For ESL students

1. Being Polite
Why are we polite?
EFL SMARTblog http://efllecturer.blogspot.com/

2. How are we polite to each other?

3. What does this postcard tell you about being
polite in English?

4. How do we ask for the time?

5. How do we ask for the time?
- What time is it?
Too direct = rude
- Could you tell me the time please?

6. How do we ask for the time?
- What time is it?
Too direct = rude
- Could you tell me the time please?
- Would you mind telling me the time please?

7. How do we ask for the time?
- What time is it?
Too direct = rude
- Could you tell me the time please?
- Would you mind telling me the time please?
- Excuse me, I wonder if you could tell me the time.

8. How do we ask for the time?
- What time is it?
Too direct = rude
- Could you tell me the time please?
- Would you mind telling me the time please?
- Excuse me, I wonder if you could tell me the time.
"Excuse me. Sir (or Madam)... I'm terribly sorry to bother you but I wonder if you would mind
telling me the time, as long as it's no trouble of course."

9. Polite Requests
a) Can / Could / Would you open the window please?
b) Could you possibly … please?
c) Do / Would you mind ___ing … please?
d) I wonder if you’d mind ___ing … please.

10. Polite Requests
a) Can / Could / Would you open the window please?
b) Could you possibly open the window (please)?
c) Do / Would you mind opening the window please?
d) I wonder if you’d mind opening the window (please).

11. Look at the following photos
and make requests
a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

12. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind)
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

13. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

14. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

15. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

16. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

17. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

18. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

19. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

20. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind)
___ing …
…please!

21. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

22. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

23. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

24. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

25. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

26. a) Can / Could / Would
you …?
b) Could you possibly …?
c) Do / Would you mind
___ing …?
d) I wonder if you’d mind
___ing …
…please!

27. The End
EFL SMARTblog http://efllecturer.blogspot.com/