Role Playing Suggestions

Here are some role plays for you to use in practicing your telephone English.

Requesting Travel Information

Student A:

Choose a city in your country. You are going to travel to this city for a business meeting over the next weekend. Telephone a travel agency and reserve the following:

• Round-trip flight
• Hotel room for two nights
• Restaurant recommendation
• Prices and departure times

Student B:

You work in a travel agency. Listen to student A and offer him/her the following solutions:

• Round-trip flight: Air JW $450 Coach, $790 First Class
• Hotel room for two nights: Hotel City $120 a night in the downtown area, Hotel Relax $110 a night near the airport
• Restaurant Recommendation: Chez Marceau - downtown - average price $70 a person

Product Information

Student A:

You need to purchase six new computers for your office. Call JA's Computer World and ask for the following information:

• Current special offers on computers
• Computer configuration (RAM, Hard Drive, CPU)
• Guaranty
• Possibility of discount for an order of six computers

Student B:

You work in at JA's Computer World answer student A's questions using the following information:

• Two special offers: Multimedia Monster - with latest Pentium CPU, 256 RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, Monitor included - $2,500 AND Office Taskmaster - cheaper CPU, 64 RAM, 10 GB Hard Drive, Monitor not included - $1,200
• 1 Year guaranty on all computers
• Discount of 5% for orders of more than five computers

Leaving a Message

Student A:

You want to speak to Ms Braun about your account with her company, W&W. If Ms Braun isn't in the office, leave the following information:

• Your name
• Telephone number: 347-8910 (or use your own)
• Calling about changing conditions of your contract with W&W
• You can be reached until 5 o'clock at the above number. If Ms Braun calls after 5 o'clock, she should call 458-2416

Student B:

You are a receptionist at W&W. Student A would like to speak to Ms Braun, but she is out of the office. Take a message and make sure you get the following information:

• Name and telephone number - ask student A to spell the surname
• Message student A would like to leave for Ms Braun
• How late Ms Braun can call student A at the given telephone number

Selling Your Product

Student A:

You are a salesperson for Red Inc. You are telephoning a client who you think might be interested in buying your new line of office supplies. Discuss the following information with your client:

• New line of office supplies including: copy-paper, pens, stationary, mouse-pads and white boards
• You know the customer hasn't ordered any new products during this past year
• Special discount of 15% for orders placed before next Monday
• Any order placed before Monday will not only receive the discount, but also have its company logo printed on the products at no extra charge

Student B:

You work in an office and receive a telephone call from your local office supplier. As a matter fact, you need some new office supplies so you are definitely interested in what the salesperson has to offer. Talk about the following:

• New pens, stationary and white boards
• Do they have any special offers
• You would like to place an order for 200 packages of copy paper immediately

More Telephone English:

• Telephone English: Dialogue and Appropriate Vocabulary
• Telephone English: Leaving a Message on an Answering Machine
• How to Telephone: Tips and Tricks to Make Sure a Native English Speaker Slows Down!
• Practical Exercises: Exercises to Improve Your Telephoning Skills
• Teaching Telephone English: Lesson Plan