TESOL/Asking for help
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Key sentences
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
If (verb) may I ask a favor? | Sure, what is it? Mhm? |
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
Could you help me (verb) ? Can you help me (verb) ? |
Hmm, let me see. Well... |
Giving or denying help | Asking for help |
---|---|
What do you need my help for? Why do you need it? |
It's just that (reason). |
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
I'd really (verb phrase). It would really help me out. |
Sure, (verb). Actually, (excuse). |
Drills
Say these sentences without looking.
verb | sentence |
---|---|
you're not too busy | If you're not too busy may I ask a favor? |
it's ok | If it's ok may I ask a favor? |
you don't mind | If you don't mind may I ask a favor? |
it's possible | If it's possible may I ask a favor? |
verb | sentence |
---|---|
do my homework | Could you help me do my homework ? |
carry this suitcase | Could you help me carry this suitcase ? |
find my keys | Could you help me find my keys ? |
set the table | Could you help me set the table ? |
reason | sentence |
---|---|
I can't understand my homework | It's just that I can't understand my homework. |
It's too heavy | It's just that It's too heavy. |
I can't find them | It's just that I can't find them. |
I'm very tired | It's just that I'm very tired. |
verb phrase | sentence |
---|---|
appreciate it | I'd really appreciate it. |
be glad if you did | I'd really be glad if you did. |
like that | I'd really like that. |
appreciate that | I'd really appreciate that. |
verb | sentence |
---|---|
I wouldn't mind | Sure, I wouldn't mind. |
that's ok | Sure, that's ok. |
no problem | Sure, no problem. |
that's fine | Sure, that's fine. |
Example
Practice this conversation.
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
If (you're not too busy) may I ask a favor? | Sure, what is it? |
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
Could you help me (do my homework) ? | Hmm, let me see. |
Giving or denying help | Asking for help |
---|---|
What do you need my help for? | It's just that (I can't understand my homework). |
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
I'd really (appreciate it). | Sure, (I wouldn't mind). |
Change partners. Use your imagination and change the sentences.
Exercise
Use your imagination. Make your own conversation.
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
If ... may I ask a favor? |
Sure, what is it? |
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
Could you help me ... ? | Hmm, let me see. |
Giving or denying help | Asking for help |
---|---|
What do you need my help for? | It's just that .... |
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
I'd really .... | Sure, .... |
Change partners. Use your imagination and make another conversation.
Practice
Asking for help | Giving or denying help |
---|---|
Ask your partner for help. | Ask why and agree to help or deny help. |
Further study
Resource type: this resource is a lesson in English as a second language. |
Review
edit