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The phone rings. You see the number, you do notrecognize it. And for a moment, you think,
maybe I will not answer. Maybe I will let it go tovoicemail. Maybe later. But you know you cannot
do that forever. So your thumb moves toward thescreen. And the word answer feels enormous.
Welcome to your English Toolbox. I am Miranda, andthis is the Basic Survival Kit,
a short series designed for one thing only, togive you the exact words you need in the moments
that frighten you most. We are not here to studygrammar. We are here to survive and then to grow.
Want to take your learning even further? Find yourEnglish Toolbox on YouTube to watch every
episode with subtitles. It is the best way tosupport this project, and we truly appreciate
it. Today's situation, the phone call.Specifically, a call you were not expecting.
It could be your landlord, your child's school, adoctor's receptionist,
or a number you do not recognize at all. Theproblem is never the English itself.
The problem is the speed. On the phone, there isno face to read, no gestures, no context,
just words moving fast with no pause button. Hereare your five sentences for this situation.
Listen carefully, and then repeat each one outloud.
Sentence 1. Hello, who am I speaking to, please?This one does two things at once.
It answers the call professionally, and it putsthe other person in the position of explaining
themselves first. You are not on the back foot,you are asking the first question.
That changes everything.
Sentence 2. I am sorry, could you speak a littlemore slowly, please? Say this without guilt.
03:01
Native speakers are asked this every day by othernative speakers. The word slowly is not
a confession of weakness. It is a professionalrequest, and most people will honor it
immediately.
Sentence 3. Could you spell that for me, please?Names, streets, reference numbers.
On the phone, these disappear in a second. Thissentence gives you permission to stop
the conversation and catch up. Never pretend youheard something you did not. Spelling it out
protects you, and the person calling you. Sentence4. I want to make sure I understood
correctly. You said, and then you repeat back whatyou heard. This is not just survival English.
This is what confident speakers do. It confirmsthe information. It shows you were listening,
and it gives the other person a chance to correctany mistake before it costs you.
Sentence 5. Could you send me that by email ortext, please? This sentence is your safety net.
When the information is important, a date, anaddress, a payment reference,
asking for it in writing is not rude. It is smart,and almost every organization
will say yes immediately. Now, the rescuesentence. This is the single
phrase that works when everything else disappearsfrom your mind. Write this one down.
Could you say that one more time, please? I wantto make sure I have it right.
Say it again, out loud, right now. Could you saythat one more time,
please? I want to make sure I have it right. Thatsentence does something remarkable.
It asks for repetition. It signals that you arecareful and attentive,
and it gives you five more seconds to breathe.Five seconds is everything.
Let me tell you about Amara. Amara moved fromAccra to Manchester three years ago.
She told me that for the first six months, shenever answered unknown numbers. She let every
call go to voicemail, and then felt ashamed whenshe could not understand the message either.
One afternoon, her daughter's school called. Amaraanswered, and the words came too fast.
So she said quietly, Could you say that one moretime, please? I want to make sure I have it right.
The woman on the other end laughed, kindly, andsaid, Of course. Take your time.
06:04
The conversation lasted four minutes, and Amaraunderstood every word of it.
She called me afterwards and said, I did not knowit was allowed to ask.
It is always allowed to ask. Let's close with whatyou have today.
1. Hello. Who am I speaking to, please? 2. I amsorry. Could you speak a little
more slowly, please? 3. Could you spell that forme, please?
4. I want to make sure I understood correctly. Yousaid…
5. Could you send me that by email or text,please?
And the rescue sentence…
6. Could you say that one more time, please? Iwant to make sure I have it right.
You are not someone who is afraid of the phone.
You are someone who knows exactly what to say.That is a completely different person.
And that person is you, starting today.
If you made it this far, you are truly committedto your English.
Please head over to YouTube, search for YourEnglish Toolbox, and subscribe.
Your support there means the world to us and keepsthis podcast growing.
I am Miranda, and I will see you in the next one.