Manuals > General English > Rosetta Stone Advantage > Elementary - Book 2 > Lesson 13
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By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to ask someone for help
Communication strategies:
The student should be able to ask someone for help using the following strategy:
1) greet partner
2) ask for favor
3) explain situation
4) make request
5) thank partner
e.g.
A) Hi James. Can you do me a favor?
B) Sure. What's up?
A) I don't know how to log into the Wi-Fi. Can you help me?
B) OK. This is how you do it.
A) Thanks a lot
Words and rules:
- The student should be able to make direct requests e.g. Can you help me?
- The student should be able to make indirect requests e.g. I was wondering if you could do me a favor.
Appropriateness:
Non-verbal behaviour: NA
Register: We can use formal requests when we are talking to someone senior to us, or we can use them when we are talking to a friend, but asking something that is going to create some inconvenience for them
Social rules: If we decline a request, it's common to give a reason. Also, it's popular to offer an alternative. e.g. I'm sorry, I can't. I need to finish this task. Why don't you ask John?
Cultural references: NA
Track #32
Okay everyone, listen up! ...Could you be quiet please! We need to set up the party before your parents arrive. First, Michael, can you wipe the tables? Sarah, could you please put up the Halloween decorations?
James and Paul, would you mind putting out the cutlery? Thank you. And Lisa, would you be able to blow up those balloons?
Track #33
The food here is fantastic, isn’t it? Stuart, could you please pour me another glass of that wine? Thank you very much. Oh excuse me, waiter! Would you mind passing us another menu and bringing us another round of drinks? Thank you. Oh, and would you be able to tell me where the bathroom is?
Track #34
That was a great party. But look at all the mess! We’re going to have to work together to clean this all up. David, could you mop the floor, please? Jennifer, can you collect up all the glasses, please? Oh, and could you clean and dry the glasses afterwards? Thanks. Let’s try to get this all finished before the boss gets back!
Because the lesson touches on the topic of planning events, you are welcome to introduce some of the following vocabulary if you like.
1) to drop someone off somewhere (v)
2) to pick up someone (v) [e.g. from the station]
3) to check on someone (v)
4) to arrange something (v)
5) to entertain someone (v)
6) to take care of something (v)
7) to sort something (v)
8) to take something down (v)
9) to put something up (v)
10) to show up (v)
Option 1:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's start - Warm-up discussion
Purpose: Steering the student into the goal of the lesson before opening the book.
Method:
Before you open the book, discuss some things you usually do when setting up for a party. Discuss the last party you went to. Discuss some things you like people to help you with at a party. e.g. cleaning up.
Option 2:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's practice - Content introduction
Purpose:
To teach the student how to accept requests
Method: Introduce some expressions then model them with the student
e.g.
A) Can you help me set up this party?
B) Sure. I'd be happy to.
Option 3:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's practice - Content introduction
Purpose:
To teach the student how to decline requests
Method: Introduce some expressions then model them with the student. Show the student that when we decline it's common to give a reason and suggest an alternative.
e.g.
A) Can you help me set up this party?
B) Sorry I can't I'm really busy here. Why don't you ask Thom? He's free now..
Option 4:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's practice - Controlled practice: game
Purpose:
To allow the student to practice using the new structures
Method: Give the student a problem and they need to come up with a solution to it using a request.
A) Situation: You are very cold.
B) Ahh, Can you turn on the heater please?
Extra questions you might like to ask in the lesson
Replying to a request for a favor
- Sure what's up?
- It depends.
- What do you need?
- OK. How can I help?
Some grammar that might come up in the lesson
Indirect requests
-
Do you have any idea
- Do you know
- Can you tell me
- Could you tell me
- Would you be able to tell me
- Would you mind telling me
- I was wondering if you could
- Do you think you could
Let’s start
Top line (L>R)
Pour the drinks / Cut the cake / Pass the food
Mid line (L>R)
Set the table / Blow up the balloons / Open the bottle
Bottom line (L>R)
Chill the drinks / Bring out the snacks / Fold the napkins
Let’s try
Listen to the three people asking for help. How many requests does each person make?
Track #32
5 requests
Could you be quiet please!
Can you wipe the tables?
Could you please put up the Halloween decorations?
Would you mind putting out the cutlery?
Would you be able to blow up those balloons?
Track #33
3 requests
Could you please pour me another glass of that wine?
Would you mind passing us another menu and bringing us another round of drinks?
Would you be able to tell me where the bathroom is?
Track #34
3 requests
Could you mop the floor, please?
Can you collect up all the glasses, please?
Could you clean and dry the glasses afterwards?
Let’s practice
To-do list for today’s wedding
Meet with the bride
Put out the tables and chairs
Set up the speakers and disco lights
Fold the napkins
Chill the drinks
Lay out the tablecloths
Set the tables
Put up the balloons and decorations
Bring the snacks
Expected outcome
A) Hey Alice, we are a little short on staff. Would you mind doing something for me?
B) Sure. What’s up?
A) Can you meet with the bridge before the wedding?
B) Sure.
A) And could you put out the tables and chairs?
B) OK. I can do that.
A) And Is it OK if you fold the napkins?
B) Sure.
A) Great Thanks. Tim. Can I ask you to chill the drinks and lay out the tablecloths?
B) No problem.
A) And Mark, Do you think you could put up the balloons and decorations?
C) Sure thing.
A) Simon Would you bring out the snacks?
D) OK.
Let’s speak
Your company is having a staff party this evening and you are in charge. There are many things that you still need to do. Politely ask your coworker to help you complete some of the tasks.
A) Hey James, as you know we are planning a party tonight, but there are lots of thing we still need to do.
B) OK. How can I help?
A) Could you call the restaurant and double check the reservation?
B) No problem. I can do that? Is there anything else?
A) Yeah, would you be able to double check who is coming to the party?
B) No problem.
A) Thanks.