Language Profile Warm-Up

Inspired by The Terminal

Part One: The New Employee

Leila Rahman stands inside a large airport, like Viktor Navorski in the film The Terminal. However, Leila is not lost. She is starting a new job at the airport information desk. The bright floor shines under her black shoes, and a coffee machine makes a soft hiss near the entrance. Leila holds a blue folder with her personal profile. It says: “Leila Rahman, 31, from Jordan, Jordanian, Arabic and English.” Her new employee badge is inside the folder. She smiles, but her fingers hold the folder very tightly.

At the training room, Marta, the coordinator, welcomes her. “Good morning. Can you spell your surname?” Marta asks. “Yes. R-A-H-M-A-N,” Leila answers. Marta looks at the profile. “Can you speak English?” “Yes, I can, but please speak slowly.” Marta nods and speaks more slowly. “Can you understand Czech?” Leila hears chairs moving and cups touching the table. She thinks for a moment. “I can understand a little Czech, but I can’t speak it.” Marta smiles. “That is fine. You can ask for support here.” Leila’s hands relax around the folder.

Part Two: A Fast Announcement

Marta takes Leila through the busy terminal. Suitcase wheels click over the grey floor, and warm bread smells come from a small café. At the information counter, Marta points to a microphone, a telephone, and a map. Suddenly, a loud announcement fills the hall. It is very fast. Leila hears “Flight 247” and “Gate 18,” but she misses the other words. She does not pretend to understand. She turns to Marta and says, “Sorry, I don’t understand. Can you repeat that, please?” Marta repeats the message slowly. Flight 247 now leaves from Gate 18.

A family runs to the counter. The father holds two passports, and a little red suitcase bumps behind him. “Gate eighty?” he asks. Leila checks the map. She is not sure if he says eighteen or eighty. “Can you repeat the gate number, please?” she asks. “Eighteen,” he says. Leila points along the blue line on the map. “Gate 18 is that way.” The young daughter waves and says something in French. Leila laughs softly. “I can’t speak French.” Marta answers the girl in French. “You can speak French!” Leila says. “Yes, I can,” Marta replies, “but I can’t speak Arabic.”

Part Three: Leila Takes Action

After lunch, Marta gives Leila a practice challenge. Leila must welcome Daniel, a new employee from Brazil. Daniel arrives with rain on his green jacket and a wet training form in his hand. “Hello. I’m Daniel Costa,” he says. “Can you spell your surname, please?” Leila asks. Daniel spells it, but the telephone rings loudly beside them. Leila catches only C-O-S. She takes a breath and asks, “Sorry, can you repeat that?” Daniel repeats, “C-O-S-T-A.” Leila writes every letter correctly.

Leila asks Daniel about his languages. “Can you speak English?” “Yes, I can,” he says. “Can you speak Spanish?” Daniel grins and shakes his head. “No, I can’t. I can speak Portuguese and English.” Leila completes his card and introduces him to Marta: “This is Daniel Costa. He’s from Brazil. He’s Brazilian. He can speak Portuguese and English, but he can’t speak Spanish.” Marta places a silver badge on the counter. “Your orientation is complete, Leila.” Leila clips the badge to her jacket. Then another traveller approaches with a folded ticket. Leila opens the airport map, points to the information sign, and says, “Hello. How can I help?” The silver badge catches the light beside her carefully written profile.

Personal Profile Interview

Language and Profile Review

Final Portfolio Task

Create a written personal profile with your name, age, date of birth, contact details, country, nationality, languages, and communication support. Record a 45–60 second introduction. Include one sentence with can, one sentence with can’t, and one support request.