I. Making a call.

A few common expressions are enough for most telephone conversations. Practise these telephone expressions by completing the following dialogue using the words listed below.

Switchboard: Continental Equipment. Can I help you?

You: Could I_________ __________ Mr. Wilson, please?

Switchboard: Putting you __________

Secretary: Hello, Mr. Wilson’s secretary. __________ I help you?

You: __________, can you hear me? It’s a __________ line. Could you __________ up, please?

Secretary: IS THAT BETTER? Who’s __________, please?

You: (your name) from (your company)

Secretary: Oh, hello. How nice to hear from you again. We haven’t seen you for ages. How are you?

You: Fine, thanks. Could you__________ me___________ to Mr. Wilson, please?

Secretary: __________the line a moment. I’ll see if he’s in. I’m so sorry, I’m afraid he isn’t in the__________ at the__________. Could you give me your __________, and I’ll ask him to__________you__________?

You: I’m__________ 495 3840. That’s London.

Secretary: Would you like to leave any__________ for him?

You: No, thanks. Just tell him I__________.

Secretary: Certainly. Nice to hear from you again.

You: I’ll expect him to__________me this afternoon, then. Thanks.

Note:If you do not hear or understand the other person, say: I’m sorry? or I’m sorry, I don’t understand, could you repeat that, please? It is not polite to say: Please repeat?

II. Now make the telephone call yourself, using the words above. Try not to use the notes.

III. It is not always possible to follow your original plans. You, or your contact, may want to change an appointment. Study the expressions below.

To apologize, say: I’m afraid that…

I’m sorry but

Example: I’ m afraid that I can’t manage Thursday.

I’m sorry but I’m going to Boston on Friday.

To suggest another time, say: Could I suggest…?

What about…?

Perhaps…?

Could we fix another time?

Responding: That’ll be fine.

That’s OK.

No, sorry, I can’t make it then.

My diary’s rather full that day/week.

Sorry, I’ve already got an appointment at that time.

Below is a schedule for your week in Sidney. Before you leave for Sidney you receive some telephone calls from people you are going to visit. They want to change their appointments. You would prefer not to meet them on the day they want, suggest a different time on the original day. Role play the dialogue.

Monday, 12 November

Morning: arrive Sydney airport 8.30 a.m.

Afternoon 3. p.m: meet Tim Brown (agent) at hotel

Tuesday, 13 November

Morning 10 a.m: Mr. Whitley

Afternoon:

Wednesday, 14 November

Morning:

Afternoon 2 p.m: Lund & Lund Associates (Mr. William Lund)

Thursday, 15 November

Morning:

Afternoon 3 p. m: Jenny Kinn+colleagues (B.I.G. Distribution)

Friday, 16 November

Morning 11 a.m: Tim Brown

Afternoon: Flight 390, depart Sidney 6 p.m.