sarah: Hey, Max, want to plan our vacation itinerary together?
Max: Absolutely, Sarah! Where are we thinking of going?
Sarah: How about a road trip along the coast, hitting up some beach towns?
Max: Sounds perfect! Should we start with booking accommodations?
Sarah: Yeah, let’s find some Airbnb places with ocean views.
Max: And what about activities? Surfing, snorkeling, maybe some hiking?
Sarah: Yes, all of that! We can map out each day with different adventures.
Max: Should we rent a car or use public transportation?
Sarah: I think renting a car gives us more flexibility to explore.
Max: Great idea! I’m excited already. Let’s get planning!
Sarah: Me too, Max. It’s going to be an epic trip!
Renewing a Passport (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: A customer service representative assists a client over the phone with renewing their passport.
Customer: Good morning, Ms. Lopez. I need to renew my passport, please guide me.
Ms. Lopez: Certainly, sir. Do you have your current passport and necessary documents ready?
Customer: Yes, I have them here. What’s the first step I should take?
Ms. Lopez: Fill out the passport renewal form online with accurate information.
Customer: After filling out the form, should I submit it electronically?
Ms. Lopez: Correct. Submit the form online and schedule an appointment at the passport office.
Customer: How long does it usually take to process the renewal?
Ms. Lopez: Processing times vary but typically take a few weeks. You may choose expedited service for a quicker turnaround.
Customer: Should I bring any additional documents to the appointment?
Ms. Lopez: Yes, bring your current passport, a passport photo, and any required fees.
Customer: Thank you for your assistance, Ms. Lopez. I’ll follow the steps you provided.
Ms. Lopez: You’re welcome, sir. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.
Arranging a Business Meeting (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Two colleagues discuss arranging a business meeting with clients.
Lucas: Hey, Rachel, can you help me set up a meeting with our clients?
Rachel: Sure thing, Lucas. Do you have their contact information handy?
Lucas: Yep, got their emails. Should I draft an invitation?
Rachel: Yes, draft a formal email inviting them to the meeting and propose some dates.
Lucas: After sending the invitation, should we follow up with a phone call?
Rachel: Good idea. Follow up to confirm receipt and discuss any specific agenda items.
Lucas: How long should we give them to respond before finalizing the date?
Rachel: Give them a few days, then if no response, send a gentle reminder.
Lucas: Thanks for walking me through it, Rachel. It’s my first time arranging a meeting.
Rachel: No problem, Lucas. It’s all about clear communication and professionalism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing conversations tailored to describing processes in English is essential for ESL learners to build confidence and proficiency. By using the resources provided in this post, both teachers and students can overcome challenges, improve communication skills, and enhance language proficiency effectively.
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