Recommended resources
The freely available resources this lesson will direct you to.
- Start Speaking English Today | 20 Essential Phrases for Real Conversations | English Podcastwww.youtube.com
- Conversation Skills – Understand PHONE conversations in Englishwww.youtube.com
- Dialogs for Everyday Useamericanenglish.state.gov
- 1. How to politely interrupt: Would you allow me to add/say ...americanenglish.state.gov
Hi! Last time, you practiced asking someone to repeat words you missed: “Sorry, could you say that again?” But sometimes hearing the same words in the same way won’t help. The person may be too quiet, or they may be speaking too quickly.
Today you’ll learn how to ask for the change you need—a little more volume or a little less speed—without sounding irritated. The aim is to have a short, natural phrase ready while the conversation is still moving.
When you need more volume
Imagine you’re talking to someone in a busy café. You can hear that they’re speaking, but their voice is too quiet against the background noise. You could say:
“Sorry, I can’t quite hear you. Could you speak a little louder?”
The first sentence briefly explains the problem from your side. The second asks for a small, specific change. “A little louder” does not mean “shout”; it simply tells the person what would help.
Watch this short part of Conversation Skills – Understand PHONE conversations in English from Business English Benjamin · engVid. The example is a phone call, but the main request also works face to face.
Conversation Skills – Understand PHONE conversations in English
Watch to hear a courteous way to request more volume, then notice the shorter expression “speak up.”
In the volume request, listen for “Could you speak a little louder, please?” Then watch “speak up”: it means to speak louder. For your everyday default, keep the longer question, which makes the request sound gentler.
On a phone or video call, another natural explanation is “You’re a little quiet on my end.” That describes what you’re hearing, without insisting the other person is doing anything wrong:
You: “Sorry, you’re a little quiet on my end. Could you speak up a bit?”
Other person: “Sure. Is this better?”
You: “Yeah, much better. Thanks.”
“Could you speak a little louder?” is a safe choice with a stranger, a coworker, or a friend. “Can you speak a little louder?” is also natural, especially in a casual exchange. You don’t need to stop and choose between them perfectly; the gentle opening and friendly tone matter more.
When you need a slower pace
Now imagine the voice is perfectly clear, but the words arrive too fast for you to follow. Asking for more volume would not solve that problem. Instead, try:
“Sorry, could you speak a little more slowly?”
You can also say “Could you slow down a little?” Both are normal conversational requests. The second is a little shorter and more casual; neither needs an explanation about your English.
Listen for the slower-speech request in this brief clip from Start Speaking English Today | 20 Essential Phrases for Real Conversations by Leo English Podcast.
Start Speaking English Today | 20 Essential Phrases for Real Conversations | English Podcast
Listen for “Could you speak more slowly, please?” as a direct but polite way to ask for a change of pace.
Go to the pace request. Notice that the speakers distinguish a speed problem from not knowing the words. You can add “a little” to the request when you want it to sound especially gentle.
Here’s how little you need to say in the moment:
Other person: “The bus leaves at eight fifteen from the stop across the street.”
You: “Sorry, could you say that a little more slowly?”
Other person: “Sure. The bus leaves at eight fifteen. From the stop across the street.”
You: “Got it, thanks.”
This request asks the person to repeat the information at a slower pace. If you understood what they said but want them to slow down from now on, “Could you slow down a little?” fits better.
Make the request easy to receive
Compare “You’re talking too fast” with “Sorry, could you slow down a little?” The first can sound like a criticism, even if you don’t mean it that way. The second keeps the focus on a practical adjustment. The same applies to “Speak louder!” versus “Sorry, could you speak a little louder?”
A useful pattern to remember is:
“Sorry, [brief problem]. Could you [small change]?”
For example, “Sorry, I can’t quite hear you. Could you speak a little louder?” Or simply “Sorry, could you slow down a little?” You don’t have to use both parts every time. If the conversation is quick, the request alone is enough when said warmly.
Try saying your two default lines aloud a few times at a comfortable speaking speed:
“Sorry, could you speak a little louder?”
“Sorry, could you speak a little more slowly?”
Keep your voice calm rather than raising it to match the noise or rushing to catch up with the other person. Once they adjust, “That’s better, thanks” or “Got it, thanks” lets the conversation continue.
Takeaway
When repetition alone won’t help, ask for the specific change you need. For volume, keep “Sorry, could you speak a little louder?” ready. For speed, use “Sorry, could you speak a little more slowly?” A brief “sorry,” a small request, and a calm tone make both phrases easy to use in real conversation.
Next, you’ll practice a different situation: you heard the words, but you’re not sure you understood a detail correctly.