Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Arranging a Call Across Time Zones
Agree on a call time when your clocks differ, check both local times and confirm the day for each person.
Your speaking goal
Agree on one call time by stating both people’s local times and checking whether the calendar day is the same.
Before you start: For this fictional Saturday, Nina is seven hours ahead of Leo. The difference is supplied for practice, not tied to real cities. For a real call, check the time difference for the actual date.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Nina and Leo
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Nina: Could we arrange a call for Saturday?
Leo: Sure. What time would suit you?
Nina: How about eight in the evening my time?
Leo: I’m seven hours behind you, so that would be one in the afternoon here.
Nina: Would that work for you?
Leo: I’ll still be at work. Could we make it an hour later?
Nina: Yes. Nine p.m. for me, two p.m. for you.
Leo: Saturday for both of us, right?
Nina: Yes. Saturday evening here and Saturday afternoon there.
Leo: Great. Let’s allow twenty minutes.
Nina: I’ll put both local times in a message to confirm.
Leo: Thanks. That will help us avoid a mix-up.
Useful phrases and what they do
- Eight in the evening my time. — State the time on your own local clock.
- I’m seven hours behind you. — Explain that your local clock shows a time seven hours earlier.
- Could we make it an hour later? — Suggest moving the proposed call time later.
- Saturday for both of us, right? — Check whether both people mean the same calendar day.
Say it clearly
Say each person’s time as a separate group: ‘NINE p.m. / for ME; / TWO p.m. / for YOU.’ Say ‘in the morning’ or ‘in the afternoon’ if a.m. or p.m. is unclear.
Build your own replies
That’s ___ my time and ___ your time. Is it ___ for both of us? → Yes. Let’s confirm both local times.
Ask and check
When you say nine, do you mean nine in the evening where you are? → Yes. Nine p.m. here and two p.m. where you are.
Common mistakes and alternatives
‘My time’ and ‘your time’ refer to different local clocks here, not different call durations. ‘An hour later’ moves the start time; ‘for an hour’ describes a duration. Use ‘at nine’ for a clock time and ‘on Saturday’ for a day. Do not assume that different time zones always share the same date.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
Why does Leo ask for a later call?
Show answer 1 and explanation
He will still be at work at one in the afternoon, which is Nina’s first suggested time of eight in the evening.
Question 2
What time do they finally agree on?
Show answer 2 and explanation
Saturday at nine p.m. for Nina and two p.m. for Leo. These are the same moment with the seven-hour difference given in the scenario.
Question 3
Does ‘Let’s allow twenty minutes’ change the agreed start time?
Show answer 3 and explanation
No. It suggests how much time to set aside for the call. The start remains nine p.m. for Nina and two p.m. for Leo.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Use the fictional seven-hour difference. Suggest a call time, offer an alternative if needed and repeat both local times and days.
Role B
Convert the suggested time using the given difference. Say whether it suits you, request a change if necessary and confirm the final arrangement.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: Try a new situation with a two-hour difference: eleven p.m. on Friday for one person is one a.m. on Saturday for the other. Discuss whether that time suits both people and choose another time if needed.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can distinguish my local time from the other person’s.
- I can ask to move a proposed call time.
- I can confirm both local times and calendar days.