In the last issue of Dear Sensei, we focused on formal and informal speech styles. In this issue we revisit the topic of Homestay to look at the functions of requesting and offering in the appropriate style. Have you or your students homestayed in Japan? Have you hosted a Japanese student? A homestay can present an interesting cross-cultural challenge for both host and the guest. You may encounter an embarrassing moment or an uncomfortable situation no matter how much you study up on Japanese customs and culture beforehand. Good communication is crucial for avoiding or smoothing over such incidents. Here we would like to look at communication strategies for requesting and offering. 　 　 　 　 In a homestay situation, requesting favours can be a tricky function since you do not want to give the impression that you are ordering someone or telling them what to do. Early on students learn to make requests using "てください". However, this expression can sometimes sound a bit abrupt. In Issue 29 we introduced expressions for giving and receiving favours, verb+ てもらう, verb+ てくれる. These are the expressions used for making requests such as "かいてくれる？" 'Could you write it for me?' or "かってもらえますか？" 'Would you mind buying that for me?' And as we mentioned in Issue 22, you need to use casual or polite styles according to the situation. The following chart shows the degree of politeness used depending on the addressee. 　 てくれる？ てもらえる？ Casual てくれない？ てもらえない？ Casual てくれますか？ てもらえますか？ Polite てくれませんか？ てもらえませんか？ Polite てくださいますか？ ていただけますか？ Extra Polite 　 　 　 The casual style is used when a student talks to a host sister/brother of the same age or younger, and a host mother or father might use this style once they get to know their guest better. Otherwise it is safest to use the polite form. The extra polite form is appropriate for talking to a teacher, but it may sound too formal and cold in the homestay setting. 　 　 There is a slight difference in meaning between requests using "〜てくれる" and "〜てもらう". The first is more direct, while the second is more indirect and therefore softer. 　 　 Task1: 　 You are an Australian high school student and you would like to make the following requests to your host family. Choose an appropriate expression. 　 1. You want your host mother to explain how to use the bath. 　 A おふろのつかいかたを、おしえてもらえる？ B おふろのつかいかたを、おしえてもらえますか？ 　 　 2. You want your host sister (who is younger than you) to tell you how to take the bus to school. 　 A バスののりかたを、おしえてもらえる？ B バスののりかたを、おしえてもらえませんか？ 　   3. You want your host father to explain how to use the futon. 　 A ふとんのひきかたを、せつめいしてください。 B ふとんのひきかたを、せつめいしてくださいますか？ 　 　 4. You want your host mother to check your Japanese. 　 A 日本語(に　ほん　ご)、なおしてもらえない？ B 日本語(に　ほん　ご)を、なおしてもらえませんか？ 　 　 5. You want your host sister's teacher to lend you a dictionary. 　 A 辞書(じしょ)をかしてくれますか？ B 辞書(じしょ)をかしていただけますか？ 　 　 Task 2: 　 Pair work. You are hosting a Japanese student in Australia. As you are very busy, you ask your guest to help you with some chores. Use the picture (right) to start with, and for further expressions see the A La Carte section 'Household chores'. 　 　 　 This is a very important function for developing a good relationship with the host family. A useful offering expression is "てつだいましょうか？" 'Can I help?' Once again, the following chart shows the degree of politeness used according to the addressee. 　 〜ようか？ Casual 〜ましょう Polite 〜ましょうか？ Polite 　 　 Task 1: 　 Look at the pictures below and make up a conversation. 　 　 　 In a homestay situation, conflict can occur between guest and host due to lack of communication. Such conflict may be avoided by explaining things beforehand. 　 Example 1, homestaying in Japan:  　 A オーストラリアのかぞくに電話(でんわ)をしたいのですが、電話(でんわ)をつかってもいいですか？ B はい、いいですよ。 A 国際電話(こくさいでんわ)のかけかたをおしえてもらえますか？ 　 　 Example 2, hosting a Japanese student: 　 B お父(とう)さんは、早(はや)く仕事(しごと)に行(い)くので、できればシャワーは夜(よる)入(はい)ってもらえますか？ A はい、わかりました。 　 　 Task 2: 　 In pairs, write a dialogue to fit the following situation. 　 オーストラリア人(じん)のホスト 日本人(にほんじん)のおきゃくさん Explain to a Japanese student staying at your home about the way things are done in your family, eg. using the bathroom, using water, using the phone, doing the washing etc. You can offer to help. Apologise for any inconvenience you may have caused. Express thanks for help offered. 　 　 The following are a list of useful communication strategies and appropriate expressions: 　 Softening Requests: できれば if possible できるだけ（はやく） as (soon) as possible すみません I'm sorry to bother you but... Apologising: すみません I'm sorry ごめんなさい Sorry! Thanking: ありがとう Thanks! すみません Thank you (for favour) おしえてくれて、ありがとう Thank you for telling me 　 　 　 　 　 Privacy & Copyright © The Japan Foundation, Sydney