How do I ask ….?

Reader 6
 How do I ask : to see a health practitioner? (Make appointment)
Some words you need to know:
Health practitioner: A health worker like doctor, dentist, nurse physio etc
Appointments= the date and time you will visit
Receptionist = person who works for the doctor and make appointments.
In person= you are at the at the health practitioner's office
Appointment 1—positive:
You—”Could I please see the doctor (physio/nurse/dentist…)?’
Receptionist— “What day and time would you like?”
You—”Monday at 4?”
Receptionist - “yes we have one then.”
You— “Great!”
Receptionist—”Have you been here before?”
You- “yes”
Receptionist (on phone)—” OK we’ll see you at 4 on Monday.”
Receptionist (in person)—”OK , see you at 4 on Monday. Here’s a
reminder card”
You—”Thank you.”

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 How do I ask : to see a health practitioner? (make appointment)
Appointment 2—Negative
You—”Could I please see the doctor (physio/nurse/dentist…)?’
Receptionist— “What day and time would you like?”
You—”Monday at 4?”
Receptionist - “sorry we don’t have one at 4. Would 4:30 be ok?
You— “Yes that would be ok” or “No could we make it at 5?”
Receptionist—”Yes that is fine. Have you been here before?”
You- “no”
Receptionist— ”Could you come ten minutes early please. You need to
fill out some paperwork.”
You, if on phone —”OK, I’ll be there at 4:50 on Monday. Thank you,
goodbye”
You, if in person—” Yes”
Receptionist—”Ok, here is a reminder card to come at 4:50 on Monday.”
You- “Thank you”

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 How do I ask: for a tradesperson to fix something?

Some words you need to know:

Tradesperson/Tradespeople: can also be known as a tradesman/men or in
Australia, a tradie. This is a man or woman who can make or fix things.
Examples of tradespeople:
Bricklayer Carpenter Fencer Plumber Electrician Mechanic
Tradespeople sometimes have an office with an Admin. Assistant taking your
call. Most tradespeople work for themselves and will answer their phone to you.

Some conversation examples:

1. Mechanic
You: Could I book my car in for a service please?
Office: What day suits you?
You: Next Monday?
Office: Can you bring it in at 10am?
You: OK—how much will it cost?
Office: What type of car do you have?
You: It’s a Toyota C-HR.
Office: If it is only a standard service $150.
You: OK, it’s a standard service. I’ll bring it at 10 .
Office: What is you name and contact number ?
You: Johnny Farnam 0477 777 777
Office: See you on Monday Johnny!
You: OK—thanks—see you then!

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2. Plumber
You: I have a burst water pipe. Could the plumber come out and fix
it soon?
Office: Yes, Have you turned the water off at the main pipe?
You: Yes, how much will this cost?
Office: We charge you a call out fee of $100 and then $40 an hour.
Les, our emergency plumber can come out straight away.
Where do you live?
You: Great! 18 Main Road, Sunnybank Hills
Office: And what’s your name and contact number?
You: Johnny Farnam 0477 777 777
Office: Les will be with you soon—goodbye.
You: Thank you—bye!
3. Builder
You: H, I’d like a new patio built on my
house at Sunnybank Hills.
Office: Our consultant can come to your
place to see what you need.
We can then give you a free quote.
You: That sounds good—I’m home every afternoon from 4 o’clock.
Office: OK our consultant Jane can come at 4:30 tomorrow. I just need
your name, address and contact number.
You: Great! my name is ___ address ___and phone_____.
Office: Thank you.
You: Look forward to seeing Jane at 4 tomorrow. Bye!

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 How do I ask: For help in an emergency?

Countries have different emergency numbers.

Here are a few from English speaking countries:
Australia = 000 (112 on mobile phone)
Canada = 911
New Zealand = 111
United Kingdom = 112, 999
USA = 911
Call centre: All the phone calls made in the country go to one place.
That place is a call centre.
NOTE: Once outside a burning property, never go back inside - wait for
the fire brigade at a safe meeting place.

Call Centre: “What type of emergency are you reporting?

What service do you need?”

Police Ambulance

Fire Brigade
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Call centre:
House number?
You: “Eighteen”

18

Main Street

Pine Street
• House number? “18”
• Street name ? “Main Street”
• Nearest crossroad/intersection? “ Pine Street” OR “Don’t know”
• Suburb? “Sunnybank Hills”
• State? “Queensland”

You will need to give the call centre some information.

Here are some good words/phrases to learn:
Help! Robbery
Accident Broken
Hurt Fallen down
Crash - smash Can’t speak English
Stuck Stranger
Unconscious Sick
Can’t breath – stopped breathing
I don’t know
Practice saying these words.

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Call centre: Emergency, Police, Fire or Ambulance?
You:
Call centre: What is your name?
You:
Operator : Where exactly is the ?
You:
Operator : Where is the nearest crossroad?
You:
Operator : Is there anyone inside the house?
You:
Operator : OK, We will have someone there as soon as possible. Don’t go back
into the house. Wait outside on the other side of the road. Tell people to stay
away.

Call centre: Emergency. Police, Fire or Ambulance?

You:
Call centre: What is your name?
You:
Call centre: What is the problem?
You
Call centre: Where exactly is the ?
You:
Call centre: Where is the nearest crossroad?
You:
Call centre: Is the person conscious (able to see and speak)?
You:
Call centre: OK, We will have someone there as soon as possible.
The operator may give you instructions like “keep the person warm” until help
comes or “do CPR.” They may tell you how to do this.
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