SPU Staff Training Sripatum Institute of Languages and Cultures Lesson 4 – Making Offers and Requests

Definitions Request – asking someone to do something for you Offer – volunteering to do something for someone else

Formal Offering and Requests  Would you like... [me] to print these documents for you? (offer)  May I... ask you for a favor? (request)  Shall I... ask them to come in? (request)  Would you mind if... I came into work late tomorrow? (request)  Would it be possible... to turn your music down? (request)

Informal Offering and Requests  How about... getting together after the meeting? (request)  Can I... ask you for a favor? (request)  Do you want... another opinion? (offer)  Would you... print these for me? (request)

Accepting Offers  Yes, please.  Please! (less formal)  Yes, that’s kind of you.  You bet! (less formal)  Yes, that would be very nice.  That sounds great! (less formal) Accepting Requests  Of course! Certainly.  Yes, that’s no problem at all.  No problem! (informal)

Rejecting Offers and Requests  No, thank you.  I’m fine, thank you.  That’s very kind, but no, thank you.  No thank you, I’m fine.  That’s alright.  I’m all set, thanks.  I’d rather not. / I’d prefer not.  I’m sorry, that’s not possible. I’m afraid not.  I’m sorry, I can’t.

Activity 1.  Using the table below, work with a partner making requests and offers and then accepting and rejecting them. Change roles and take the other side of the issue. Be sure to give a short reason why when you reject offers or requests. Accept AND reject each offer and request.

Requests and Offers 1) Would you please help me understand this course outline? 2) Can you meet me in the conference room in about five minutes? 3) Would like me to pick up some lunch for you? 4) Would mind if I borrowed this pen?

Group 3 Person A is the office secretary Person B is a faculty member that you know Pair Practice Group 1  Person A is the office secretary  Person B is an international student that you know Group 2  Person A is the office secretary  Person B is the President of the University Group 4 Person A is the office secretary Person B is a Director of another Faculty, who you do not know Write one conversation (5 lines per person) that demonstrates a positive greeting