Requesting Travel Information

Speaker 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

Speaker 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

The Phrases

Telephone English - The Phrases

There are a number of phrases and idioms that are only used when telephoning. Let's first take a look at an example dialogue: Here are the most common:

Operator: Hello, Provision Corporation, How can I help you?

Peter: This is Lance Armstrong. Can I have extension 3421?

Operator: Certainly, hold on a minute, I'll put you through...

Frank: Jack Richard's office, Jack speaking.

Peter: This is Lance Armstrong calling, is Bob in?

Frank: I'm afraid he's out at the moment. Can I take a message?

Peter: Yes, Could you ask him to call me at . I need to talk to him about the Nuovo line, it's urgent.

Frank: Could you repeat the number please?

Peter: Yes, that's , and this is Lance Armstrong.

Frank: Thank you Mr Armstrong, I'll make sure Bob gets this asap.

Peter: Thanks, bye.

Frank: Bye.

As you can see, the language is rather informal and there are some important differences to everyday English. Look at the chart below for key language and phrases used in telephone English.

Introducing yourself

This is Ken.

Ken speaking

Asking who is on the telephone

Excuse me, who is this?

Can I ask who is calling, please?

Asking for Someone

Can I have extension 321? (extensions are internal numbers at a company)

Could I speak to...? (Can I - more informal / May I - more formal)

Is Jack in? (informal idiom meaning: Is Jack in the office?

Connecting Someone

I'll put you through (put through - phrasal verb meaning 'connect')

Can you hold the line?

Can you hold on a moment?

How to reply when someone is not available

I'm afraid ... is not available at the moment

The line is busy... (when the extension requested is being used)

Mr Jackson isn't in...

Mr Jackson is out at the moment...

Taking a Message

Could (Can, May)

I take a message?

Could (Can, May) I tell him who is calling?

Would you like to leave a message?

Telephone Conversation

A: Hello. TVS Computers. Samantha speaking. How can I help you?

B: Good Morning. Could I speak to your customer services department, please?

A: Certainly, who's calling?

B: This is Keith Jones.

A: [pause] I'm afraid the line's busy at the moment. Will you hold?

B: Yes, please.