A request is easier to answer when the other person knows what you need. Instead of "Can you help me with English?" try, "Could you listen to this short introduction and tell me whether the main point is clear?" The task now has a practical boundary.
Check availability when appropriate: "Do you have five minutes, or would another time be better?" This gives the listener a reasonable way to respond without accepting an undefined commitment.
Explain the problem briefly
Practice this exchange. Learner: "I can open the document, but I cannot find the comment button. Could you show me where it is?" Partner: "Are you using the browser version?" Learner: "Yes, in the browser." The specific problem makes the follow-up question useful.
If the person cannot help, acknowledge the answer: "No problem. Is there someone else I could ask?" Do not assume a polite opening guarantees assistance or that every setting uses the same level of formality.
After receiving help, confirm the action in your own words: "So I select the text first, then choose Comment." A brief thank-you can close the exchange. Repeat the practice with a map, an unfamiliar form, and a class exercise. Keep each request focused on one immediate obstacle so the listener can understand what successful help would look like.