English at Work – Episode 15 : Seb Lime

Transcript of the podcast

?Anna: (answering the phone) Yes

…Denise: Stop! That’s all wrong. I’m going to call you again. This time

Narrator: Hello. Here we are in the middle of a telephone training session with Denise and Anna. What fun

Denise: …this time, you don’t say ‘yes’ when you answer, it’s rude. Call me and I’ll show you how it’s done
(sound of 4-digit dialling, then phone rings)
.Hello? Tip Top Trading

.Anna: Wow, that’s good

.Denise: And, you can say your name. Hello? Tip Top Trading. Denise speaking. Try it
(dialling, then ring)

.Anna: Hello? Tip Top Trading. Denise speaking

!Denise: No

?Anna: What

!”Denise: Say: “Anna speaking

.Anna: Oh, sorry, I’m so stressed by all this. Hello Anna speaking

.Denise: You sound like you’re sitting on a pineapple. Listen to my voice: Hello? Denise speaking

.Anna: Hello? Anna speaking

Denise: Good. Now, when the person has introduced themself – this is Mrs Smith or whatever, say: Hello Mrs Smith, how can I help you? Or, if you know them already, you might say: Hello Mrs Smith, how are you

?Anna: Okay, what if Mrs Smith wants to speak to Tom but he’s not there

Denise: You say: “I’m really sorry, he’s not available at the moment. Can I take a message?” Or: I’m afraid he’s busy, shall I ask him to call you back

.Anna: Okay

Denise: And, to end a conversation, you can say: “Thank you for calling, goodbye.” Let’s do another practice
(phone rings)

.Anna: Hello? Tip Top Trading

.Denise: Hello, this is Mrs Smith

?Anna: Hello Mrs Smith, how can I help you

.Denise: I’d like to speak to Tom please

?Anna: I’m really sorry, he’s not available at the moment. Can I take a message

.Denise: That’s okay, I’ll try again later

.Anna: Okay. Thank you for calling, goodbye

!Denise: Excellent
(phone rings)

!Oh

?Anna: How did you call me without dialling

!Denise: I didn’t, that’s a real call

.Anna: Oh no, I’m all nervous now. Hello? Tip Top Trading. This is Anna speaking

.Mr Lime: Hello Anna, this is Seb Lime

?Anna: Sublime

Mr Lime: Mr Lime from Citrus Ventures. But I think we should be on first name terms now, so call me Seb

?Anna: Okay, er, Seb. How can I help you

Mr Lime: I just wanted to say again that your Imperial Lemon is fantastic… and I was wondering if you’d like to do lunch with me sometime

…Anna: Lunch? Er

!Narrator: I knew it! Mr Lime is interested in more than just your lemons

?Anna: Would you like to discuss the Imperial Lemon

.Mr Lime: Forget the lemons Anna! The reason I want to see you is more of a personal nature

…Anna: Personnel? Er… Can I call you back? I’m afraid I’m a bit busy at the moment

…Mr Lime: …bbbut

?Denise: Well Anna! Mr Lime eh

Anna: Oh dear Denise, I think I need a bit more help from you. He wants to talk about personnel…people, staffing

!Denise: Are you sure? I think he means a personal nature, not personnel! That Mr Lime

!Anna: Oh

Narrator: Mr Lime indeed. Anyway, Anna had an excellent phone manner. Let’s hear those phrases again

.Hello? Tip Top Trading. This is Anna speaking
.Hello? Anna speaking
?Hello Mrs Smith, how can I help you
?Hello Mrs Smith, how are you
?I’m really sorry, he’s not available at the moment. Can I take a message
?I’m afraid he’s busy – shall I ask him to call you back
.Thank you for calling, goodbye

!But how is Anna going to handle Mr Lime’s request? I can’t wait till next time! Bye