Jobs
Learn about different jobs and what to look for, like pay, hours, and travel. Discuss your ideal job and how far you can commute.
Part 1
Warm-up
Answer the questions
What did we discuss in the last lesson?
What do you do?
What is your dream job when you were a child?
Part 2
Vocabulary
Look at each picture.
Name the job shown in the picture.
Describe what the person in that job typically does.
Answer
- vet
- chef
- waiter/waitress
- nurse
- security guard
- fire fighter
- pilot
- software developer
- engineer
Read the word, its’ meaning, and the examples
Then make up your own sentences using the word.
Student can skip the words they already know.
promote
/prəˈməʊt/
to move somebody to a higher rank or more senior job
The company decided to promote her to the position of manager.
He was promoted after only six months at the company.
well-paid
/ˌwel ˈpeɪd/
earning or providing a lot of money
He was looking for a well-paid job to support his family better.
Software developers are often considered well-paid professions.
stressful
/ˈstresfl/
causing a lot of worry
Planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful.
She finds public speaking extremely stressful.
work-life balance
/ˌwɜːrk laɪf ˈbæləns/
the number of hours per week you spend working, compared with the number of hours you spend with your family, relaxing, etc
Maintaining a good work-life balance is essential for mental health.
The company promotes a healthy work-life balance for all its employees.
flexible
/ˈfleksəbl/
able to change to suit new conditions or situations
She has a flexible work schedule.
He is very flexible in his thinking.
commute
/kəˈmjuːt/
to travel regularly by bus, train, car, etc. between your place of work and your home
He has a long commute to work every day.
Her commute is shorter since she moved closer to the office.
Make up your own sentences using the words.
Part 3
What do you look for in a job?
Look at the common factors below when consider to choose a job.
Which one do you think is the most important? And least important? And Why?
- Salary
- Flexible Hours
- Location
- Salary
- Title/Social status
- Job security
- Office culture
- Opportunity to learn new skills
- Opportunity to get promoted
- Perks
- Enjoyment
- Other: _______
Part 4
Reading comprehension
Read the article and answer questions.
Teacher helps student correct their pronunciation.
Many people want a job that is well-paid and not too stressful. A well-paid job helps you to live comfortably and enjoy life. However, some jobs can be very stressful, which makes it difficult to enjoy your time outside of work.
Work-life balance is important for everyone. It means having enough time for both your job and your personal life. Some jobs offer a good work-life balance with flexible hours. Flexible hours allow you to choose when you start and finish work, which can help you manage your time better.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a job is the commute. A long commute can be tiring and take up a lot of your time. Many people prefer a job close to home to reduce the time spent traveling.
Some jobs also offer good opportunities for promotion. Getting a promotion means you can move up in your career and often receive a higher salary. Many people look for jobs that offer a chance to grow and advance.
In summary, when choosing a job, consider if it is well-paid, not too stressful, offers a good work-life balance, has flexible hours, a short commute, and opportunities for promotion.
Check your understanding
Why is a well-paid job important?
How can flexible hours help you manage your time better?
Why do people prefer jobs with a short commute?
Sample answer
- A well-paid job is important because it helps you live comfortably and enjoy life.
- Flexible hours allow you to choose when you start and finish work, which can help you manage your time better.
- People prefer jobs with a short commute because a long commute can be tiring and take up a lot of time. A job close to home reduces the time spent traveling.
Part 5
Listening 1
People are talking about their jobs. Which statement is true? Listen and circle the correct answer.
Click to play the Audio
He ____________
- does all of his work on the telephone
- spends a lot of time talking to people
- has worked there a short time
- is looking for a new job
She __________
- has a boss
- works for a large company
- has two big clients
- needs more work
He ___________
- has a new restaurant
- is very busy on the weekends
- has very little to do
- often does the cooking
She __________
- likes meeting people
- doesn’t really like traveling
- never has a break during a flight
- doesn’t like the money
Answer
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. A
Part 5
Listening 2
Listen again. Circle the word that each person uses to describe his or her job.
Click to play the Audio
- hard
- quiet
- interesting
- boring
- creative
- boring
- easy
- unsuccessful
- easy
- relaxing
- lonely
- tough
- difficult
- easy
- tough
- well-paid
Answer
1. C
2. A
3. D
4. B
Transcript
1
I work for a market research company. We do research for companies that are planning to develop new products. I call people and ask them questions about products they are using now. Sometimes I invite people to come to meetings. We discuss plans for new products with them. It’s pretty interesting work. I’ve been doing it for nearly 15 years now, and I’ve got no plans to change jobs. The thing I really like about my job is that each month I’m working on something completely different, so it never gets boring.
2
I have my own design company. It’s very small – just me and two assistants. I design brochures, advertisements for magazines, menus, and things like that. It’s a very creative job. I started the company just two years ago, just after I graduated from design school. Things have gone pretty well for me. I have two big clients, and most of my work is for them. Sometimes I have to work very late at night if I have a big job to finish quickly. I always have plenty of work to do, and I am always busy.
3
I’ve had my own restaurant for ten years. When I first bought this place, I thought it would be easy to run, but it’s very hard work. I work long hours. Sometimes we’re very busy, and sometimes we’re very slow. We usually have a lot of customers on the weekends. During the week, it’s sometimes quiet. I never have a day off because there are always so many things to do. I don’t do any of the cooking myself. I have three very good chefs to do that. Owning a restaurant is a tough job, but I love it. I don’t want to do anything else.
4
I’m a flight attendant. Many people think it’s a boring job, but I love it. I get to travel all over the world, and I meet lots of interesting people, I like that. The job is pretty easy, really. We don’t work nonstop for the whole flight. We have plenty of time to sit down and take a break. On long flights, we can even take a nap. Also the money is very good because all our expenses are paid when we’re working.
Part 6
Discussion
Let’s use the vocabulary you’ve learned during the lesson and talk about the following topics/questions freely!
Teacher helps student expand and correct the answers.
What do you like most about your job?
How can a person find a new job?
What are some well-paid professions that you know of?
What do you find challenging about your job?
Do you think promotions should be based on seniority or performance?
Do you like having a flexible schedule? Why or why not?
How do you deal with stress at work?
What strategies do you use to maintain a good work-life balance?
What are some ways to make your commute more enjoyable?
Do you prefer a fast-paced or a slow-paced work environment? Why?
Review
Let’s review the lesson with teacher
6 new words
Discuss about jobs
See you next lesson
Homework
Do homework
Write a short paragraph to talk about your family. (from 8-12 sentences)
