Making An Appointment | Telephone English

Summary

In this video, Claire from English at Home teaches viewers how to effectively make an appointment over the phone. She outlines key steps including introducing yourself, suggesting a time, and confirming the details. Claire highlights common phrases used in these situations, such as 'Does Monday morning suit you?' and 'Can you tell me what it’s regarding?' She also provides tips on how to respond to a receptionist or directly to the person you want to meet. The video is a practical guide for navigating phone calls in business and personal contexts, with an invitation to subscribe for more helpful content.

Takeaways

• 😀 Introduce yourself clearly at the start of the call to ensure the person knows who you are and why you're calling.
• 😀 When speaking to a receptionist, be prepared to explain the reason for the meeting or appointment in simple terms.
• 😀 Use polite phrases like 'Good morning' or 'Hello' to set a professional tone for the conversation.
• 😀 Suggest a suitable time for the appointment, or expect the receptionist to offer available slots.
• 😀 If speaking directly with the person you wish to meet, propose specific times, such as 'How about next Monday?' or 'Would Monday morning suit you?'
• 😀 Use the word 'suit' to ask if a time is convenient for the other person, e.g., 'Does Monday afternoon suit you?'
• 😀 Be prepared for possible rejections and have a backup time in mind. For example, 'Oh, that's fine. What time is available?'
• 😀 Always confirm the details of the appointment, including the time and location, before ending the call.
• 😀 For business meetings, clarify the location, asking 'Shall we meet in the boardroom?' or 'Shall I come to your office?'
• 😀 Encourage viewers to subscribe to the channel for more helpful videos and additional resources on your website.
• 😀 Always end the call politely, confirming all details and expressing gratitude, such as 'Thank you, see you then.'

Q & A

Why is making a phone call in English difficult?

Making a phone call in English is difficult because you can't see the other person. This means you can't rely on body language or facial expressions to know if they understand you.

What is one reason people often make appointments via phone instead of email?

People often make appointments via phone because it's quicker and simpler than writing an email.

What is the first thing you should do when calling to make an appointment?

The first thing you should do when calling to make an appointment is introduce yourself, stating who you are and why you're calling.

What should you say if you are calling to make an appointment with a receptionist?

If you're calling a receptionist to make an appointment, you can say something like, 'Good morning, this is Claire calling. I'd like to make an appointment.'

What type of questions might a receptionist ask when scheduling an appointment?

A receptionist might ask questions like, 'Can you tell me what it's about?' or 'Can you tell me what it's regarding?' to understand the purpose of the appointment.

What are some ways you can suggest a time for a meeting?

You can suggest a time by saying phrases like, 'How about next Monday?' or 'Would Monday morning suit you?' or 'Does Monday afternoon work for you?'

How should you respond if the suggested time is not soon enough?

If the suggested time is not soon enough, you can respond by saying something like, 'Oh, it's a bit urgent,' or 'Is there anything sooner?'

When confirming an appointment, what should you check besides the time and date?

When confirming an appointment, you should also confirm the location, such as saying, 'Shall we meet in the boardroom?' or 'Shall I come to your office?'

What are some useful verbs and adjectives used when scheduling an appointment?

Some useful verbs include 'suit' (as in 'Does Monday morning suit you?') and 'sound' (as in 'How does Monday morning sound?'). Useful adjectives include 'convenient' (as in 'Is Monday afternoon convenient?') and 'available' (as in 'Would you be available next Wednesday?').

What should you do once you have confirmed the time and date for an appointment?

Once the time and date are confirmed, you should thank the person and confirm the details, such as saying, 'Okay, that's Monday at 4:00 p.m.,' and wait for their confirmation.