Chapter 7 – Shenzhen airport: Learning English through stories
Emma and Lucas – A Journey to Australia is the perfect tool for learning English through stories. Chapter 7 of our story helps students to learn several of the most important airport/travel-related words, while also portraying some realistic situations which reveal both character traits and social behaviour. This chapter is ideal for Chinese students who are learning English as a foreign language. Instead of using overly dramatic events, Chapter 7 focuses on some small, realistic moments at Shenzhen airport. This chapter also helps the reader to better understand the relationship between the twin siblings Emma and Lucas, while also introducing common English travel language and social rules.
The contrast between Emma and Lucas is clear and easy to follow. Emma is organised and prepared, while Lucas is more forgetful and relaxed. This difference may help to explain why traveling together works for them: Emma provides structure, and Lucas brings flexibility. Although (as the story notes) they sometimes “disagree and argue about small things,” these disagreements are clearly implied to be normal and harmless. The story reinforces the idea that their relationship is built on trust and care. Lucas thinks of Emma as his “best friend”, and the narrative confirms that she feels the same way about him. This mutual respect makes their bond feel genuine, believable and perhaps even enviable.
“Chapter 7 focuses on some small, realistic moments at Shenzhen airport…”
Tension at the boarding gate
The airport setting plays an important role in the chapter. Airports are busy places where people must follow shared rules, such as waiting in line and boarding in an orderly way. Often these rules are not explained directly but are shown through action. When the twins arrive at the gate, boarding has already begun, and certain passengers are invited to board first. This reflects real airport procedures and reminds our young students (including those who have never traveled overseas) about how these situations work in practice.
The unwanted interaction with the stranger in the dark suit highlights how people respond when social expectations are challenged in public spaces. The man’s behaviour creates tension at the gate, and Lucas reacts immediately and emotionally. This shows Lucas’ protective nature and strong sense of fairness. In contrast, the airline staff member handles the situation calmly and professionally – clearly intended to de-escalate any conflict. The man’s response to the airline staff’s intervention adds realism to the scene.
From a ‘learning English through stories’ point of view, Chapter 7 is simple yet effective, and highlights why it’s beneficial to learn English before you travel. It introduces useful airport vocabulary and common expressions through context rather than explanation. The dialogue sounds natural and reflects how people actually speak in travel situations. There are many ways to learn English – at Reality English Coaching, we believe that learning English through stories is one of the most enjoyable and effective ways to learn English.
Here you can listen to a preview of Chapter 7.