| A dialogue |
L.S.: Hello, Language School, how can I help you?
Student: This is Mary. Can I have extension 243?
L.S: Certainly, hold on a minute, I'll put you through...
Teacher A: English Department, Teacher A speaking.
Student: This is Mary Stephens calling, is Teacher B in?
Teacher A : I'm afraid she's out at the moment. Can I take a message?
Student: Yes, please. Could you ask her to call me at 1111111? I need to talk to her. It's kind of urgent.
Teacher A : Could you repeat the number, please?
Student: Yes, that's 1111111, and this is Mary Stephens.
Teacher A : Thank you. I'll make sure Teacher B gets this asap. In any case, she is usually here half an hour before her lessons start, so you could phone back then if you like.
Student: OK, I will. Thanks a lot and bye.
Teacher A: Bye. |
|
| Exercise |
| Student A |
Student B |
Answer the phone
Give the name of your company |
Identify yourself and ask to speak to somebody |
| Ask the caller to hold on. |
Say thank you |
| Say that the person is busy. |
Say oh!
You want to leave a message - ask |
| Say you can take the message. Ask name |
Give your name |
| Ask St B to spell it |
Spell name |
Say you got it
Ask phone no. |
Give phone no. |
| Say you'll give the message |
Say thanks and end the conversation |
|
| Useful sentences |
Asking for someone
Could I speak to...?
Is Jack in? (informal) |
Asking who is on the telephone
Excuse me, who is this?
Who's calling, please?
Can I ask who's calling? |
|
Introducing yourself
Michelle speaking
Hello, this is Ken.
Hello. My name is Ken (formal)
It's her/his secretary
|
Connecting someone
I'll put you through
Can you hold the line?
Will you hold on?
Can you hold on a moment?
One moment, please |
|
How to reply when someone's not available
I'm afraid Jack is not available at the moment
Mary isn't in... (she'll be back soon)
Mary is away - (away on a trip)
Mr Jackson is out at the moment...
Joanne is in a meeting right now
|
Taking a Message
Could I take a message?
Could I tell him/her who is calling?
Would you like to leave a message?
I'll give her/him your message as soon as she/he arrives |
|
The line
The line is busy... (US)
The line is engaged... (UK)
There are interferences...
The line's not working properly
I'm afraid the line's engaged/busy |
If you want to know whether the person is busy or not
When will you be done?
Where are you now?
Are you busy?
Am I interrupting (or) anything? |
|
Stating basic info
It's ten in the morning...
Call me at this number at (hour)
I'll be at this number at...
I'm phoning because I need to find out...
I'm calling to find out if...
I'm ringing to see if...
I'm calling to let you know that...
I'm phoning to tell you...
My number is...
You can reach me at... |
Making requests
Could you/she call me back?
Please could you speak more slowly?
Pardon me?
Could you say that again?
Could you spell that for me?
I'm sorry. I can't hear properly.
Can you repeat again more slowly?
Can I have extension 321?
Can I leave a message, please?
The line's not working -- Would you mind saying that again? / calling me back?
Could you ask her/him to call me? |
|
Saying bye
Thanks a lot, bye.
I'll talk to you later. Bye. |
|
(1 page) 
Telephone: (Ring... Ring... Ring...) Hello, this is Tom. I'm afraid I'm not in at the moment. Please leave a message after the beep. (beep)