LESSON 5,6 THE TELEPHONE

TELEPHONE EXPRESSION
Pre-learning

1. Do you think talking on the phone is easy

particularly when it is conducted in English?
2. What seem to be the problems?
3. When you answer the phone, what do you
have to say first?
4. What kind of attitude do you think you have
to maintain when making a phone call?
5. Can you give an example of ending a
conversation on the phone politely?
RECOGNIZING TELEPHONE
EXPRESSIONS
Study the telephone expressions below. What
do they mean? Discuss them with a partner!
 Speaking
 Just a second. I’ll get a pen.
 Could you give me your name, please?
 It’s S-E-A-N.
 Lion Computers. Can I help you?
 I’ll put you through.
 The line is bad.
 The line is engaged.
GUESSING THE MISSING
INFORMATION
Now try to guess what the missing information
in the telephone conversations below! Use the
telephone expressions in the previous slide!

Conversation 1

A: ______________________________?
B: Could I speak to Roy Sinaga?
A: ______________________________?
B: My name is Sean Alex of MPC Computers.
A: Sorry. Could you please spell your first name?
B: _____________________.
GUESSING THE MISSING
INFORMATION
Conversation 2

A: King Electronics. Can I help you?

B: ______________________________?
A: Just a moment. _________________.
sorry ____________________.
B: Could I leave a message for him (Mr.
Brahman)?
A:____________________.
THESE ARE MORE WORDS OR PHRASES
CONNECTED WITH THE TELEPHONE. TRY TO MATCH
EACH WORD OR PHRASE ON THE LEFT WITH THE
CORRECT PHRASE ON THE RIGHT.

1. busy a) wrong number

2. public phone box b) directory
3. person who help you make a c) directory enquiries
phone call
d) off-peak
4. phone number you get by mistake
e) interference
5. service you phone if you want to
find a phone number f) engaged
6. books of phone numbers g) long-distance
7. very far h) call-box
8. not so busy time i) operator
9. bad sound which makes it difficult j) receiver
to hear k) rates
10. prices
11. part of the phone you speak into
and listen to
YOUR TURN
Make sentences using the words/phrases from the
right side of the previous slide!
a) wrong number
b) directory
c) directory enquiries
d) off-peak
e) interference
f) engaged
g) long-distance
h) call-box
i) operator
j) receiver
k) rates
TELEPHONING EXPRESSIONS:
OUTGOING CALLS
Identifying yourself
My name is __________
Hello, this is __________ speaking

Asking to speak to someone

Can I speak to ____, please?
Can you put me through to ____, please?
May I have extension number 13, please?

Giving further information / explaining the

purpose of call
I am ringing to talk about ____.
I am calling to let you know ____.
Showing understanding
Oh I see.
Yes, I understand that.
Alright, that’s okay.

Leaving a message
Could you give ____ a message?
Could you ask ____ to call me when he gets back?
Would you please tell ____ that I’ll call back later?
Thanking
Thank you very much for your help.
Well, thanks a lot for the information.
I'm very grateful for your assistance.

Ending the call

I look forward to seeing you soon.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Good bye.
TELEPHONING EXPRESSIONS:
OUTGOING CALLS
Identifying your company
LP3I, Good morning.
Vetco, Good afternoon.

Identifying yourself when you pick up the phone

David
This is Jane.
Linda speaking

Helping the caller

May I help you?
Who would you like to speak to?
Which department is he in?
Asking for the caller's identification
Who’s speaking, please?
Who’s calling, please?
Which department are you from?

Connecting the caller

Just a minute / moment / second, please.
Hold on/ hang on, please.
Hold the line, please/ I’ll put you through.

Explaining that someone is not available

I am afraid he is not available.
I am sorry but he is in a meeting at the moment.
I am afraid his/her line is engaged. Do you want
to hold?
Alternative actions
Could you ring/phone/back later?
Would you like to leave a message?
Can I take a message?

Responding to thanks
Not at all.
Don’t mention it.
You’re welcome.

Ending the call

Thanks for calling.
Good bye.
Bye.
MAKE A PHONE CALL
Kitty : Hello. May I speak to Jane, please?

Jane ’s mom: Who’s calling, please?

Kitty : It’s Kitty.

Jane’s mom: Just a minute, please. Jane, it’s for

you.
LEAVE A MESSAGE
Answering machine:
Hi. We’re not home right now. Please leave your
message!

Husband :
Hi, honey. I’m in New York. I can’t get plane home
today. I'm sorry. See you tomorrow.
GET A WRONG NUMBER
Derry : Hello.
Caller: Is Lydia there?
Derry : Lydia? I think you have a wrong
number.
Caller: Is this area code (021) 789-6283?
Derry : No. it’s 6288.
Caller: Oh. Sorry.
ROLE PLAY
Work with a partner.
Write phone conversations to make a call,
leave a message, and call a wrong number.
Present your role plays to the class.