Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Welcoming a Guest at Home
Welcome someone into your home, offer a drink and respond naturally to acceptance or refusal.
Your speaking goal
Welcome a guest, make two simple offers and accept or decline an offer politely.
Before you start: Imagine welcoming a friend for a short visit. Choose two drinks you could offer.
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: Host and Guest
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Host: Hi, Lena! It’s lovely to see you. Come in.
Guest: Thanks for having me.
Host: Would you like me to take your coat?
Guest: Yes, please. Thank you.
Host: Make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to drink?
Guest: A glass of water would be lovely, please.
Host: Of course. Still or sparkling?
Guest: Still, please.
Host: Here you are. Would you like a snack as well?
Guest: No, thank you. I’ve just eaten.
Host: No problem. It’s good to have you here.
Useful phrases and what they do
- Come in. — Invite someone to enter.
- Thanks for having me. — Thank someone for welcoming you as a guest.
- Would you like something to drink? — Offer a drink.
- Make yourself comfortable. — Invite a guest to relax or sit comfortably.
Say it clearly
Practise the offer in groups: ‘Would you like / something to drink?’ Then say it smoothly. Make the drink choice clear when you reply: ‘STILL water, please.’
Build your own replies
Would you like ___? → Yes, please. / No, thank you.
Ask and check
Did you say tea or water? → Water, please.
Common mistakes and alternatives
‘Would you like some water?’ offers water now; ‘Do you like water?’ asks about a preference. ‘No, thank you’ is a complete, polite refusal; you do not have to give a reason. ‘Still water’ means water without bubbles.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
What does ‘Thanks for having me’ mean here?
Show answer 1 and explanation
The guest is thanking the host for welcoming her into the home. It is a natural expression when visiting someone.
Question 2
Does the guest accept the snack?
Show answer 2 and explanation
No. ‘No, thank you’ politely declines it. She explains that she has just eaten, but an explanation is optional.
Question 3
Give another natural way to ask for water after the host offers a drink.
Show answer 3 and explanation
‘Could I have some water, please?’ or ‘Water would be great, thanks’ works. Other polite replies that name the drink are also natural.
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
Welcome a guest, offer help with a coat and offer a drink and snack. Accept their choices.
Role B
Thank the host, accept one offer and politely decline another.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: The host does not have your first drink choice. Ask what else is available and choose another drink.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can welcome a guest.
- I can make a simple offer.
- I can accept or decline politely.