Telephone English
Answering the telephone
Here are three common ways to answer the telephone.
“Hello, this is London Central Hospital. How can I help you?”
“Hello, which department do you need?”
“Hello, this is John Nightly’s office. May I ask who is calling, please?”
Making an appointment
A. “Hello, do you speak English?”
B. “Wait a moment please.”
C. “Hello, I’m Rie Suzuki. How can I help you?”
A. “I’d like to see a doctor today.”
C. “Have you been to our clinic before?”
A. “Yes.”
C. “Can I have your patient number please? It’s on the back of your patient card.”
A. “OK. It’s 3141593.”
C. “Thank you. Can you confirm your name please?”
A. “Yes, my name is Susan Marley.”
C. “Thank you. Can you come at four o’clock today?”
A. “Yes, I can.”
C. “Ok. We’ll see you at four o’clock. Goodbye.”
A. “Goodbye”.
Taking a message
A. “Hello. Can I speak to doctor Suzuki please?”
B. “I’m sorry, she’s with a patient at the moment. Can you call back later or would you like to leave a message?”
A. “I’d like to leave a message. This is doctor Jameson calling from the Cleveland Clinic. I’d like to speak to doctor Suzuki about her research. She can call me on 1 855 023 986 590. I’ll be here for the next three hours.”
B. “Thank you. I’ll ask doctor Suzuki to call you back as soon as possible. Goodbye.”
A. “Thank you. Goodbye.”