Asking for Help

Lesson Plan

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

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 you embassy).
Response: Thanks, I’ll try that.

English Dialogue

Students should work together in pairs and read the following dialogue, one student reading one part, the other student reading the other. Note the expressions used in the dialogue and the progression of the conversation. The dialogue can be used as a model to have similar conversations.

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.

After reading, close your book and tell your partner a summary of the dialogue. Then switch and have your partner tell his or her summary. Start like this: This dialogue is about a man asking for help with …This may seem silly, since you both already know what the dialogue is about, but the purpose is to practice using your English, not to give information or test your reading skills.

Conversation Activities

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)

from   http://www.hotel-tefl.com/yadayadaenglish/help/