Make a call to set up an appointment
What to have ready, what to say first, and what to write down before you hang up.
Lessons are in English only for now. Español is not ready yet, so we do not offer it here.
What you will be able to do
By the end, you can start a call in two sentences and leave it with the date, the time, what to bring and who you spoke with written down.
About 5 minutes.
Learn
Before you call, have a pen, your calendar and any letter they sent you. Write the reason for your call in one sentence.
Start with your name and that one sentence. If you would rather speak another language, ask for an interpreter right away. It is fine to ask, and if they cannot arrange one, ask who can help.
Before you hang up, repeat back the date, the time and the place, and ask what to bring. Write down the name of the person you spoke with, the date and the next step.
What it can sound like
- "Hi, my name is Ana. I am calling to make an appointment to apply for food help."
- "I would like an interpreter in Spanish, please."
- "So that is Tuesday, November 3, at 10 in the morning, at the Main Street office. What should I bring?"
Practice
Skip and show the answer
Write the date, the time, the place, what to bring and the name of the person you spoke with.
Now do it for real
Call to set up my appointment
- Write my reason for calling in one sentence
- Have a pen, my calendar and any letter they sent
- Write down who I spoke with, the date and the next step
Takeaway
- Have a pen, your calendar and any letter ready.
- Say your name and your reason in one sentence.
- Ask for an interpreter if you need one.
- Repeat back the date, time and place, and ask what to bring.
- Write down who you spoke with, the date and the next step.
From Do Not Lose Hope, donotlosehope.com. Lesson, version 1. Not a certificate.
Your progress
Not saved. Your progress stays in this browser tab.
Saved progress stays only in this browser. Anyone who uses this device can see it. Finishing a lesson is not a certificate.
Where this comes from
- Food help for your family, whatever your status (checked October 21, 2026)
- What to bring to your first meeting with an immigration lawyer (checked October 21, 2026)
What changed in this lesson
- Version 1, October 26, 2026: First draft.