Lesson 8: Making Polite Requests and Asking for Help

Instructor: “Hello and welcome back to Spoken English for Daily Use! In today’s lesson, we will learn how to make polite requests and ask for help in everyday situations. Using polite language makes communication better and helps you sound more natural. Let’s get started!”

Part 1: Why Politeness Matters

[Scene: Slide with polite vs. impolite examples.]

Instructor: “When we speak in English, using polite words is important. Compare these two sentences:

🚫 Give me that book! ✅ Could you please give me that book?

Which one sounds better? The second one! Politeness helps us sound friendly and respectful. Now, let’s look at the best ways to make polite requests!”

Part 2: Common Phrases for Making Polite Requests

[Scene: Slide with polite request phrases.]

Instructor: “Here are some polite ways to ask for something:

✅ Can you please help me? ✅ Could you pass me the salt, please? ✅ Would you mind opening the window? ✅ May I use your phone for a moment? ✅ I was wondering if you could help me with this.

💡 Tip: ‘Could’ and ‘Would’ sound softer and more polite than ‘Can’.”

Part 3: Common Phrases for Asking for Help

[Scene: Slide with phrases for asking for help.]

Instructor: “When you need help, use these expressions:

🆘 Excuse me, could you help me? 🆘 I need some help, please. 🆘 Can you assist me with this? 🆘 Would you be able to help me? 🆘 I’d really appreciate your help.

Now, let’s practice how to use these in real conversations!”

Part 4: Conversation Practice (Dialogue Examples)

[Scene: Two people having a conversation in different situations.]

Instructor: “Let’s see how polite requests and asking for help work in real life!”

🗣 Dialogue 1: Asking a Friend for a Favor 🔹 A: Hey, could you help me move this table? 🔹 B: Sure! No problem. 🔹 A: Thanks a lot!

🗣 Dialogue 2: Asking a Stranger for Help 🔹 A: Excuse me, would you mind taking a photo of us? 🔹 B: Of course! Just say cheese!

🗣 Dialogue 3: Asking a Shop Assistant for Assistance 🔹 A: Excuse me, could you tell me where the milk is?

🔹 B: Sure! It’s in aisle three. 🔹 A: Thank you so much!

“Now it’s time for you to practice!”

Part 5: Student Practice (Call & Response)

Instructor: “I will say a sentence, and you make it more polite!”

📌 Say this politely: Give me your pen! ✅ (Student answers: Could you please give me your pen?)

📌 Say this politely: I need your help! ✅ (Student answers: Would you mind helping me?)

📌 Say this politely: Close the window! ✅ (Student answers: Can you please close the window?)

“Great job! Let’s do a quick quiz!”

Instructor: “Now you know how to make polite requests and ask for help in different situations! Try using these phrases in daily life, and you’ll sound more natural in English. In the next lesson, we will learn how to order food and make polite requests in restaurants. See you soon!”