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

1. Calling for information: The caller is talking to a theater employee to get information aboutthedates and times pictures will be showing. The callee should respond to the callers questions using the following information.
Movie	Days	Times
Gone With The Wind	M, T, W, Th	1:00, 5:00, 9:00
The Ant That Ate Chicago	M, T, W, Th, F	1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00. 9:00
Titanic	S, M, T, W, Th, F	11:00 AM, 2:00, 5:00, 8:00
Buddy Buddy	S,M, T, W	12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00. 8:00,
2. Calling to make an appointment: The caller is talking to a clerk at Dr. Wilson’s Dental Clinic to make an appointment. The callee should respond to the callers questions using the following information.
The patient should:		The receptionist should:
? request a time for the appointment		? ask what the appointment is for
? state reason for appointment (cleaning,tooth ache, etc.)		? suggest a day and time of appointment
? refuse first appointment time (you are busy)		? suggest an alternate day and time for the appointment
		? thank the patient for calling
3. Wrong number: The caller is calling his best friend but receives a wrong number.
4.Leave message on answering machine: The caller is calling his best friend, but he or she is out and the answering machine answers. The callee is the answering machine andshould play the recorded tape message. The caller should leave their message.
5.Call information: The caller is requesting information from an operator. The callee is the operator and should supply the necessary information.
The operator should:		The caller should:
? ask the caller what number he wants		? request number and address of Pizza King Pizza Parlor
? give the caller the information
6.Calling for pizza delivery: The caller is a hungry person calling Pizza King Pizza Parlorfor adelivery. The callee is an employee of the pizza parlor.
The caller should:		The employee should:
? place order, including something to drink		? ask the caller for size and kind of pizza, the toppings
? give name, address, and telephone number		? ask for the callers name, address, and number