Practise clear, polite requests, realistic time limits and respectful replies. Suggested level: A2–B1.
Allow about 25–35 minutes. Read once for meaning, listen without reading, then repeat with the text. Complete the activities before opening the answers.
What you will practise
- Make a request using could or would.
- Explain the task and time needed.
- Accept a limit and suggest another time.
Listen and watch
Synthetic narration; one voice reads both roles. Teaching slides with timed captions. Use your player’s speed control, and pause to repeat. This is a self-study pilot, not an assessed qualification.
Download audio · Download video · Captions · Full media transcript
Read: a real-life situation
Maya is preparing a short presentation. She understands the topic, but she is not sure whether her first slide is clear. She asks her colleague Ben for help.
Maya says, ‘Could you look at my first slide, please? I would like to know whether the main point is clear. It should take about ten minutes.’ Ben says, ‘I cannot do it this morning, but I can look at it after lunch.’
Maya replies, ‘That would be helpful. Would two o’clock work for you?’ Ben agrees. Maya sends only the first slide and the question she wants him to answer. She does not expect Ben to rewrite the whole presentation.
A clear request explains what you need. It also gives the other person room to say yes, suggest a different time or say no.
Model dialogue
Maya : Could you look at my first slide, please?
Ben : What would you like me to check?
Maya : Is the main point clear? It should take about ten minutes.
Ben : I cannot do it this morning, but I can look after lunch.
Maya : Thank you. Would two o’clock work for you?
Ben : Yes, that works for me.
Useful vocabulary
- a request
- something you ask someone to do
- to check
- to look at something carefully
- the main point
- the most important idea
- after lunch
- later than the midday meal
- That works for me.
- That arrangement is suitable for me.
Language focus
Use could + subject + base verb to make a polite request: Could you check this? Use would to propose an arrangement: Would two o’clock work for you? Could you is often more tentative than Can you; either can be polite in a suitable context and tone. Polite wording does not remove the other person’s right to decline.
Pronunciation practice
Say ‘Could you help me?’ as a complete phrase, with the main stress on HELP. Practise ‘Would TWO o’clock WORK for you?’ The capital letters show useful practice stresses, not a rule for every situation. Listen, pause, then repeat at a comfortable pace.
Check your understanding
-
What does Maya want Ben to check?
Show answer
Her first slide, especially whether the main point is clear.
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How long should the task take?
Show answer
About ten minutes.
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Can Ben help in the morning?
Show answer
No. He offers to help after lunch.
-
Is Ben expected to rewrite the presentation?
Show answer
No. Maya sends only the first slide and a specific question.
Complete the phrases
-
___ you check this paragraph, please?
Show answer
Could
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It should ___ about ten minutes.
Show answer
take
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Would Friday ___ for you?
Show answer
work
Speak
Work with a partner. Person A needs help checking a short email. Person B has only five minutes today. Make a request, explain the task, offer a limit and agree what is possible. Then change roles. Studying alone? Speak both parts aloud and record yourself only if you wish.
Write
Write a 50–70 word message requesting help. Include the task, the time it may take and a possible deadline. Give the reader room to suggest another arrangement.
Read a model answer
Hello Alex. Could you check the opening paragraph of my email, please? I want to know whether my request is clear. It should take about five minutes. Would you have time before Thursday afternoon? If that is not convenient, please let me know what would work for you. Thank you for considering it.
Go further
Make the same request to a friend, then to a colleague you do not know well. Which wording and amount of explanation would you change?
Reflect on your learning
Can you complete the three aims above without reading the model? Choose one expression to use in a new situation. The suggested level is guidance, not a formal assessment.
Adapted for language learning from the original JustLearn (JL) article: ask for help with a clear request. Prepared with AI assistance; synthetic narration. No individual teacher review or voice impersonation is implied.