Requesting time off: making polite requests in the workplace

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for B1 learners explores Requesting time off: making polite requests in the workplace through a real article. Across 10 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: Making polite requests with modal verbs with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for asking for time off in advance
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
• Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness

Lesson activities (10 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
3. Grammar — Study Making polite requests with modal verbs — explanation, examples, and key rules.
4. Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
5. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
6. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for asking for time off in advance — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Cloze passage — Fill in blanks within a connected text to practise vocabulary in context.
9. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the article:

• To call in sick — to telephone your workplace to say you are too ill to come to work.
• To take a day off — to have a day when you do not go to work, for rest or personal reasons.
• To cover for someone — to do someone's work or duties while they are away.
• At short notice — with very little time before something is due to happen.
• A personal day — a day of paid leave that an employee can take for any personal reason.

Grammar

This lesson focuses on Making polite requests with modal verbs.

In a professional environment, it's important to be polite when you ask for something. We use modal verbs like 'can', 'could', and 'may' to make our requests sound less direct and more respectful. 'Could' and 'may' are generally more polite and formal than 'can'.

Examples from the lesson:

• Could I possibly request some time off next Friday? — We use 'could' to make a request sound very polite and indirect.
• Can I submit my absence request form tomorrow morning? — 'Can' is a bit more direct and informal. It's often used with colleagues you know well.
• May I speak with you about my holiday plans? — 'May' is the most formal and is a very safe and respectful choice when speaking to a manager.

Key rules:

• Use 'could' and 'may' for more formal or polite requests.
• The structure is: Modal verb + subject + base verb...?
• Common mistake: Always use the base form of the verb after a modal (e.g., 'Could I take...', not 'Could I to take...').

Practical English

asking for time off in advance

You often need to ask your manager for time off for holidays or appointments. Here are some polite and professional phrases to help you make your request clearly and effectively.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "I was hoping to speak with you about taking some time off." — This is a polite way to introduce the topic of your request.
• "Would it be possible for me to take a week off from the 10th to the 17th?" — This is a clear and formal way to ask for specific dates.
• "I've already checked the team calendar, and it seems like a quiet period." — This shows you have planned ahead and considered the team's workload.
• "I'm happy to be flexible with the dates if that week isn't ideal." — This shows you are willing to negotiate if your manager is unsure or if it's a busy time.
• "That's great, thank you. I'll submit the official request now." — This is a good way to confirm your understanding and state the next step.