WEBVTT

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JustLearn English. Ask for help politely — English through real life. Listen,

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pause and repeat. This lesson uses a synthetic voice.

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Maya is preparing a short presentation. She understands the topic, but she

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is not sure whether her first slide is clear. She asks her

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colleague Ben for help.

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Maya says, ‘Could you look at my first slide, please? I would

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like to know whether the main point is clear. It should take

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about ten minutes.’ Ben says, ‘I cannot do it this morning, but

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I can look at it after lunch.’

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Maya replies, ‘That would be helpful. Would two o’clock work for you?’

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Ben agrees. Maya sends only the first slide and the question she

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wants him to answer. She does not expect Ben to rewrite the

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whole presentation.

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A clear request explains what you need. It also gives the other

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person room to say yes, suggest a different time or say no.

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Maya. Could you look at my first slide, please? Ben. What would

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you like me to check? Maya. Is the main point clear? It

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should take about ten minutes. Ben. I cannot do it this morning,

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but I can look after lunch. Maya. Thank you. Would two o’clock

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work for you? Ben. Yes, that works for me.

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Use could + subject + base verb to make a polite request:

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Could you check this? Use would to propose an arrangement: Would two

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o’clock work for you? Could you is often more tentative than Can

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you; either can be polite in a suitable context and tone. Polite

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wording does not remove the other person’s right to decline.

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Say ‘Could you help me?’ as a complete phrase, with the main

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stress on HELP. Practise ‘Would TWO o’clock WORK for you?’ The capital

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letters show useful practice stresses, not a rule for every situation. Listen,

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pause, then repeat at a comfortable pace.

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Your turn. Work with a partner. Person A needs help checking a

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short email. Person B has only five minutes today. Make a request,

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explain the task, offer a limit and agree what is possible. Then

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change roles. Studying alone? Speak both parts aloud and record yourself only

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if you wish. Pause here to practise. Then use the activities and

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answers on the JustLearn English website.