Making Requests at Work

B1 video lesson on polite requests, direct instructions and workplace tasks.

Lesson Overview

Students watch a short workplace video with examples of requests. The lesson practises B1 language for polite requests, direct instructions and workplace tasks.

Before you watch

How do you ask politely for help at work?
Is “I need you to...” polite or direct?
What kinds of requests do managers make?

Making Requests

Open video on YouTube

Prep

Drag the correct ending into each gap.

1. If you make a request,...

2. If a request is polite,...

3. If you upgrade technology,...

4. If you handle a task,...

5. If you set something up,...

Mixed answer options

you deal with it or complete it.you prepare or arrange it.you ask someone to do something or give you something.you improve old equipment or systems.it sounds respectful and not too direct.

Watch the Video

Watch the full video once. Focus on the request forms and the workplace tasks.

Focus: Could I...?, I was wondering if..., I need you to..., Can you handle that?, Could you bring me...?, set that up.

Open full video

Comprehension

Click each question to reveal the answer. Each question is synced to the video time.

0:03What is the first polite request?

The speaker asks, “Could I call you right back?”

0:08How much money does the man ask for, and why?

He asks for five hundred thousand dollars to upgrade call center technology.

0:25What is Stanley told to stop doing?

He is told to stop goofing off.

0:39What task does Jam need to handle?

He needs to connect two contact centers with the ones from the new acquisition.

0:56What extra personal request does the speaker make?

He asks for a pack of M&M’s.

1:06What does the CEO’s green initiative require?

It requires half of the contact center staff to work from home.

Vocabulary from the Video

Could I call you right ?

I was wondering if I could have five hundred thousand .

We need to upgrade our call center .

Stop goofing .

I need you to connect our contact .

Can you that for me?

Could you bring me a of M&M’s?

Can you set that ?

Mixed options

technologypackhandleupbackdollarsoffcenters

Vocabulary Review

Word / phrase	Meaning	Example
request	something you ask someone to do or give you	Could I call you right back? is a request.
polite	respectful and not rude	Could I...? is polite.
direct	clear and strong	I need you to work is direct.
call back	phone someone again later	Could I call you right back?
upgrade	improve something	They want to upgrade technology.
goof off	waste time instead of working	Stop goofing off.
handle	manage or deal with a task	Can you handle that?
bring	take something to someone	Could you bring me a pack?
initiative	a new plan or project	The CEO ordered a green initiative.
set up	prepare or arrange something	Can you set that up?

Collocations

make a

upgrade

connect contact

handle a

green

Mixed options

initiativerequesttechnologycenterstask

Phrasal Verb Questions

When is it okay to ask someone to call you ?

Why should employees stop goofing at work?

What technology problem would you like to sort ?

How can a company set remote work?

What task can you help at work?

Mixed options

upoffwithbackout

Speaking extension: Answer the five phrasal verb questions with a partner. Use polite request forms.

B1 Grammar: Polite Requests

Form	Use	Example
Could I + verb?	ask permission	Could I call you right back?
Could you + verb?	ask someone to do something	Could you bring me a pack?
I was wondering if I could...	very polite request	I was wondering if I could have the money.
Can you + verb?	neutral request	Can you set that up?

Grammar Exercise 1

Could I you right back?

I was wondering if I could some information.

Could you me a pack?

Can you remote work?

I need you to the contact centers.

Mixed options

bringcallconnecthaveset up

Error Correction

Could I to call you right back?

Could I call you right back?

Could you brings me a pack?

Could you bring me a pack?

I was wonder if I could have the money.

I was wondering if I could have the money.

Can you to set that up?

Can you set that up?

Make it more polite

Use “Could you...?”
Bring me a pack of M&M’s.

Use “Could I...?”
I want to call you later.

Use “I was wondering if...”
I want five hundred thousand dollars.

Discussion

Which request in the video is the most polite?
Which request is the most direct?
When should you use “Could you...” at work?
Is “I need you to...” rude or just direct?
How can you refuse a request politely?
What requests do people often make in an office?

Useful Language

Making requests	Accepting	Refusing politely
Could you...? Can you...? I was wondering if...	Sure, no problem. Of course. I can handle that.	I’m sorry, but... I’m afraid I can’t... Could I do it later?

Role Play: Workplace Requests

Situation: A manager needs help with several tasks: calling a client back, setting up remote work, fixing technology and bringing office supplies.

Student A: Manager

Make polite and direct requests. Ask for help with technology, calls and office tasks.

Student B: Employee

Accept some requests, ask for clarification and politely refuse one request.

Challenge

Use: Could I, Could you, I was wondering if, Can you handle that, set up, call back.