A A A A PRACTICAL ENGLISH

Calling and texting - part 1

Lesson code: 1ZME-U6FE-345Q INTERMEDIATE
American English

1 Warm-up
Look at the pictures and answer the questions:

1. What makes your cell phone work?

2. What increases the battery life on your cell phone?

3. What lets you use your cell phone and keeps your hands free?

4. What do you do with your finger to interact with the screen?

5. What's wrong with this screen?

6. What are cell phones called in British English?

Work in pairs. Tell your partner about the last time you did these things:

• sent someone a text message

• made or received a video call or Skyped someone
• checked your voicemail
• spoke on the phone in English

2 Listening
You are going to listen to two cell phone calls. The first time you listen, answer this question: Do the
people in both phone calls know each other well? How do you know this?
LE

1/3
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Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
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 Calling and texting - part 1
A A A A PRACTICAL ENGLISH

Audio 1 Now listen to the phone calls again and complete the missing words in the dialogues.

DIALOGUE 1
1
Laurence: Hi Jake, how's it ?
Jake: Great! I'm just you a ring to ask if you want to meet up tonight?
Video 1
Laurence: Yes, I'm free after seven. How do you feel about steak?
3
Jake: That sounds good. I'll book a table and you the details. Bye for
4
.

Audio 2 DIALOGUE 2
5
Grace: Hello? Who's ?
6
Josh: Hi Grace. Josh, from the Spanish class.
7 8
Grace: Oh, hi Josh. I didn't the number. What can I for you?
Video 2 Josh: You said to give you a 9
if I wanted to know more about visiting Madrid. Is
10
this a good ?
Grace: Sure. What did you want to know?
Josh: I guess my first question is about accommodation. ... Was there a ... good ... hotel you'd ...
recommend?
11
Grace: Josh, I can't hear you very well. You're up.
12
Josh: Sorry, I think there are some problems with the . I'm going to have to call
13
you this afternoon.
14
Grace: OK, but I'm working until 6:00. to you later!

Match the phrases in bold from the calls with their function or meaning:

Opening a phone call:

Talking about a technical problem:

Identifying yourself:

Synonyms for making a phone call:

Returning a phone call:

Sending extra information:

Closing a phone call:

Offering to help:

Read the dialogues out loud with your partner, copying the stress and intonation from the recording.
LE

2/3
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You can review this worksheet online at www.linguahouse.com/ex

Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
PI

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 Calling and texting - part 1
A A A A PRACTICAL ENGLISH

3 Role play
Plan and practice two new phone conversations in pairs, using the information given below and
language from the last exercise. Perform your phone calls for another pair, focusing on fluency and
using natural stress and intonation.

DIALOGUE 1
Student A: answer the phone and open the call you know the caller
Student B: explain the reason for calling to make plans
Student A: agree to the plans but then describe a technical problem with the call
Student B: explain the technical problem; say you will return the call
Student A: close the call
Student B: close the call

DIALOGUE 2
Student A: answer the phone you don't know the caller
Student B: introduce yourself and explain the reason for the call
Student A: offer to help
Student B: ask a question
Student A: answer the question and say you'll send a message with extra information
Student B: close the call
Student A: close the call

4 Text messages
In the first phone call you heard, Jake said he would text Laurence. Can you remember what information
he was going to send in the message?

We often use abbreviations in text messages. Do you know what these common texting abbreviations
mean?

BTW LMK IMO THX JW BRB GR8

Jake has booked a table at Roadhouse Steaks for 7:30pm. Write his text, inventing any details you
need to. Which abbreviations could Jake use in his message to Laurence?

Do you know any other useful texting abbreviations?

LE

3/3
AB

You can review this worksheet online at www.linguahouse.com/ex

Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
PI

O
c
Linguahouse.com OC
P H OT