1.

Vocabulary – Communication Methods

Word / Phrase Meaning Example Sentence

send a message online egg ear

umbrella
write an e-mail I write an e- mail to my teacher.
aeo university

aui

talk on the phone speak using a phone We talk on the phone every night.

write a letter send a paper message by post My grandmother writes me a letter.

social network website/app to connect with people I use a social network to find old friends.

instant message She sends an instant message when she’s

send a short message online quickly
(IM) free.

meet in person see someone face-to-face Let’s meet in person for lunch.

send a text send a short written message by phone I’ll send a text when I arrive.

video chat see and talk to someone live online We video chat with our cousins abroad.
 2. Key Expressions for Phone & E-mail Communication

Expression Meaning / Use

Who is this? / Who am I speaking to? Ask for the caller’s name (when you don’t recognize them).

I just got a new phone number. Explain that your number changed.

Casual way to ask “What’s happening?” or “What do you

What’s up?
need?”

Can you help me with my homework? Ask for assistance.

I’m kind of busy right now. Say you don’t have time at the moment.

Can you send me an e-mail? Request a written message.

What’s your e-mail address? Ask for someone’s e-mail.

Sorry, can you repeat that? / Can you say that

Ask someone to say something again.
again?

Give me a call later. Ask someone to phone you at another time.

3. Model Sentences

Use Sentence

Asking who is calling Hello? Who is this?

I’m sorry – who am I speaking to?

Use Sentence

Explaining a new number It’s me. I just got a new phone number.

Offering help Sure, but I’m kind of busy right now.

Requesting an e-mail Can you send me an e- mail?

Give me a call later or e- mail me.

Asking for an e-mail address What’s your e- mail address?

Can you give me your e- mail address?

Asking for repetition Sorry, can you repeat that?

Can you say that again?

Spelling an e-mail It’s j- o- e@n- e- w- [Link].

4. Model Conversation (based on textbook)

Speaker Line

Joe Hello?

Matt Hi, Joe!

Joe I’m sorry… who is this?

Matt It’s me, Matt! I just got a new phone number.

Speaker Line

Joe Hi, Matt! What’s up?

Matt Can you help me with my homework?

Joe Sure, but I’m kind of busy right now. Can you send me an e-mail?

Matt What’s your e-mail address?

Joe It’s joe@[Link].

Matt Sorry, can you repeat that?

Joe It’s j-o-e@[Link].

Alternative conversation (using variations from textbook)

Speaker Line

Joe Hello?

Matt Hi, Joe!

Joe Sorry… who am I speaking to?

Matt It’s Matt. I just got a new number.

Joe Oh, hey. What’s up?

Speaker Line

Matt Can you help me with homework?

Joe I’m busy. Give me a call later or e-mail me.

Matt Can you give me your e-mail address?

Joe Sure – joe@[Link].

Matt Sorry, can you say that again?

Joe j-o-e at n-e-w-mail dot com.

Additional Vocabulary – Phone & Communication

Word / Phrase Meaning Example Sentence

voicemail recorded message system I left a message on her voicema

I saw three missed calls from m

missed call a call you didn’t answer
mom.

ringtone sound a phone makes when ringing His ringtone is a funny song.

feature that lets you talk without holding the

speakerphone I put the call on speakerphone.
phone

headset headphones with a microphone She uses a headset for video ch

Word / Phrase Meaning Example Sentence

hang up end a phone call Don’t hang up yet!

call back return a phone call I’ll call you back in five minutes

pick up answer the phone He didn’t pick up when I called

dial press the numbers to make a call Dial my office number.

busy signal / engaged

sound when the line is taken I tried calling but got a busy sig
tone

using your phone on another network (often Turn off roaming to avoid high
roaming
abroad) charges.

contact list / phonebook list of saved phone numbers I have 200 contacts in my phon

Additional Idioms & Calling Expressions

Expression Meaning Example

Give me a ring. Call me. Give me a ring after work.

Drop me a line. Send a message (text or e-mail). Drop me a line when you land.

I can’t get through. I can’t connect the call. I’ve tried three times but can’t get through.

The line is dead. No sound on the call. We got cut off – the line went dead.

Hold the line. Wait on the phone. Can you hold the line for a moment?

I’ll connect you (to another Please hold – I’ll put you through to Mr.
I’ll put you through.
person). Lee.

Speak up. Talk louder. Sorry, I can’t hear you. Can you speak up?

You’re breaking up. Your voice is cutting in and out. You’re breaking up – I’ll call you back.

Call me when you get this. Call after receiving a voicemail. It’s me – call me when you get this.

Do you mind if I call you I’m in a meeting. Do you mind if I call you
Ask to call at a different time.
later? later?

I have bad reception. Weak phone signal. I have bad reception in the basement.

See if I’m free (for a Can we talk Friday? Let me check my

Let me check my calendar.
call/meeting). calendar.

Model Sentences – Calling Focus

Situation Sentence

Asking to call later I’m busy now. Can I call you back in an hour?

Leaving a voicemail Hi, it’s Sarah. Please call me when you get this message.

Bad connection Sorry, you’re breaking up. I’ll hang up and call again.

Asking someone to call you Give me a ring when you’re free.

Not answering I called three times, but nobody picked up.

Line busy I tried your number, but it was busy.

Using speakerphone Can you hear me? I’m on speakerphone.

Ending a call I have to go now. Talk to you later. Bye!

Additional Model Conversation – Phone Call (with new expressions)

Speaker Line

Anna Hello?

Ben Hey, Anna. It’s Ben.

Anna Hi Ben! Hold the line a sec – let me turn off the TV.

Ben Sure.

Anna OK, sorry. What’s up?

Speaker Line

Ben Can you help me with the math homework?

Anna I’m kind of busy right now. Do you mind if I call you back in 20 minutes?

Ben No problem. But I have bad reception at home. Can I give you my office number?

Anna Sure. Give me a ring from there.

Ben Great. Talk to you soon. Oh, and if you can’t reach me, just drop me a line by e-mail.

Anna Got it. Speak up though – you’re breaking up a little.

Ben Sorry! I’ll call you back. Bye.

Anna Bye.

Practice Questions – Using New Expressions

Question Possible Answer

What do you say if someone can’t hear you? Can you speak up?

What do you say when the call quality is bad? You’re breaking up. I’ll call you back.

How do you ask someone to call you? Give me a ring later.

What do you say to end a call politely? I have to go now. Talk to you later.
Question Possible Answer

What do you do if the line is busy? I hang up and try again later.