Telephone plays a very important role in hotel industry. In all cases the person who will receive the phone has to consider some basic telephone manner.

Everyone finds it hard to understand numbers in foreign language, and sometimes even in their own language. Bear this in mind when you are using English to say numbers to a client whose first language isn't English. When giving out numbers, say them SLOWLY and CLEARLY.

It can also be difficult to understand names. To make it easier you must know and use the globally used common telephonic spelling codes. There are certainly some well-known codes in your own language, but when you have to speak with English speaking clients who don't know your language, it's necessary to use those.

CLICK on: ENGLISH PHONETIC ALPHABET and have a look at some tips

• Practice it with your partner by spelling the names of your classmates, famous persons, etc.
• Let the others guess and write down the spelled names
  

Student B is a receptionist and answers the call. She wants to put the client through, but the conference manager hasn't come back from the lunch yet, so that she has to take a message or ask the client to call back.

Create a dialogue and take account all the DO-s and DON'T-s, all the tips about proper telephone manners and use the common telephone spelling code if necessary. Act your dialogue out in the classroom.