English for Business Life Elementary

Notes
Dialogue 1: what's = what is; can't = cannot; let's = let us.
Dialogue 2: it's = it is; isn't = is not.
UNIT 13 Dealing with the unexpected
1 Cancelling/postponing
a - I'm calling about Tuesday's meeting.
- Is there a problem?
- Yes, I'm afraid there is. The work isn't going to
be ready.
- What's the problem?
- We're having IT problems. Our email isn't working
and we have no connection to the Internet.
b - I'm afraid I'm not going to make Wednesday's
appointment.
- Where are you?
- I'm still in Sao Paulo. There's a security alert - all
flights are cancelled.
c - Could we put off Thursday's meeting?
- I think that would be OK. What's the problem?
- Well, I promised the sales director that I would finish
an analysis of recent sales. But it's taking me a bit
longer than I expected.
- That's fine. Call me when the job is finished, and
we'll re-arrange the meeting.
d - I'm calling to see if we can postpone Friday's
conference call with Delhi.
- What's the problem?
- I'm afraid I've got flu. The doctor has told me to take
a complete break for the rest of the week. So I won't
be back until next Monday.
UNIT 14 Explaining and apologising
1 Explanations and apologies
a - I'm sorry I missed the meeting.
- Don't worry. Is everything OK?
- No - one of our key customers called. There's a
problem with a delivery. I had to sort it out. I'm
really sorry.
- That's OK.
- I tried to call but I didn't have your number in my
address book.
b - I apologise for forgetting our conference call
yesterday.
- Was there a problem?
- Yes - my son has a bad cough so I had to take him to
the doctor.
- Oh dear...
- The doctor sent us to the hospital. I'm afraid I just
forgot. I am sorry.
- That's OK - don't worry. How is your son now?
c - Did you contact Mr Zarh?
- No, I'm afraid I didn't.
- Oh dear - what happened?
- Well, I was very busy, and then I had to take a client
to the airport. I sent him an email but he didn't reply.
Note
sort it out = sort the problem out, solve the problem.
UNIT 15 Making contact by phone
1 Getting through
a - Can I speak to someone in the accounts department,
please?
- One moment, please. You're through now.
b - Could I speak to Bernard Lutz's secretary, please?
- I'm afraid she's on the phone at the moment.
Hold on, please. I'm putting you through now.
c - Is that the sales department?
- No, this is the HR department. I'll connect you to
Sales.
d - Could you put me through to the legal department,
please?
- I'm sorry, there's no one there at the moment.
- That's OK, I'll call back later.
- Just a moment, please. I can connect you now.
Notes
hold on = wait; put through = connect; call back = try
again later or return a call; HR = human resources
UNIT 16 Dealing with incoming calls
1 Dealing w ith calls
Call 1
Caller 1: Good morning, can I speak to Brenda, please?
Sarah: I'm afraid she's in a meeting at the moment.
Caller 1: Do you know when she'll be free?
Sarah: I'm sorry, I don't know when the meeting's going
to finish. Can I ask her to call you?
Call 2
Caller 2: Hello, is Dave there?
Sarah: No, I'm afraid he's out with some customers.
Caller 2: When do you expect him back?
Sarah: At about 3.30.
Call 3
Caller 3: Do you know how I can contact Jane?
Sarah: She's out of the office today. Do you have her
mobile number?
Caller 3: Yes. I tried it. My calls went through to her mail
box. Do you have her email address?
Sarah: It's jane.c@lrc.com
138 AUDIOSCRIPTS