Speaking Skills: Being Polite
Speaking Skills: Being Polite
In this week's Premier Skills English Podcast, Jack and Rich focus on being polite and the words and expressions you should use to show politeness. They look at some different situations where it is important to be polite and what you should say and what you shouldn't say. Your task is to look at some impolite or rude sentences and make them more polite using some of the polite expressions we introduce in this podcast. As always, we also have a new football phrase for you to guess. Enjoy!
Transcript
Speaking Skills - Being Polite
Intro:
Jack: Excuse me Mr Referee...
Rich: Yes, number six. What seems to be the problem?
Jack: I was just wondering if you could possibly reconsider that penalty decision.
Rich: I’m ever so sorry but I’m afraid that won’t be possible.
Jack: Nevermind, I just thought I’d ask.
Rich: Not a problem number six. If there is anything else I can help you with during the match, I’m here to listen.
Jack: Thank you sir. Have a good game.
Rich: Enjoy the game number six.
Welcome - Being polite
Rich: Hello my name’s Rich
Jack: and I’m Jack
Rich: and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast
Jack: Where we talk about football and help you with your English.
Jack: What’s happening this week, Rich?
Rich: In this week’s podcast, we’re going to help you with your speaking skills and more specifically we’re going to help you in situations when you need to speak in a polite way.
Jack: That’s right. It’s not only about saying please and thank you. There are lots of different words and phrases that you can use to show politeness and we’re going to look at some of them in this podcast.
Rich: In the opening section, Jack and I roleplayed a situation of a player and a referee talking on the pitch. That was a joke, but it is important for players to be polite and respectful to referees or they might get a yellow card!
Jack: And, in this podcast, we’re going to look at some different situations where it is important to be polite and what you should say and what you shouldn’t say.
Rich: Your task is to change some rude sentences to polite sentences.
Jack: Don’t forget, there is more information about the language we use on the page below and activities to help you understand.
Rich: Make sure you listen to the end of the podcast because we have another football phrase for you as well.
Topic Focus
Jack: In this section, we’re going to roleplay a situation where we need to be polite.
Rich: We’re going to do the roleplay twice. The first time we’re not going to be very polite and the second time we’re going to be much more polite.
Jack: We want you to think about the language we use and how we talk. Why is the second conversation better?
Rich: What’s the situation, Jack?
Jack: Let’s imagine we’re in a shop. We’re in Liverpool football club’s club shop. You’re the customer and I’m the shop worker. Let’s imagine you’re buying a Liverpool shirt.
Rich: That’s lucky. I want a new Liverpool shirt.
Jack: We’re not really going to the Liverpool shop, Rich. It’s a roleplay. We’re imagining!
Rich: OK, yes I know. Let’s start.
Roleplay 1
Jack: What are you doing?
Rich: Err … Looking.
Jack: Looking at what?
Rich: Looking at football shirts. How much is this one?
Jack: Dunno. What’s it say?
Rich: 59 pounds
Jack: There you go then.
Rich: Can I try it on?
Jack: Yep
Rich: Where?
Jack: In the changing rooms.
Rich: Where are the changing rooms?
Jack: See the sign over there. It says changing rooms. What size have you got there?
Rich: Err .. medium.
Jack: You might want try the large.
Rich: Hmmm ... thanks.
Rich: OK, it fits. The medium fits! Can I pay by card?
Jack: No. The machine’s broken.
Rich: Oh for f...
Sting
Jack: Right, so I’m sure you already know that there were a few problems with that roleplay, but what were the problems - apart from buying a Liverpool shirt.
Rich: Well, there were three main problems. The first was that both people were too direct. Questions like ‘Where are the changing rooms?’ ‘What are you doing?’ and ‘How much is this?’ are direct and can sound rude or impolite.
Jack: The second problem was saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Neither of us said please or thank you once in that roleplay. It is important. You sound rude if you don’t use those two words.
Rich: And finally, the third problem was intonation. Our intonation was very flat and we sounded rude and maybe even a little aggressive.
Jack: Shall we have another go?
Rich: At the roleplay?
Jack: Yes. This time we will give a good example. We want you to listen to the way we ask questions, to the please and thank yous and to our intonation.
Rich: OK, I’m ready.
Roleplay 2
Jack: Good morning. Is there anything I can help you with today?
Rich: Not at the moment, thank you. I’m just looking.
Jack: No problem. Just let me know if there is anything I can help you with.
Rich: Thanks, I will.
…
Rich: Excuse me. I was wondering if you could help me.
Jack: Yes, certainly.
Rich: Could you tell me how much this Liverpool shirt is, please?
Jack: Hold on a minute, I’ll just check … this one is £59.99.
Rich: Great. Would you mind if I tried it on?
Jack: No problem at all. The changing rooms are just at the end of the shop. In the corner. Can you see them?
Rich: This is a medium, would it be alright if I took a large as well.
Jack: Of course, take as many as you like ...
Rich: Thanks.
...
Rich: The medium fits really well. I’d like to buy it, please.
Jack: No problem. That will be £59.99, sir.
Rich: Could I pay by card?
Jack: I’m afraid our card machine is broken at the moment. I’m really sorry. There is a cash point just across the road if you need it.
Rich: That’s alright. I think I have the cash.
Jack: Lovely, I’m really sorry about that.
Rich: No worries. Have a nice day!
Jack: Thank you very much. You too.
Sting
Rich: That was much better. Much more polite and I got a new Liverpool shirt too.
Jack: No, you didn’t. It was a roleplay - just us two imagining.
Rich: Ah yes, of course, I know that. Anyway, the conversation was much more successful.
Jack: Yes, it was. It was more successful and much more polite. In this conversation, we included the right level of politeness for the situation.
Rich: We said ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ a lot. This is always important, especially when you are speaking to people you don’t know and when you are asking for something in a shop, a cafe or in a station.
Jack: We also used indirect questions and phrases when we were speaking.
Rich: For example, instead of saying ‘how much is this’ I said ‘Could you tell me how much this is, please’
Jack: In this example, to be indirect, we added ‘could you tell me’. We could use other phrases such as ‘would you mind telling me’ or ‘would it be possible for you to tell me’. But, this would probably be too much for this situation.
Rich: For everyday requests using ‘could’ is polite. We might use ‘would you mind’ or ‘would it be possible’ when we’re asking for something really special.
Jack: For example, a boss might say to an employee ‘would it be possible for you to work a few extra hours this week’.
Rich: Another indirect way or polite way of asking for something is by using ‘if. In the roleplay, I said ‘I was wondering if you could help me.’
Jack: The direct version of this question is ‘Can you help me?’ - a yes/no question. Again to be more polite or indirect ‘can’ changes to ‘could’ and we have an opening expression like ‘I was wondering’ or ‘It would be wonderful’ or ‘I would appreciate it’
Rich: One other thing you might have seen is that the verb comes before the subject in indirect questions. So, in direct questions we say How much is this? But in an indirect question we say ‘Could you tell me how much this is, please?’
Jack: In the roleplay, we also looked at some expressions for saying ‘no’ in a polite way. A direct no can be impolite so it’s better to apologise and give an explanation. I said ‘I’m afraid our card machine is broken at the moment’.
Rich: The expression ‘I’m afraid’ is another way of saying ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I’m afraid I can’t’ is an alternative way of saying ‘no’ and is much more polite than just ‘no!’
Jack: Before we finish, there is one more thing to think about: intonation. This is how our voice sounds.
Rich: To sound polite our voice goes up at different points in a question. We don’t want to sound too flat.
Jack: For example, we say ‘I was wondering if you could help me’ rather than ‘I was wondering if you could help me’.
Rich: It’s good to practise your intonation. Have another listen to the second roleplay and try to copy how we sound.
Jack: Right, so our three main bits of advice to sound more polite are:
Rich: Number one: Use indirect questions and polite expressions such as could, I was wondering if and I’m afraid I can’t.
Jack: Number two: Practise your intonation; don’t sound too flat, make your voice go up and down when you’re speaking.
Rich: Number three: Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ often. This is the most important bit of advice and the easiest for you to do!
Jack: This week, our task for you is correct some rude sentences and make them more polite. Try to use as many of the polite expressions from this podcast as you can. You can find the sentences we want you to change further down this page.
Can you work out this week’s football phrase?
Rich: Have you got a football phrase for us this week?
Jack: Yes, I have, but first, last week’s football phrase. The phrase was capacity crowd. An event has a capacity crowd when it has sold all its tickets and there are no seats left - it’s a sell out. There have been capacity crowds at football stadiums across the country for the new season.
Rich: It was a really difficult one so a special well done to Ahmed Adam from Sudan and Liubomyr from Ukraine for getting it right! Let’s have an easy one this week!
Jack: OK, then, an easy one. This week’s football phrase is ******** ******. The ******** ****** closes next Thursday. When it closes clubs won’t be able to sign any new players until January.
Rich: I think that’s a bit easier. Let’s see if we can get lots of people to answer this week!
Jack: Right, that’s all we have time for this week! Don’t forget to write your answers to our questions and make a guess at our football phrase in the comments below.
Rich: And don’t forget to listen to our new round-up show called ‘This Week’. Every Monday we talk about everything that happened in the Premier League that weekend!
Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football!
Vocabulary
How much did you understand?
In the podcast, Rich and Jack used some words and phrases that might be new for you. Do you know the words in bold?
I was just wondering if you could possibly reconsider that penalty decision.
Our intonation was very flat and we sounded rude and maybe a little aggressive.
There were a few more tricky words connected to being polite in the podcast. Do you know what they all mean? Try the activity below, then, listen to the podcast again to hear how we used the words.
Activity 1
Language
Being Polite
In this week's podcast, Jack and Rich spoke about three things that will help you sound more polite. The three things are:
- Being indirect and using more polite expressions
- Saying please and thank you more frequently
- Improving your intonation
Indirect Language
To be more polite, we often use language that is indirect. Take a look at these two questions from the podcast. Which is direct and which is indirect?
How much is this shirt?
Could you tell me how much this shirt is?
The second sentence is indirect and also more polite. The first question is direct and, although it is not rude or impolite, it is better to use indirect questions when you are talking to strangers and in shops, restaurants or hotels etc. There are many expressions and phrases that you can use to speak in an indirect way. Take a look at this table. Can you think of any more polite expressions?
|
Less Polite
|
More Polite
|
|
Can you......?
|
Could you.....?
|
|
Can you open the window?
|
Would you mind opening the window?
|
|
Can you help me?
|
I was wondering if you could help me.
|
| Can I try this on? | Would it be alright if I tried this shirt on? |
Saying 'no'
In the podcast, Jack and Rich also spoke about saying 'no (refusing), apologizing or saying something isn't possible in a polite way. This is often important because you don't want to be rude or to hurt someone's feelings. Take a look at the examples from the podcast. Are these expressions new for you?
I'm afraid our card machine is broken at the moment.
I'm really sorry about that.
Take a look at the following activity that includes more indirect expressions that were used in the podcast and some other phrases too. Can you write the right answer?
Activity 2
Pronunciation
What is intonation?
Intonation is how your voice goes up and down when you are speaking. Intonation is very important in English because it can tell the listener how the person is feeling. From listening to a person's voice, someone can tell if the speaker is angry, sad, or if the speaker is being polite. In the podcast, Rich and Jack gave two example conversations. In the first conversation, their intonation was very flat. Their voices didn't change very much. Because of this, they sounded rude and a little aggressive. In the second conversation, their voices went up and down much more. The intonation changed a lot. They sounded much more polite.
Activity 3
Listen to the second conversation again and notice how Jack and Rich's voices go up and down. Try to copy what they say and, more importantly, how they say it.
Task
Don't be rude!!
In the podcast, Rich and Jack roleplayed two dialogues in Liverpool football club's club shop. In the first roleplay, both of them were rude and impolite, but in the second they were much more polite and it was a successful shopping experience.Your task is to change some impolite/rude/direct sentences and questions into more polite indirect sentences and questions. Try to use some of the expressions we used in the podcast. Here are the sentences we want you to change:
Make these sentences more polite:
- Where is the football stadium?
- What time is it?
- Can I go now?
- I'm not doing that. I need to go home.
- What do you want?
Write your answers in the comments section below.
Quiz
Please login to take this quiz.
Comment
What do you think?
In this week’s podcast, Jack and Rich spoke about the language we should use when we want to be polite.
Do you think it's important to be polite? Is there a specific way to show politeness in your language?
Is it important to be polite on the football pitch? When? How?
Look at the impolite questions and sentences in the task above and re-write them in a polite way.
Remember to write your guess at this week's football phrase, too!
Leave a comment
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Comments
04/07/2023
points
Please, correct me
It is important to be polite, it is important in social life and in every countries although there is a different way to use polite sentences in each countries. I'm french and have been leaving in South America for 40 years. In Spanish the language is quite similar as in english, in french it depend a lot of the intonation.
It is important to be polite on the football pitch however it is not used. The language used in football is normally very rude.
I'm afraid I do not understand which sentences above I must re-write.
04/07/2023 20:22
Manchester City
9
Please, correct me
It is important to be polite, it is important in social life and in every countries although there is a different way to use polite sentences in each countries. I'm french and have been leaving in South America for 40 years. In Spanish the language is quite similar as in english, in french it depend a lot of the intonation.
It is important to be polite on the football pitch however it is not used. The language used in football is normally very rude.
I'm afraid I do not understand which sentences above I must re-write.
05/07/2023
points
Hi Nanou2105
It is important to be polite, it is important in social life and in every countries although there is a different way to use polite sentences in each countries.
Each and every are used with singular nouns:
I'm french and have been leaving in South America for 40 years.
French should be written with a capital letter.
I have been living ... (spelling mistake?)
In Spanish the language is quite similar as in english, in french it depend a lot of the intonation.
We normally say that something is similar to another thing. Spanish is similar to English.
Don't forget the 's' - it depends
It is important to be polite on the football pitch however it is not used.
I'm not sure what this pronoun refers to. Do you mean polite language?
The language used in football is normally very rude.
I'm afraid this is often true. Whern people get very excited about football, their language often reflects their passions and enthusiasm. This can result in some strong language.
Thanks
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
05/07/2023 12:06
Arsenal
22
Hi Nanou2105
It is important to be polite, it is important in social life and in every countries although there is a different way to use polite sentences in each countries.
Each and every are used with singular nouns:
I'm french and have been leaving in South America for 40 years.
French should be written with a capital letter.
I have been living ... (spelling mistake?)
In Spanish the language is quite similar as in english, in french it depend a lot of the intonation.
We normally say that something is similar to another thing. Spanish is similar to English.
Don't forget the 's' - it depends
It is important to be polite on the football pitch however it is not used.
I'm not sure what this pronoun refers to. Do you mean polite language?
The language used in football is normally very rude.
I'm afraid this is often true. Whern people get very excited about football, their language often reflects their passions and enthusiasm. This can result in some strong language.
Thanks
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
12/11/2021
points
Task
1-Would you mind telling me where the football stadium is.
2-Could you tell me what time it is please.
3- Could you let me if I go now please.
4-I’m afraid I have to go home. I can’t do that.
5-Could you tell me please what you would like.
Comment
• In my opinion being polite in all case an essential criteria being a social human. Everywhere even on the football pitch.I think to show politeness is the same all over the world a bit smiling, good intonation and polite words.
Phrases
• Life provides enough time to reconsider issues.No hurry to make decision.
• Apart from suffering the pain, patients also worry about how to pay hospital bill.
Note
• Here players always call referee as “Hocam (Hodja)” to Show their respect. In Turkish it means “My teacher or My instructor”.
12/11/2021 17:19
Tottenham Hotspur
5558
Task
1-Would you mind telling me where the football stadium is.
2-Could you tell me what time it is please.
3- Could you let me if I go now please.
4-I’m afraid I have to go home. I can’t do that.
5-Could you tell me please what you would like.
Comment
• In my opinion being polite in all case an essential criteria being a social human. Everywhere even on the football pitch.I think to show politeness is the same all over the world a bit smiling, good intonation and polite words.
Phrases
• Life provides enough time to reconsider issues.No hurry to make decision.
• Apart from suffering the pain, patients also worry about how to pay hospital bill.
Note
• Here players always call referee as “Hocam (Hodja)” to Show their respect. In Turkish it means “My teacher or My instructor”.
19/05/2020
points
This week's football phrase is ( Deadline day )
19/05/2020 18:04
Manchester United
6539
This week's football phrase is ( Deadline day )
19/05/2020
points
Where is the football stadium?
* Would you mind telling me where the football stadium is ?
What time is it?
* Could you tell me what the time is , please ?
Can I go now?
* Do you mind me going now ?
I'm not doing that. I need to go home.
* I'm really sorry but I'm afraid I cannot do that.
What do you want?
* How may I help you ?
19/05/2020 18:04
Manchester United
6539
Where is the football stadium?
* Would you mind telling me where the football stadium is ?
What time is it?
* Could you tell me what the time is , please ?
Can I go now?
* Do you mind me going now ?
I'm not doing that. I need to go home.
* I'm really sorry but I'm afraid I cannot do that.
What do you want?
* How may I help you ?
19/05/2020
points
It's vital to be polite on the football pitch especially when your team concedes a goal or when you get a card
You should respect the referee's decision
19/05/2020 18:00
Manchester United
6539
It's vital to be polite on the football pitch especially when your team concedes a goal or when you get a card
You should respect the referee's decision
19/05/2020
points
It's very important to be polite because people will respect you in return
There are polite ways in every language
19/05/2020 17:58
Manchester United
6539
It's very important to be polite because people will respect you in return
There are polite ways in every language
16/09/2017
points
The phrase is transfer window.
16/09/2017 09:05
Liverpool
3705
The phrase is transfer window.
16/09/2017
points
Yes when talking to the referee.
16/09/2017 09:04
Liverpool
3705
Yes when talking to the referee.
16/09/2017
points
Yes we have to be polite with other people and give them a good impression about us.
16/09/2017 09:04
Liverpool
3705
Yes we have to be polite with other people and give them a good impression about us.
29/08/2017
points
In arabic it is also important to be polite. We usually refer to our parents or old person and either to god and his prophet.
For the sake of social order being polite on the pitch is well viewed.
football phrase , ******** ******
29/08/2017 14:23
Manchester City
3988
In arabic it is also important to be polite. We usually refer to our parents or old person and either to god and his prophet.
For the sake of social order being polite on the pitch is well viewed.
football phrase , ******** ******
29/08/2017
points
Correct me.
The football phrase is ******.
Please sir, could tell me where is the stadium?
I would like to see the news Leicester's shirts, please.
I'm afraid that our shirts have over.
29/08/2017 02:59
Arsenal
663
Correct me.
The football phrase is ******.
Please sir, could tell me where is the stadium?
I would like to see the news Leicester's shirts, please.
I'm afraid that our shirts have over.
29/08/2017
points
Hi RafaelRC
Well done - you got the second half of the mystery phrase.
Please sir, could tell me where is the stadium?
I would like to see the news Leicester's shirts, please.
I'm afraid that our shirts have over.
In the first sentence, you need to swap the position of the object and the verb. Could you tell me where the station is?
In the second sentence, new is an adjective (news is what you read in papers and watch on the BBC). Also, you don't need a possessive apostrophe - I would like to see the new Leicester shirts, please.
In the last sentence, you use the word over. An event or a situation can 'be over'. You can say, when the match was over, we all went home. But in this case, you are talking about a supply or the stock in a shop so we would use a different verb. I think that the most common is 'run out' So you could say: I'm our shirts have run out.
Thanks for your comments and keep up the good work.
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
29/08/2017 09:33
Arsenal
560
Hi RafaelRC
Well done - you got the second half of the mystery phrase.
Please sir, could tell me where is the stadium?
I would like to see the news Leicester's shirts, please.
I'm afraid that our shirts have over.
In the first sentence, you need to swap the position of the object and the verb. Could you tell me where the station is?
In the second sentence, new is an adjective (news is what you read in papers and watch on the BBC). Also, you don't need a possessive apostrophe - I would like to see the new Leicester shirts, please.
In the last sentence, you use the word over. An event or a situation can 'be over'. You can say, when the match was over, we all went home. But in this case, you are talking about a supply or the stock in a shop so we would use a different verb. I think that the most common is 'run out' So you could say: I'm our shirts have run out.
Thanks for your comments and keep up the good work.
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
30/08/2017
points
Thank you very much!!!!
News was really very strange kkkkkk
I'd like to congratuled you for the good work!!!!
30/08/2017 02:01
Arsenal
663
Thank you very much!!!!
News was really very strange kkkkkk
I'd like to congratuled you for the good work!!!!
30/08/2017
points
You're welcome! We are delighted to hear from you and very happy that you enjoy the podcasts.
30/08/2017 10:10
Arsenal
560
You're welcome! We are delighted to hear from you and very happy that you enjoy the podcasts.
28/08/2017
points
Correct me,
I was wondering if you could answer and explain me why i didn't get any points last three or four podcast?
Could you tell me where the football stadium is?
Could you tell me what time it is?
I was wondernig if i could go now?
I am afraid I won't be able to do that, I have to go home.
I was wondering if I could help you?
28/08/2017 21:47
Arsenal
1449
Correct me,
I was wondering if you could answer and explain me why i didn't get any points last three or four podcast?
Could you tell me where the football stadium is?
Could you tell me what time it is?
I was wondernig if i could go now?
I am afraid I won't be able to do that, I have to go home.
I was wondering if I could help you?
29/08/2017
points
Hi Emir Veličanstveni
I'm afraid out points system has broken. We had a problem where people were getting thousands of points for quizzes. Our developers are working on the problem.
All of your sentences are great - I would only suggest you remember to capitalize 'I'.
Thanks
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
29/08/2017 09:36
Arsenal
560
Hi Emir Veličanstveni
I'm afraid out points system has broken. We had a problem where people were getting thousands of points for quizzes. Our developers are working on the problem.
All of your sentences are great - I would only suggest you remember to capitalize 'I'.
Thanks
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
30/08/2017
points
I always forget to capitalize "I". I have to pay attention to that.
Thank you for your response.
30/08/2017 20:35
Arsenal
1449
I always forget to capitalize "I". I have to pay attention to that.
Thank you for your response.
28/08/2017
points
This week's phrase is ******** ******.
28/08/2017 21:08
Arsenal
1449
This week's phrase is ******** ******.
28/08/2017
points
I think that the phrase is a ‘******* ******’
28/08/2017 16:24
Watford
4417
I think that the phrase is a ‘******* ******’
28/08/2017
points
Could you tell me where is the football stadium, please?
Would you mind telling me what time is it, please?
i wonder if i could go now ?
i m afraid I cannot do that. I need to go home.
28/08/2017 12:34
Leicester City
1
Could you tell me where is the football stadium, please?
Would you mind telling me what time is it, please?
i wonder if i could go now ?
i m afraid I cannot do that. I need to go home.
28/08/2017
points
Could you tell me where the football stadium is please?
Could you tell me what time is please?
Would you mind if I could go now ?
I just don’t have time right now, my time is already committed.
Could I help you?
28/08/2017 07:08
Manchester United
2663
Could you tell me where the football stadium is please?
Could you tell me what time is please?
Would you mind if I could go now ?
I just don’t have time right now, my time is already committed.
Could I help you?
27/08/2017
points
I think the football phrase is "the ******* ******"
27/08/2017 16:43
Chelsea
1859
I think the football phrase is "the ******* ******"
27/08/2017
points
Wow! 2000 pts!
27/08/2017 13:37
Liverpool
2903
Wow! 2000 pts!
27/08/2017
points
Could you please tell me where the football stadium is?
Excuse me, would you mind telling me the time?
It has been great being with you, but It's time to split, catch you!
I would love to do it, but I really have something else to do, maybe another time, Ok?
Is there something I could help you with?
27/08/2017 10:45
Liverpool
2903
Could you please tell me where the football stadium is?
Excuse me, would you mind telling me the time?
It has been great being with you, but It's time to split, catch you!
I would love to do it, but I really have something else to do, maybe another time, Ok?
Is there something I could help you with?
27/08/2017
points
Correct me
Politeness is not only important, it's a must. Yes of course, in Arabic and in my mother-tounge there are common phrases which are used to show that we are being polite to someone, but sadly, most young people don't use them these days.
It's important to be polite on the football pitch. When the opposition insults you or tries to drag you into a dirty talk, you don't have to hit back. Instead, you have to hold yourself and be polite. Some people are conisdering you as their rolemodel person, especially kids!
Football phrase, still a [peice of cake], it's a "******** ****** or market"
27/08/2017 10:31
Liverpool
2903
Correct me
Politeness is not only important, it's a must. Yes of course, in Arabic and in my mother-tounge there are common phrases which are used to show that we are being polite to someone, but sadly, most young people don't use them these days.
It's important to be polite on the football pitch. When the opposition insults you or tries to drag you into a dirty talk, you don't have to hit back. Instead, you have to hold yourself and be polite. Some people are conisdering you as their rolemodel person, especially kids!
Football phrase, still a [peice of cake], it's a "******** ****** or market"
29/08/2017
points
Hi Ahmed Adam Mamado
I agree - good manners don't cost anything and make daily interactions pleasant. When I was a teenager I thought that most polite language was simply meaningless platitudes and I wished that people would be more direct and actually say what they meant. However, I have come to appreciate that the meaning of courteous utterances is expressed through tone of voice and body language.
Your writing is very accurate so there's not a lot for me to correct.
Instead, you have to hold yourself and be polite.
This is interesting. You can hold your head up; meaning remain impassive and aloof (in a good way) or you can control yourself.
Some people are considering you as their rolemodel person...
I love it when I get to correct sentences like this. You have used 'consider' meaning believe which is a state verb. Consider can mean reflect on a choice - not a state verb. Anyhow, state verbs are always simple :) - Some people consider you...
No need for as and a role model (two words) is a person so you don't need that either.
Some people consider you their role model.
Good work, though.
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
29/08/2017 09:48
Arsenal
560
Hi Ahmed Adam Mamado
I agree - good manners don't cost anything and make daily interactions pleasant. When I was a teenager I thought that most polite language was simply meaningless platitudes and I wished that people would be more direct and actually say what they meant. However, I have come to appreciate that the meaning of courteous utterances is expressed through tone of voice and body language.
Your writing is very accurate so there's not a lot for me to correct.
Instead, you have to hold yourself and be polite.
This is interesting. You can hold your head up; meaning remain impassive and aloof (in a good way) or you can control yourself.
Some people are considering you as their rolemodel person...
I love it when I get to correct sentences like this. You have used 'consider' meaning believe which is a state verb. Consider can mean reflect on a choice - not a state verb. Anyhow, state verbs are always simple :) - Some people consider you...
No need for as and a role model (two words) is a person so you don't need that either.
Some people consider you their role model.
Good work, though.
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
30/08/2017
points
Hi teacher Jack!
Great to hear from you again.
I wish it was only something you thought of and didn't do -- that teenager point of view!!!
Thanks for saying that about my writing. Actually it's the PSE which keeps me improving.
1.Control yourself and be polite
2.Some people consider you their role model
Got it!
thank you so much for the corrections & for your message as well, teacher Jack.
30/08/2017 10:08
Liverpool
2903
Hi teacher Jack!
Great to hear from you again.
I wish it was only something you thought of and didn't do -- that teenager point of view!!!
Thanks for saying that about my writing. Actually it's the PSE which keeps me improving.
1.Control yourself and be polite
2.Some people consider you their role model
Got it!
thank you so much for the corrections & for your message as well, teacher Jack.
30/08/2017
points
You are most welcome. We really enjoy making these podcasts, especially when we hear from people who are listening and interested in the topic and language. By the way, the avatars should be fixed now. Could you try to change your picture?
Thanks
Jack
30/08/2017 10:13
Arsenal
560
You are most welcome. We really enjoy making these podcasts, especially when we hear from people who are listening and interested in the topic and language. By the way, the avatars should be fixed now. Could you try to change your picture?
Thanks
Jack
31/08/2017
points
That's a good thing!
I'll definitely try to upload mine. Thanks for the efforts that are being made.
31/08/2017 11:06
Liverpool
2903
That's a good thing!
I'll definitely try to upload mine. Thanks for the efforts that are being made.
26/08/2017
points
Could you show me where the football stadium is?
Could you tell me what time it is?
Would you have me leave now?
I'm sorry i can't do that. I need to go home.
Is there something that you'd like?
26/08/2017 23:28
Manchester United
4779
Could you show me where the football stadium is?
Could you tell me what time it is?
Would you have me leave now?
I'm sorry i can't do that. I need to go home.
Is there something that you'd like?
26/08/2017
points
CORRECT ME
I WAS WONDERING SHERE THR FOOTBALL STADIUM PLEAS?
could you tell me what the time pleas?
I was wondering can i go now ?
26/08/2017 09:27
Manchester United
3
CORRECT ME
I WAS WONDERING SHERE THR FOOTBALL STADIUM PLEAS?
could you tell me what the time pleas?
I was wondering can i go now ?
26/08/2017
points
Hi Hasan
Thanks for your message. Your sentences are very nearly correct and are much more polite than the original sentences. Well done!
In the first two sentences you just need to add the verb:
The third is a bit more difficult. You should try to add an 'if' phrase:
Can you try and change sentence number 1 and write it in a similar way to sentence number 3?
Hope that helps!
Rich - The Premier Skills English team
26/08/2017 09:34
Liverpool
594
Hi Hasan
Thanks for your message. Your sentences are very nearly correct and are much more polite than the original sentences. Well done!
In the first two sentences you just need to add the verb:
The third is a bit more difficult. You should try to add an 'if' phrase:
Can you try and change sentence number 1 and write it in a similar way to sentence number 3?
Hope that helps!
Rich - The Premier Skills English team
02/09/2017
points
I was wondering if you could tell me where the football stadium is?
I hope it is the correct answer!
02/09/2017 10:28
Manchester City
3988
I was wondering if you could tell me where the football stadium is?
I hope it is the correct answer!
02/09/2017
points
Perfect, Elghoul. Well done!
02/09/2017 10:46
Liverpool
594
Perfect, Elghoul. Well done!
26/08/2017
points
This week's phrase is ******* ******
26/08/2017 01:04
Manchester United
4779
This week's phrase is ******* ******
25/08/2017
points
Correct me. the ******** ******.
Could you tell me where the football stadium is?
Would you mind telling me what time it is?
Could I go now?
I am afraid I am not doing that, could I go home?
Would you mind telling me what do you want please?
25/08/2017 23:17
Liverpool
325
Correct me. the ******** ******.
Could you tell me where the football stadium is?
Would you mind telling me what time it is?
Could I go now?
I am afraid I am not doing that, could I go home?
Would you mind telling me what do you want please?
26/08/2017
points
Hi Khaldoun83
Good job on the phrase!
There's not much to correct - you have done a good job making the sentences more polite. Except for the last one:
Would you mind telling me what do you want please?
You don't need the auxiliary in this question. Would you mind telling me what you want?
Keep up the good work.
Jack - The Premier Skills English team
26/08/2017 12:18
Arsenal
560
Hi Khaldoun83
Good job on the phrase!
There's not much to correct - you have done a good job making the sentences more polite. Except for the last one:
Would you mind telling me what do you want please?
You don't need the auxiliary in this question. Would you mind telling me what you want?
Keep up the good work.
Jack - The Premier Skills English team