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11. TALKING ON THE TELEPHONE
11.1 Introduction
There are a number of phrases and idioms that are only used when
telephoning. Let's first take a
look at an example dialogue:
11.2 Sample
Operator: Hello, Ra and !rothers, How "an # help you$
%raneet: This is %raneet &upta. an # ha(e extension )*+$
Operator: ertainly, hold on a minute, #'ll put you
through...
-shish: Ra alhotra/s offi"e, -shish speaking.
%raneet: This is %raneet &upta "alling, is Ra alhotra
in$
-shish: #'m afraid he's out at the moment. an # take a
message$
%raneet: 0es, ould you ask him to "all me as soon as possible. #
need to talk to
him about the new proe"t, it's urgent.
-shish: ould you repeat the number please$
%raneet: 0es, that's two six se(en oh fi(e double one, and
this is %raneet &upta.
-shish: Thank you r. &upta, #'ll make sure r. alhotra gets
this as soon as
possible .
%raneet: Thanks, bye.
-shish: !ye.
11.3 Key Vocabulary / Phrases
Look at the "hart below for key language and phrases used in
telephone 1nglish:
Introducing yourself
This is Kavita.
Kavita speaking.
Asking who is on the
telephone
Excuse me, who is this?
Can I ask who is calling,
please?
Asking for Someone
Can I have extension 31?!extensions are internal num"ers at
a
compan#$
Could I speak to...? !Can I % more
in&ormal ' May I % more &ormal$
Is (a) in? !in&ormal idiom meaning* Is
(a) in the o+ce?
Connecting Someone
Ill put #ou through
!put through- % phrasal
ver" meaning connect$
Can #ou hold the line? Can
#ou hold on a moment?
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How to reply when someone is
not available
Im a&raid ... is not availa"le at the
moment
The line is "us#... !when the extension
reuested is "eing used$
/r 0upta isnt in...
/r 0upta is out at the moment...
Taking a Message
Could !Can, /a#$ I take a
message?
Could !Can, /a#$ I tell him
who is calling?ould #ou like to leave a
message?
11.4 Practise
Work in pairs. Build conersations around the situations !ien
belo". #hen practise "ith
your partner.
11.4.1 $e%uestin! #rael &n'ormation
Student ()
hoose a "ity in your "ountry. 0ou are going to tra(el to this
"ity for a business meeting o(er the
next weekend. Telephone a tra(el agen"y and reser(e the
following:
• (ound%trip 2ight
• otel room &or two nights
• (estaurant recommendation
• 4rices and departure times
Student B)
0ou work in a tra(el agen"y. Listen to student - and offer
him2her the following solutions:
• (ound%trip 2ight* 5ir 6 (s. 17,789'% Econom# Class, (s.:,;
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Student ()
0ou need to pur"hase six new "omputers for your offi"e. all 3-'s
omputer 4orld and ask for
the following information:
• Current special o=ers on computers
• Computer con>guration !(5/, ard rive, C4@$
• 0uarantee ' arrantee period
• 4ossi"ilit# o& discount &or an order o& six
computers
Student B)
0ou work in at 3-'s omputer 4orld answer student -'s 5uestions
using the following
information:
• Two special o=ers* /ultimedia /onster % with latest
4entium C4@, 8A (5/,79 0B ard rive, /onitor included (s.7,899'% and
D+ce Taskmaster %cheaper C4@, A7 (5/, 19 0B ard rive, /onitor not
included (s.A1,99'%
• 1 ear guarantee on all computers
• iscount o& 8F &or orders o& more than >ve
computers
11.4.3 Sellin! *our Product
Student ()
0ou are a salesperson for Red #n". 0ou are "alling up a "lient
who you think might be interested
in buying your new line of offi"e supplies. 6is"uss the
following information with your "lient:
• Gew line o& o+ce supplies including* cop#%paper, pens,
stationar#, mouse%pads and white "oards
• ou know the customer hasnt ordered an# new products
during this past #ear
• Hpecial discount o& 18F &or orders placed "e&ore
next /onda#
• 5n# order placed "e&ore /onda# will not onl# receive the
discount, "ut alsohave its compan# logo printed on the products at
no extra charge
Student B)
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0ou work in an offi"e and re"ei(e a telephone "all from your
lo"al offi"e supplier. -s a matter
fa"t, you need some new offi"e supplies so you are definitely
interested in what the salesperson
has to offer. Talk about the following:
• Gew pens, stationar# and white "oards
• Hpecial o=ers, i& an#
• ou would like to place an order &or 99 packages
o& cop# paper immediatel#
