Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Leaving a Telephone Message
Leave a short message when someone is unavailable and check a callback name and number.
Your speaking goal
Leave your name, reason for calling and a clear callback number, then confirm the message.
Before you start: Use an invented name and the fictional number in the model. Do not use real contact details in practice.
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: Caller and Receptionist
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Receptionist: Good morning. Maple Design. How can I help?
Caller: Hello. Could I speak to Alex Morgan, please?
Receptionist: I’m afraid Alex is in a meeting. Would you like to leave a message?
Caller: Yes, please. This is Nina Patel. I’m calling about the sample labels.
Receptionist: What would you like me to tell Alex?
Caller: Could you ask Alex to call me back, please?
Receptionist: Certainly. What number should Alex use?
Caller: Zero one six three two, nine six zero, two four six.
Receptionist: Let me read that back: zero one six three two, nine six zero, two four six.
Caller: That’s right. Thank you.
Receptionist: I’ll pass on your message.
Caller: Thanks. Goodbye.
Useful phrases and what they do
- Could I speak to ___? — Ask to talk to a particular person.
- Would you like to leave a message? — Offer to record information for someone who is unavailable.
- I’m calling about ___. — State the subject of your call.
- Could you ask ___ to call me back? — Request a return telephone call.
Say it clearly
Say telephone numbers in short groups and pause between the groups. In this model, say each digit separately. ‘Zero’ is clear; ‘oh’ is also commonly used for 0 in telephone numbers.
Build your own replies
This is ___. I’m calling about ___. Could you ask ___ to call me back? → I’ll pass on the message.
Ask and check
Could you read the number back, please? → Yes. I’ll say each digit.
Common mistakes and alternatives
On the telephone, ‘This is Nina Patel’ is a natural way to identify yourself. Say ‘ask Alex to call me back’, rather than ‘ask Alex call me back’. All names, the business and the practice number are fictional.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
Why does Nina leave a message?
Show answer 1 and explanation
Alex is in a meeting and is unavailable to speak. The receptionist offers to take a message.
Question 2
What is Nina calling about?
Show answer 2 and explanation
The sample labels. A brief subject helps Alex understand why Nina wants a callback.
Question 3
The receptionist reads one digit incorrectly. What could you say?
Show answer 3 and explanation
‘Sorry, the last digit is six, not five’ corrects the specific error. You can also repeat the whole number slowly. Confirm only when the details are correct.
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
Ask to speak to someone who is unavailable. Leave an invented name, a short subject and the fictional callback number.
Role B
Offer to take a message. Ask for missing details and read back the callback number.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: One digit is misheard. Correct it politely and ask for the number to be read back again.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can leave a short, clear message.
- I can say a number in groups.
- I can correct a detail and confirm it.