Requesting time off: making polite requests and stating future plans

A2
90 min
Free
1

Think about these questions. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. What are some good reasons to ask for time off from work?
  2. How do you feel when you need to ask your boss for something important?
  3. What are your plans for your next holiday or long weekend?
2

Asking for a Day Off

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Listen to the dialogue again and answer the questions.

01Why does Marco want to take a day off?
Sample answerHe is going to visit his family.
02What day does Marco want to take off?
Sample answerHe wants to take next Friday off.
03What does Emma need to do before she can say yes?
Sample answerShe needs to check her schedule.
04What two things does Marco offer to do?
Sample answerHe offers to ask Maria to cover for him and to finish his work in advance.
4

Key vocabulary

Vocabulary
Here are some useful phrases for talking about time off and making plans at work.
Examples
book a day off — to officially arrange with your company to not work on a particular day.
This is a common way to talk about scheduling a holiday. You can also 'book a week off' or 'book a holiday'.
get back to someone — to talk to someone again later to give them an answer or information.
Use this when you need time to think. For example, your manager might say, 'Let me check, and I will get back to you this afternoon'.
check my schedule — to look at your calendar or diary to see your plans and appointments.
You can use this when someone asks if you are free. For example: 'Could I check my schedule and tell you tomorrow?'
cover for someone — to do someone's work when they are not there.
When you ask for time off, your manager might ask, 'Who will cover for you while you are away?'
in advance — before something happens.
It is usually polite to ask for time off 'in advance'. This means you ask early, not on the same day you want to be off.
5

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01I need to a day off for a doctor's appointment next week.
02Let me check my to see if I am free on Friday.
03Can you for me on Monday morning? I have to leave early.
04It's a good idea to ask for your holiday many weeks in .
05My boss said she will to my email about the holiday tomorrow.
6

Grammar: Future plans with 'will' and 'be going to'

Grammar
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
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 points
  • 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'.
7

Find the mistake

Read the sentences below about asking for time off and making plans.

Each sentence has one mistake. Find it and write the correct sentence.

01I will visit my family next month. I already have the tickets.
Corrected version
I will am going to visit my family next month. I already have the tickets.
02Can I booking a day off for next Friday?
Corrected version
Can I booking book a day off for next Friday?
03My manager are going to check his schedule.
Corrected version
My manager are is going to check his schedule.
04You should ask for time off on advance.
Corrected version
You should ask for time off on in advance.
05Who will coverage for you when you are on holiday?
Corrected version
Who will coverage cover for you when you are on holiday?
06I will check my schedule and get back on you tomorrow.
Corrected version
I will check my schedule and get back on to you tomorrow.
07A: The phone is ringing. B: I am going to answer it!
Corrected version
A: The phone is ringing. B: I am going to will answer it!
8

Workplace vocabulary

Learn some new words for talking about work.

Match each word with its meaning.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
9

Planning a day off

Read the passage below, then answer the comprehension questions.

Maria wants to take a holiday next month. She is going to visit her family in Spain. First, she needs to talk to her manager, Mr. Evans. She will ask him, "Could I please book a day off next Friday?" She knows it's important to ask for time off in advance. She also needs to ask her colleague, Tom, a question. "Can you cover for me if I am not here?" she will ask him. After she speaks to her manager and Tom, she is going to check her schedule and buy her plane tickets. She really hopes Mr. Evans says yes!

01What is Maria's plan for next month?
Sample answerShe is going to visit her family in Spain.
02Who will Maria ask to do her work when she is away?
Sample answerShe will ask her colleague, Tom, to cover for her.
03Why does Maria need to talk to her manager before she buys her plane tickets?
Sample answerBecause she needs to get permission for her day off first.
10

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. In your country, how far in advance do people usually need to book a day off? Is it easy or difficult?
  2. Is it okay to ask a coworker to cover for you for a fun reason, like a concert, or only for important things, like a doctor's appointment? Why?
  3. Imagine your boss says, 'I need to check my schedule and I will get back to you.' How do you feel while you wait for the answer?