English Speaking: Telephonic Conversation
Telephonic Conversation is one of the most effective ways to improve English speaking skills. Telecommunication has become an integral part of our lives. It is making our work more efficient in many ways, saving our time and energy tremendously. We need to convey all we want to say in clearly stated words and sentences.
TELEPHONE ETIQUETTE:
- Speak softly, slowly, clearly and politely
- Do not call anyone at odd hours, unless very urgent
- Be brief on the telephone when you’re in the office
- Do not terminate a call abruptly
- Gauge the mood of the person
- Know your audience
- Use proper gestures while speaking
- Keep your tone of voice positive.
- Greet the caller warmly
- Use proper words and sentences
- Always remain cheerful
- Be an active listener
- Do not leave the caller on hold for too long
- Maintain fluency of language
- Use new phrases in conversations every day
- Learn from your mistakes
- Practice talking in English with friends
- Observe the person’s way of speaking
- Never eat or drink while speaking on the phone
- Close the conversation appropriately
HOW TO START ON THE TELEPHONE
- Who am I speaking to?
- Who am I talking to?
- Who is this, please?
- Who is calling, please?
- Who may I say is calling?
- Who may I know is speaking?
- To whom am I speaking?
- Am I talking to…?
- May I know who I’m talking to?
- May I know who’s speaking?
- May I ask who’s speaking?
- Sorry, who am I speaking to, please?
- Can I speak to…, please?
- Could I speak to…, please?
- Good morning! My name is…
- I want to talk with…
- Hello, it’s… here
- Is … there?
- Hello, this is…
- Is it…?
- Is it the number of…?
- Is this the right number for…?
- Good afternoon. My name is… I’m calling from…
- Someone phoned me from this number
- I have a missed call from this number
- Sorry to phone again so soon, but…
- I’m calling to ask about…
ASKING FOR NAME/INFORMATION
- Who’s speaking?
- Who’s calling?
- Who’s calling, please?
- May I know who’s speaking/calling?
- May I ask who’s speaking/calling?
- May I know your name, please?
- You’re from?
- Where are you calling from?
- To whom am I speaking?
- Whom am I speaking with?
- Who is this, please?
- Who may I ask is calling?
GIVING NEGATIVE INFORMATION
- I’m sorry. He’s out of the office today
- I’m sorry. He’s out of the…
- He/she isn’t in at the moment
- He/She’s not here
- He/She’s not here right now
- He’s out to lunch. You may leave a message
- Would you care to leave a message
- Please leave a message
- Can you leave a message?
- He/She’s on another call
- But I will tell him to call you later
- I’m sorry. There’s nobody here by that name
- Wrong number
- Sorry. Wrong number
- Sorry. I think you’ve dialled the wrong number
- He/She’s on leave
- He/She’s not feeling well
- You may call after half an hour
- Call me/him in the evening
WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR SOMEONE
- I’m afraid I can’t hear you
- I’m afraid I can’t hear you properly/clearly
- I’m sorry, I can’t hear you very well
- I’m sorry, the line is bad
- Could you say that again, please?
- Could you repeat that, please?
- Could you repeat that, please?
- Speak loudly
- I can’t hear you properly
- You are not audible
- Your voice isn’t audible
- I think it’s a network problem
WHEN FINISH TALKING
- Nice to talk to you
- Nice talking to you
- Thank you for calling
- Have a nice day
- Goodnight
- See you again
- Talk to you later
- Take care
- OK, bye
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