Asking for Help
Lesson Plan- Asking for Help
Help! I need somebody Help! Not just anybody.
Everyone needs help from time to time and most people are willing to give it in a time of need. Most of the time of course the help needed is for something minor. But sometimes the help may be a matter of life or death. The expressions below are generally used for minor assistance. For any thing really, really major- the need for help is usually readily apparent and would not require someone to ask- such as in a fire or a serious car accident. Look at these expressions that can be used for asking for minor assistance.
English Expressions- Asking for Help
Expression Response
To offer help
Would you like some help? Yes, that would be great.
Can I give you a hand? Thanks, much obliged
Do you need a hand? No thanks, I’ve got it.
May I offer my assistance? That would be so kind, thank you.
To ask for help
Could you give me a hand? Certainly.
Would you mind helping me out? Not at all.
Could you help me please? My pleasure
As with help, people need advice from time to time. Your family or friends may need advice about relationships, financial investments, or how to deal with an irritating co-worker. Look at the expressions can be used when asking for advice.
Expression : What do you think I should do?
Response: Why don’t you (…. take a taxi).
Response: That’s a good idea.
Expression : What would you do in my shoes?
Response: Have you thought about (…. getting some medicine at the pharmacy)?
Response: Maybe you’re right.
Expression : Do you have any ideas about what to do?
Response: I think you should ( …. see a doctor).
Response: Thanks for the advice.
Expression : What would you suggest?
Response: Have you considered ( …. the local markets? They have great deals).
Response: That might work. I hadn’t thought of that.
Expression : Can you think of anything that might help?
Response: One option may be to (…. call your embassy).
Response: Thanks, I’ll try that.
Dialogue- Asking for Help
Barry: Could you give me a hand this weekend?
Larry: Doing what?
Barry: Landscaping my yard.
Larry: That sounds like a big job.
Barry: It might be, it depends on how I decide to do it.
Larry: You don’t know yet?
Barry: I can’t make up my mind. I’m vacillating between desert landscape
with cacti or plush green grass with lots of flowers. What do you think it
should be?
Larry: Well, a desert landscape has a lot less maintenance, but nothing
beats a nice green lawn.
Barry: Thus my dilemma. What would you do?
Larry: Let me ask you this- how much time will you spend out there.
Barry: With my schedule, probably not much.
Larry: Then I would go with the desert. Keeping up a grass lawn is a lot
of work.
Barry: Yea, I think you’re right.
Conversation Activities- Asking for Help
1. Pair work- discussion
When was the last time you helped someone or someone helped you? Tell
your partner about it using some of the ideas for discussion below. Your
partner should ask questions to get more information.
what was the help for
where did it happen
when did it happen
how often do you offer assistance
2. Pair work- discussion
When was the last time you gave someone advice or asked for advice? Tell
your partner about it using some of the ideas for discussion below. Your
partner should ask questions to get more information.
what was the advice for
was it good advice
who did you ask/who asked you
did you follow the advice- why or why not
3. Pair work- role play
Working with a partner, role play the situation, using the information below
The situation: Seeking help on the street. Be sure to express your
gratitude.
The roles: you, your partner
Moving a heavy box Directions to the subway
Where the jeans are in a store Using a cell phone
Fixing a flat
Using an ATM (instructions are in a foreign language)
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