Phone calls are hard in a new language: you can't see faces, the line may be bad, and everything feels fast. Many learners translate a phone greeting from their own language and start with "Hello, here is Emma speaking" or end with a sudden "Bye" in the middle of the chat. Text messages bring a different problem: short forms, little symbols and a tone that is easy to misread. In this episode: • Starting a personal call • During the call • Ending the call • Leaving a voicemail • Texts and messages • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Hiya, it's me. — hello, it's me (casual, to family and close friends) Hi, it's Emma. — hello, this is Emma (casual) Hiya! You alright? — hello, how are you? (casual) Is now a good time? — can you talk now? (polite) Have you got a minute? — can you talk briefly? (neutral) I'm just ringing to... — the reason for my call (neutral) I'm just ringing to ask about Saturday. — reason for the call I'm just ringing to say thanks. — reason for the call You're breaking up. — the line is bad (neutral) Sorry, you cut out for a second. — I lost part of what you said (neutral) Can you hear me okay? — checking the line (neutral) Hang on a sec. — wait a moment (casual) Sorry, I've got another call coming in. — another call (neutral) I'll ring you back. — I'll call you again soon (neutral) Give me a ring. — call me (casual) Give me a bell. — call me (very casual, British) Anyway, I'd better let you go. — I won't keep you (polite and warm) Right, I'll let you get on. — I won't keep you from your tasks (polite) Real British English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — modern British accent, everyday grammar, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang, he/she/it for things, and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.