Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How this works.
🔒 Your group's name is saved only in this browser. Nothing is sent to us.
Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 23 · Confident · B1
Asking your manager for something
Ask for leave, a roster change or help, politely and clearly.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
What do people ask their manager for? Is it easy to ask?
Key phrase 1 of 8
Have you got a minute?
Check if it's a good time.
Key phrase 2 of 8
I was wondering if I could take next Friday off.
A very polite request.
Key phrase 3 of 8
Would it be possible to swap shifts with Tom?
Ask about changing a shift.
Key phrase 4 of 8
I've got a medical appointment.
Give a short reason.
Key phrase 5 of 8
I can make up the hours on Saturday.
Offer a solution.
Key phrase 6 of 8
Should I put it in writing?
Ask about the process.
Key phrase 7 of 8
No worries if not.
Show it's OK if the answer is no.
Key phrase 8 of 8
I really appreciate it.
Thank them.
Conversation
Manager and Tariq
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 8
Manager
Hey Tariq, what's up?
Conversation · line 2 of 8
Manager: Hey Tariq, what's up?
Tariq
Have you got a minute? I was wondering if I could take next Friday off. I've got a medical appointment.
Conversation · line 3 of 8
Tariq: Have you got a minute? I was wondering if I could take next Friday off. I've got a medical appointment.
Manager
Next Friday… We're a bit short that day.
Conversation · line 4 of 8
Manager: Next Friday… We're a bit short that day.
Tariq
Would it be possible to swap shifts with Tom? He said he can do Friday, and I can do his Saturday.
Conversation · line 5 of 8
Tariq: Would it be possible to swap shifts with Tom? He said he can do Friday, and I can do his Saturday.
Manager
Oh, that works. Can you put the request in the leave system?
Conversation · line 6 of 8
Manager: Oh, that works. Can you put the request in the leave system?
Tariq
Sure, I'll do it today.
Conversation · line 7 of 8
Tariq: Sure, I'll do it today.
Manager
Thanks for sorting out the swap.
Conversation · line 8 of 8
Manager: Thanks for sorting out the swap.
Tariq
No problem. I really appreciate it.
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Manager. Student B is Tariq. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
Have you got a minute?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
I was wondering if I could …
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
Would it be possible to …?
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
Which request is the most polite?
- A I want Friday off.
- B I was wondering if I could take Friday off.
- C Friday off, OK?
✓ B: 'I was wondering if…' is very polite.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
Why offer a solution, like a shift swap?
- A It makes it easier for the manager to say yes
- B It's required by law
- C It isn't useful
✓ A: Solving the problem for them helps.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
What does 'No worries if not' show?
- A It's OK if the answer is no
- B You're worried
- C You're angry
✓ A: It reduces pressure.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
What does 'We're a bit short that day' mean?
- A Not enough staff that day
- B The day is short
- C They're not tall
✓ A: 'Short' = short-staffed.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
What does 'Have you got a minute?' mean?
- A Can we talk now?
- B What time is it?
- C Do you have a watch?
✓ A: Checking if it's a good time to talk.
Culture talk
How does this work in your country? Tell your partner.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.co/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.co
· englishcoaching.co
Teacher notes
Level: Confident · B1 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "What do people ask their manager for? Is it easy to ask?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Manager and student B is Tariq. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Manager is read by Mel and Tariq by Josh. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Culture talk
End by asking learners how this works in their country. It's a natural way to practise the new phrases and to learn from each other.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Asking your manager for something. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 23: Asking your manager for something
Ask for leave, a roster change or help, politely and clearly.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: appointment · appreciate · hours · minute · possible · wondering · worries · writing
- Have you got a ? (Check if it's a good time)
- I was if I could take next Friday off. (A very polite request)
- Would it be to swap shifts with Tom? (Ask about changing a shift)
- I've got a medical . (Give a short reason)
- I can make up the on Saturday. (Offer a solution)
- Should I put it in ? (Ask about the process)
- No if not. (Show it's OK if the answer is no)
- I really it. (Thank them)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Manager: Hey Tariq, what's up?
- Tariq: Have you got a minute? I was wondering if I could take next Friday off. I've got a appointment.
- Manager: Next Friday… We're a bit that day.
- Tariq: Would it be possible to swap with Tom? He said he can do Friday, and I can do his Saturday.
- Manager: Oh, that works. Can you put the in the leave system?
- Tariq: Sure, I'll do it .
- Manager: Thanks for out the swap.
- Tariq: No . I really appreciate it.
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
Which request is the most polite?
a) I want Friday off.b) I was wondering if I could take Friday off.c) Friday off, OK?
Why offer a solution, like a shift swap?
a) It makes it easier for the manager to say yesb) It's required by lawc) It isn't useful
What does 'No worries if not' show?
a) It's OK if the answer is nob) You're worriedc) You're angry
What does 'We're a bit short that day' mean?
a) Not enough staff that dayb) The day is shortc) They're not tall
What does 'Have you got a minute?' mean?
a) Can we talk now?b) What time is it?c) Do you have a watch?
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- Have you got a minute?
- I was wondering if I could
- Would it be possible to ?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/asking-your-manager-for-something/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 23: Asking your manager for something
A. Key phrases
- Have you got a minute?
- I was wondering if I could take next Friday off.
- Would it be possible to swap shifts with Tom?
- I've got a medical appointment.
- I can make up the hours on Saturday.
- Should I put it in writing?
- No worries if not.
- I really appreciate it.
B. Conversation gaps
- –
- medical
- short
- shifts
- request
- today
- sorting
- problem
C. Quiz
- b) I was wondering if I could take Friday off.
- a) It makes it easier for the manager to say yes
- a) It's OK if the answer is no
- a) Not enough staff that day
- a) Can we talk now?
englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/asking-your-manager-for-something/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach asking your manager for something to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Confident level, about CEFR B1. It is lesson 23 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/asking-your-manager-for-something/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
Found this useful? Buy us a coffee on Ko-fi to help keep English Coaching free.