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AI image: A smiling woman talks on a smartphone at a desk by a window – phone calls at work.
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Avalern · by SimmondsB15 min · English

Phone calls at work in English: vocabulary, dialogue and typical phrases

Editorially responsible: James Simmondspublished 28 Sept 2026AI-generated text (learn more – how we use AI on these pages)

Live rounds with a trainer and a small group. To warm up: Theo asks, you answer.

Allow the microphone – Theo asks the first question.

AI conversation partner, synthetic voice · your voice is processed live by Google Gemini, we store no audio and no transcript · max. 5 minAbout the AIWith headphones you can interrupt Theo. Without them, the microphone only listens once Theo has finished.

Phone calls at workB1 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about phone calls at work (level B1)AI at workB2 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about whether AI should write your emails (level B2)Business tripA2 – Practise speaking English: a conversation about your last business trip (level A2)

Question of the day

According to the intro, why can speaking a foreign language on a call be stressful?

  1. Because the caller expects an immediate answer
  2. Because you can't read body language
  3. Because people talk too quickly
Show the answer – Open the answer to the question of the day

Correct answer: Because you can't read body language

You can find the answer in the English introduction.

Listen to the introduction

Speed

Transcript

Hi, I'm Theo, and this is a two-minute conversation starter. Today: phone calls at work. Many people feel nervous – Jump to the vocabulary entry for feel nervous when the phone rings. Speaking a foreign language on a call can be stressful because you can't read body language – Jump to the vocabulary entry for read body language. You have to rely on – Jump to the vocabulary entry for rely on their voice, and bad connections – Jump to the vocabulary entry for bad connections make it worse. But you can make things easier if you prepare. Before you make a call – Jump to the vocabulary entry for make a call, write down your main points. Take a deep breath and speak clearly. If you miss something, just ask the caller to repeat it. Don't worry about perfect grammar. The main goal is to get the message across – Jump to the vocabulary entry for get the message across. So, how do you feel when you have to make a phone call in English?

Vocabulary

feel nervous/fiːl ˈnɜː.vəs/
Meaning: To feel anxious, worried or slightly afraid about something.
Example: Do you feel nervous before a big presentation?
read body language/riːd ˈbɒd.i ˌlæŋ.ɡwɪdʒ/
Meaning: To understand how someone feels by looking at their physical movements and expressions.
Example: It is easier to communicate when you can read body language in a face-to-face meeting.
rely on/rɪˈlaɪ ɒn/
Meaning: To need or depend on someone or something.
Example: We rely on our colleagues for help with this project.
bad connections/bæd kəˈnek.ʃənz/
Meaning: Poor quality audio or video signals during a phone or internet call.
Example: We often have bad connections when we call the rural office.
make a call/ˌmeɪk ə ˈkɔːl/
Meaning: To dial a number and phone someone.
Example: I need to make a call to the supplier this afternoon.
get the message across/ɡet ðə ˈmes.ɪdʒ əˈkrɒs/
Meaning: To successfully communicate an idea or information to someone.
Example: Even if you make grammar mistakes, you can still get the message across.

Dialogue

  1. AnnaDo you have a moment to talk about the new project?
  2. TomSure. I need to make a call to the supplier first, though.
  3. AnnaOh, do you feel nervous about calling them in English?
  4. TomA little bit. I usually rely on emails because they are easier.
  5. AnnaI understand. It is hard when you can't read body language.
  6. TomExactly. And we often have bad connections to their office.
  7. AnnaJust take a deep breath. I'm sure you will get the message across.
  8. TomThanks, Anna. I will call them right now.

Questions for your conversation

Partner A

Easier: Do you often make phone calls at work? Why or why not?

Why is a phone call in English harder than a face-to-face chat?

More challenging: How might communication training change the way employees handle difficult international calls?

Partner B

Easier: Is it easier for you to send an email than to make a call? Why or why not?

What do you do if you don't understand the other person on the phone?

More challenging: If you were managing an international team, what rules would you set for communication to avoid misunderstandings?

Partner A

Easier: Is it easy for you to understand different accents? Why or why not?

How do you prepare for an important phone call in a foreign language?

More challenging: In what situations do you think video calls will completely replace traditional phone calls in the future?

Useful phrases

  • Could you repeat that, please?
  • I'm calling about our meeting tomorrow.
  • The line is quite bad.
  • Let me just write that down.
  • Could you speak a little more slowly, please?
  • I'll send you an email to confirm.

Topic quiz

Five quick questions check vocabulary and listening comprehension.

All conversations – Back to all conversations of our English conversation classes

Questions

Who is Theo?

Theo is an AI conversation partner for warming up, not a teacher. The voice is synthetic. In the live rounds, a trainer talks with you.

Is my conversation stored?

We store neither audio nor a transcript. During the conversation, your voice is sent to Google (Gemini) for processing. The conversation ends after no more than five minutes.

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