English as a second language perhaps?

According to Webster, there is no difference between requesting or asking.

Main Entry: 1re·quest
Pronunciation: ri-'kwest
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English requeste, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *requaesta, from feminine of requaestus, past participle of requaerere to require
1 : the act or an instance of asking for something
2 : something asked for <granted her request>