Telephone English Role Plays

Here are some role plays for you to use in practicing your telephone English.

Requesting Travel Information

Student A:

Choose a city in your country. You are going to travel to this city for a business meeting over the next weekend. Telephone a travel agency and reserve the following:

  •  Round-trip flight
  • Hotel room for two nights
  • Restaurant recommendation
  • Prices and departure times

Student B:

You work in a travel agency. Listen to student A and offer him/her the following solutions:

  • Round-trip flight: Air JW $450 Coach, $790 First Class
  • Hotel room for two nights: Hotel City $120 a night in the downtown area, Hotel Relax $110 a night near the airport
  • Restaurant Recommendation: Chez Marceau - downtown - average price $70 a person

Product Information

Student A:

You need to purchase six new computers for your office. Call JA's Computer World and ask for the following information:

  • Current special offers on computers
  • Computer configuration (RAM, Hard Drive, CPU)
  • Guaranty
  • Possibility of discount for an order of six computers

Student B:

You work in at JA's Computer World answer student A's questions using the following information:

  • Two special offers: Multimedia Monster - with latest Pentium CPU, 256 RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, Monitor included - $2,500 AND Office Taskmaster - cheaper CPU, 64 RAM, 10 GB Hard Drive, Monitor not included - $1,200
  • 1 Year guaranty on all computers
  • Discount of 5% for orders of more than five computers

Leaving a Message

Student A:

You want to speak to Ms Braun about your account with her company, W&W. If Ms Braun isn't in the office, leave the following information:

  • Your name
  • Telephone number: 347-8910 (or use your own)
  • Calling about changing conditions of your contract with W&W
  • You can be reached until 5 o'clock at the above number. If Ms Braun calls after 5 o'clock, she should call 458-2416

Student B:

You are a receptionist at W&W. Student A would like to speak to Ms Braun, but she is out of the office. Take a message and make sure you get the following information:

  • Name and telephone number - ask student A to spell the surname
  • Message student A would like to leave for Ms Braun
  • How late Ms Braun can call student A at the given telephone number

Selling Your Product

Student A:

You are a salesperson for Red Inc. You are telephoning a client who you think might be interested in buying your new line of office supplies. Discuss the following information with your client:

  • New line of office supplies including: copy-paper, pens, stationary, mouse-pads and white boards
  • You know the customer hasn't ordered any new products during this past year
  • Special discount of 15% for orders placed before next Monday
  • Any order placed before Monday will not only receive the discount, but also have its company logo printed on the products at no extra charge

Student B:

You work in an office and receive a telephone call from your local office supplier. As a matter fact, you need some new office supplies so you are definitely interested in what the salesperson has to offer. Talk about the following:

  • New pens, stationary and white boards
  • Do they have any special offers
  • You would like to place an order for 200 packages of copy paper immediately

By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide