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Lesson 23: Asking your manager for something

Ask for leave, a roster change or help, politely and clearly. About 10 minutes.

Updated 2026-10-16

Confident Β· B1 Lesson 23 of 30 Β· Listen Β· Speak Β· Check

1. Key phrases

Press πŸ”Š to hear each phrase, then say it out loud.

  • Have you got a minute? Check if it's a good time.
  • I was wondering if I could take next Friday off. A very polite request.
  • Would it be possible to swap shifts with Tom? Ask about changing a shift.
  • I've got a medical appointment. Give a short reason.
  • I can make up the hours on Saturday. Offer a solution.
  • Should I put it in writing? Ask about the process.
  • No worries if not. Show it's OK if the answer is no.
  • I really appreciate it. Thank them.

2. Listen to the conversation

Play the conversation, then press Practise as "Tariq" to take a part yourself.

3. Say it yourself

Listen, then say each sentence. Fill in your own details where you see "…". In Chrome, Edge or Safari, press 🎀 and your browser checks how clearly you said it.

4. Quick check

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Frequently asked questions

What are useful English phrases for asking your manager for something?

'Have you got a minute?' (check if it's a good time). 'I was wondering if I could take next Friday off.' (a very polite request). 'Would it be possible to swap shifts with Tom?' (ask about changing a shift). 'I've got a medical appointment.' (give a short reason).

How can I practise asking your manager for something in English?

Listen to the key phrases and say them out loud, play the conversation and role-play one side, use the speaking check to hear how clearly you speak, then take the quick quiz. It takes about 10 minutes.