Is it difficult to understand phone numbers, addresses, and ZIP codes in American English?
In this beginner English listening lesson (A1-A2), you can practice hearing and reading U.S. phone numbers, street addresses, house numbers, and ZIP codes the way Americans commonly say them.
In this lesson, you'll learn: ✅ How Americans read phone numbers ✅ How to say area codes naturally ✅ When to say "oh" instead of "zero" ✅ How to understand street addresses ✅ How house numbers are grouped and pronounced ✅ How ZIP codes are read in the United States ✅ Useful phrases for asking someone to repeat a number
This lesson helps A1-A2 English learners, immigrants, international students, travelers, and anyone who wants better listening comprehension in everyday situations.
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Video Summary
AI Generated
This video provides a practical guide on how to read and communicate U.S. phone numbers and addresses. It covers the structure of area codes, the use of toll-free numbers, emergency services, and the specific conventions for reading house numbers and zip codes to ensure clarity in conversation.
Numbers are not very difficult to learn,
but they can be difficult to read and hear.
Hi, I'm Jennifer.
Let's practice U.S. phone numbers and addresses.
Ready?
In the U.S., phone numbers have a three-digit area code
and then a seven-digit number.
For example, in Boston, Massachusetts,
many phone numbers start with the area code 617.
People in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, may have the area code 508.
Note how we say each number, 617.
We usually read zero as O, 508.
How do you read this area code?
It's used in California, 408,
and this one in Texas, 945.
In the U.S., there are free numbers to call,
toll-free numbers.
They are often for customer service.
You can call a company for help or information.
These are 1-800 numbers.
Note how we say 800, as in 1-800-222-3456.
We say 800, but read all the other numbers one at a time.
Listen.
What number do you hear?
214-321-5432.
I said 214-321-5432.
Next.
813-988-7761.
I said 813-988-7761.
Next.
646-678-4320.
I said 646-678-4320, or 20.
It's okay.
Next.
773-212-9804.
I said 773-212-9804, or 9804.
It's okay.
If you need to hear a number again, say,
I'm sorry, can you please repeat that?
Sorry, can you please say that again?
Or, you read the number and ask if it's correct.
Say,
Okay, so that's 773-212-9804, right?
By the way, what number can you call for help in the U.S.
when there is an emergency?
Americans dial 911.
This is how we call the police, the fire department, or for an ambulance.
Now let's talk about U.S. addresses.
Houses and buildings have numbers.
Read two digits as usual.
Read three digits in groups like this.
How do we read this house number?
And this one?
It's also okay to say each number to be clear.
If there's a zero in the middle, you can say O.
Read this address.
Read four digits in groups like this.
Read this address.
But look at this pattern.
Do you see the pattern with hundred?
Read this address.
Finally, we have zip codes for different U.S. towns.
Zip codes are usually five digits.
The zip code for the Empire State Building is 10118.
Listen, I'll read other New York City zip codes.
Ready?
To be clear.
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Thanks for watching and happy studies!
