Airport Immigration English | What to Say at the Border | English Practice

What is the purpose of your visit? I am here for fun. Sir, can you explain what you mean by fun?

Fun, like holiday, vacation? I like trees. What is the problem? Sir, wait a second.

Hello, hello, hello! I'm Lily. And I'm Tom, the man who has survived many airports. Mostly. Mostly.

If you are new here, welcome to the family. We are so happy you found us.

On this channel, we help you speak English every single day. Real English. Natural English.

The kind of English you actually need in real life. And today's topic is so important for travelers.

We are talking about airport immigration English. This topic is very personal to me.

It is very personal to Tom, for reasons we will explain very soon.

Let's just say the immigration officer was not my biggest fan.

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Okay, before our conversation today, I have a question for you. Ooh, I'm nervous. Here's the question.

Tom went through immigration at the airport. The officer asked him one very simple question.

Tom's answer caused a very big problem.

Why are you smiling like that? The question for you is, what did Tom say to the officer that caused the problem?

Think about it. Leave your guess in the comments. We will tell you the answer at the end of today's lesson.

I still have feelings about this. He still has feelings. Okay, let's go. So, Tom, let's talk about our trip to Canada.

We were traveling together. Oh, Canada. Beautiful country. I loved it.

Except for one moment. One very important moment.

Okay, so we landed at the airport. We walked to the immigration area. You know, the place where the officer checks your passport.

Right. And I went first. My experience was easy, right? So easy. The officer smiled at you.

He said, have a great trip. He practically gave you a hug. That's not true. But yes, it was very smooth.

Very fast. And then it was my turn. Tell them what happened, Tom. So I walked up to the officer.

Big man. Very serious face. He looked at my passport. He looked at me.

He said, what is the purpose of your visit?

And you said, I said, I am here for fun. For fun.

I meant tourism. I meant sightseeing. But my brain said fun. The officer stared at him.

Just silence. It was the longest silence of my life.

Then the officer said, Sir, can you explain what you mean by fun? And I panicked. I said, fun?

Like holiday? Vacation? I like trees! He said he likes trees!

I love trees! Canada has beautiful trees, that is a fact! The officer called his colleague over.

Two officers now, looking at Tom. Ugh, I was there for 25 minutes, Lily. 25 minutes!

Aw, but you got through! I got through, eventually.

I told them I was a tourist, I had a hotel booking, I had a return ticket.

ticket and I said I apologize English

is not my first language and they were very kind

after that and that is actually an important lesson right if

you make a mistake stay calm explain yourself the officers are not there to scare you they just want correct information exactly and please do not say I am here for fun

unless you want a 25-minute conversation about trees Canadian trees are worth it

though truly if you enjoyed this video want to support

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me keep making slow and easy English videos okay

let's talk about grammar at immigration you

will hear a lot of questions and you need to answer clearly

and simply the most important grammar point today is this answer in full sentences short clear complete sentences

For example, the officer asks, what is the purpose of your visit?

A good answer is, I am here for tourism. Or, I am visiting for vacation.