Requesting time off: making polite requests and stating future plans

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for A2 learners explores Requesting time off: making polite requests and stating future plans through a real article. Across 11 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: Future plans with 'will' and 'be going to' with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for asking for time off
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
• Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness
• A reading passage to practise newly learned language

Lesson activities (11 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. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
4. Fill the gaps — Complete sentences with the correct vocabulary. Drag and drop or type your answers.
5. Grammar — Study Future plans with 'will' and 'be going to' — explanation, examples, and key rules.
6. Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for asking for time off — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
9. Reading — Read a short passage on the topic and answer comprehension questions.
10. 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:

• book a day off — to officially arrange with your company to not work on a particular day.
• get back to someone — to talk to someone again later to give them an answer or information.
• check my schedule — to look at your calendar or diary to see your plans and appointments.
• cover for someone — to do someone's work when they are not there.
• in advance — before something happens.

Grammar

This lesson focuses on Future plans with 'will' and 'be going to'.

We use 'be going to' and 'will' to talk about the future. When you talk about your plans at work, like taking a holiday, you often use 'be going to'. We use 'will' for decisions we make at the moment of speaking or for promises.

Examples from the lesson:

• I'm going to ask my manager for a week off in July. — Use 'be going to' for a plan you have already decided.
• Okay, I see you need help. I'll cover your shift on Friday. — Use 'will' for a decision you make at the moment of speaking.
• We are going to visit our family next month. — This is a future plan, so we use 'be going to'.

Key rules:

• Use 'be going to' for plans you made before speaking.
• Use 'will' for promises or decisions you make now.
• Don't forget 'am', 'is', or 'are' with 'going to'.

Practical English

asking for time off

Here are some common phrases you can use when you need to ask your manager for a day off from work.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "'Do you have a minute?'" — to politely ask for someone's time.
• "'I was hoping to take next Friday off.'" — to make a soft and polite request.
• "'Is it okay if I leave early tomorrow?'" — to ask for permission directly.
• "'I'll make sure all my work is finished.'" — to promise you will be responsible.
• "'That's great, thank you so much.'" — to respond when your manager says yes.