Telephoning English

Page 1

Telephoning English – Introduction

These short English conversations focus on telephoning in English. Here are five common situations used when telephoning in English. To begin with, each situation first presents the entire telephoning English conversation. Next, each situation has two separate versions with either caller 1 or caller 2 left blank. These telephoning English conversations can be used in the following ways:

Use the entire telephoning English conversation in pairs to practice the situations.
Use the separate telephoning English conversations with your role. The other role is taken away so that you can listen to your partner more carefully.
Use the telephoning English conversations without your role once you have used the role plays a number of times. This will help you memorize common phrases used in typical telephoning English situations.

Feel free to print out these telephoning English situations for use in class, or share the telephoning conversations with your friends online. For example, you could call your friend on Skype, navigate to a telephoning English practice page and practice together by each taking a role, exchanging roles, and practicing a few times. Click on the following telephoning English conversations to begin.

Page 2

Making a Doctor's Appointment

Complete Conversation

Caller 1: Dr. Peterson's office. How may I help you?
Caller 2: I'd like to make an appointment to see the doctor.

Caller 1: Certainly, are you ill at the moment?
Caller 2: Yes, I'm not feeling very well.

Caller 1: Do you have a fever, or any other symptoms?
Caller 2: Yes, I have a slight fever and aches and pains.

Caller 1: OK, Dr. Peterson can see you tomorrow. Can you come in the morning?
Caller 2: Yes, tomorrow morning is fine.

Caller 1: How about 10 o'clock?
Caller 2: Yes, 10 o'clock is fine.

Caller 1: May have your name?
Caller 2: Yes, it's David Lain.

Caller 1: Have you seen Dr. Peterson before?
Caller 2: Yes, I had a physical exam last year.

Caller 1: Yes, here you are. OK, I've scheduled for ten o'clock tomorrow morning.
Caller 2: Thank you.

Caller 1: Drink plenty of warm fluids and get a good night's sleep!
Caller 2: Thank you. I'll do my best. Goodbye.

Caller 1: Goodbye.

Role Play: Caller 1

Caller 1: Dr. Peterson's office. How may I help you?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Certainly, are you ill at the moment?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Do you have a fever, or any other symptoms?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: OK, Dr. Peterson can see you tomorrow. Can you come in the morning?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: How about 10 o'clock?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: May have your name?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Have you seen Dr. Peterson before?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Yes, here you are. OK, I've scheduled for ten o'clock tomorrow morning.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Drink plenty of warm fluids and get a good night's sleep!
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Goodbye.

Role Play: Caller 2

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: I'd like to make an appointment to see the doctor.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, I'm not feeling very well.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, I have a slight fever and aches and pains.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, tomorrow morning is fine.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, 10 o'clock is fine.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, it's David Lain.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, I had a physical exam last year.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Thank you.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Thank you. I'll do my best. Goodbye.

Caller 1: _____

Page 3

Leaving a Message

Complete Conversation

Caller 1: Hello, this is Jane.
Caller 2: Hello, this is Ken. May I speak with Andy?

Caller 1: I'm afraid Andy isn't in at the moment.
Caller 2: Could you take a message?

Caller 1: Sure, just a moment let me get a pencil... OK.
Caller 2: Great. Can you tell Andy that we're meeting tomorrow at three o'clock.

Caller 1: OK ... three o'clock meeting with Ken. Does he know where the meeting is?
Caller 2: Tell him we'll be meeting in the corner office downtown.

Caller 1: Yes, corner office downtown. Is there anything else?
Caller 2: I'll leave my telephone number just in case he doesn't have it.

Caller 1: OK, I'm ready.
Caller 2: Yes, my cell phone number is 439 908 7754.

Caller 1: That's 439 808 7754.
Caller 2: No, it's 439 908 7754.

Caller 1: Ah, sorry.
Caller 2: No problem. Thanks for your help.

Caller 1: I'll make sure Andy sees this as soon as he gets in tonight.
Caller 2: Thank you. Good bye.

Caller 1: Good bye.

Role Play: Caller 1

Caller 1: Hello, this is Jane.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: I'm afraid Andy isn't in at the moment.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Sure, just a moment let me get a pencil... OK.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: OK ... three o'clock meeting with Ken. Does he know where the meeting is?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Yes, corner office downtown. Is there anything else?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: OK, I'm ready.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: That's 439 808 7754.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Ah, sorry.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: I'll make sure Andy sees this as soon as he gets in tonight.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Good bye.

Role Play: Caller 2

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Hello, this is Ken. May I speak with Andy?

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Could you take a message?

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Great. Can you tell Andy that we're meeting tomorrow at three o'clock.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Tell him we'll be meeting in the corner office downtown.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: I'll leave my telephone number just in case he doesn't have it.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, my cell phone number is 439 908 7754.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: No, it's 439 908 7754.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: No problem. Thanks for your help.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Thank you. Good bye.

Caller 1: Good bye.

Page 4

Making a Dinner Reservation

Complete Conversation

Caller 1: Good Evening Brown's Grill how may I help you?
Caller 2: Hello, I'd like to make a dinner reservation for Friday.

Caller 1: Certainly, I'd be happy to help you with that. How many people are there in your party?
Caller 2: There'll be four people.

Caller 1: ... and what time would you like to make a reservation for?
Caller 2: Let's say at seven o'clock.

Caller 1: I'm afraid we don't have anything available then. We could seat you at six o'clock or at eight o'clock.
Caller 2: Oh, OK. Let's make the reservation for eight o'clock.

Caller 1: Fine, eight o'clock on Friday evening for four people. May have your name?
Caller 2: Yes, it's Anderson.

Caller 1: Is that Anderson with an 'e' or an 'o'?
Caller 2: Anderson with an 'o'.

Caller 1: Thank you. Great. I have a table for four for the Anderson party at eight o'clock on Friday evening.
Caller 2: Thank you very much.

Caller 1: You're welcome. We'll see you on Friday.
Caller 2: Yes, see you then. Good bye.

Caller 1: Good bye.

Role Play: Caller 1

Caller 1: Good Evening Brown's Grill how may I help you?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Certainly, I'd be happy to help you with that. How many people are there in your party?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: ... and what time would you like to make a reservation for?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: I'm afraid we don't have anything available then. We could seat you at six o'clock or at eight o'clock.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Fine, eight o'clock on Friday evening for four people. May have your name?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Is that Anderson with an 'e' or an 'o'?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Thank you. Great. I have a table for four for the Anderson party at eight o'clock on Friday evening.
Caller 2: T_____

Caller 1: You're welcome. We'll see you on Friday.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Good bye.

Role Play: Caller 2

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Hello, I'd like to make a dinner reservation for Friday.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: There'll be four people.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Let's say at seven o'clock.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Oh, OK. Let's make the reservation for eight o'clock.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, it's Anderson.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Anderson with an 'o'.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Thank you very much.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, see you then. Good bye.

Caller 1: _____

Page 5

Telephoning School for your Child

Complete Conversation

Caller 1: Good morning, Washington Grade School, this is Chris. How may I help you?
Caller 2: Good morning, this is Alice Smith, I'm calling for my daughter, Judy. She's not feeling well today.

Caller 1: I'm sorry to hear that. I hope it's not too bad.
Caller 2: No, no she has a little fever and a cough. Nothing too serious.

Caller 1: Well, I hope she feels well soon.
Caller 2: Thank you. Do you think I could get her homework for today?

Caller 1: Is there any specific class?
Caller 2: I'm especially concerned about math and science.

Caller 1: OK, is it alright for me to give your e-mail address to the teachers? They can then send the homework along later today.
Caller 2: That would be great. Do you have my e-mail on file?

Caller 1: Just a moment, ... we have chrisp at gmail dot come. Is that correct?
Caller 2: Yes, that is correct.

Caller 1: OK, I'll make sure Mr Brown and Ms White get your message and e-mail.
Caller 2: Thank you very much.

Caller 1: I hope Judy feels well soon.
Caller 2: She should be fine by tomorrow. Thanks for your help.

Caller 1: My pleasure, have a nice day.
Caller 2: Thank you. Good bye.

Caller 1: Good bye.

Role Play: Caller 1

Caller 1: Good morning, Washington Grade School, this is Chris. How may I help you?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: I'm sorry to hear that. I hope it's not too bad.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Well, I hope she feels well soon.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Is there any specific class?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: OK, is it alright for me to give your e-mail address to the teachers? They can then send the homework along later today.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Just a moment, ... we have chrisp at gmail dot come. Is that correct?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: OK, I'll make sure Mr Brown and Ms White get your message and e-mail.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: I hope Judy feels well soon.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: My pleasure, have a nice day.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Good bye.

Role Play: Caller 2

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Good morning, this is Alice Smith, I'm calling for my daughter, Judy. She's not feeling well today.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: No, no she has a little fever and a cough. Nothing too serious.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Thank you. Do you think I could get her homework for today?

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: I'm especially concerned about math and science.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: That would be great. Do you have my e-mail on file?

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Yes, that is correct.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Thank you very much.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: She should be fine by tomorrow. Thanks for your help.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Thank you. Good bye.

Caller 1: Good bye.

Page 6

Asking a Question about a Bill

Complete Conversation

Caller 1: Good afternoon, Northwest Electricity, how may I help you?
Caller 2: Good afternoon, this is Robert Tips, I have a question about my electricity bill this month.

Caller 1: I'd be happy to help you with that Mr. Tips. Can I have your account number?
Caller 2: I'm afraid I don't have that with me.

Caller 1: It's no problem, I'll just look your name up in our database.
Caller 2: Great.

Caller 1: Could you give me your address as well?
Caller 2: It's 2368 NW 21st Ave. Vancouver, Washington.

Caller 1: Yes, I have your account up on my computer. How may I help you?
Caller 2: The last bill I received seemed too high.

Caller 1: Yes, I see that it was considerably higher than last year. Did you use more electricity?
Caller 2: No, I don't think we used any more electricity that the year before.

Caller 1: OK, I'll tell you what I can do. I'll mark this and have a supervisor take a look at the account.
Caller 2: Thank you. When can I expect an answer?

Caller 1: We should have an answer for you by the end of the week. I'll give you an inquiry number.
Caller 2: OK, let me get a pen .... OK, I'm ready.

Caller 1: It's 3471.
Caller 2: That's 3471.

Caller 1: Yes, that's correct.
Caller 2: Thank you for your help.

Role Play: Caller 1

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Good afternoon, this is Robert Tips, I have a question about my electricity bill this month.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: I'm afraid I don't have that with me.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Great.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: It's 2368 NW 21st Ave. Vancouver, Washington.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: The last bill I received seemed too high.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: No, I don't think we used any more electricity that the year before.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Thank you. When can I expect an answer?

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: OK, let me get a pen .... OK, I'm ready.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: That's 3471.

Caller 1: _____
Caller 2: Thank you for your help.

Role Play: Caller 2

Caller 1: Good afternoon, Northwest Electricity, how may I help you?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: I'd be happy to help you with that Mr. Tips. Can I have your account number?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: It's no problem, I'll just look your name up in our database.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Could you give me your address as well?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Yes, I have your account up on my computer. How may I help you?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Yes, I see that it was considerably higher than last year. Did you use more electricity?
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: OK, I'll tell you what I can do. I'll mark this and have a supervisor take a look at the account.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: We should have an answer for you by the end of the week. I'll give you an inquiry number.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: It's 3471.
Caller 2: _____

Caller 1: Yes, that's correct.
Caller 2: _____

By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide

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