The language of telephoning

Dialogues

Read the three dialogues and use the little text to find out if you have understood everything. Below the test, you will find some useful expressions you might need for your next phone call.

1. How can I help you?

Receptionist: Good morning. Crewe Technical College, Glenda speaking. How can I help you?
Olson: Good morning. This is Olson Krabb from British Books Ltd. I’d like to talk to Andy Jenson.
Receptionist: Sorry, I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name.
Olson: Olson Krabb.
Receptionist: Sorry, could you spell your name for me, please?
Olson: Of course. It’s O-L-S-O-N K-R-A double B.
Receptionist: Thank you. I’ve got you now. I’ll just put you through. One moment, please. [pause] Hello? The lineLeitungline’s busy. Would you like to try again later?
Olson: Yes. Could you let me have his extensionDurchwahlextension, please?
Receptionist: Certainly. Just bear with me for a sec. Got it. It’s 345.
Olson: Great. Thanks very much.
Receptionist: You’re welcome.

2. Wrong number?

Craig: Crewe Technical College. This is Craig.
Olson: Oh. Em... My name’s Olson Krabb. I was trying to reach Andy Jenson. I must have the wrong number. Is this extension 345?
Craig: Yes it is. You’ve got the right number, but Andy’s not in today. Can I to take a messagehier: etw. ausrichtentake a message?
Olson: No, that’s OK, thanks. I’ll try again another time. Do you know if he’ll be in tomorrow?
Craig: Yeah, he should be here tomorrow.
Olson: OK, I’ll give him a call tomorrow.
Craig: All right then. Bye.

3. Arranging to meet up

Andy: Hello? Olson?
Olson: Yes. Hi. How are you?
Andy: Not bad, thanks. And you?
Olson: I’m fine, thanks. Listen, I was hoping we could meet up when I’m in London next week. How does your week look? Do you have any time?
Andy: I’d have time on Tuesday morning or on Thursday afternoon. Would either of those work for sb.hier: für jmdn. möglich seinwork for you?
Olson: Tuesday morning would be great. Around ten?
Andy: Great. It’s not easy to find my office, so if you let reception know you’re here, I’ll pick sb. upjmdn. abholenpick you up.
Olson: OK, then. See you on Tuesday the 13th at 10 a.m.
Andy: Great. to look forward to doing sth.sich darauf freuen, etw. zu tunLook forward to seeing you. Bye.

How to say it

In this section, you’ll find useful phrases and expressions for calling someone. At the end of this list, you will find another small exercise.

Taking a call

• Good morning. Crewe Technical College, Glenda speaking. How can I help you?

• Hello. British Books Ltd. This is Olson Krabb.

Saying who you are

• This is Olson Krabb from British Books Ltd.

• My name’s Olson Krabb.

Giving the reason for your call

• I’d like to talk to Andy Jenson.

• Listen, I was hoping we could meet up when I’m in London next week.

Trying to connect the caller

• I’ll just put you through. One moment, please.

• The line’s busy. Would you like to try again later?

• Just bear with me for a sec.

Getting through to the wrong person

• I was trying to reach Andy Jenson.

• I must have the wrong number. Is this extension 345?

• I’ll try again another time.

• Could I speak to Olson Krabb, please? I thought I’d called his mobile, actually.

Receiving a call that’s meant for someone else

• Andy’s not in today. Can I take a messageNachrichtmessage?

• He’s probably forwarding his callAnruf; Telefonat, Telefongesprächcalls to the office right now.

Checking whether your partner has time

• Is this a good time for you to talk?

• Is this a good time to call? Should I to call sb. backjmdn. zurückrufencall back another time?

Dealing with technical problems

• Sorry, Andy, the connection’s really bad.

• I can hardly hear you.

• Can I call you back on my landlineFestnetzanschluss, -leitunglandline?

Taking a message

• I’ll make sure he gets the message. Does he have your number?

Promising action

• OK, I’ll give him a call  tomorrow.

• I’ll pick you up.

• No problem. I’ll stick one in the post today.

Offering further help

• Just let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.

• Let me know if there are any problems.

Ending the call

• Have a great weekend.

• Thanks. You, too. Bye.