Lesson 6 — Activity 3: Taking Messages

When we are at work or at home, we sometimes have to answer the phone and take accurate messages for others who are unavailable. For this, we need to use both our listening and writing skills. We want to be sure that we get the message to its intended receiver without changing or distorting the information.

To take messages carefully, have a pen or pencil and some paper near the phone. Then you can write the message rather than trust your memory. This is especially important at work when there might be many calls for various people throughout the day. Some offices have notepads specifically for taking telephone messages.