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034_Changing Arrangements

034_Changing Arrangements

Daisuke has an appointment that he needs to reschedule. He needs to know how to de this smoothly, so he asks Nichibei instructor John Freeman.


Kevin:
Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones. And with us today is Nichibei student Daisuke. Hello Daisuke.
Daisuke:
Hello Kevin.
Kevin:
And also with us here today is Nichibei Instructor John Freeman. Hello John.
John Freeman:
Hello Kevin.
Kevin:
So,Daisuke, what’s up?
Daisuke:
I’m going to Australia on a business trip this week.
John Freeman:
That’s great. Is this your first trip to Australia?
Daisuke:
Yes it is. But, I’ve gotta problem I need some advice with.
Kevin:
What is it?
Daisuke:
I’ve got an appointment for next Monday, but I can’t go because I have another appointment at the same time that I have to go to.
John Freeman:
Ahh, You’re double-booked.
Daisuke:
Double-booked means… I have two appointments at the same time?
John Freeman:
That’s right. Double-booked means you have scheduled or reserved two things for the same time. Anyway, so you’ve got to reschedule.
Daisuke:
Yeah, I’ve got to reschedule but I’m not sure about how to do this smoothly in English.
John Freeman:
Are you going to telephone this person?
Daisuke:
Yeah, I think it’s too late to write an email.
John Freeman:
I agree, besides, a phone call is more personal. OK! here’s what I suggest. Call up this person and after your greeting you should get right to your point. You can try a sentence like this…We’ve got an appointment for Monday morning, but I’m afraid something’s come up. Could we reschedule for another time?
Daisuke:
Sorry Mr. Freeman, that’s a little to fast, could you repeat that.
John Freeman:
Sure, ‘We’ve got an appointment for Monday morning…
Daisuke:
We’ve got an appointment for Monday morning
John Freeman:
but I’m afraid something’s come up
Daisuke:
but I’m afraid something’s come up…
John Freeman:
Could we reschedule for another time?
Daisuke:
Could we reschedule for another time?
John Freeman:
That sounds good. Now you should suggest another time. Try this phrase, Would Tuesday at 3pm suit you?
Daisuke:
Would Tuesday at 3pm suit you?
John Freeman:
Good.
Daisuke:
Mr. Freeman, ‘come up’ means something has occurred or presented itself unexpectedly, right?
John Freeman:
Yes, that’s right
Daisuke:
But what does ‘suit you’ mean?
John Freeman:
This verb ‘suit’ means, to be convenient for or acceptable to you. Someone could answer this with ‘That suits me fine’ or just ‘that’s fine’.
Daisuke:
Thanks
John Freeman:
Good. Now would you like to practice this telephone call?
Daisuke:
Sure, that would be helpful.
John Freeman:
OK. I’ll go into the next room and you call me.
Daisuke:
OK
John Freeman:
Hello. This is John Freeman.
Daisuke:
Hello Mr.Freeman, this is Daisuke. How are you today?
John Freeman:
Very well. What can I do for you?
Daisuke:
Well, we’ve got an appointment for Monday morning, but I’m afraid something’s come up. Could we reschedule for another time?
John Freeman:
Well, what time do you have in mind?
Daisuke:
Would Tuesday at 3pm suit you?
John Freeman:
Ah…let me check……..Yes that’d be fine.
Daisuke:
Great. Thanks a lot. I’ll see you on Tuesday at 3pm.
John Freeman:
I’ll see you then.
Daisuke:
Goodbye. (click)
John Freeman:
That was very good Daisuke. You use the target phases perfectly and you also repeated the meeting time at the end of the conversation, good job!
Daisuke:
Thanks for your help Mr. Freeman.
John Freeman:
My pleasure Daisuke.
Kevin:
Now, let’s review the words and phrases used in this episode.Double-booked
We’ve got an appointment for Monday morning,
but I’m afraid something’s come up.
Could we reschedule for another time?
Would Tuesday at 3pm suit you?

END