Conference Call in Real Life:

Functional Language for Conference Call Conversations

Part 1

Read the statements below, then listen to the video clip. Write a number (1-12) next to each statement
according to the ORDER that each happens in the scene.

_______ People leaving early

_______ Getting cut off from the call

_______ Trouble accessing the conference call

_______ Awkward "making conversation" while waiting for others

_______ Talking on mute

_______ Background noise

_______ Talking at the same time

_______ Discovering unexpected people on the call

_______ Echo

_______ Bad connection

_______ Trying to make a final point and discovering everyone has already left the call

_______ File sharing problems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ&t=138
Part 2

Match the vocabulary terms in the first column to the correct definition in the second column. Write the
number of the definition next to each vocab term.

The vocab. The definitions.

“This is (name)...” 1 Expression: when you accidentally start
talking at the same time as someone else,
and you want to let the other person
continue speaking
“Sorry, I got cut off” 2 Expression: typical as an official way to start
the conversation once everyone is on the
call.
“The purpose of today's meeting is...” 3 Expression: when there’s some terrible echo
or feedback and you suspect it’s because of
YOUR connection to the call.
To move on 4 The message that someone sends after the
end of the meeting, summarizing the
meetings key points and action items
plan of attack 5 Expression: to ask for an opinion or update
from a specific person
“Go ahead.” 6 Expression: when you think someone
dropped off the call and you’re trying to
confirm it.
“Did we lose (name)?” 7 Expression: when YOU dropped off the call
and you dial back in and announce yourself
again.
“Do you have any comments on...?” 8 To review, discuss
“Is that me? 9 Expression: frequently used to “minimalize”
the fact that you are asking for something (to
lead the conversation, to make people work
on something, etc.)
“I just wanna…” 10 To move to the next topic
to go over 11 Expression: To introduce or announce
yourself
recap email 12 strategy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ&t=138
Part 2

Read the conversations below and choose a term or expression from the vocabulary on page 2 to
complete the dialogue.

I.
 (**horrible noise**)
 “_______________________”
 “Yeah, I think it is, Pablo. Can you move your cell phone away from your computer?”
 (*silence*)
 “Ok that’s better!

II.
 “Ok is everyone here?”
 “Pablo’s here!”
 “Jacq’s here!”
 “Ok great. So everyone: ______________________________ to get everyone coordinated
on our ________________ for the second half (H2) of 2015.”

III.
 “Jacq, __________________ strategies for how we can enable better cross-departmental
communication between R&D and Sales?
 (**silence**)
 “Jacq?”
 (**silence**)
 __________________________
 (**Ding!** Robot voice: “Jacqueline has rejoined the meeting.”)
 __________________________

IV.
 “OK guys. Before we start, did everyone receive the ___________ that Pablo sent out after
the last call?”
 “Yep! I did!”
 “I’ve got it right here.”
 “Great. So ________________ take a minute to review a couple of key action items he
included in Part Three of the message.”

V.
 OK so, people from finance: ________________________ price increases projected for the
next quarter?
 “I think that we can expect…”
 “Well the outlook right now indicates…”
 (**pause**)
 “Sorry, ____________________”

VI.
 Ok, any final comments from anyone on Pricing before we _____________ to the next topic?
 “Yeah, hi, ________________. I was just curious if we plan to _____________ timing for
publishing the new prices on this call, or if we should discuss that separately offline?
 “Great question, Jacq. I think given our time constraints for this conversation, that’s a topic
we should take offline. Finance, can you reach out to marketing and set up some time to
sync up on when we’ll “go public” with the new prices?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ&t=138