English Pod: Asking for Favors at the Office

Jul 11, 2024

English Pod: Asking for Favors at the Office

Introduction

Hosts: Marco and Erica

  • Episode focuses on asking for favors in an office setting
  • Essential phrases and examples for elementary level learners

Definition of a Favor

  • A favor is a small helpful thing someone does for you
  • Examples:
    • Passing a pencil
    • Picking someone up on the way to work
    • Lending money to a friend

Dialogue Breakdown

Dialogue Summary

  • Rachel, a new employee, asks colleagues for a favor but they are all too busy
  • Seeks help to find the bathroom
  • Colleagues give reasons such as important meetings or urgent tasks

Key Dialogues:

  1. Rachel: "Can I ask you for a favor?"
  2. Colleague: "I'm afraid I can't help you right now."
  3. Rachel: "Sorry to interrupt you Sean, could you do me a quick favor?"
  4. Sean: "I'm working on a document that's due in a couple of minutes."

Vocabulary and Phrases

Language Takeaway

  • On Board

    • Means "Welcome to the company/team"
    • Examples:
      1. "Welcome on board, Sarah!"
      2. "We need to get our new office assistant on board."
      3. "We decided to bring Melissa on board to join the marketing team."

  • About To

    • Indicates something is going to happen soon
    • Examples:
      1. "I'm about to go out for lunch."
      2. "I'm about to go into a meeting."

  • Instead

    • Means "in the place of"
    • Examples:
      1. "I'll have the chicken instead of the fish."
      2. "I wanted to buy a red sweater but bought a blue one instead."

  • Interrupt

    • Means to break into someone's activity or conversation
    • Examples:
      1. "Sorry to interrupt you."
      2. "I don't mean to interrupt, but..."

Re-listening to the Dialogue

  • Opportunity to hear the conversation slower to better understand the vocabulary and phrases

Phrases for Asking for Favors

Putting It Together

  • Examples of phrasing:
    1. "Can I ask you a favor? Can you just finish this report for me?"
    2. "May I get you to do me a favor? Can you carry this package in your suitcase for me?"
    3. "Will you do me a favor and pass me that file?"

Interrupting Politely

  • Phrases to use when interrupting someone:
    1. "I hate to bother you, but..."
    2. "I'm sorry to bother you, but..."
    3. "I don't mean to bother you, but..."

Example Combinations:

  • "I hate to bother you, but can you do me a favor?"
  • "Iā€™m sorry to bother you, but do you have time for a meeting today?"

Conclusion

  • Reiterating the importance of being polite when asking for favors
  • Reminder to visit the English Pod website for more resources

Website: englishpod.com

  • Offers lessons for various levels: Elementary, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced
  • Hosts interact and answer questions on the site

Outro: Until next time, bye-bye.