Interview English - Useful English Expression

If you are brave enough, you can also walk into a company's office, talk to the front desk:

• I was wondering if you can help me?
• I am a sales manager with experience and am quite interested in your company and wanted to introduce myself. Would it be convenient to take advantage of your time now of would it be better to meet later?

Interview English - Useful English Expression

You can also proactively approch to some one who is in charge of the hiring:

• Hello, Mr. ABC, I am a Store Manager with five years experience and the purpose of my call is to arrange a 10 to 15 minute appointment to discuss employment opportunities. Would Wednesday morning work or Friday afternoon be more convenient?

Interview English - Useful English Expression

As a ESL learner, it's challenging to make a phone call, let along call a potential employer to ask what's going on in the hiring process. Here are some handy scripts for your reference.

• I am following up on my application. I was wondering where you are in the hiring process and if you needed any more information from me.

or if you want to get the name to address in you cover letter, you can say this:

• I am sending a letter to the person in charge of hiring for the ABC position and would like to address it to them, what is their name please?

Useful English Expressions

• If you remember, I sent you an email last week...
• Is this a good time for you to talk?
• Would you spell your name, please?
• Could you look it up for me?
• Could you check it out for me?
• Could you put me through?
• In New York it gets hot and humit in the summer
• Well, New York is no better; it's like being in a tropical forest, only without the trees.
• What brings to the United States?
• It was nice meeting you, but I see someone I must say hello to. Please excuse me.
• Yes, of course. It was nice talking to you.

English Writing - Bear Alert

Remember the Coyote Alert I posted a while back? this time is Bear Alert. The announcement below can be an example of formal English writing. We can also learn more about the local community.

• Some residents have noticed some bears in the complex recently, once again in the area of the pathway that runs west from the gazebo.
• Residents are warned to be on the lookout for bears and to take suitable precautions.
• We also ask residents, again, to take all necessary steps to discourage the presence of these animals, eg. by only putting garbage out in secure garbage bins - and preferably only on the morning of scheduled collections (typically Mondays).
• Your co-operation is much appreciated.

Telephone English - How to Make a Phone Call

Making a simple phone call can be challenging for ESL learners. Below are a couple of examples that you can use in your daily life.

• Reeds Jewelers. How can I help you?
• I am calling for information about diamond rings and bracelets at reeds jewelers. Who would be the best person for me to speak with?
• That would be our sales department. One moment, please, I’ll put you through.
• Thank you.
  

Or you might say:

• Hello, this is Robert Smith calling from New York. I would like to speak with Mike Jones in the customer service department. Would you mind connecting me, please?
• Just a minute. I will ring him.
• Thank you.

How to Make a Complaint Politely

In the working place, it is very important to know how to make a complaint politely.

• Listen to that racket/noise. I can't work with all that talking all the time.
• Why don't you just ask them to keep it down? I'm sure they don't even realize they were bothering you.
• I don't know. I don't want to be rude. But, to tell you the truth, I'm at my wit's end.
• I'm sure if you asked them to close the door, they'd do it. Just ask them politely. Don't make it a big deal.
• Hey, Rob and Mary. Could I ask you two a big favor?
• Sure. What's up?
• Well, I hate to complain, but do you think it would be possible to close the door some of the time?
• My cube's right across the hall, and I have trouble concentrating when I hear you talking.
• I'm so sorry. We had no idea we were bothering you. I am glad you spoke up.

Calling Customer Service

• Customer Service. How can I help you?
• I bought a computer from you, and I heard there's been a recall.
• Yes, that's true. Please bring it in and we'll give you a replacement.
• Can I get a credit instead?
• Absolutely. As long as you have your receipt.

How to Say "No"

There are a few ways to say "No", depending on the importance of the request.

• Please join us for the dinner on Friday night.
• I'd love to, but I've made plans. Thanks for asking.
• Are you going to the lunch meeting?
• Please excuse me. Something has just come up.
• Would you like to join us at the bar later?
• Well, I'm not sure...let me think about it.
• Do you think you will be able to finish the job by Friday?
• Hmm...I'm not sure. Maybe./Well, I would like a little more time.
• Would you like to join our sports team?
• I'm sorry. I wish I could, but I do appreciate your asking.
• We would like you to come to our weekend party.
• That's kind of you to ask, thank you. I wish I could, but I'm afraid I must go home.

Learning English Everywhere - Coyote Alert

The announcement below can be an example of formal English writing. We can also learn more about the local community.

COYOTE ALERT
From Strata Council

• Some residents have noticed an increase in coyote activity within our complex recently, particularly in the area of the pathway that runs between the two southern-most rows. It seems these critters are becoming quite “at home” in the complex.
• Residents with small children and pets should be aware of this situation and take suitable precautions to ensure their safety.
• We ask residents to take all necessary steps to discourage the presence of these animals, eg. by chasing them off whenever they are encountered, and by putting garbage out only in secure garbage bins - and preferably only on the morning of scheduled collections (typically Mondays). Under no circumstances should there be any feeding of these animals.
• Your co-operation is much appreciated.

Reschedule an Event

• I'm sorry, but I have to reschedule our meeting. I have to go to the dentist.
• No problem. When do you want to have the meeting?
• How's tomorrow, after lunch?
• Actually, that won't work. How about tomorrow morning at 11?
• Yeah. That's good for me.
• See you then.

Busienss English - Host Meetings

Welcome
Once everyone has arrived, the chairperson, or whoever is in charge of the meeting should formally welcome everyone to the meeting and thank the attendees for coming.
* Well, since everyone is here, we should get started.
* Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming today.
* I think we'll begin now. First I'd like to welcome you all.
* Thank you all for coming at such short notice.
* I really appreciate you all for attending today.
* We have a lot to cover today, so we really should begin.
Sample Welcome:
Pierre: I think we'll begin now. First I'd like to welcome you all and thank everyone for coming, especially at such short notice. I know you are all very busy and it's difficult to take time away from your daily tasks for meetings.

Tnanks Sunflower for sharing this.