Lesson Plan for Asking for Help

Lesson Plan for Giving Advice
Conversation Activities for Asking for Help
Work Sheets for Asking for Help

 

As a member of the hotel industry you will inevitably find yourself in a situation that requires you to offer
help or assistance to a guest. This situation may present itself as an absolute necessity or one of simply
polite behavior. In either case, knowing what to say in those situations will hold you in good stead with
the guests. At times, you will be in situations that you will offer your help and at other times you may be
asked to respond to a guest that has requested help. Look at the expressions below that cover both
circumstances.

Expressions for Asking for or Offering Help

When offering help                                       When asking for help

Would you like some help?                             Could you give me a hand?
Can I give you a hand?                                   Would you mind helping me out?
Do you need any help?                                   Could you help me please?
May I offer my assistance?                             I need some assistance please.
Need any help?

Dialogue for asking for Help

When offering help

Staff: Excuse me ma’am, Could I help you with your bags?
Guest: That would be great thanks.

Staff: Pardon me sir, but it likes like you could use some help with those packages.
Guest: I sure could, thanks.

When responding to help

Guest: Excuse me, but can you help me?
Staff: Of course ma’am, what can I do for you?
Guest: Someone just stole my purse off my shoulder outside the hotel.
Staff: Are you OK?
Guest: Yes, just shaken up a bit.
Staff: Why don’t you sit down here and I’ll call the police for you.
Guest: Thank you; I appreciate your help.

Guest: I don’t understand what the taxi driver is trying to say. Could you translate for me?
Staff: Of curse sir, I’d be delighted to help.

Conversation Activities for Offering Help

1. Practice using the above expressions by having a dialogue similar to the ones above with a partner,
    one partner taking the role of the guest and the other the role of the staff. For additional practice,
    switch roles. Practice the dialogue several times, trying to use all of the expressions noted above.

2. Role play the following situations with a partner, one person taking the role of the guest and the other
    the staff. Practice both offering help and responding to help. For added fun, really take on the role.
    Pretend to be in front of an ATM looking confused. pretend to be having difficulties moving luggage,
    pretend to be an elderly gentleman limping to the elevator.

Move luggage
Put a box in a trunk
Use an ATM
With a stolen purse
Carry a handful of shopping bags
Carry a baby and push a stroller at the same time (a mother)
Limping to the elevator (an elderly man)

Listed below are some common vocabulary words that hotel employees should know in order to assist
guests with any problems they may have.

Health problems                     Emergency Services                     Health Care Personnel

cold                                           ambulance                                        doctor
flu                                              fire department                                 nurse
headache                                  police                                                dentist
stomachache                            hotel security                                     optician
diarrhea                                    clinic                                                  pharmacist
toothache                                 first aid

Other links for Help
Asking for Help
Video- asking for help
Responding to Help Offered

    

English expressions used for asking for and offering help- Hotel-tefl.com