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Intermediate Level Dialogues - On the Telephone

By Kenneth Beare, About.com

Calling Someone at Work
  1. Hello. This is Kenneth Beare. May I speak to Ms Sunshine, please?
  2. Hold the line a moment, I'll check if she is in her office.
  1. Thank you.
  2. (after a moment) Yes, Ms Sunshine is in. I'll put you through.
  1. Hello, this is Ms Sunshine. How can I help you?
  2. Hello, my name is Kenneth Beare and I'm calling to enquire about the position advertised in Sunday's Times.
  1. Yes, the position is still open. Could I have your name and number please?
  2. Certainly, My name is Kenneth Beare...
Leaving a Message
  1. Hello. Could I speak to Jack Parkins, please?
  2. Who's calling, please?
  1. This is Fred Blinkingham. I'm a friend of Jack's.
  2. Hold the line, please. I'll put your call through. (after a moment) - I'm afraid he's out at the moment. Can I take a message?
  1. Yes. Can you ask him to give me a call? My number is 345-8965
  2. Could you repeat that, please?
  1. Certainly. That's 345-8965
  2. OK. I'll make sure Mr. Parkins gets your message.
  1. Thank you. Goodbye.
  2. Goodbye.
Key Vocabulary

This is ...
May (Can, Could) I speak to...?
I'm calling ...
Hold the line a moment...
put someone through...
Who's calling...?
take a message
call, ring, phone

Note: On the telephone, use 'this is...' instead of 'I am'.

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