Effortless English Learning - What to Say in an Emergency While Traveling.

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Effortless English Learning

What to Say in an Emergency While Traveling.  

https://youtu.be/JvAkS7Ewtsc

Alison: Welcome back to Effortless English Learning!
Will: This is the podcast where we make English learning fun and useful.
Alison: Today, we have a super important topic.
Alison: It’s something every traveler should know.
Will: Yes!
Will: We’re talking about emergency phrases for travelers.
Alison: Imagine this—you’re in a foreign country, and something goes wrong.
Alison: Maybe you lose your passport.
Alison: Maybe you get sick.
Alison: What do you do?
Will: That’s when knowing the right English phrases can save the day.
Alison: Before we start, a quick reminder!
Alison: We have subtitles in many languages.
Alison: If you need them, just turn on CC.
Will: And don’t forget to subscribe!
Will: If you like learning English with us, hit that button.
Alison: So, why is today’s topic so important?
Will: Well, when we travel, we prepare for the good stuff—fun, food, and sightseeing.
Will: But unexpected things happen.
Alison: Exactly!
Alison: No one plans to lose their passport or get into an accident.
Alison: But if it happens, knowing what to say can really help.
Will: And it’s not just about words.
Will: It’s also about confidence.
Will: If you know what to say, you stay calm.
Alison: That’s true.
Alison: In a stressful moment, clear communication can make a huge difference.
Will: Plus, English is the most widely spoken language in the world.
Will: Even if you’re not in an English-speaking country, emergency workers often understand English.
Alison: Right!
Alison: So today, we’ll teach you what to say in different emergencies.
Will: Lost passport, medical emergencies, police reports—everything you need to know.
Alison: And we’ll also look at how people in the US and UK handle these situations differently.
Will: Oh, there are definitely some differences!
Will: We’ll talk about those, too.
Alison: Ready to get started?
Alison: Let’s go!

Alison: Let’s start with a simple question.
Alison: What emergencies can happen while traveling?
Will: Oh, so many things can go wrong!
Will: Let’s list a few common ones.
Alison: First, losing your passport.
Alison: It’s a nightmare!
Alison: You can’t leave the country without it.
Will: Yes, that’s a big one.
Will: Then, there’s getting sick.
Will: Food poisoning, the flu, or even just a bad stomach can ruin a trip.
Alison: Right!
Alison: And what about accidents?
Alison: Falling, breaking a bone, or getting hurt while exploring.
Will: Or traffic accidents!
Will: If you’re driving in a new country, the roads and rules can be confusing.
Will: A small mistake can cause big trouble.
Alison: And of course, theft.
Alison: Pickpockets love tourists.
Alison: Losing your wallet or phone can be really stressful.
Will: Oh, definitely.
Will: And sometimes, you might need the police.
Will: Maybe someone stole your bag.
Will: Maybe you saw something suspicious.
Alison: These things can happen to anyone.
Alison: Even if you’re super careful.
Will: Exactly!
Will: You never think it will happen to you, but it can.
Will: I once lost my wallet in Paris.
Will: It was a disaster!
Alison: Oh no!
Alison: What did you do?
Will: Well, I panicked first.
Will: Then, I remembered I needed to find the police station.
Will: But I had no idea what to say.
Alison: That’s why we’re here today!
Alison: So our listeners won’t feel lost if something happens.
Will: Yes!
Will: If you know the right words, you can get help fast.
Will: And that makes a huge difference.
Alison: Learning these phrases is like having a safety net.
Alison: You hope you won’t need them.
Alison: But if you do, you’ll be glad you learned them.
Will: And it’s not just about safety.
Will: It’s also about feeling confident when you travel.
Alison: Exactly!
Alison: So, let’s start with one of the biggest travel emergencies—losing your passport.

Alison: Losing your passport is one of the worst things that can happen while traveling.
Will: Oh, absolutely.
Will: It’s stressful, it’s inconvenient, and it can ruin your trip.
Alison: But don’t worry!
Alison: There’s a process to fix it.
Alison: You just need to stay calm and follow the steps.
Will: First, check your bags, pockets, and hotel room.
Will: Sometimes, we panic before really looking.
Alison: Right!
Alison: If you still can’t find it, you need to report it.
Alison: The first step is to go to the nearest embassy or consulate.
Will: But before that, you might need a police report.
Will: In some countries, embassies ask for one before giving you a new passport.
Alison: Good point!
Alison: So, let’s go through the phrases you’ll need at the police station.
Will: Yes!
Will: If you need to report a lost passport, you can say, “I lost my passport. I need to file a report.”
Alison: Or, “I can’t find my passport. Can you help me report it?”
Will: If someone stole it, you can say, “My passport was stolen.”
Will: Or, “Someone took my passport. I need to report it.”
Alison: Once you have the police report, head to your embassy.
Alison: When you arrive, go to the front desk and say, “I lost my passport. I need a replacement.”
Will: You might also say, “I need emergency travel documents.”
Will: That’s what they give you if you have to leave soon.
Alison: They will ask for some identification.
Alison: If you have a copy of your passport, show it to them.
Will: That’s why it’s always smart to keep a copy!
Will: Even a photo on your phone helps.
Alison: Yes!
Alison: And they’ll ask you to fill out some forms.
Alison: You might hear, “Please fill out this application.”
Will: They may also ask, “Do you have another ID with you?”
Will: A driver’s license or an old passport can help.
Alison: You’ll also need a passport photo.
Alison: If you don’t have one, ask, “Where can I get a passport photo nearby?”
Will: Then, you pay a fee.
Will: After that, they’ll tell you when to come back for your new passport.
Alison: But how long does it take?
Alison: In the US, it can take a few days, but in an emergency, you might get it sooner.
Will: In the UK, it’s similar, but they sometimes issue an “emergency travel document” instead of a full passport.
Will: It’s a small paper booklet that lets you travel home.
Alison: So, there are some differences between the US and UK.
Alison: But in both cases, the process is similar.
Will: Yes!
Will: And one more tip—call your airline.
Will: If your passport is lost, your flight might be affected.
Alison: Good idea!
Alison: Some airlines require extra paperwork before letting you fly.
Alison: So, always check in advance.
Will: So, let’s review.
Will: First, check everywhere for your passport.
Will: If it’s really lost, go to the police and file a report.
Alison: Then, head to your embassy with some ID and a passport photo.
Alison: Fill out the forms, pay the fee, and wait for your new passport.
Will: And if you’re in a hurry, ask about emergency travel documents!
Alison: Losing a passport is scary, but if you stay calm, you’ll get through it.
Will: Exactly!
Will: Now, let’s move on to another serious situation—calling the police.

Alison: Sometimes, when you’re traveling, you need to call the police.
Will: Yes, but not all problems require the police.
Will: So, when should you actually call them?
Alison: Good question!
Alison: You should call the police if you’re in danger, if a crime happens, or if you need an official report.
Will: Exactly!
Will: If someone steals your bag, if you see a fight, or if you have a car accident, you might need to call them.
Alison: But if you just lost something, like your phone, you don’t always need the police.
Alison: You can ask at a lost-and-found first.
Will: That’s true!
Will: Now, how do you actually call the police?
Will: In the US, the emergency number is 911.
Alison: And in the UK, it’s 999.
Alison: But if it’s not an emergency, use the local police station’s number.
Will: Right!
Will: So, what should you say when you call?
Alison: If it’s urgent, start with, “I need help. It’s an emergency.”
Will: If it’s not urgent, you can say, “I need to report something.”
Will: They will ask, “What happened?”
Alison: If someone stole your wallet, say, “My wallet was stolen.”
Alison: If your hotel room was broken into, say, “Someone broke into my room.”
Will: And if you see something dangerous, say, “I saw something suspicious.”
Alison: What if you’re in a car accident?
Will: Good question!
Will: If no one is hurt, say, “I was in a car accident, but I’m okay.”
Will: If someone is injured, say, “There was an accident. Someone is hurt.”
Alison: The police will ask for details.
Alison: They might ask, “Where are you?”
Will: So, you should always know your location!
Will: Look for street signs or landmarks.
Alison: And if you don’t know the address, you can say, “I don’t know the exact location, but I see a big red building near me.”
Will: They might also ask, “What does the person look like?”
Will: If you saw a thief, describe them.
Alison: Right!
Alison: You can say, “He was tall, wearing a black jacket.”
Will: Or, “She had short hair and carried a red bag.”
Alison: Now, let’s talk about the differences between the US and UK police.
Will: Well, in the US, police officers are sometimes called “cops.”
Alison: But in the UK, people say “police officers” or “bobbies.”
Will: And in the US, if you need help, you might hear, “Stay where you are. Help is coming.”
Alison: In the UK, they might say, “Remain at your location. Officers will be there shortly.”
Will: Also, in the UK, police don’t usually carry guns.
Will: But in the US, most officers do.
Alison: That’s an important difference!
Alison: Also, in the UK, you might hear “crime reference number.”
Alison: This is what the police give you after you report a crime.
Will: In the US, they usually just say “case number.”
Will: It’s the same idea, but a different name.
Alison: So, what’s the key takeaway?
Alison: If you need the police, stay calm and be clear.
Will: Yes!
Will: Give them the details they need—what happened, where you are, and any important descriptions.
Alison: And remember the emergency numbers!
Alison: 911 in the US, 999 in the UK.
Will: Knowing these phrases can help you stay safe.
Will: Now, let’s move on to another important topic—seeking medical help.

Alison: Getting sick while traveling is no fun.
Will: Oh, absolutely not.
Will: But it happens!
Will: Maybe you catch a cold, eat something bad, or even twist your ankle.
Alison: That’s why it’s important to know how to ask for medical help.
Alison: Let’s start with small problems—going to a pharmacy.
Will: Yes!
Will: If you need medicine, just go to the pharmacist and say, “I don’t feel well. Can you help me?”
Alison: If you have a headache, say, “I have a headache. Do you have something for that?”
Will: If it’s your stomach, say, “My stomach hurts. I think I ate something bad.”
Alison: If you have a fever, say, “I feel hot, and I think I have a fever.”
Will: Pharmacists can give you medicine for many small problems.
Will: But what if it’s more serious?
Alison: Then, you need to see a doctor.
Alison: At a clinic or hospital, they will ask, “What’s wrong?”
Will: Be clear about your symptoms.
Will: You can say, “I have a sharp pain in my chest.”
Alison: Or, “I feel dizzy and weak.”
Will: If you don’t know the right word, just describe it.
Will: Say, “It hurts here,” and point to the area.
Alison: That’s a great tip!
Alison: But what if it’s an emergency?
Will: Then, you need to call an ambulance.
Will: In the US, dial 911.
Alison: In the UK, dial 999.
Alison: When they answer, say, “I need an ambulance. It’s an emergency.”
Will: They will ask, “What happened?”
Will: Tell them, “Someone is unconscious,” or, “There was an accident. Someone is bleeding.”
Alison: They will also ask, “Where are you?”
Alison: Try to give them an address or a landmark.
Will: Now, let’s talk about some differences between the US and UK healthcare systems.
Will: In the US, medical care is private, and you usually need insurance.
Alison: But in the UK, they have the NHS, the National Health Service.
Alison: If you go to an NHS hospital, some treatments might be free.
Will: Yes!
Will: But if you’re a visitor, you might still have to pay for some things.
Alison: Another difference is the word “ER.”
Alison: In the US, the emergency room is called the ER.
Will: In the UK, they say A&E, which stands for “Accident and Emergency.”
Will: So, if you need emergency care in London, ask for A&E.
Alison: Good to know!
Alison: Also, in the US, you might hear “urgent care.”
Alison: These are small clinics for non-life-threatening problems.
Will: In the UK, they call it a walk-in center or minor injuries unit.
Will: Same idea, different name.
Alison: So, let’s summarize.
Alison: If you need medicine, go to a pharmacy and describe your symptoms.
Will: If it’s serious, go to a doctor and be clear about what’s wrong.
Will: And if it’s an emergency, call 911 in the US or 999 in the UK.
Alison: Knowing these phrases can make a big difference in a scary situation.
Will: Absolutely!
Will: Now, let’s talk about another stressful situation—handling a traffic accident.

Alison: Getting into a car accident while traveling can be really stressful.
Will: Oh, absolutely.
Will: You’re in a different country, maybe driving on the other side of the road!
Alison: Yes!
Alison: And suddenly—boom!
Alison: What do you do?
Will: First, stay calm.
Will: Take a deep breath and check if anyone is hurt.
Alison: If someone is injured, call an ambulance right away.
Alison: Say, “There was a car accident. Someone is hurt.”
Will: If no one is hurt, you still need to call the police.
Will: In the US, dial 911.
Alison: In the UK, dial 999 or 101 for non-emergencies.
Alison: When the police arrive, they’ll ask, “What happened?”
Will: Be clear and honest.
Will: You can say, “Another car hit me from behind.”
Alison: Or, “I didn’t see the car coming. It happened so fast.”
Will: They will also ask, “Were you driving?”
Will: If you were, say, “Yes, I was driving.”
Alison: If you were a passenger, say, “No, I was in the back seat.”
Will: Now, what about the other driver?
Will: You need to exchange information.
Alison: Yes!
Alison: Say, “Can I see your driver’s license and insurance?”
Will: And be ready to give yours, too.
Will: In the US, car insurance is required, and the police may ask, “Do you have insurance?”
Alison: In the UK, they might ask, “Are you insured on this vehicle?”
Alison: If you rent a car, check your rental agreement.
Will: Good point!
Will: And take pictures of everything—your car, their car, the road signs.
Alison: Yes!
Alison: If you call your insurance company, they’ll ask, “Do you have photos of the accident?”
Will: Now, let’s talk about some vocabulary differences.
Will: In the US, people say “car accident” or “crash.”
Alison: But in the UK, people say “car crash” or “road accident.”
Will: In the US, the road next to the sidewalk is the shoulder.
Will: But in the UK, it’s called the hard shoulder.
Alison: And in the US, if your car is too damaged to drive, you call a tow truck.
Alison: In the UK, they call it a breakdown recovery vehicle.
Will: That’s a mouthful!
Will: And here’s a big one—roundabout versus traffic circle.
Alison: Yes!
Alison: In the UK, they always say roundabout.
Alison: But in the US, people sometimes say traffic circle or rotary.
Will: So, what’s the key takeaway?
Will: Stay calm, check for injuries, and call the police.
Alison: Exchange information, take photos, and contact your insurance.
Will: And remember, different countries have different road rules!
Alison: Now, let’s hear some real stories—our personal travel emergencies!

Alison: We’ve talked about different travel emergencies.
Alison: But now, let’s get personal.
Alison: Will, have you ever had a travel emergency?
Will: Oh, yes.
Will: I had a pretty bad one in Spain.
Alison: Oh no!
Alison: What happened?
Will: I was in Barcelona, walking down a busy street.
Will: Suddenly, I felt someone bump into me.
Will: A few minutes later, I checked my pocket—my wallet was gone!
Alison: A classic pickpocket situation!
Will: Yes!
Will: I panicked at first.
Will: Then, I remembered I needed to find the police station.
Will: But I didn’t know what to say!
Alison: That’s scary.
Alison: How did you figure it out?
Will: I looked up some Spanish words on my phone.
Will: Then, I went to the police and said, “Someone stole my wallet.”
Alison: That’s a good phrase to remember!
Will: Yes!
Will: The police were helpful.
Will: They gave me a report for my travel insurance.
Alison: So, what did you learn from that?
Will: Always be aware of your surroundings.
Will: And know basic emergency phrases before you travel!
Alison: That’s smart!
Alison: I had a different kind of emergency in Italy.
Will: Oh?
Will: What happened?
Alison: I got food poisoning.
Alison: Really bad food poisoning.
Will: Oh no!
Will: What did you eat?
Alison: Some seafood pasta.
Alison: It tasted great, but a few hours later, I felt awful.
Will: That sounds terrible.
Will: What did you do?
Alison: I went to a pharmacy first.
Alison: I told them, “I have food poisoning. I need medicine.”
Will: And did they help?
Alison: Yes!
Alison: They gave me some medicine, and I rested for a day.
Will: So, what did you learn from that?
Alison: Be careful with seafood when traveling!
Alison: And always know how to ask for medicine.
Will: Good advice!
Will: The key takeaway—emergencies can happen to anyone.
Alison: Yes!
Alison: But if you stay calm and know the right words, you’ll be fine.
Will: Now, let’s move on to some practical travel tips!

Alison: We’ve talked about emergencies, but let’s be honest.
Alison: The best situation is to avoid them in the first place!
Will: Exactly!
Will: Prevention is always better than dealing with a problem later.
Alison: So, let’s go through some smart travel tips to stay safe.
Will: Tip number one—make copies of your important documents.
Will: Your passport, travel insurance, and emergency contacts.
Alison: Yes!
Alison: Keep a paper copy in your suitcase and a digital copy on your phone.
Will: Tip number two—learn basic emergency phrases in English and the local language.
Will: Even just “Help!” and “Call the police!” can be useful.
Alison: Tip number three—use travel apps to stay prepared.
Alison: Apps like Google Maps, Google Translate, and emergency contact apps.
Will: Yes!
Will: Also, register your trip with your embassy if possible.
Will: Many embassies have a service to help travelers in emergencies.
Alison: Great point!
Alison: Tip number four—always know the emergency numbers.
Alison: 911 in the US, 999 in the UK, and different numbers in other countries.
Will: Tip number five—watch out for common scams in tourist areas.
Will: If something feels suspicious, trust your gut.
Alison: Exactly!
Alison: And always keep an eye on your belongings in busy places.
Will: Tip number six—buy travel insurance.
Will: It might seem expensive, but if something goes wrong, it saves you a lot of trouble.
Alison: 100% agree!
Alison: And finally—stay calm if something happens.
Alison: If you panic, it’s harder to think clearly.
Will: Right!
Will: If you know what to do, you can handle the situation smoothly.
Alison: So, let’s do a quick review.
Alison: Make copies, learn key phrases, use travel apps, know emergency numbers, watch for scams, get travel insurance, and stay calm.
Will: With these tips, you’ll travel smarter and safer.
Alison: Now, let’s wrap things up with a final recap!

Alison: Wow, we covered a lot today!
Alison: Let’s do a quick recap.
Will: Yes!
Will: We talked about common travel emergencies—losing a passport, getting sick, traffic accidents, and more.
Alison: We also learned key phrases to ask for help in English.
Will: And we talked about differences between the US and UK, like emergency numbers and police terms.
Alison: Plus, we shared our personal experiences—pickpockets, food poisoning, and what we learned.
Will: And we finished with practical travel tips to stay safe and prepared!
Alison: So, what’s the big takeaway?
Will: Be prepared, stay calm, and know how to ask for help!
Alison: Yes!
Alison: And don’t just listen—practice these phrases before you travel.
Will: Try saying them out loud or writing them down.
Will: The more you practice, the easier it will be in an emergency.
Alison: And if you found this episode useful, subscribe to our podcast!
Will: Yes!
Will: And leave us a comment.
Will: Have you ever had a travel emergency?
Will: What did you do?
Alison: We’d love to hear your stories!
Will: Thanks for joining us today!
Alison: Stay safe and happy travels!
Will: See you next time!