![Making phone calls in English [A2] — VocaVerb](https://vocaverb.com/wp-content/uploads/vv-cat-images/vv-cat-13868-en.png)
This course explains what phoning in English involves, such as calling a hotel or a doctor. You will find simple, polite sentences used in real conversations, and you will learn how to start a call with ‘This is…’ rather than ‘I am…’, how to ask for someone with ‘Can I’ or ‘Could I’, and how to end the conversation. It also explains why phone English matters and ends with a full example.
What Does ‘Phoning in English’ Mean?
Phoning in English means making or receiving a phone call using the English language. It is one of the most common real-life situations where people need to communicate clearly and confidently. Whether you are calling a hotel, a doctor, or a friend, knowing the right words makes everything easier.
Simple Examples to Get Started
- ‘Hello, can I speak to Maria, please?’
- ‘I would like to make a reservation.’
- ‘Could you repeat that, please?’
- ‘I am calling about my order.’
These short sentences are used every day in real phone conversations. They are simple, polite, and very effective.
The Key Elements of Phoning in English
A phone call in English usually follows a simple structure. Let us look at the main parts.
1. Starting the Call
The beginning of a phone call is very important. You need to introduce yourself and explain why you are calling.
- ‘Hello, this is John speaking.’
- ‘Hi, my name is Sophie. I am calling from Paris.’
- ‘Good morning. I would like to speak to the manager, please.’
Notice that we say ‘This is…’ and not ‘I am…’ when introducing yourself on the phone. This is a common mistake for beginners.
2. Asking for Someone or Something
During a call, you often need to ask for a person or for specific information.
- ‘Can I speak to Mr. Brown, please?’
- ‘Is Sarah available?’
- ‘I am calling to get information about your opening hours.’
Use ‘Can I…’ or ‘Could I…’ to be polite. ‘Could’ is slightly more formal than ‘Can’.
3. Ending the Call
Finishing a phone call politely is just as important as starting it well.
- ‘Thank you for your help. Goodbye!’
- ‘I will call back later. Have a good day!’
- ‘Thanks a lot. Speak to you soon!’
Always thank the other person before you hang up. It shows good manners and leaves a positive impression.
Why Phoning in English Is Important
Many people feel nervous about making phone calls in a foreign language. This is completely normal! But phone calls are part of everyday life. You may need to call a hotel, a school, a company, or even emergency services.
Learning to phone in English helps you:
- Travel more independently in English-speaking countries.
- Handle professional situations with confidence.
- Communicate clearly even when you cannot see the other person’s face.
- Understand fast or unclear speech and ask for repetition politely.
Phone calls are different from face-to-face conversations. You cannot use body language or facial expressions. This is why knowing the right phrases is so helpful.
Comparison with Other Languages
Let us compare how people start a phone call in three different languages. You will see some interesting differences!
| Situation | French | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introducing yourself | ‘Ici Sophie.’ | ‘Soy Sofia.’ | ‘This is Sophie.’ |
| Asking for someone | ‘Puis-je parler a Marie ?’ | ‘Puedo hablar con Maria ?’ | ‘Can I speak to Maria?’ |
| Saying you will call back | ‘Je rappellerai.’ | ‘Volvere a llamar.’ | ‘I will call back.’ |
| Ending the call | ‘Au revoir !’ | ‘Adios !’ | ‘Goodbye!’ or ‘Speak soon!’ |
One key difference: in English, we say ‘This is…’ to introduce ourselves, not ‘I am…’. In French and Spanish, you use the equivalent of ‘I am’. This small difference surprises many learners!
A Complete Example
Here is a short and realistic phone conversation between two people:
Receptionist: ‘Good afternoon, Green Hotel. How can I help you?’
Caller: ‘Hello, this is David Brown. I would like to book a room for two nights, please.’
Receptionist: ‘Of course! What dates would you like?’
Caller: ‘From the 10th to the 12th of June.’
Receptionist: ‘Perfect. Can I take your phone number, please?’
Caller: ‘Sure, it is 07 45 23 10 98.’
Receptionist: ‘Thank you, Mr. Brown. Your booking is confirmed. Have a great day!’
Caller: ‘Thank you so much. Goodbye!’
This conversation uses simple vocabulary and polite expressions. Try to practise it with a friend or out loud at home!
Key Points to Remember
- Say ‘This is…’ to introduce yourself on the phone, not ‘I am…’.
- Use ‘Can I…’ or ‘Could I…’ to make polite requests.
- Always thank the other person at the end of the call.
- If you do not understand, say: ‘Could you repeat that, please?’ or ‘Could you speak more slowly?’
- Phone calls in English follow a clear structure: start, middle, and end.
Phoning in English may feel difficult at first, but with practice, it becomes much easier. Start with simple situations and build your confidence step by step!
Sources
- Council of Europe. (2001) : Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Cambridge University Press.
- Swan, M. (2005) : Practical English Usage (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- McCarthy, M., and O’Dell, F. (2008) : English Vocabulary in Use: Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate. Cambridge University Press.
To practise what you learned in this lesson: