Speaking: Functional Language B1 - Lesson 1: Making Polite Requests, Suggestions & Offers

Speaking: Functional Language B1

Making Polite Requests, Suggestions & Offers

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use a range of more formal and indirect phrases to make polite requests, suggestions, and offers.

Conversation Scenario: Planning a Team Lunch 💬

In more formal situations, like at work, it's important to use very polite language. Let's see how two colleagues, Sophea and Dara, plan an event.

Sophea: We need to plan the team lunch for Friday. Any ideas?

Dara: Hmm. Perhaps we could try that new Italian restaurant near the river?

Sophea: That's a good idea, but it might be expensive. I was wondering if you could check the prices online?

Dara: Of course. Would you like me to call them to make a reservation as well?

Sophea: Oh, could you? That would be a huge help. Thank you!

Dara: No problem at all.

Your Functional Toolkit 🤝

Here are the key phrases for sounding polite and professional, organized by function.

Making Polite Requests

• "I was wondering if you could..."
  A very polite and indirect way to ask for something.
• "Would you mind [+verb-ing]...?"
  e.g., "Would you mind opening the window?"

Making Polite Suggestions

• "Perhaps we could..."
  A soft, formal way to suggest an idea.
• "Maybe we should..."
  A common and slightly less formal way to suggest something.

Making Polite Offers

• "Would you like me to...?"
  A polite way to offer to do something for someone.
• "Shall I...?"
  A common way to offer help, especially in British English.

Tips for Sounding Polite

🗣️ Intonation of Indirect Phrases

These polite, indirect phrases have a specific "music" to them. They are not strong or demanding. The intonation is usually soft and rises at the end to show it is a genuine question, not a command.

• "Would you mind closing the window? ↗"
• "I was wondering if you could help me? ↗"

💡 Choosing Your Level of Formality

Choosing the right phrase depends on the situation and who you are talking to.

Function	Direct (Informal)	Polite (Standard)	Indirect (Very Polite)
Request	Help me.	Can you help me?	Would you mind helping me?
Suggestion	Let's go.	Why don't we go?	Perhaps we could go.
Offer	I can help.	Can I help?	Would you like me to help?

Practice Polite Functions 🎯

Activity 1: Upgrade the Phrase

Change the direct, informal phrase into a more polite, indirect B1 phrase.

1. Direct: "Open the door."
   → Polite: "Would you mind opening the door?"
2. Direct: "Let's start the meeting."
   → Polite: "Perhaps we could start the meeting."
3. Direct: "I will get you a drink."
   → Polite: "Would you like me to get you a drink?"

Activity 2: Role-Play a Formal Situation

Work with a partner. Imagine one of you is a new employee and the other is the manager. The new employee needs help. Use the polite phrases from this lesson.

New Employee: Ask for help understanding a new computer system.

Manager: Offer to help your new employee.

Your Functional Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to practice using more formal and polite language.

Find one situation where you can use a more advanced phrase. For example, instead of asking a teacher "Can you explain?", try "I was wondering if you could explain this part again." Notice how it feels different and more respectful.