BANKING, CUSTOMER SERVICE & TELEPHONE

Activity:
I’m Busy! I Don’t Want To Talk To You Now!

Have you ever felt this way? Study this conversation to learn how this idea is communicated politely to
friends and family members in English:

Man: Hello?
Iris: Hi there, it’s Iris. How are you?
Man: Hi Iris, I’m fine, but can I call you back later? I’m actually right in the middle of cooking supper.
Iris: Sure, I’ll let you go.
Man: Thanks. I’ll call back soon.

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 BANKING, CUSTOMER SERVICE & TELEPHONE

Activity: I’m Busy! I Don’t Want To Talk To You Now!

Drill 1
Work with a partner. Use the pictures to practice the same conversation, taking turns being the caller
and the answerer. Use your real names.
1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13

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 BANKING, CUSTOMER SERVICE & TELEPHONE

Activity: I’m Busy! I Don’t Want To Talk To You Now!

Drill 2
Woman: Hello?
Chelsea: Hi there, it’s Chelsea. How are you?
Woman: Hi Chelsea. I’m fine, but can I call you back later? The pizza delivery guy just came to the door.
Chelsea: Sure, I’ll let you go.
Woman: Thanks. I’ll call back soon.

Work with a partner. Use the pictures to practice the same conversation, taking turns being the caller
and the answerer. Use your real names.

1: (I’m just getting out of…) 2: (I’m at the train station and my
friend just arrived.)

3: 4:

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 BANKING, CUSTOMER SERVICE & TELEPHONE

Activity:
Missed Signals

Exercise 1

1. What is Josie “right in the middle of doing” when Magda phones?

2. What does Magda want to tell Josie?

3. Which of these words describe Josie? Which of these words describe Magda?
rude excited
busy a good listener
patient talkative (likes to talk)
a good friend polite
not a good friend

4. With a classmate, write an imaginary telephone conversation. The caller is phoning a friend,
but the friend is busy and doesn’t want to talk. Use one or two of these expressions:

~ I’m in the middle of something right now.

~ Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll let you go now.
~ When’s a good time to call back?
~ I’ll call back later when you’re not so busy.

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