Telephone Conversation

handling a phone

Do you have any idea about handling a phone call in the right way? Having knowledge of making and receiving a phone call as well as handling telephone messages will surely be beneficial for you. Learn how to do those very well in this unit.

Have you ever made a phone call? What do you say first? Have you ever received a call? What do you ask the caller? What do you say if the caller wants to speak to your father but he is not at home? What do you say when you want the caller to leave a message?

Here are words and expressions usually used in formal telephoning.

To make a call

-        Greetings (Good morning/afternoon/evening).

-        May I speak to …, please?

-        I’m …(your name) from …(your company’s name)

-        I’m calling about …(your purpose)

-        Could I speak to .....

-        Could you put me through to Mr/Mrs…?

-        Could I leave a message?

-        Could you take my message for Mr/Mrs…?

To receive a call

-        Greetings (Good morning/afternoon/evening) + name of your company.

-        Can I help you? May I help you?

-        Who’s calling, please? Who’s speaking, please?

-        May I have your name, please? Could I have your number?

-        Hold on, please. Just a moment, please.

-        I’m sorry. The line is engaged. Sorry, Sir/Madam. The line is busy.

-        I’ll put you through to Mr/Mrs…

-        Do you want to hold on, or call again later?

-        Can I take your message?

-        Could you speak up, please? It’s a terrible connection.

Telephone Conversation

Formal	Response
Hello..!	Hello...SMK 17 Madiun,/ Mr. Andi is speaking .   Can I help you! Who is it Please! Who is calling , please!
Wati is speaking, receptionist of Nusantara Prima Corporation Is Mr/Mrs.........................., there?	Just a minute , Please! He/She is meeting Right now. Yes He/she is here, now
May I speak to Mr/Mrs............Please!	Yes sure, here it is
I am afraid you have a wrong number (maaf salah sambung)	I am sorry
Would you please speak a little louder?  (bisakah bicara agak keras)
Could you call again later? (bisakah nelpon lagi nanti?)	Can you leave a message? (Bisakah meninggalkan pesan?)
Could you take my message to Mr/Mrs....... (bisakah anda sampaikan pesan pada...)	Yes of course
Can I call you back?	Yes sure
Informal (tidak resmi)
Is Mr/Mrs........... there?	Sure!
Can I talk to Mr/Mrs.............Please!	Hang on / hold on..! (jangan ditutup)

Exercise 1
Translate into good English!

Riiinggg!!!!!!

Caller         : halo! Selamat pagi!

You            : Halo. Selamat pagi  (your name)  Siapa yg nelpon ini ya?

Caller         : ini Pak Toki dari SMK YP 17-1 Madiun.

You            : Oh..pak Toki. Ada yang bisa saya bantu pak?

Caller         : Apakah Bapakmu ada di rumah? Saya ingin bicara dengan

  Bapakmu.

You            : tunggu sebentar pak. Bapakku masih ada di kebun.

  Bisakah menelpon kembali nanti ?

Caller         : oh. Ya. 1 jam lagi saya akan menelpon kembali.

(setelah 1 jam)

Riiiinggg!!!

Caller         : Hallo. Selamat siang!

You            : Ya bapak disini.

Father        : Ya. Pak ada yang bisa dbantu?

Caller         : Permisi pak. Biasakah Bapak datang ke sekolah bersama

  putramu untuk menemui Kepala Sekolah?

Father        : oh ya pak. Kami akan berangkat ke sekolah sekarang.

Caller         : terimakasih pak

Father        : sama-sama.

Exercise 2

In pairs, study the following dialogue and answer the questions. Then, act it out with your partner.

Secretary          : Good morning. Gama Corporation. Can I help you?

Caller               : Good morning. May I speak to Mr Fahrur Assegaf, please?

Secretary          : Who’s speaking, please?

Caller               : This is Apryan Siregar of Horasindo Oil Company.

Secretary          : I beg your pardon, Sir. Could you spell your first name, please?

Caller               : A-P-R-Y-A-N. That’s APRYAN.

Secretary          : Thank you, Mr Apryan Siregar. Just a moment, please.

Caller               : All right.

Secretary          : I’m sorry, Sir. Mr Assegaf is in a meeting with the Board now.

Caller               : That’s OK! He is the Headboard. Can I leave a message?

Secretary          : With pleasure, Sir.

Caller               : Please tell him to call me back at 1 p.m. today.

Secretary          : Right, Sir. Could I have your phone number, please?

Caller               : Sure. +62-817-410-4496. Have you got that?

Secretary          : Yes, Sir. +62-817-410-4496. Anything else, Sir?

Caller               : Is Mr Rahmat, his assistant, in?

Secretary          : I’m sorry, Sir. He is attending a seminar in Ogan Hotel. Could I take your message, Sir?

Caller               : Emm…please tell him that I’ll come to see him at 9 tomorrow morning.

Secretary          : Right, Sir. I’ll give your message.

Caller               : OK. Thank you for your help. Goodbye.

Secretary          : You’re welcome, Sir. Goodbye.

Vocabulary:

board (kb) : Dewan Direksi   headboard (kb) : Pimpinan Dewan Direksi    attend (kkt) : menghadiri

Answer the following questions. Number one has been done as an example.

1. Who is the caller? (The caller is Mr Apryan Siregar.)

2. Whom does he want to speak to?

3. What does the secretary say to know who is calling?

4. What does she say to clarify the caller’s name?

5. How does the caller spell his name?

6. What does he say when he wants to leave a message?

7. What does the caller want Mr Assegaf to do?

8. What is his message to Mr Rahmat?