横店大学口语课(Mar. 30, 2015)

Telephone English

Vocabulary

answer -to say “hello” into the phone when it rings

answering machine -something that you can record a message on if the person you are calling isn’t home

call -a telephone conversation; to telephone

caller -the person who telephones

dial -to press the buttons on the phone

hang up/put down -to put the receiver down and end a call

pick up -to answer the phone

Answering

Hello? (informal)

Thank you for calling Hengdian College. Jody speaking. How can I help you?

Doctor’s office How may I help you!

Introducting yourself

Hello, this is Julie Madison calling.

Hi, it’s Gerry from the dentist’s office here.

This is she.

Speaking.

Taking a message

Sammy’s not in. Who’s this? (informal)

I’m sorry, Lisa’s not here at the moment. Can I ask who’s calling?

I’m afraid he’s stepped out. Would you like to leave a message?

He’s on lunch right now. Who’s calling please?

He’s busy right now. Can you call again later?

Leaving a message

Yes, can you tell him his wife called, please.

No, that’s okay, I’ll call back later.

Yes, it’s James from Compinc. here. When do you expect her back in the office?

Thanks, could you ask him to call Brian wen he gets in?

Do you have a pen handy. I don’t think he has my number.

Thanks. My number is 222-3456, extension 12.

Ending a conversation

Well, I guess I better get going. Talk to you soon.

Thanks for calling. Bye for now.

I have  to let you go now.

I have another call coming through. I better run.

I’m afraid that’s my other line.

I’ll talk to you again soon. Bye.

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look for history of “hello”

body language

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Conference Calls – Tipes and Hints

Potential Problems which you might encounter during a conference call.

1. Poor sound quality.
2. Background noise
3. Difficult topic.
4. Large number of participants all wanting to say something.
5. Ineffective leadership durig the call (your boss or chairperson does’t ensure that everyone feels they can participate).
6. Cultural difficulties (use of complicated idioms and accents).

Useful Language – The video has problems

You’re rather jerky.

I can’t see the people at the edge of the room.

Your image froze/your image has frozen.

The image has disappeared. The image and sound are not in sync. There is a lag.

Useful Language – You have problems hearing

You’re very quiet. Could you speak up?

Just a second. I’m going to turn the volume up.

Can you try moving the microphone closer?

Useful Language – You cannot identify who is speakig

Was that John?

Sorry. Who was that just now?

Useful Language – You don’t understand what someone is saying

I didn’t catch that. Could you repeat it?

Could you speak more slowly please?

I’m afraid I didn’t get that.

I’m sorryI don’t follow you.

Please, could you explain that in another way?

I’m sorry. I don’t understand the word ____. What does it mean?

Useful Language – You have to hang up/end the call

Maybe if we hang up and try again, it will sort out the problem (technical problem).

Sorry, I need to take really important call.

I’m really sorry, I have to take this. I’ll call you back when I’m finished.

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I have to let you go now.

a discout

20 percents off

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English mania

1. Warm-up

Study the definition below. Do you think the word is approving or disapproving?

mania (noun): a very strong interest in something which uses up all your time and energy; a powerful obsession.

How do “maniacs” behave? Match the descriptions and terms on the left to the manias on the right:

1. hysterical teenagers – Beatle mania
2. deafening crowds, chanting, cheering, boing – sports mania
3. rapture, weeping, visions – religious mania
4. compulsive over-exercising – exercise mania
5. screaming slogans, waing flags – political mania

2. Watching and listening

Jay Walker, an entrepreneur  and inventor, is going to give a talk on the world’s “English mania”.
Watch the introduction to his talk. Which of the manias in Exercise 1 dows he mention or refer to?

Guess the correct anwer for each question below. Watch the rest of the talk and check your answers.

1. How many people are trying to learn English worldwide? (2 billion)
2. Which country will become the largest English-speaking counry in the world? (China)
3. In which school year do Chinese School children start learning English by law? (third grade (8~9 yrs))
4. How long does China’s “Gaokao” school-leaving examination last? (3 days)
5. How many Chinese high school students have taken the Gaokao? (80 million)

3. Checking understanding

Put “T” (True) or “F” (False) next to the statements below:

1. The speaker thinks that English mania is an unhealthy obsession.
2. According to the speaker, learning English represents opportunity for a better life.
3. The speacker believes that English will replace all other languages in the future.
4. The speaker believes that knowing English will enable people to become involved in global discussions.
5. The speaker believes that learning English is popular because of America.

4. Vocabulary development

Study the words below using a dictionary, then complete the sentences from Jay’s talk. Check your anwers by watching the video again or reading the transcript.

alarming           gruelling         harnessing              tsunami               unimaginable

1.  Manias can be good. Manias can be _______ . Or manias can be deadly.
2. 80 million high school Chinese students have already taken this __________ test.
3. The intensity to learn English is almost ________ .
4. Is English a _______ , washing away other languages?
5. Like the _______ of electricity in our cities or the fall of the Berlin Wall, English represents hope for a better future.

5. The UK/US education system

Study the table below.

Age range **** British English **** American English

2~5 **** nursery school / kendergarten **** preschool

5~11 **** primary school **** kindergarten (5~6), elementary school (5~11)

11~18 **** secondary school **** junior high school (11~14), high school (14~18)

18+ **** university **** college/university

Describe the education system in your country using British or American English.

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

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let down

scream

opportunity

intensity

giant test

witness

global conversion

Music is the language of emotions.mania

English represents hope for a better life.

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Marriage and Wedding

Jay

roast chicken

guest

registry office

romantic

York (the name of a place)

church

western style

get a divorce

calendar

vietnamese brides

bride

groom

bridemaids

groomsmen

maid of honor

best man

reception

assertive

easy going

gentle

以上，

滕运锋，2015年3月31日，于浙江东阳。