Teacher Notes

Objectives & Sequence: This lesson is intended to be used as a review of Grammar 8-1.

The following vocabulary words are used in this activity:

Part One

Listen to the people speaking. In each conversation, someone is asking for help. How do they ask for help?

Conversation #1

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A: I’m going to the track later if you're free.

B: Ooh, that sounds good, but I don’t think so. I need to finish all this homework for tomorrow.

A: That’s too bad. Maybe next time.

B: Yeah. Hey, do you have a minute?

A: Yeah, what’s up?

B: Well, I’m having trouble with these math questions. Could you give me a hand?

A: Sure, no problem.


Conversation #2

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A: Okay, I’ve got to run. I’m going to be late for class.

B: Oh hey, before you go, could you do me a favor?

A: Uhm, maybe, what do you need?

B: Could you drive me to the grocery store?

A: Sorry, but I don’t have time right now. I have to get to school.

B: That’s okay. Don’t worry about it.

A: Can you wait until I'm done with school?

B: Yeah.


Conversation #3

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A: Excuse me, Teacher?

B: Yes?

A: Could you help me please?

B: Yes, of course.

A: I need some help with Exercise 2. I just don’t understand this grammar. Would you explain it to me?

B: I’d be happy to.


Part Two

Asking for Help

When we need help, we don’t usually just say “help me”. We usually start with a general question to see if the person is free or wants to help. Here are some possible ways to start the conversation:

Casual Formal/Polite
Do you have a minute/second? Excuse me.
Can/Will you give me a hand? Could/Would you help me please?
Can/Will you do me a favor? Could/Would you do me a favor?

Answering the Question

When someone asks one of the questions above, there are different ways to answer. Here are some of the ways:

Yes, of course. Sorry, I'm (kind of) busy.
Sure/Yeah. Sorry, I don't have time right now.
Maybe/Perhaps. I'm sorry. I can't right now.

Example #1 Example #2 Example #3

Do you have a second?

Yeah. What's up?

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Could you help me please?

Yes, of course.

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Hey, could you give me a hand with this?

Sorry, I can't right now.

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Making the Request

When you know the person is free and wants to help, you ask a more specific question, like the questions below:

  • Can/Will/Could/Would you ... (for me)
  • I need some help with (noun)

Answering the Request

Here are few ways to answer someone's request for help:

  • Sure. No problem.
  • I’d be happy to.
  • Yes, of course.

Example #1 Example #2

Do you have a second?

Yeah. What's up?

Could you help me with my car?

Sure. No problem.

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Could you help me please?

Yes, of course.

Would you show me where to pour the antifreeze?

I'd be happy to.

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If a person cannot help, they reply like this:

  • I'm sorry. I don't know.
  • Sorry, but I can't.

Part Three

Intro Student One Student Two Student Three Student Four

Students work in a group of three to four. On each page students will find a riddle. Students should ask someone in the group for help solving the riddle.

I have a face and two hands but have no arms or legs? What am I?

I belong to you, but your friends and family use me more than you do. What am I?

You must break me before you can use me. What am I?

I have many keys, but I cannot open any doors. What am I?

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