B I can't talk right now.
| right now |
| explain |
| busy |
| clean |
| wait |
| have |
1 Interactions Can you talk?
A Look at the pictures. What is Amanda doing?
B Listen and practice.
| Amanda: Hello? |
| Justin: Hi, Amanda. It's Justin. Is this a good time to talk? |
| Amanda: Oh, sorry. I can't talk right now. I`m cooking dinner. Can I call you back? |
| Justin: Ok, sure. Talk to you later. |
| Amanda: Thanks. Bye. |
C Listen to the expressions. Then practice the conversation again with the new expressions.
| Asking if someone can talk now |
| Is this a good time to talk? |
| Can you talk right now? |
| Do you have a minute? |
| Explaing that you can't talk now |
| I can`t talk right now. |
| I`m busy right now. |
| This isn`t a good time. |
D Pair work Practice the conversation again with the reasons below.
2 Listening Do you have a minute?
A Listen to four phone conversations. Number the questions you hear from 1 to 4.
Can you talk right now?
Is this a good time?
Is this a good time to talk?
1 Do you have a minute?
Answer:
- 3
- 4
- 2
- 1
Script:
Page 89, Exercise 2, Listening, Do you have a minute?
1.
ERIC: Hello?
MARK: Hi, Eric. It's Mark. Do you have a minute?
ERIC: Um, this isn't a good time. I'm having dinner. Can I call you back?
MARK: Oh, sure. Talk to you later, Eric.
ERIC: OK. Talk to you later. Bye, Mark.
2.
RENEE: Hello?
STEVE: Renee?
RENEE: Yes.
STEVE: It's Steve. How's it going?
RENEE: OK.
STEVE: Is this a good time to talk?
RENEE: No, I can't talk right now. I'm studying. Can I call you back?
STEVE: Sure, no problem.
RENEE: Thanks, Steve.
3.
JI-WON: Hello?
MICHELLE: Hi, Ji-won. It's Michelle. Can you talk right now?
JI-WON: Hey, Michelle. Listen, can I call you back in 15 minutes? I'm driving. This isn't a good time to talk.
MICHELLE: Oh, sure.
JI-WON: Talk to you later.
MICHELLE: OK. Bye.
4.
CARMEN: Good morning. Winston Industries.
RALPH: Hi, Carmen. It's Ralph. Is this a good time?
CARMEN: Sorry, Ralph. I'm working. Can I call you back later?
RALPH: Later?
CARMEN: Yes, later. I'm not able to talk right now.
RALPH: No problem.
CARMEN: Thanks. Talk to you later.
B Listen again. Why can't each person talk right now? Write the reason.
1. Eric is having dinner .
2. Renee .
3. Ji-won .
4. Carmen .
Answer:
1. is having dinner
2. is studying
3. is driving
4. is working
3 Speaking Role play
A Complete the sentences with reasons why you can't talk on the phone.
I'm watching .
I'm playing .
I'm eating .
I'm .
Suggested Answers:
- I'm watching a movie right now.
- I'm eating breakfast now.
- I'm playing chess now.
- I'm cooking lunch right now.
B Pair work Role-play the situations. Then change roles.
Student A: Answer the phone. Explain that you can't talk right now and say why. Use the reasons from Part A.
Student B: Call Student A. Identify yourself and ask if he or she can talk right now.