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Learning Objectives

2 minutes reading
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Make polite requests using Would you mind...? and Could you...?
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Offer help diplomatically with Shall I...? and Would you like me to...?
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Use softening phrases for professional escalations
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Assign and accept meeting roles with appropriate language
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Key for this lesson

Would you mind + -ing = very polite request. Shall I...? = offering help. Add softeners like "I wonder if..." for extra diplomacy.

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Grammar Explanation

4 minutes reading
Polite Requests

Asking Someone to Do Something

Would you mind + verb-ing?

Very polite: "Would you mind sharing the screen?"

Polite: "Could you send me the file?"

With softener: "I wonder if you could help me."

Would you mind...?Could you...?I wonder if...
Offers

Offering Help

Shall I + base verb? / Would you like me to + verb?

Offer: "Shall I take notes?"

Formal offer: "Would you like me to prepare the agenda?"

Volunteering: "I'd be happy to help with that."

Shall I...?Would you like me to...?I'd be happy to...
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Mind the Response!

"Would you mind...?" expects a negative answer if agreeing: "No, not at all" = Yes, I'll do it. "Yes, I would mind" = No, I won't do it.

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Context & Professional Usage

5 minutes reading

Making Requests

📧Emails: "Would you mind sending me the report?"
🖥️Meetings: "Could you share your screen?"
⏰Deadlines: "I wonder if you could extend the deadline?"
📋Tasks: "Would you mind reviewing this draft?"

Offering Assistance

📝Notes: "Shall I take the minutes?"
☕Hospitality: "Would you like me to get you a coffee?"
🤝Support: "I'd be happy to assist with that."
📊Tasks: "Shall I prepare the slides?"
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Business English Examples

6 minutes reading
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Correct Professional Usage

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"Would you mind forwarding the email to the team?"

Very polite request

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"Shall I book the conference room?"

Offering to help

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"I wonder if you could clarify this point?"

Softened request

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"Would you like me to send the agenda in advance?"

Formal offer

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Common Business Mistakes

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"Would you mind to send the file?"

Use: "Would you mind sending..." (+ -ing form)

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"Send me the report." (to manager)

Use: "Could you send me the report?" (more polite)

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"Do you mind?" - "Yes." (meaning you'll do it)

Use: "No, not at all" to agree to do something

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Professional Listening Exercise

6 minutes

Listen to Maria, a Senior Marketing Manager, talking to Leo, a new graphic designer on her team:

🎵Audio: Presentation Support
Ready
0:00 / 0:00
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Speed:

Maria: Hi Leo, do you have a minute?

Leo: Of course, Maria. What's up?

Maria: I'm just finalizing the presentation for the new product launch. Could you send me the latest versions of the infographics you created? I want to make sure I have the final ones.

Leo: Absolutely. I've just finished them. Shall I send them to you via email or Slack?

Maria: Email would be great, thanks. And hey, I know you're new to this project, so would you mind double-checking the brand color codes one more time? The primary stakeholder is very specific about them.

Leo: No problem at all. I'll check them right now before I send the files.

Maria: Perfect, thank you. You've been a great help. I'm just going to the kitchen. Can I get you a coffee or anything?

Leo: I'm good for now, but thanks for the offer!

Maria: That's a very kind offer. Actually, yes. Would you be able to create a new title slide? The current one is a bit boring. Something modern and clean.

Leo: I'd be happy to. Would you like me to include a new logo prototype on it?

Maria: Oh, that's a brilliant idea. Please do.

Leo: Great. I'll get started on that and color check.

Maria: Alright. Let's touch base in an hour.

Question 1: What is the main purpose of Maria's conversation with Leo?

💡 Hint: Maria asks for the infographics and additional help for the presentation.

Question 2: What does Maria specifically offer to do for Leo?

💡 Hint: Listen for Maria offering something when she goes to the kitchen.

Question 3: What additional task does Maria ask Leo to do?

💡 Hint: Listen for Maria saying "Would you be able to create..."

Question 4: Fill in the gap from the audio: "Would you mind double-__________ the brand color codes one more time?"

💡 Hint: Would you mind + verb-ing. The missing word is the verb before "-checking".
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Quick Comprehension Quiz

4 minutes
1

Very polite way to ask someone to share a document:

AShare the document with me.
BWould you mind sharing the document?
CYou must share the document.
2

What does Maria specifically offer to do for Leo?

AHelp him with his infographics.
BGet him a coffee.
CReview his work schedule.
3

Correct response to "Would you mind helping me?":

AYes, I would mind. (meaning I'll help)
BNo, not at all. (meaning I'll help)
CI don't think so.
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Professional Practice Exercises

7 minutes

Exercise A: Transform into polite requests or offers

For multiple blanks, separate your answers with a comma (e.g., "would, mind")

1. Send me the report. → _______ you _______ sending me the report?

2. I can take notes. → _______ I take notes?

3. Can you help me? (softer) → I _______ if you could help me.

4. I can prepare the slides. → _______ you _______ me to prepare the slides?

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Speaking Preparation

4 minutes
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Preparation for Class

Practice making polite requests and offers in meeting contexts.

🙋 Task 1: Polite Requests (1 min)

Practice requesting help: Would you mind...? I wonder if you could...?

🤝 Task 2: Offering Help (2 min)

Offer to take on meeting roles using Shall I...? and Would you like me to...?

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Well Done!

Key structures: Would you mind + -ing, Shall I...?, I wonder if you could..., Would you like me to...?
Next: Lesson 4.2 - Telephone Skills

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