How to start your call when telephoning for business in English. Looking at useful phrases, grammar and vocabulary, whether you are the caller or the receiver, and whether you know the person well or you don't. For modelled pronunciation watch the video on mybusinessenglish.com or the mybusinessenglish.com YouTube channel. Please 'like' if you found it useful and subscribe to the website and YouTube channel.

1. Telephoning:
Starting the Call
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2. In thisVideo:
ESSENTIAL
PHRASES
Greetings
Introducing yourself, your role and your company
Background
Small Talk
Purpose

3. Answering
• Hello, ACX Consulting. How may I help you?
• Hello, ACX Consulting, Paul Lowe speaking. How may I help you?
• Hello, ACX Consulting, Paul Lowe speaking.
• Hello, Paul Lowe speaking.
• Hello, Paul Lowe.
• Paul Lowe.
• Lowe.
Best for normal office role.
Receptionist style -
‘public facing’
Boss style - little
public contact
Receiver

4. Caller - greeting/introduction
• Hi Paul, my name’s (this is) Mike Cheng
from RIB Engineering.
• Hi Paul, it’s Mike Cheng from RIB
engineering.
• Hi Paul, it’s Mike from RIB.
• Hi Paul, it’s Mike (here).
• Hi Paul, Mike.
Don’t know the
other person.
Know the person
well.
Receiver Caller
Hello, Paul Lowe speaking.

5. If known - make small talk - ‘well-being’
• Robert Palmer speaking.
• How’re you going, Freda?
• Really good
• and what can I do for you
today?
• Hi Robert, it’s Freda.
• I’m fine, Robert.You?
• I’m calling to ...
Receiver Caller

6. If known - make small talk - different places
• Robert Palmer speaking.
• What’s the weather like in
Berlin, Freda?
• The sun’s out today for a
change.
• Hi Rob, it’s Freda.
• Absolutely freezing, Rob. What
about in Chicago?
• That’s great.
Look Rob, I’m calling to...
Receiver Caller

7. Stating the Purpose
• Our company makes components for the
auto industry and...
• I’m calling/ringing/phoning about (noun)
• I’m calling to +V
• I’d like to +V
• I was wondering if I/you could +V
And how can I
help you today?
If more background or
introduction needed
Receiver Caller

8. Two Examples

9. Example 1 - The speakers do know each other.
• John Truscott speaking.
• Jenny. How are you?
• Can’t complain. It’s a beautiful
day - but how can I help you?
• Hi John. It’s Jenny from
International Accounting.
• I’m pretty good, John.
And you?
• I’m just calling to check if the
documents arrived.
Receiver Caller

10. Example 2 - The speakers don’t know each other
• John Truscott speaking.
• Hello, Jenny.What can I do for
you?
• Hi John.This is Jenny Strauss
from International Finance.
• My company organises financial
training for managers
• and I was wondering if you had
a minute to discuss your
training needs.
Receiver Caller

11. • Answer
phone
• Ask how
you can
help.
• Introduce
yourself
• (Give
background)
• State Purpose
2 Structures - If speakers don’t know each other
• Answer phone
• Introduce
yourself
• Give
background
• State
Purpose
Receiver Caller Receiver Caller

12. • Answer
phone
• Small talk
• Ask how
you can
help.
• Greeting +
name
• Small talk
• State
Purpose
2 Structures - If speakers do know each other
• Answer
phone
• Small talk
• Greeting +
name
• Small talk
• State
Purpose
Receiver Caller Receiver Caller

13. Review
Videos
A for Alpha: Using the International Telephone Code
Telephoning: Keeping Control

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