Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Making Plans with a Friend
Suggest an activity, respond to an invitation and agree on a clear meeting time and place.
Your speaking goal
Suggest a plan, offer an alternative and confirm when and where to meet.
Before you start: Choose an activity, a day and a place. Use imaginary plans.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Maya and Sam
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Maya: Would you like to go for a walk on Saturday?
Sam: I’d love to, but I’m busy in the morning.
Maya: How about Saturday afternoon?
Sam: That works for me. What time shall we meet?
Maya: Shall we say three o’clock?
Sam: Yes. Where shall we meet?
Maya: Outside the library, by the main entrance.
Sam: So, Saturday at three in the afternoon, outside the library?
Maya: Exactly. See you then!
Sam: See you then!
Useful phrases and what they do
- Would you like to ___? — Invite someone to do something.
- I’d love to, but ___. — Show interest and explain a difficulty.
- How about ___? — Suggest an alternative.
- That works for me. — Say the suggestion is convenient.
Say it clearly
Practise “Saturday / at three / outside the library.” Pause between the day, time and place, then say the whole plan smoothly. Keep key details clear.
Build your own replies
Would you like to ___ on ___? → Yes, I’d love to. / Thanks, but I can’t.
Ask and check
Do you mean three in the afternoon? → Yes, three p.m.
Common mistakes and alternatives
Use “Would you like to go?”, rather than “Would you like go?”. Say “on Saturday” and “at three”. “What time should we meet?” is also natural. “Shall we …?” is especially common in British English.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
Does Sam refuse the whole invitation at first?
Show answer 1 and explanation
No. Sam wants to go but is busy in the morning, so they discuss an afternoon plan.
Question 2
Where exactly will they meet?
Show answer 2 and explanation
Outside the library, by the main entrance. “At the library” is less specific and could leave the meeting point unclear.
Question 3
You cannot accept an invitation. Give a polite reply.
Show answer 3 and explanation
“Thanks for asking, but I can’t make it” works. You can suggest another day if you want to; you do not need to invent an excuse.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Invite your friend to an activity. Suggest a time and a clear meeting point.
Role B
Explain that one time is unsuitable, suggest another and confirm the final plan.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: You cannot attend on the suggested day. Offer a different day and confirm the revised plan.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can invite someone to an activity.
- I can accept or politely decline.
- I can confirm the day, time and place.