Partner A
Easier: Do you often plan meetings at work? Why or why not?
How do you usually make an appointment with a colleague?
More challenging: What is the most effective way to manage a busy calendar?
Jamesleads the live roundsAvalern · by SimmondsA25 min · English
Making appointments in English: vocabulary, dialogue and useful phrases
Editorially responsible: James Simmondspublished 1 Oct 2026AI-generated text (learn more – how we use AI on these pages)
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Making appointmentsA2 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about making appointments (level A2)Speaking in meetingsB1 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about speaking up in meetings (level B1)AI at workB2 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about whether AI should write your emails (level B2)Sorry, could you say that again?Give me a second to think.How do you say … in English?
Question of the day
Why does David suggest Wednesday instead of Monday?
Show the answer – Open the answer to the question of the day
Correct answer: Because Monday does not work for him.
You can find the answer in the English introduction.
Listen to the introduction
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Transcript
Sarah needs to make an appointment – Jump to the vocabulary entry for make an appointment with her colleague, David. They want to plan a new project. She sends him a short message: are you free – Jump to the vocabulary entry for are you free on Monday morning? David replies that Monday does not work – Jump to the vocabulary entry for does not work for him. He has to change the time – Jump to the vocabulary entry for change the time. He decides to suggest another time – Jump to the vocabulary entry for suggest another time and asks if they can meet on Wednesday afternoon instead. Sarah agrees and adds the meeting to her calendar. They both look forward to – Jump to the vocabulary entry for look forward to a good conversation.
Vocabulary
- make an appointment/meɪk ən əˈpɔɪnt.mənt/
- Meaning: To arrange a time to meet someone.
- Example: I need to make an appointment with the dentist.
- are you free/ɑː juː ˈfriː/
- Meaning: To ask if someone has time.
- Example: Are you free for lunch today?
- does not work/dʌz nɒt ˈwɜːk/
- Meaning: Is not a good time or is not successful.
- Example: Friday does not work for me.
- change the time/ˌtʃeɪndʒ ðə ˈtaɪm/
- Meaning: To choose a different hour for a meeting.
- Example: Can we change the time to three o'clock?
- suggest another time/səˈdʒest əˈnʌð.ə taɪm/
- Meaning: To offer a different hour or day for a meeting.
- Example: I am busy, but I can suggest another time.
- look forward to/lʊk ˈfɔː.wəd tuː/
- Meaning: To feel happy about something that is going to happen.
- Example: I look forward to our meeting.
Dialogue
- AnnaHi Tom. I need to make an appointment with you to discuss the report.
- TomHello Anna. Sure, are you free on Friday morning?
- AnnaFriday does not work for me. I have a team meeting.
- TomOkay, no problem. Let me suggest another time. How about Thursday at two?
- AnnaThursday at two is perfect.
- TomGreat. I will send you an invite. I look forward to it.
- AnnaThanks, Tom. See you then!
Questions for your conversation
Partner B
Easier: Is it easy to find time for a meeting? Why or why not?
Tuesday doesn't work – how do you suggest another time?
More challenging: How do you handle a situation where a colleague often cancels at the last minute?
Partner A
Easier: Do you prefer to meet in the morning? Why or why not?
What do you say when you need to change the time of a meeting?
More challenging: Why is it important to communicate clearly when rescheduling professional appointments?
Useful phrases
- Can we meet next week?
- When are you free?
- That time works well for me.
- I am afraid I have to cancel.
- Could we postpone our meeting?
- Let me check my calendar.
Topic quiz
Five quick questions check vocabulary and listening comprehension.
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