Conversation Skills – Understand PHONE conversations in English

Summary

In this informative lesson, Benjamin from engVid teaches essential communication skills for effective phone conversations. He covers how to ask for clarity when struggling to hear or understand, including phrases like "Could you speak a little louder, please?" and "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that." Benjamin also emphasizes the importance of polite requests for slower speech and repetition, providing practical examples to enhance understanding. This lesson aims to improve confidence in telephone interactions, making it easier for learners to navigate conversations in both personal and business contexts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always ask the speaker to raise their voice if you can't hear them: 'Could you speak a little louder, please?'
• 😀 A polite way to request clarification is: 'Sorry, what did you say?'
• 😀 To ask someone to talk more loudly, you can simply say: 'Please speak up.'
• 😀 If someone speaks too fast, use phrases like: 'I'm struggling to understand. Please could you speak slower?'
• 😀 When requesting someone to repeat what they said, try: 'Sorry, would you mind repeating that?'
• 😀 To express that you didn't catch something, say: 'I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that.'
• 😀 Confirming details can be done by asking: 'Did you say that you only do vegetarian pizzas?'
• 😀 Clarifying your understanding is important; you can say: 'Let me just check that. Is that right?'
• 😀 In a business context, consider following up with an email for confirmation.
• 😀 Engaging in private tutoring can significantly enhance your English communication skills.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson?

The lesson focuses on how to effectively communicate over the phone, especially when experiencing difficulties in understanding due to low volume or fast speech.

What are some polite ways to ask someone to speak louder?

Some polite ways include: 'Could you speak a little louder, please?' and 'Please speak up; I can’t hear you very well.'

How can you request someone to slow down while speaking?

You can say, 'I’m struggling to understand. Please could you speak slower?' or simply, 'Please could you speak slower?'

What phrase can be used to ask for repetition?

You can use phrases like, 'Sorry, would you mind repeating that?' or 'I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.'

How does the speaker explain the term 'catch' in the context of understanding?

'Catch' refers to understanding or getting what someone has said. For example, 'I didn’t quite catch that' means you didn’t understand what was said.

What should you say if you're not sure about something someone said?

You could ask for clarification by saying, 'Did you say that you only do vegetarian pizzas?' or 'Let me just check that. Is that right?'

What alternative communication method does Benjamin suggest for business contexts?

He suggests following up with an email to clarify the conversation, such as asking, 'Did you say that you will come and see me tomorrow?'

What resources does Benjamin offer for further learning?

Benjamin encourages viewers to take a quiz on the engVid website and consider private tutoring for more personalized learning.

What does Benjamin mean by 'struggling to understand'?

'Struggling to understand' means having difficulty comprehending what someone is saying, often due to factors like fast speech or low volume.

Why is it important to communicate effectively over the phone?

Effective communication over the phone is crucial to ensure clarity, prevent misunderstandings, and facilitate smooth conversations, especially in professional settings.