Episode 5 - Registration

Mary's met her new roommate Abi and is settling in to university life. Before her lectures finally begin there's some 'admin' to do but first she needs to know what 'admin' is and how to do it.

Language focus

Learn useful phrases to ask for help when filling in forms

I'm really sorry but I'm not sure what to write.
Could you explain this form to me please?
I know you're busy but I'd be grateful if you could help me.
Could I borrow a pen please?

Here are some other phrases you could use:

I'm finding this form a bit tricky to complete, could you help me please?
What is this form for?
Could you see if I have filled this form in correctly please? 

Vocabulary

Words and phrases Mary found on some of the university forms

D.o.B  - date of birth
next of kin - your closest relative who is usually contacted if something bad happens to you
plagiarism declaration - an official document you sign to say you will not copy anyone's work

Other words you might see 

address - where you live
place of birth - where you were born
nationality - the country you are a legal citizen of
contact details - your phone number and/or address

Transcript

Narrator
It's time again for English at University - the series that teaches some English phrases to help you through your first year of study abroad. Mary's met her new roommate Abi and is settling in well. But before her lectures finally begin there's some admin to do…

Mary
Admin?

Narrator
Administration – paperwork – you need to go to registration and complete some forms. Oh and don't forget to pick up your student card – that will be very useful.

Mary
Oh ok. Thanks. I'll do that now.

Sharon
Next.

Mary
Oh, hello. I'm Mary. I'm new.

Sharon
So is everyone else – you've come to register have you?

Mary
I think so. I think I need to fill in some forms.

Sharon
Oh yes, lots of them. Here you go… next!

Narrator
She's not very friendly – but it's a good idea to keep in with the administration assistant – she can help you with lots of things. Do you need help now Mary?

Mary
Oh yes I do. Look at all this paper… this one asks for D-O-B and this one says plagiarism declaration.

Narrator
Don't panic. Be polite and ask for help. Say something like… I'm really sorry but I'm not sure what to write, or, could you explain this form to me please, or, I know you're busy but I'd be grateful if you could help me. Give it a go – I'm sure she won't bite your head off.

Mary
Bite my head off?! I hope not. Right… I know you're really busy but I'd be grateful if you could help me. Please?

Sharon
Yes of course dear… this is a 'plagiarism declaration' which says that you won't copy anyone's work… just sign it here. This is a form with your important contact details and next-of-kin… that's the person we'll contact if you get ill or die or something.

Mary
And this?

Sharon
Oh don't forget this one. Fill this in and you'll get a student card – that'll give you discounts on books and food and get you into the student nightclub. You'll need to include a photograph of yourself.

Mary
Oh great. Thanks so much…err?

Sharon
Sharon.

Mary
And I'm Mary. One last thing… could I borrow a pen please?

Narrator
Well done Mary. You're making progress. You can usually get help by using these useful phrases…

I'm really sorry but I'm not sure what to write.
Could you explain this form to me please?
I know you're busy but I'd be grateful if you could help me.
And of course…
Could I borrow a pen please?

Visit bbclearningenglish.com to practise these phrases and learn more about some of the forms you may have to complete when starting university. Now how's Mary getting on?

Mary
….D-O-B…date of birth…. There all done.

Sharon
Ah, hello sweetheart… are those the forms for me? Great. Now all I need now is your passport… to prove who you are.

Mary
Yes of course… oh no, my passport! It was in my back pocket…

Daniel
Hello… are you looking for this?

Mary
Daniel… my passport! Oh thank you.

Daniel
You look prettier in real life than you do in your passport photo.

Mary
Thanks!

More

You can't speak English without asking questions! There are a few different question types in English. Watch this video and you'll see our presenters asking each other questions. It will show you the grammar rules of question forms - and then you'll have a chance to practise.

If you need to fill in some forms, this BBC guide to form-filling might help you.

If you're a Chinese speaker, this discussion about filling in forms might help you.

Next

It's time for Mary's first lecture but she's very nervous especially as she's going to meet her professor again. 

Ever thought about doing distance learning?

Wondering if it's right for you as a non-native speaker? You can learn about distance learning with our new course: Go The Distance.