Phone English: Booking an Appointment (Listening Practice)

Beginner · A1–A2 Episode 25 · about 2 minutes · Hosts: Mel and Josh

1. Before you listen: key words

Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.

book make an appointment or reservation
suit be convenient for you
spell say the letters of a word
repeat back say information again to check it
cancel say it will not happen
voicemail a recorded phone message
digit one number, 0 to 9

2. Listen to the episode

Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.

3. Check your understanding

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4. Shadow the hosts

Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.

5. Talk about it

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Listening Room, episode 25: Booking an appointment by phone

Beginner (A1–A2) · englishcoaching.co

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

book: ________________________
suit: ________________________
spell: ________________________
repeat back: ________________________
cancel: ________________________
voicemail: ________________________
digit: ________________________

2. Questions

How do you start the call?
☐ Hi, I'd like to book an appointment, please. ☐ Hello, who is this? ☐ Appointment now.
Why should you repeat the time back?
☐ It stops mistakes ☐ It's the law ☐ To be funny
How can you spell tricky letters?
☐ Shout them ☐ Use words like 'M for Mike' ☐ Skip them
What should you say in a voicemail?
☐ Only 'Call me' ☐ Your name, your number and why you called ☐ Nothing
What can you say if the line is bad?
☐ Sorry, the line's not very clear. Could you repeat that? ☐ Goodbye. ☐ Speak faster!

3. Talk or write about it

Phone a clinic to book an appointment. Ask for a day and time, spell your name and repeat the time back.

Transcript

Mel: Hi, welcome to the Listening Room. I'm Mel.

Josh: And I'm Josh. Today: phone calls. Lots of learners find them the hardest part of English.

Mel: Because you can't see the person's face. So let's make it easier. First, start the call: 'Hi, I'd like to book an appointment, please.'

Josh: They'll ask, 'What day suits you?' or 'Are mornings or afternoons better?'

Mel: You can say, 'Do you have anything on Thursday afternoon?'

Josh: And they might say, 'I can do two thirty or four o'clock.' You say, 'Two thirty is perfect, thanks.'

Mel: Then they'll ask for your name. Spell it slowly: 'It's Nguyen. N-G-U-Y-E-N.'

Josh: Tip: use words for tricky letters. 'M for Mike, N for November.'

Mel: Always repeat the time back: 'So that's Thursday at two thirty. Thank you!' It stops mistakes.

Josh: What if you need to change it?

Mel: 'Hi, I have an appointment on Thursday at two thirty. Could I move it to Friday?'

Josh: And to cancel: 'I'm sorry, I need to cancel my appointment.'

Mel: If nobody answers, you might leave a voicemail. Say your name, your number, and why you called. Slowly!

Josh: And say your number twice. People always miss a digit.

Mel: Last tip: if you don't hear something, say, 'Sorry, the line's not very clear. Could you repeat that?'

Josh: So: book, suit, spell, repeat it back, change, cancel and voicemail.

Mel: You've got this. See you next time!

Josh: Bye!

Answers: 1. Hi, I'd like to book an appointment, please. · 2. It stops mistakes · 3. Use words like 'M for Mike' · 4. Your name, your number and why you called · 5. Sorry, the line's not very clear. Could you repeat that?

Frequently asked questions

Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?

Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.

What English level is this episode?

Beginner (about A1–A2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.

Which words will I learn in this episode?

book, suit, spell, repeat back, cancel, voicemail, digit. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.