The Telephone Spelling Guide
On the telephone, it is quite common, even for English native speakers, to misunderstand the pronunciation of a name. So in this section, you will learn how you can spell your name, email or physical address over the phone using the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
In this exercise, you will first hear an audio recording of how the alphabets are pronounced and used. You will then get a chance to try spelling some names, using the NATO alphabet. After that, you can then practise by repeating the questions often used to clarify a letter.
Using the NATO spelling guide (print it here and keep it by your phone!)
Audio of alphabet pronunciation and reference to the NATO alphabet.
Now practise spelling these names using the NATO alphabet. Here is an example of how you would spell the name Wang Liu.
Now it’s your turn! Firstly do the exercise below in written form, then do the exercise again speaking the letters and the NATO alphabet. You could even try recording yourself.
Now you can practise repeating the questions to ask the difference between 2 letters.
- Is it B for Bravo or V for Victory?
- Is it S for Sierra or F for Foxtrot?
- Is it E for Echo or I for India?
- Is it M for Mike or N for November?
Firstly do the exercise below in written form, then do the exercise again speaking the letters and the NATO alphabet. You could even try recording yourself.