B1+ Lesson Plan: Asking for and offering help, and reacting to advice.

Lesson Objective:

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Ask for help politely.
  • Offer help appropriately.
  • Respond to advice in different ways.

Lesson Length: 60 minutes

This is a B1+ English lesson on asking for and offering help, and reacting to advice. Includes key phrases, speaking activities, and interactive exercises for real-life communication.

Warm-up (10 minutes)

Activity: “Help Me Out!”

  • Write the following situations on the board:
    • You don’t know how to use a new coffee machine.
    • Your phone won’t turn on.
    • You’re carrying too many heavy bags.
  • Ask students: What would you say to ask for help?
  • Brainstorm and elicit ideas using the target phrases.

Controlled Practice (15 minutes)

Exercise 1: Matching (Asking & Offering Help)
Match the request for help with the appropriate offer.

Requests for Help

Offers to Help

1. “I can’t reach the top shelf.”

a. “Would you like me to grab that for you?”

2. “I’m lost. I don’t know how to get to the station.”

b. “Let me show you on Google Maps.”

3. “I need someone to check my CV.”

c. “I’d be happy to take a look!”

4. “I can’t lift this suitcase.”

d. “Can I give you a hand with that?”

Answer Key: 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

Speaking Practice (20 minutes)

Role-Play: Help Desk Scenarios

  • Put students in pairs.
  • Give each student a role card with a problem. (e.g., You need help installing an app).
  • Their partner must offer help and react to their response.
  • Encourage students to use natural expressions and polite intonation.
  • After a few rounds, switch roles and partners.

Listening & Reacting to Advice (10 minutes)

Exercise 2: Advice Reactions
Read the following advice and choose an appropriate reaction.

  1. Advice: “If I were you, I’d take a break and go for a walk.”
    a) “That’s a great idea!”
    b) “I don’t think that’s a good solution.”
    c) “I already did that.”
  2. Advice: “Try restarting your computer—it usually fixes the problem.”
    a) “I’m not sure that would work for me.”
    b) “Thanks, I’ll try that.”
    c) “That doesn’t make sense.”
  3. Advice: “You should ask your manager for help with the project.”
    a) “I see what you mean.”
    b) “That’s a terrible idea!”
    c) “No, thanks.”

Answer Key: 1-a, 2-b, 3-a

Wrap-up & Reflection (5 minutes)

  • Discuss: When was the last time you needed help with something? How did you ask?
  • Students share their experiences using new phrases.

Real-World Reading Task: Community Help Forum

Instructions:

Read the following posts from an online Community Help Forum, where people ask for and offer help. Then, answer the questions below.

 

Community Help Forum

Post 1: Need Help Moving!
SamB92Hey everyone! I’m moving to a new apartment this Saturday and could really use some help carrying boxes. If anyone is free for an hour or two, I’d really appreciate it! I can buy pizza as a thank-you!

Reply from ChrisM: Hey Sam, I’d be happy to help! What time should I come by?

 

Post 2: Looking for a Tutor
AnnaGHi! My son is struggling with math, and I’d love to find someone who can help him with homework once a week. If you know any good tutors, please let me know!

Reply from SarahJ: I’d be happy to help! I used to teach math. Let me know what topics he needs help with.

 

Post 3: Advice Needed – Fixing a Laptop
JakeTMy laptop keeps freezing, and I don’t know what to do. Does anyone have any advice?

Reply from TechGuy89: Try restarting it in safe mode. If that doesn’t work, it might need a software update.

Reply from LisaB: That happened to me too! I took it to a repair shop, and they fixed it quickly.

 

Comprehension Questions:

  1. Who is asking for help with a physical task?
  2. What is Sam offering in exchange for help?
  3. Who is offering to help with tutoring?
  4. What two pieces of advice does Jake receive about his laptop?
  5. Which reply sounds like a personal experience?

Follow-up Discussion:

  • Have you ever asked for help in an online forum or community group? What happened?
  • How do people in your country typically ask for and offer help?
  • Which of the replies in the forum sound the most polite or helpful? Why?

Asking for Help:

  • Could you help me (with this)?
  • Would you mind giving me a hand?
  • I’m having trouble with… Could you help?
  • I could use some help with…
  • Do you know how to… ?

Offering Help:

  • Do you need any help?
  • Would you like me to…?
  • Let me know if you need anything.
  • I’d be happy to help!
  • Can I give you a hand?

Asking for Help:

  • Could you help me (with this)?
  • Would you mind giving me a hand?
  • I’m having trouble with… Could you help?
  • I could use some help with…
  • Do you know how to… ?

Sample Dialogues: Asking for and Offering Help, and Reacting to Advice

Dialogue 1: Asking for Help at Work

  • Emma: Hey, Jack. I’m having trouble formatting this report. Could you help me?
  • Jack: Sure! What’s the problem?
  • Emma: I can’t get the headings to stay the same size.
  • Jack: Let me take a look… Oh, I see. You just need to adjust the style settings. Would you like me to show you how to do it?
  • Emma: Yes, please! That would be really helpful.
  • Jack: No problem. Here’s what you need to do…

Dialogue 2: Offering Help in a Store

  • Customer: Excuse me, do you know where I can find batteries?
  • Store Assistant: Yes, they’re in aisle 5. Would you like me to show you?
  • Customer: Oh, that would be great. Thanks!
  • Store Assistant: No problem! Follow me. By the way, do you need AA or AAA batteries?
  • Customer: I think I need AA.
  • Store Assistant: Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else!

Dialogue 3: Reacting to Advice

  • Mark: I’ve been feeling really tired lately.
  • Lisa: You should try going to bed earlier. It really helps.
  • Mark: Yeah, you’re probably right. I’ll give it a try.
  • Lisa: And maybe cut down on caffeine in the evening?
  • Mark: Hmm… I’m not sure that would work for me. I really love my evening coffee!
  • Lisa: Fair enough! But maybe try decaf instead?
  • Mark: That’s a good idea. I’ll think about it!