Teacher Notes
Objectives & Sequence: This lesson is intended to be used as a preview of Grammar 5-3.
The following vocabulary words are used in this activity:
Part One
Listen to two short conversations. How does the person answer the phone? Does the caller say his/her name? How?
Conversation #1
A: Hello?
B: Hi, Paul?
A: Yeah...
B: Hey, it’s Anna, from class.
A: Oh, hey, Anna. What’s up?
B: Not much. Is there any homework for Monday?
A: Yeah, there is some homework. We just have to do Reading 4-1.
B: Okay, thanks. Some of us are going to a movie tonight if you want to come.
A: Sure, that’s a good idea. I’ll give you a call later.
B: Okay, bye.
A: Bye.
Conversation #2
A: Hello, John Vidal speaking.
B: Hi, John, this is Lydia calling, from Dr. Kwak’s office.
A: Hi, how are you?
B: I’m good, thanks. I’m calling to remind you that you have an appointment tomorrow at 3:00.
A: Yes, right. 3:00 tomorrow. Got it.
B: Great, so we’ll see you then?
A: Sounds good. See you at 3.
B: Okay. Bye now.
A: Thanks for calling. Bye!
Part Two
How to Answer the Phone
Most of the time you answer the phone just by saying “hello”, but there are a few different ways to answer the phone as well:
| Casual | Formal | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Hello? | Hello, (name) speaking. | Hello, thank you for calling (company name), how can I help you? |
How to Start a Phone Call
First, you want to know you are speaking to the right person. There are a few ways to ask a person’s name:
| Casual | More Polite / Formal |
|---|---|
| Hi, (name)? | Is (name) there, please? May I speak to (name), please? |
Introducing Yourself on the Phone
There are a a couple different ways to say your name on the phone:
| Casual | More Polite / Formal |
|---|---|
| It’s (name). | This is (name). My name is .... |
Example #1 Example #2 Example #3
Hello?
Hi, Paul?
Yeah...
Hey, it’s Anna, from class.
Hello, Mike Smith speaking.
Hi, Mike. This is Lois from A & D.
Hi, how are you?
Good morning, thank you for calling Vandelay Studios. How can I help you?
Yes, hi, may I speak to Dennis Moore please?
This is Dennis.
Hi, Dennis, it’s Rosa Green.
How to Say Goodbye on the Phone
At the end of a phone call, you say “bye”, but there are many things people say just before they say “bye”. Here are some of the ways to end a phone call:
| Casual | Formal |
|---|---|
| I’ll let you go / I have to let you go. Call me later, tomorrow, etc.. / I’ll call you later, tomorrow, etc.. Give me a ring later / tomorrow, etc.. / I’ll give you a ring later, tomorrow, etc.. Talk to you later. |
Thank you for calling. Thank you for calling (company name). |
Okay, I’ll let you go.
Sure, call me later.
Okay, bye.
Bye.
Thanks for calling.
Not a problem. Talk to you later.
Bye.
Bye.
Part Three
As a class, or in large groups, create a Google Doc and create a list of student phone numbers. Then practice making phone calls by choosing a classmate from the list and calling them. After a couple minutes, say goodbye and call another person.
Part Four
Look at the following two lines from the first conversation above. Pay attention to the usage of some and any in blue:
- Is there any homework for Monday?
- Yeah, there is some homework. We have to do Reading 4-1.
In general, which word do we use in questions: some or any? If it's not a question, which one do we use?