Leaving a Clear Voicemail About a Delivery
A delivery is delayed — how to leave a voicemail that actually gets a call back, and why "Handy" is not an English word.
Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)
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Comprehension test
Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.
In English we say ___, or cell phone in the US.
Please call me back if Thursday morning does not ___ you.
Transcript
Key phrases
Language notes
In this episode a dispatcher leaves a model voicemail about a delayed delivery — name, company, order number, new date, callback number twice. You learn the structure of a clear English voicemail and why you should never say "Handy" on the phone (level B1).
The anatomy of a good voicemail
Tobias' message follows the classic five-point structure: who is speaking ("My name is … calling from …"), what it is about (the order number), the key information (the new date — said twice), the requested action ("Please call me back if …") and the callback number, slow and repeated. Karen's reaction shows the effect: she calls back with all the facts to hand. Rule of thumb: a voicemail you have to play twice was not a good voicemail.
"Handy", the most German English word
"Handy" sounds English but is a purely German invention — in English, "handy" only means "practical" ("a handy tool"). Give a British client "my handy number" and you will earn a smile at best. Correct is "mobile" or "mobile phone" (UK) and "cell phone" (US). In this episode the mistake happens in the voicemail itself — and the client corrects it charmingly in the callback.
The callback: confirm, adjust, summarise
Karen opens with the standard formula "I'm returning your call" — short, polite, instantly clear. She then negotiates the time slot factually ("the morning is difficult for us … Could the driver come between ten and twelve instead?"). Tobias closes with a summary: "Delivery on Thursday, between ten and twelve, with a call in advance." This closing summary is standard in English phone calls — it is the equivalent of the German "Also, wir halten fest …".
Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.
Frequently asked questions
What language level is this episode for?
Level B1 (CEFR). The voicemail and callback use clear phone English from logistics; all eight key phrases are explained bilingually.
How do I leave a good voicemail in English?
Five points: your name and company, the subject (e.g. the order number), the key information, the requested action ("Please call me back") and your number — spoken slowly and repeated once.
Is there a transcript to read along?
Yes, the full transcript with German support notes is on this page — listen first, then take the test, then read along.
Where can I practise phone English live?
In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany — since 2004. It starts with a free consultation.
Are the voices real?
Episodes are produced with high-quality AI voices (Hume) and editorially reviewed by our trainer team — the same method as our interactive lessons.
Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?
The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.