Speak Politely, Feel Confident: Learn English Through Real-Life Conversations
MEETING 03
Speak Politely,
Feel Confident
Real English. Real Life.
LISTEN • TYPE • SPEAK • PLAYBuild confidence through practical English expressions, real-life conversations, and an interactive listening challenge.
CINOET English Club — learning English together through live practice.
👋 Let's Check In!
How are you today? Before we begin, choose a sentence that describes how you feel.
I'm very happy and ready to learn.
I'm fine today.
I need a little more energy.
I feel nervous, but I'm ready to try.
Your turn: Answer in English: “How are you today, and what English skill do you want to improve?”
🎯 What will you learn?
01 · Speak politely
Choose expressions that sound friendly, respectful, and natural.
02 · Listen carefully
Catch the purpose, person, day, and time in a phone conversation.
03 · Respond confidently
Practise useful responses instead of staying silent because you're afraid of mistakes.
04 · Use real English
Apply your skills to school, office, and everyday situations.
Suggested time: 30–45 minutes · Beginner-friendly · Individual and pair activities
💬 Say It Politely!
Being polite does not mean using complicated English. Often, a small change in wording makes a request sound much more considerate.
Four expressions worth remembering
1. Could you…?
Ask someone to do something.
“Could you speak more slowly, please?”2. Could I…?
Ask permission to do something.
“Could I use your computer for a moment?”3. Would you mind + -ing?
Make a request in a softer way.
“Would you mind opening the window?”4. I'd appreciate it if…
Use a professional tone, especially in work messages.
“I'd appreciate it if you could send the report today.”✅ Would you mind opening the door?
❌ Would you mind open the door?
📘 Understand the patterns—not just the sentences
1. Could you + base verb…? Use this when asking another person to do something. After could you, use the base form of the verb: could you help, could you explain, or could you send.
2. Could I + base verb…? Use this when asking for permission or offering to do something. For example, Could I use your phone? asks permission; it does not ask the other person to use the phone.
3. Would you mind + verb-ing…? This is a softer request. Say Would you mind waiting for a moment? A common response is Not at all or Of course. Be careful: when answering the question, No, not at all means the action is not a problem.
4. I'd appreciate it if you could + base verb… This is especially useful in emails and workplace communication because it sounds professional and respectful.
👥 Formal or informal?
With friends: “Can you help me for a second?”
With a teacher or colleague: “Could you help me for a moment, please?”
In a formal email: “I'd appreciate it if you could assist me with this request.”
🎙️ Tone matters
The word please helps, but your tone matters too. Speak at a comfortable pace, avoid sounding impatient, and use a friendly voice. A polite sentence said sarcastically may still sound rude.
Make the sentence more polite
Try rewriting each direct sentence before checking the sample answers.
- Give me your book.
- Repeat the question.
- Help me with this task.
- Wait for me.
- Send me the document.
- Could I borrow your book, please?
- Could you repeat the question, please?
- Could you help me with this task, please?
- Could you wait for me for a moment, please?
- Could you send me the document, please?
Other answers may also be correct if they are clear, grammatical, and appropriate to the situation.
🧰 Everyday phrase bank
| Purpose | Useful expression | Indonesian meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Getting attention | Excuse me, may I ask you something? | Permisi, boleh saya bertanya? |
| Asking someone to repeat | Sorry, could you say that again, please? | Maaf, bisakah Anda mengatakannya sekali lagi? |
| Asking for clarification | Could you explain what you mean? | Bisakah Anda menjelaskan maksudnya? |
| Asking for time | Could you give me a moment, please? | Bisakah Anda memberi saya waktu sebentar? |
| Showing appreciation | Thank you for taking the time to help. | Terima kasih sudah meluangkan waktu membantu. |
| Declining politely | I'm sorry, but I'm not available at that time. | Maaf, saya tidak tersedia pada waktu itu. |
☎️ Listening Challenge
REAL-LIFE PHONE CALL
“I'd like to make an appointment.”
“Could we meet at 2 p.m.?”
Listen for four clues: WHAT · WHO · WHEN · TIME
Imagine you work at a reception desk. A caller wants to arrange a meeting with an office manager. Your job is to catch the important details—not every single word.
Why is this skill important?
In an office, a missed date or incorrect time can cause confusion. Receptionists and administrative staff need to listen actively, confirm details, and record messages accurately. The goal is not to understand every word perfectly; it is to capture the information needed to take the next step.
Use the 3-step listening method
- First listen — get the purpose. Is the caller making an appointment, cancelling one, or asking for information?
- Second listen — catch the details. Listen for names, days, dates, times, and places. Write keywords rather than full sentences.
- Final check — confirm. Repeat important details politely: “Just to confirm, that's Thursday at 2 p.m., correct?”
01WHAT?
What does the caller want to do?
02WHO?
Who does the caller want to meet?
03WHEN?
Which day is suggested?
04TIME?
What time is agreed?
Read and practise the dialogue
Receptionist: Good morning, Bright Office Solutions. How may I help you?
Caller: Good morning. I'd like to make an appointment with Ms. Taylor.
Receptionist: Certainly. What day would be convenient for you?
Caller: Would Thursday be possible?
Receptionist: Let me check her schedule. Yes, Thursday is available. Could we meet at 2 p.m.?
Caller: That works for me. Thank you.
Receptionist: You're welcome. I'll confirm the appointment by email.
Caller: Thank you. Goodbye.
Receptionist: Goodbye. Have a nice day!
🇮🇩 Dialogue meaning in Indonesian
Receptionist: Selamat pagi, Bright Office Solutions. Ada yang bisa saya bantu?
Caller: Selamat pagi. Saya ingin membuat janji bertemu dengan Ibu Taylor.
Receptionist: Tentu. Hari apa yang sesuai untuk Anda?
Caller: Apakah hari Kamis memungkinkan?
Receptionist: Saya periksa jadwal beliau terlebih dahulu. Ya, hari Kamis tersedia. Bisakah kita bertemu pukul 14.00?
Caller: Waktu itu cocok bagi saya. Terima kasih.
Receptionist: Sama-sama. Saya akan mengonfirmasi janji tersebut melalui email.
Learning note: The dialogue is a teaching example. In real workplace calls, always verify the actual calendar and repeat the agreed day and time before ending the call.
📞 Useful phone etiquette
- Greet the caller professionally.
- Speak clearly and not too quickly.
- Ask for clarification if you did not hear a detail.
- Write down names and contact details accurately.
- Repeat the appointment details before ending the call.
🗣️ Practise saying these naturally
“Good morning. How may I help you?”
“Let me check her schedule.”
“Just to confirm, Thursday at 2 p.m.”
“I'll send you a confirmation email.”
Tip: Tap the audio button beside a phrase to hear it spoken by your browser, then repeat it aloud.
Useful vocabulary
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Make an appointment | Membuat janji | I'd like to make an appointment. |
| Available | Tersedia | Thursday is available. |
| Convenient | Cocok / sesuai | What day is convenient for you? |
| Let me check | Izinkan saya memeriksa | Let me check the schedule. |
| That works for me | Waktu itu cocok bagi saya | Thursday at two? That works for me. |
| Confirm | Mengonfirmasi | I'll confirm the appointment by email. |
Check your listening answers
- The caller wants to make an appointment.
- The caller wants to meet Ms. Taylor.
- Thursday.
- 2 p.m.
🚀 Listen • Type • Speak • Play
👂 1. LISTEN
Listen to your teacher or partner. Notice the words, pronunciation, intonation, and key details.
⌨️ 2. TYPE
Type a short response in the Zoom chat. Connect what you hear with a suitable written answer.
🎤 3. SPEAK
Say the sentence clearly and in a friendly tone. Focus on communicating—not on being perfect.
🎮 4. PLAY
Try a quiz, turn direct sentences into polite requests, or role-play a phone call.
📈 A simple 10-minute practice routine
- 2 minutes: Listen to five expressions without speaking.
- 3 minutes: Repeat each phrase aloud twice. Copy the rhythm, not just individual words.
- 3 minutes: Practise a short dialogue with a partner or record yourself.
- 2 minutes: Listen to your recording and choose one thing to improve, such as clarity, pace, or confidence.
Progress comes from short, repeated practice—not from trying to sound perfect on the first attempt.
Confidence reminder
You don't need perfect English to start communicating. You need practice, patience, and the courage to try.
🧠 Interactive Quiz
Choose one answer for each question. Your score and feedback will appear at the end.
1. Which is the most polite way to ask someone to repeat a sentence?
2. You need help with an assignment. What should you say?
3. How do you politely ask to use someone's computer?
4. What does “I'd like to make an appointment” mean?
5. Which expression is useful when checking a schedule?
6. What is the best response to “Thank you for your help”?
7. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
8. What information should you listen for when arranging an appointment?
9. Which response means the proposed time is suitable?
10. Which sentence is most appropriate in a professional email?
Learning progress: complete the quiz, review your feedback, and try again to improve.
🎬 Speaking Challenge
Choose one situation and practise with a partner. Try to speak naturally instead of reading every line.
Challenge A — Asking for help
You don't understand an assignment. Ask your teacher for help politely.
“Excuse me, could you help me?”
“Could you explain this part again, please?”
Challenge B — Making an appointment
You are calling an office to arrange a meeting.
“I'd like to make an appointment.”
“Would Thursday be possible?”
Challenge C — Borrowing office equipment
You need to borrow a colleague's pen, notebook, or computer.
“Could I borrow your pen, please?”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Performance checklist
🌟 What did you learn today?
Answer these reflection questions in English. Short answers are absolutely fine.
- What new expression did you learn today?
- Which activity was the most interesting?
- Was it easy or difficult to speak politely in English?
- What would you like to practise next?
Example reflection
“Today, I learned how to ask for help politely. The listening challenge was interesting, but I need more practice understanding telephone conversations. I want to improve my speaking confidence.”
Quick answer key
Quiz: 1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-B, 5-A, 6-C, 7-B, 8-B, 9-A, 10-C.
Listening: The caller wants to make an appointment; meet Ms. Taylor; Thursday; 2 p.m.
Use the explanations above to review why each answer is correct.
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