Lesson 13 Title: Making Requests and Offering Help
Subtitle: Lesson 13
Presented by: Fatima
Contact Information: blackboarder1@gmail.com

Objectives:

• Learn to use polite language for making requests and offering help

• Understand the difference between formal and informal structures

• Practice role-playing scenarios for making requests and offering assistance

Making Requests: Formal vs. Informal

Why is it important?

In English, how you make a request can depend on the level of formality. Using polite language appropriately is essential for effective communication in different contexts.

Key Concepts

Informal Requests:
Used with friends, family, or peers

Formal Requests:
Used in professional or unfamiliar settings

Examples:

Informal:
Can you help me with this?

Formal:
Could you possibly assist me with this task?

Polite Structures

Could you…?
Would you mind…?
I was wondering if you could…

Polite Language for Requests

Key Phrases

Can/Could:
Could you open the window?

Would you mind…:
Would you mind helping me with this project?

I was wondering if…:
I was wondering if you could send me the report.

Examples:

Polite Request:
Would you mind sharing your notes with me? Formal Request: Could you please provide the document by tomorrow?

Tips

Use modals like "could," "would," and "might" to soften your requests.

Adding "please" and "thank you" enhances politeness.

Transform the sentence:
Make the following requests more polite.

1. Send me the report.
2. Open the door.

How to Do It Politely

Key Concepts

Offering help can be informal or formal, depending on the situation.

Informal Offers:
Do you need any help?

Formal Offers:
Would you like some assistance with that?

Examples:

Informal:
Do you want me to carry that for you?

Formal:
May I assist you with that?

Phrases to Use

Can I help you with…?
Would you like some help with…?
Is there anything I can do to assist you?

Politeness Tips

Offering help in a polite way shows consideration and willingness to support others.

Match the offers to the situation

1. Situation: Someone is carrying a heavy box.
2. Situation: A colleague is struggling with a task at work.

Role-Playing Scenarios

1. Role-play the following scenarios with a partner. Use polite language for making requests and offering help.

Scenario 1:
You need help moving furniture.
Make a polite request.

Scenario 1:
Your colleague looks overwhelmed with paperwork.
Offer assistance

2. Write a dialogue between two people where one person makes a formal request, and the other person offers help in response.

Homework:
Write a dialogue between two people where one person makes a request, and the other person responds by offering help. Use both formal and informal structures.

Homework Example:





Preview of Next Class:

Discussing achievements and ambitions using perfect tenses in different contexts.