On the Telephone

 

Lesson Plan- On the Telephone

The telephone- one of the greatest inventions of all time! The telephone is a fast, easy, and efficient way to keep in touch. And these days, with the technology of the cell phone, you can contact just about anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world. Whether you consider the telephone as an absolute necessity, a handy device in an emergency, or just a plain nuisance, there are a number of standard expressions that are used when talking on the phone. Look at some of the examples below.

 

English Expressions- On the Telephone

Expression: Hello.
Response: Good bye.

Expression: May I speak to (… John)?
Response: Hold on please. (Hold the line, please).

Expression: Is (… Amy) there?
Response: Speaking.

Expression: (… Jamie’s Interiors), may I help you?
Response: Yes, I’m calling for Mr. Flanders.

Expression:  Hi, (… Mrs. Murphy, is Allan) in?
Response: Not at the moment, he just went to the store.

Expression: I would like to speak to (… Miss Parkins)?
Response: May I ask who’s calling?

Expression: Who’s calling please?
Response: This is Ralph Edison, from Barry’s Bakery.

Expression: I’ll put you through.
Response: Thanks.

Expression: I got your message.
Response: Thanks for calling back.

Expression: I’ll transfer you.
Response: OK.

Expression: I’ll call back.
Response: OK, but make it soon, it’s important.

Expression: I’m returning your call.
Response: That was quick, thanks.

 

Dialogue- On the Telephone

Conversation 1                

Donna: Hello.
Becky: Is Karen there?
Donna: Not at the moment. She just went to the store.
Becky: Do you know when she will return?
Donna: It shouldn’t be to long, maybe an hour or so. Can I take a
  message?
Becky: Yes, thanks. This is Becky.
Donna: And what is the message?
Becky: Could you have her call me at my office, ASAP. It’s about
  the Quiggly account.
Donna: Call her at your office in regards to the Quiggly account. Does
  she have your number?
Becky: I’m not sure. Let me give it to you just in case. It’s 745-8895.
Donna: 745-8895. OK, I’ll give her the message.
Becky: Thanks a lot. Good bye.
Donna: Good bye.

                                                                                 
Conversation 2

Callee: Hello.
Caller: Yo, let me talk to Janine.
Callee: Janine? There is no one here by that name.
Caller: You sure? This is the number she gave me.
Callee: Quite sure. This is the Marple residence.
Caller: What number did I call?
Callee: What number where you trying to call?
Caller: 602-2928.
Callee: You must have misdialed. That is not this number. Hang up
  and try again.
Caller: OK, thanks man. Sorry for the trouble.
Callee: Quite all right. Good bye.
Caller: Bye.

Conversation Activities- On the telephone

1. Pair work- discussion
     Do you use the phone often? Tell your partner about it using some of
     the ideas for discussion below. Your partner should ask questions to
     get more information.

how often do you use it
who do you talk to
do you use it for business or pleasure mostly
do others call you frequently- about what
do you text message also- how often, to who and what for

2. Pair work- role play
     Working with a partner, role play the situations, using the information below
     The situation: On the Phone
     The roles: a caller, a callee

 

Other Links

Telephone English

English on the Telephone

Telephone Phrases