Persuading someone to do something

In this video, Noelia tries to convince Paul to DJ at the office party. Listen to the language Noelia uses for persuading Paul to do something and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Preparation

Speaking B2: Persuading someone to do something – preparation

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say!

Do you know what to say when you want to persuade someone to do something? Listen out for useful language for persuading someone to do something. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

Paul: OK. Yeah, all right. I'll send them over tomorrow. OK, yep, bye. People are always asking for favours. Paul, can you do this? Paul, can you do that?

Noelia: Hey, Paul, have you got a minute?

Paul: Go on, then.

Noelia: I've got a small favour to ask you.

Paul: Right.

Noelia: So … how would you feel about DJing at the office party next week?

Paul: Office party? I don't usually do work parties.

Noelia: Oh, right. So where do you usually DJ then?

Paul: No, I mean I don't usually go to work parties, let alone DJ at them.

Noelia: Come on, I think you'd be brilliant at it!

Paul: Oh, I don't know …

Noelia: Look, I wouldn't usually ask, but you are the only DJ I know.

Paul: I'm not a very good one though. My music taste is … quite strange. Everyone will probably hate it.

Noelia: Come on! These guys will dance to anything when they are at a party! Why don't you give it a go? You'll be great!

Paul: Urgh … I think I'm probably busy that day anyway.

Noelia: Come on! There's nothing to lose!

Paul: Except my reputation and credibility …

Noelia: Paul, you'd really be helping me out.

Paul: OK, I'll think about it.

Noelia: Great! Thanks, Paul!

Ana: Hello again! It's very difficult to say no to Noelia! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for persuading someone to do something? Listen to me and then repeat.

I've got a small favour to ask you.

How would you feel about DJing?

You'd be brilliant at it.

I wouldn't usually ask, but you're the only DJ I know.

Why don't you give it a go?

There's nothing to lose.

You'd really be helping me out.

OK, I'll think about it.

Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to persuade someone to do something in English. Bye for now!

Discussion

Are you good at persuading people to do things?

Download

Worksheet91.1 KB

Language level

B2 Upper intermediate

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No, I'm not so good at persuading people to do things. I remember the last time I asked for a favour to a comrade, and she said she would think about it, but then she said "no", so I guess she didn't get convinced at all, therefore I'm not good at persuading people to do things

Hi, do you have more videos?

Hi Karolina1208,

Yes, we do have some other videos.

Video zone - YouTube videos on a wide range of topics.
Starting out - a story of the relationship between Julia and Sammy.
Word on the street - about the UK, its culture and English.
Britain is GREAT - about British life and culture.

You might also like to see these Speaking videos on LearnEnglish Teens, our site for learners aged 13 to 17.

I hope you find something useful here :)

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

Nice lesson.

I think that I´m good at persuading people to do things but in general when I wanto to persuade someone is for goods reasons.

sometimes i can persuading people to do some thing , but not usually.

Unfortunately, I am terrible at asking people to do me a favour. At first, I would think of any other possible way to find the solution, however if it is impossible to accomplish by my own I would go to ask someone. I suppose I would go around the bushes and try to find the right way and time for this person to ask for a help. And usually it ends up with a small favour from others but a big lunch from my side)))

Actually, I'm not a persuading kind of guy. Honestly, I always feel uncomfortable when I need to ask a favour. Of course, if there's nothing to do without someone's help I ask but, before that, I thought about any possibilities for doing that by myself for sure. I know, it's okay when you ask someone to help or persuade to do something but that how I usually act. Maybe because I can't stand the insolent persons and every time I need to persuade someone I feel a bit insolent. Even when I ask my kids helping me out a bit. Even when I'm trying to persuade them to clean up the mess they did.

Not much. I am below average on the scale of 100 when it comes to persuasion

Not too good. I really need some lessons as regards thos

Persuading someone to do something

Preparation

Transcript

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

Language level

Online courses