A1 · Talking on the Phone

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Objectives

Use call, answer, hold on, message accurately in context
Read and discuss a topic-specific article at A1 level
Practise speaking fluently on phone communication at work
Complete written exercises with vocabulary in context

Teaching Notes

Warm-up: allow 8-10 min, let personal answers develop
Article: read together or have students read silently first
Vocabulary match: good for pair work
Speaking: encourage full sentences, not one-word answers
Exit questions: 5-min closer, no prep needed

Timing Guide

Warm-up: 8 min
Article + comprehension: 12 min
Vocabulary + match: 10 min
Exercises: 10 min
Speaking + discussion: 15 min
Exit + recap: 5 min

Teacher Question Bank

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A1 · Lesson 36 · Phone Communication at Work

Talking on the Phone

Phone Communication at Workcallanswerhold on

Getting started

Warm-Up Questions

Click the button to get your first question

Read & Understand

Article

Talking on the Phone

Ring ring. 'Good morning, Innovatech, Sofia speaking. How can I help you?' 'Good morning. Could I speak to Mr Lopez, please?' 'I am afraid Mr Lopez is not available right now. He is in a meeting. Can I take a message?' 'Yes, please. My name is Carlos Ruiz from ABC Solutions. Could you ask him to call me back? My number is 612 345 678.' 'Of course, Mr Ruiz. I will make sure he gets the message. Is there anything else I can help you with?' 'No, that is everything. Thank you very much.' 'Thank you for calling Innovatech. Goodbye.' 'Goodbye.'

💡 Did you know? The first telephone call was made by Alexander Graham Bell on 10 March 1876. His first words were to his assistant: 'Mr Watson, come here — I want to see you.' The call covered a distance of about four metres.

Topic: Phone Communication at Work

Key words

Vocabulary

call

to contact someone by telephone

answer

to pick up the phone when it rings

hold on

to wait on the phone

message

information left for someone when they are not available

transfer

to connect a phone call to another person or department

voicemail

a recorded message left when someone does not answer

speak up

to talk louder

repeat

to say something again

available

free to speak or help at a particular time

010

call back

to return a telephone call

Match the Words

Click a word on the left, then click its definition on the right.

call

answer

hold on

message

transfer

voicemail

speak up

repeat

available

call back

to say something again

information left for someone when they are not available

to wait on the phone

free to speak or help at a particular time

a recorded message left when someone does not answer

to talk louder

to return a telephone call

to connect a phone call to another person or department

to contact someone by telephone

to pick up the phone when it rings

Say it right

Pronunciation

call

CALL

answer

ANS-wer

hold on

HOLD on

message

MES-sage

transfer

TR-an-sfer

voicemail

VOI-cem-ail

Read & Discuss

Short Dialogue

Hi! Can I ask you about call?

Of course! I think call is very important.

What about answer? Do you use it often?

Yes, I do. Answer helps me a lot at work.

And hold on? Is that difficult for you?

Sometimes. But I practise every day.

That is great. What is your advice?

Just be consistent. Small steps every day!

Comprehension

What does person A ask about first?
How does person B feel about answer?
What is person B's advice?

Practice

Exercises

Gap Fill

Complete each sentence using vocabulary from today's lesson.

1. I need to a client this afternoon.

2. She did not — I left a voicemail.

3. a moment — I will transfer you.

4. Can I leave a for Mr Garcia?

5. I will you to the sales department.

Error Correction

Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.

She have a big call.

I not understand answer.

They is very hold on.

He work with message every day.

Speaking practice

Speaking Prompts

Discuss with your partner

Roleplay a professional phone call. Use the phrases from the article.

Practise leaving a voicemail message. What information do you always include?

What challenges do you have when speaking English on the phone? How do you manage?

Summarise today's topic in 3 sentences using vocabulary from this lesson.

Grammar focus: Telephone language: Answering: Good morning, Teachify, Ana speaking. Asking to s... — can you give an example?

Open discussion

Discussion Generator