Foundation · Digital Life

Video calls

Your goal: handle technical issues during a video call (Zoom, Meet, Teams) and communicate clearly when your audio or video is not working.

1

Survival Phrases

Audio issues

  • Can you hear me?
  • I can't hear you.
  • You are on mute.
  • Sorry, my audio is lagging.

Video issues

  • Can you see my screen?
  • My camera is not working.
  • Your video is frozen.

General

  • Could you repeat that? You cut out.
  • I'll leave and rejoin.
2

Model Dialogue

Person A: Hi! Can everyone see and hear me?

You: I can see you, but the audio is a bit quiet.

Person A: Is this better? I moved my microphone.

You: Yes, much better. Oh, wait, you just cut out for a second.

Person A: Sorry, my Wi-Fi is weak. I'll turn off my video.

You: Okay, I can hear you clearly now.

3

Vocabulary: common icons

Icon/TextMeaning
Mute / UnmuteTurn microphone off / on.
Share ScreenShow others your computer screen.
ChatSend text messages to the group.
4

Typical Mistakes

  • You are closed. → You are on mute.
  • My internet is falling. → My internet is unstable. / I have a bad connection.
5

Culture Note

  • Background: In professional calls, try to have a neutral background or use a "blur" filter.
  • Chat: Use the chat feature to tell people if you are having technical problems without interrupting the speaker.
6

Practical Task

  1. Practice. Say "Can you hear me?" out loud.
  2. Find the buttons. Open a call app and locate the "mute" and "share screen" buttons.

Before you finish, can you…

  • ☐check your audio and video?
  • ☐tell someone they are on mute?
  • ☐ask to rejoin if the connection is bad?