Answer: Hello, this is Anna. / Hello, Anna speaking. Ask: Could I speak to Mr Brown, please? Who’s calling? It’s Maria. Hold on, please. I’ll put you through. Sorry, he isn’t here. Can I take a message?

End the call: Thanks for calling. Speak to you soon. Bye! If you cannot hear well: Could you speak more slowly? Could you repeat that? The signal is bad.

We use “will” (’ll) for quick decisions and offers: I’ll call you back. I’ll send you a message. I’ll help you. We use “won’t” for refusals or promises: I won’t forget. I won’t be late.

In questions: Shall I call you? Will you call me later? Use it with: Of course! No problem. I’ll do it now.

When we tell someone what another person said, we use “say” or “tell”. He said (that) he was busy. She told me (that) she would call. After “tell” we need a person: tell me / tell him. After “say” we do not: He said hello.

Simple change: present → past. “I am busy.” → He said he was busy. “I will call.” → She said she would call.

• Do you have a phone?
• Who do you call most often?
• Do you like long phone calls?
• Do you answer your phone quickly?
• Do you prefer calls or messages?
• How many messages do you send a day?
• Do you use voice messages?
• Do you call your family every day?
• Do you ever turn off your phone?
• Is your phone signal good at home?
• Do you answer unknown numbers?
• Do you leave voicemails?

• How do you answer the phone?
• How do you start a phone call with a stranger?
• Tell me about an important phone call you made.
• What do you do when the signal is bad?
• How do you leave a message?
• What did the last person who called you say?
• How do you say goodbye on the phone?
• Tell me about a funny or strange phone call you remember.
• What do you say when you call a doctor or a company?
• Do you speak differently on the phone? How?
• How do you remember phone numbers?
• Do you like talking on the phone or by video?

• Why do some people hate phone calls?
• Are phone calls better than messages? Explain.
• How has the phone changed our lives?
• How can phones help people stay in touch with family far away?
• Is it rude to look at your phone when someone speaks to you? Why?
• What would life be like without phones?
• How can we make phone calls easier for everyone?
• If you could speak on the phone with anyone from history, who would it be?

• Could I speak to the manager, please?
• Who’s calling?
• Can I take a message?
• Could you call me back later?
• What will you do after this call?
• Shall I call you tomorrow?
• What did she say on the phone?
• Did he tell you the time?
• Could you speak more slowly, please?
• Will you text me later?
• Do you answer every call?
• What will you say if you call the doctor?

• Do you think we use our phones too much?
• Would you rather call or text a friend?
• What if you had no phone for a week?
• Is it polite to answer the phone at dinner?
• Which is better: a video call or a voice call?
• Would you like a phone that translates languages?
• Do you think voice assistants are useful?
• What advice would you give to someone who is nervous about phone calls?

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