3.3.3 Tips for Phone Conversations
（電話で会話する際のコツ）
As you say, telephone conversation can be really stressful for many non-native English speakers.
What I often feel difficult is to understand the words of a caller. It is very challenging because a phone conversation is different from a face-to-face one.
What exactly do you find difficult?
For example, I feel lost at times, missing out on questions to ask.
You should write down things you want to talk about on a piece of paper beforehand and keep it with you during a conversation. Then, check each point once you have decided on a place and a time for, say, an interview.
That’s useful! It is also difficult for me to understand numbers. I once mistook fifteen for fifty, and because of that I arrived at a meeting place late. How can I avoid such confusions?
Numbers! Pay close attention to a syllable, a single unit of sound that includes a vowel. For example, “fifteen” is comprised of “fif” and “teen.” You will notice that “fifteen” has a stress on the second syllable, whereas “fifty” has one on the first.
I’m still clueless. What should I do?
You can ask, like, “Is it one-five, or five-zero?”
It’s good to know that I have a second option. Anyway, how about time? I often struggle to understand time, such as ‘quarter past nine’.
In that case, you can ask “Do you mean nine-fifteen?” If it’s wrong, the person you are talking to will correct it.
Okay!
I also recommend you write down things you talk about on a piece of paper. Then, repeat the important part of information and make sure you have gotten it correctly.
Good tip! Thank you, Lisa!