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Paul Sparks
- Online English Lesson Plans, Lesson Material and Ideas for Oral English
Lessons, Hunan University of Science and Technology...
ORAL ENGLISH: Using the
Telephone - Telephone Idioms and Sayings / Sample Conversations
Lesson Objectives:
Students will learn to feel more comfortable
using the telephone and expand their skills when speaking English on the
phone. Students will further develop their vocabulary related to telephone
calls. They will understand common expressions used in everyday situations
and be able to ask for clarification when using the telephone. They will
practice spelling names and addresses over the phone.
Telephone
Idioms:
-
Are
you busy right now?
-
Take
care.
-
I’m
just on my way out the door!
-
Bye
for now.
-
Can
I get back to you later?
-
Have
you time to talk?
-
Bye-bye.
-
What
have you been up to?
-
Bye.
-
What’s
the latest?
-
May
I take a message?
-
Have
you heard?
-
Speaking.
-
Catch
you later.
-
I’m
not interested.
-
Thanks
anyways.
-
Will
you accept the charges?
-
How
goes it?
-
What’s
new?
-
How
have you been?
-
What’s
up?
-
Hi
there!
-
I’m
in a rush.
Tips
for getting people to slow down:
One of the
biggest problems is speed. Native speakers, especially business people, tend
to speak very quickly on the telephone.
-
Immediately
ask the person to speak slowly.
-
When
taking note of a name or important information, repeat each piece of
information as the person speaks.
-
By
repeating each important piece of information or each number or letter
as the spell or give you a telephone number you automatically slow the
speaker down.
-
Do
not say you have understood if you have not. Ask the person to repeat
until you have understood.
-
Remember
that the other person needs to make himself/herself understood and it
is in his/her interest to make sure that you have understood. If you
ask a person to explain more than twice they will usually slow down.
Sample
Telephone Conversations:
Phoning
a Friend:
A:
Hello
B:
Hi Jean. It’s Mary. Are you busy right now or do you have time to talk?
A:
Actually, I’m just on my way out the door to pick up some groceries for
dinner. Can I call you back later this afternoon?
B:
Sure. I’ll be in until four.
A:
Talk to you later then.
B:
Bye-bye.
Sorry
Wrong Number:
A:
Hello
B:
May I speak to Jane please?
A:
No, I’m sorry. You must have a wrong number.
B:
Is this 343-9876?
A:
No, I’m sorry it’s not.
B:
Sorry for bothering you. Good-bye.
A:
Bye.
May
I Take A Message?
A:
Hello.
B:
Is Jake there, please?
A:
No, I’m sorry he’s not in right now. May I take a message?
B:
Yes, could you tell him Larry James called. My number is 498-7632
A:
I’ll give him the message
B:
Thank you. Good - bye
A:
Bye
Speaking:
A:
Hello.
B:
Is Mrs. Jones in, please?
A:
Speaking.
B:
Good morning Mrs. Jones. This is Sarah from Sears calling. The dress that
you ordered is here.
A:
Great - I’ll come by and pick it up. What time are you open till this
evening?
B:
Until seven.
A:
That’s fine. Thank you very much for calling. Good-bye
B:
Good-bye
You
have been selected for ...
A:
Hello.
B:
Good evening. This is Jane calling from Handy Dandy Cleaners. Your household
has been selected for our special offer. You have won a free gift. Our
representative will drop by with your gift and demonstrate our new cleaning
products. You are under no obligation to buy. Our
representative will ...
A:
I’m really not interested.
B:
There really is no obligation to buy and the gift is yours to keep whether
or not you decide to purchase our time-saving products.
A:
No, thank you. (Firmly)
B:
Fine, thank you. Good-bye
A:
Good-bye
Fridge
for Sale:
A:
Hello.
B:
Hello, I’m calling about the fridge you have advertised in the Star
Newspaper. Is it still for sale?
A:
Yes.
B:
Could you tell me more about it please?
A:
It’s a small fridge, three-years-old in good working condition. I’m
asking $200.00 for it
B:
Thanks for the information, but I was actually looking for a regular size
fridge, not an apartment size.
A:
Thank you for calling. Good-bye
B:
Bye
I’d
Like To Make An Appointment:
A:
Sunnyside Health Clinic. May I help you?
B:
Yes, I’d like to may an appointment to see Dr. Chang.
A:
Is this an urgent matter or a routine physical?
B:
Just a check-up
A:
Could you make it Saturday, November 9, at 10:30?
B:
That would be fine.
A:
May I have your name please?
B:
Judy Smith. S-M-I-T-H
A:
Have you seen the doctor before?
B:
Yes, I have.
A:
Fine, we’ll see you on the ninth then.
B:
Thank you. Good-bye
A:
Good -bye
Reservation
for Two:
A:
Green Door Restaurant.
B:
Hello. I’d like to make a reservation for dinner this evening. A party of
two at eight o’clock.
A:
Yes, that would be fine. And your name please?
B:
Ford.
A:
Fine, thank-you Mrs. Ford. We’ll see you then. Good-bye.
B:
Good-bye.
I’d
Like Some Information About:
A:
City of Toronto, Permits Department.
B:
Yes, I’d like to find out about renewing a parking permit?
A:
One moment please and I’ll connect you with the right department.
B:
Thank you.
Directory
Assistance:
A:
Directory Assistance. City please?
B:
Calgary Alberta.
A:
Thank you. Yes?
B:
I’d like the number for Turner. T-U-R-N-E-R , first initial D.
A:
Thank you. Do you have an address for that name?
B:
I think its on Main St. I’m not sure.
A:
The number is area code 708 938-0976.
B:
Area code: 708 938-0976. Thank you.
A:
You’re welcome.
Collect
Call from ...
A:
Operator.
B:
Yes, I’d like to make a collect call to British Columbia, 604 989-7654.
A:
Thank you ... May I have the name and telephone number?
B:
Yes, Martha Vince 416 781-6549.
A:
Thank you.
C:
Hello.
A:
I have a collect call from Martha Vince. Will you accept the charges?
C:
Certainly ... Hello Martha.
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