Telephoning: Overcoming Scheduling Problems

A fun lesson for ESL students to learn useful modal verbs, present simple, future simple, vocabulary for telling time, and expressions to schedule an appointment in English. Watch the ESL video about Business English and use the ESL Printable and Digital storytelling flashcards to retell the story and practice telling time, using modal verbs, and overcoming scheduling challenges. Get the downloadable worksheets, ESL printable and digital flashcards, ESL listening and reading exercises, and gamify lessons with badges and stamps.

Warm Up

1. Do you have many meetings at work?
2. What do you like/dislike about meetings?
3. What tasks do you like/dislike?
4. Do you like your boss and co-workers?

Watch the following YouTube video:

ESL Listening Questions

Fill-in-the-blanks

Use vocabulary from the Word Bank to complete the sentences below.

1. I’m sorry, I have  ______________________  meeting at that time.
2. I haven’t talked to you in three months. _______________________________ !
3. ___________________________ I am busy until three o’clock. Do you have time after that?
4. I would like to make an  ________________________ for Saturday.
5. ______________________________________________ for a coffee?
6. They can’t meet face-to-face so we will have a __________________________.

Grammar

Choose the correct preposition OR leave blank for each sentence.

1. Are you free ____________ in/on/at seven o’clock?
2. Do you have time ____________ in/on/at an hour from now?
3. We are going ____________ in/on/at Saturday.
4. They will meet ____________ in/on/at sometime next month.
5. I am looking forward to meeting you ____________ in/on/at Friday.
6. When do you have time ____________ in/on/at next week?
7. I would like to schedule an appointment ____________ in/on/at three-thirty.
8. They are busy ____________ in/on/at the moment.

ESL Conversation about Overcoming Scheduling Conflicts

Jack: Kare Bears. How may I help you today?

Mindy: May I speak with Jack Aranda please?

Jack: This is Jack. May I ask who is calling?

Mindy: Hi Jack, this is Mindy from Global Exports.

Jack: Hello Mindy. It’s great to hear from you.

Mindy: Jack, I’m calling because we would like to schedule a conference call for next week.

Jack: That’s great news. What day is good for you? 

Mindy: How about next Tuesday the 12^th?

Jack: What time?

Mindy: Is two o’clock okay?

Jack: Oh, I’m sorry I have another meeting at that time.

Mindy: I see. What time is good for you next Tuesday?

Jack: Do you have time in the morning?

Mindy: No, I’m afraid Tony has appointments all morning.

Jack: Is he available any time after four o’clock?

Mindy: Let me see… Four o’clock your time would be one o’clock our time.
Yes, he’s available then.

Jack: Perfect! I’m looking forward to talking with you both on Tuesday.

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Reference: I1L5