Speaking on the phone in a second language can be a real challenge—especially when the tone is formal, like in work or business contexts. This self-study lesson is designed to help English learners become more confident and effective when handling formal telephone conversations.
Whether you’re answering calls in a customer service role, making appointments, or speaking with colleagues and clients, it’s important to understand the typical expressions and structure used in polite, professional phone calls.
What’s This Self-Study Lesson About?
This listening-focused lesson guides you through a realistic formal telephone conversation, helping you:
- Recognise key expressions used to open, manage, and close formal calls
- Understand the tone and structure of professional communication
- Practise listening for detail and identifying useful phrases in context
- Reflect on your own experience and language use in similar situations
You’ll also build awareness of how English speakers manage politeness, handle requests, and give clear information over the phone.
Who Is This For?
This self-study activity is ideal for intermediate to upper-intermediate learners (B1–B2), especially those who:
- Use English in the workplace
- Are preparing for job interviews or professional environments
- Find phone calls stressful or difficult to follow
Learners from various backgrounds—including speakers of Romance languages like Spanish or Portuguese—may find it especially helpful for fine-tuning formal register and idiomatic phrasing in spoken English.
What Will You Learn?
Here are just a few examples of expressions you’ll discover and practise:
- “Good morning, this is [Name] speaking.”
- “May I ask who’s calling?”
- “I’m afraid [Name] is not available at the moment.”
- “Could you hold the line, please?”
- “I’ll make sure they get the message.”
By the end of the session, you’ll be able to:
- Identify formal expressions with ease
- Take notes during phone calls
- Use appropriate phrases in a range of phone situations
Tip: Try shadowing – listen and repeat each line out loud to copy rhythm and intonation. Record yourself and compare!
Start your practice now and take a confident step toward more professional, polite, and fluent telephone communication in English!