5. MAKING REQUESTSBUSINESS ENGLISH CONVERSATION & LISTENING Instructor: Hsin-Hsin Cindy Lee, PhD

CONTENTS

Basic Rules and Concepts Conversation and Listening Practices - Check Answers and Further

Practice Writing Practice Checkpoint

BASIC RULES AND CONCEPTS Introduction

BASIC CONCEPTS Making requests is common in the work place. Every company is an organization, which means

people work together and need each other. Sometimes people give orders to their subordinates.

But not everyone is the ‘top’ manager. Most of time, people need others’ assistance to do

their jobs or get things done by their counterparts. Whenever you request people to render their service,

provide information or get things done, you don’t want to offend them or ruin your relationships.

After all, if people who can help you are upset with you, they may never get ‘your’ things done properly in time!

So, the basic rule here is – Don’t be offensive! Be polite!

BASIC CONCEPTS –CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

In some cultures, it is possible to be very direct without being impolite while asking people to do things.

People in direct cultures tend to use the imperative sentences and simple statements.

They may also use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ less often.

In indirect cultures, if people are direct while making requests, they are considered rude and aggressive.

People in indirect cultures prefer to use question forms and wordy expressions to make a request.

They also use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ more often.

Direct Culture Indirect Culture

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

Get me those figures. Can you get me those

figures? Could you please get

me those figures? Do you think you

could possibly get me those figures, please?

I am so sorry to trouble you. I wonder if you would mind getting me those figures?

Read aloud the expressions again.

What kind of expression do you often use while asking people to do things?

Can you use a polite form of language to request people to do things?

Direct VS Indirect What would you say?

CONVERSATION AND LISTENING Listening to the conversation and filling in the blanks.

COMMON BUSINESS SITUATIONS When do you need to request people to do

things for you? You ask your co-worker for help

You request a colleague in the same department to help you with your work.

You request a colleague in other department to help you with your work.

You ask an executive, supervisor, manager for help or further information in order to do your job well.

You need someone outside the company to help you get things done. Suppliers Clients/customers Business partners

No matter whom you talk to, you can’t afford offending them!

LISTEN TO CONVERSATION 5-A

Theme: Requesting a colleague

Situation: Sunny and her colleague talk to each other in the

office. Tips:

If you need to refuse someone’s request, make it polite and friendly.

When you need to refuse a quest, it’s better to suggest who else can offer the help or service.

LISTENING AND FILLING IN THE BLANKS

A: May I use your (1)_________, Sunny? I need one to prepare my travel (2) ___________report.

B: (3)____________, I need it for myself right now. Brenda has one, and I (4) __________that she’s using it.

A: She’s not at her desk, and I’d (5) _______to take it without her (6)____________. I’ll ask Sam for his.

LISTEN TO CONVERSATION 5-B

Theme: Requesting a subordinate politely

Situation: Bonnie is requested by her boss to work

overtime. They talk to each other in a polite way. Tips:

You can give an order to your subordinate, but you can also choose to be polite and friendly so that you show your respect.

What kind of leader would you like to follow? What kid of leader would you like to become?

LISTENING AND FILLING IN BLANKS

A: Bonnie, the firm is (1)_________. Could you please (2) _________work (3)___________ tonight?

B: I’d be (4) ___________to. I’m not very busy, and I could use the (5) __________ money.

A: Great! It seems that, at this (6)___________, your and our (7) ____________ are in (8) __________.

PRACTICES Check your answers and practice the dialogues.

CONVERSATION 5-ASOURCE: ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE NEW TOEIC TEST (P.63)

A: May I use your (1) calculator, Sunny? I need one to prepare my travel (2) expense report.

B: (3) Actually, I need it for myself right now. Brenda has one, and I (4) doubt that she’s using it.

A: She’s not at her desk, and I’d (5) hate to take it without her (6) permission. I’ll ask Sam for his.

CONVERSATION 5-BSOURCE: ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE NEW TOEIC TEST (P.71)

A: Bonnie, the firm is (1) swamped. Could you please (2) possibly work (3) overtime tonight?

B: I’d be (4) delighted to. I’m not very busy, and I could use the (5) extra money.

A: Great! It seems that, at this (6) moment, your and our (7) needs are in (8) sync.

FURTHER PRACTICE

Replace you and your partner’s names with the ones provided in the script.

Read the script again by using your own names.

Practice the different situations for socializing and small talk with your own names without reading the script.

PRACTICE AND READ ALOUD THE FOLLOWING PHRASES TO MAKE POLITE REQUESTS

Is there any way you can…? I don’t suppose you could …? Would you do me a favor and…? I wonder if you could… Would you mind…(+V-ing)? Do you think you could possibly …? Would it be possible for you to …? I’d really appreciate it if you could…?

WRITING PRACTICE Writing your own expressions.

HOW CAN YOU REQUEST PEOPLE TO GET THINGS DONE BY A DEADLINE IN A POLITE WAY?

(You are calling a hotel’s bookings manager.)

Is there any way you can book a conference room for our HR meeting by tomorrow morning?

(The hotel manager also needs your help.)

I wonder if you could confirm the number of your guests for me by 5:00 pm.

Use the phrases to write your own requests.

You wish something to be done by a deadline.

Add the deadline to your request.

Write at least 5 sentences.

Examples Write your own sentences.

YOU CAN SAY THIS….

Is there any way you can…? I don’t suppose you could …? Would you do me a favor

and…? I wonder if you could… Would you mind…(+V-ing)? Do you think you could

possibly …? Would it be possible for you

to …? I’d really appreciate it if you

could…?

Example: 1. I don’t suppose you

could show me the latest sales figures before this weekend?

In an hour By next Monday Before the end of the

month As soon as possible

Useful phrases for making requests politely Adding a deadline

HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST POLITELY?

Use a polite or question form of statement to make a request.

Add a deadline to your request to make sure the thing can be done efficiently.

If you need to refuse a request, make it polite and try to offer some other solutions.

A request may be made face-to-face, in emails/letters or on the phone. The concepts and rules apply to all.

CHECKPOINT

Why should people make requests politely in the workplace?

How can people make a polite request? Can you provide at least three useful phrases

for making requests politely? How can you help people to get your things

done in time? What should you say to them? How should you refuse a request?

ENDDo you have any questions?