Rules of the game: Choose a counter to represent each person (e.g. different erasers or coins) and place them all on square 1. Choose who will start first. That person must a telephone conversation with their partner to solve the problem on the square they are on. They can then move forward a number of squares depending on how well they solved it: Solved the problem and spoke well and politely= move forward 4 squares/ Solved the problem, but with difficulty or not using polite English= move 2 or 3 squares/ Did not find a solution= move forward only one square
| 1. You don’t know what number to dial | 2. You don’t know who to speak to | 3. You don’t know which extension to be put through to |
| 6. The person you want to speak to has his phone off the hook | 5. The person you want to speak to is out of the office | 4. The person you want to speak to is away from his desk |
| 7. They keep putting you through to someone else | 8. The person you want to speak to is on another line | 9. You are put on hold for a very long time |
| 12. You were speaking to someone but were cut off | 11. You can’t pronounce the name of the person you want to speak to (“Mr. Boisseaux”) | 10. You have dialled the wrong number |
| 13. The person you are speaking to gives you lots of numbers very quickly | 14. The person you want to speak to is away on a business trip | 15. You have phoned the same person many times and they are still not available |
| 18. You want to leave a message | 17. You are put through to the wrong person | 16. The mobile of the person you want to speak to is out of order |
| 19. You want the mobile number of the person you want to speak to | 20. You get a mobile answer machine | 21. The person you speak to can only speak to you for one minute |
| 24. You can’t hear the person’s voice very well | 23. The person you speak to is not available for a meeting at the time you would like | 22. You mobile battery is running out |
| 25. You have a bad signal on your mobile | 26. The person you are speaking to won’t stop speaking and finish the conversation | 27. Congratulations, you have finished the game! |
Telephoning phrasal verbs and prepositions
“Just a moment”(polite) = “Hold __”(informal) = “Hang __”(very informal)
Start speaking (now) please = “Go ______”
Continue speaking = “Go _______” (informal)
“I’m connecting you”/ “I’ll connect you” (American English) = “I’m putting you __________”/ “I’ll put you through” (British English)
Reach the person you want to speak to/ be connected = “Get ____________”
Find something in a phone book, in a reference book or on a computer = “Look it __”
“Put the phone down” = “Hang __________”
Phone someone who phoned you=“Phone him ____” =“Get ___ to him”
Busy = “Tied ______” (informal)
The line was cut = “I was cut ________”
Check that what you have written down is correct = “Can I read that ________?”/ “Shall I read that __________?” = “Check that _______”
“Speak (a little) louder” = “Speak ________” (very informal)
Answer the phone = “Pick ________”
He’s meeting someone = “He’s ________ a meeting”
“He’s not here” (informal) = “He’s _______ of the office” (polite)
He’s elsewhere in the office = “He’s _________ from his desk”
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