Phrases/Vocabulary:
Opening of a Phone Conversation/Call:
"Hello?"
"How are you?"
"My name is..."
"What's your name?"
"Who's calling/this?"
"May I ask who's calling/or whom I'm speaking with?"
"Is this (name)?"
"Yes. This is her/him."
"Yes. This is (name) speaking."
Body of a Phone Conversation:
"Who would you like to speak to?"
"Can I help you?"
"I didn't get your name."
"Can I take a message?"
"I'll give him/her to message."
"I can't hear you (clearly). Could you please speak up?"
"Could you please speak slowly?"
Ending A phone Conversation:
"Thank you (for your help)."
"Could you please call back (in 10/15/20... minutes)?"
"I will call back. Thank you."
"Please call back in (time)."
"It was/been nice speaking with you."
"Thank for calling."
"Talk to you later."
"Bye for now."
"Goodbye."
Dialog:
Mark is making a personal telephone call to Jon. The phone rings and Jon's mom answers...
Jon's mom: Hello?
Mark: Hello? May I speak to Jon please?
Jon's mom: Sure. May I ask who's calling?
Mark: Yes, it's Mark.
Jon's mom: Okay Mark. Could you please hold for one moment please?
Mark: Sure. No problem.
Jon's mom: Thank you.
(Jon's mom leaves to get Jon).
Jon: Hello?
Mark: Hi Jon. I wanted to know what time you wanted to meet tomorrow to complete the sociology report.
Jon: Well, I am busy in the morning so the afternoon is a good time for me.
Mark: I cleared my whole day for this, because I really want to get this done. It is due in a few days and we still have a lot to do.
Jon: Okay, 1:00pm is as early as I can get there.
Mark: Okay. I will see you then. Please call me if there are any changes in your schedule.
Jon: Sure. No problem. I will see you then. Bye.
Mark: Goodbye.
Now Your Turn!
Practice with a partner using the phrases above to create your own dialog.
Phone rings...
You: Hello? Is ________ (name) there?
Your friend: __________________ (use the expressions above).
You: ______________ (respond according).
Your friend: _____________ (continue the dialog using the expressions above).
