English Lesson (Listening and Speaking) "Work and Careers"

LESSON: GENERAL ENGLISH
Topic: “Work and Career” (B1 Level)
Goal: Improve listening, speaking, and vocabulary

Vocabulary

a)    Chef – a professional cook who usually is in charge of a kitchen in a restaurant

b)    Duties –  responsibilities

 

c)    A sense of purpose – means having a meaningful reason or goal in life that motivates you. Example: “Volunteering at the animal shelter gives her a sense of purpose.”

 

d)    Take pride in – to be proud of something. Example: “Jon takes pride in his work.”

Question: What do you take pride in? What are you proud of?

 

e)    Aim – (verb) plan. Example: “Mary aims to become a famous singer.”

Questions: What do aim to achieve this year?

 

f)     Over time – after a period of time. Example: “Keep practicing. Your English will improve over time.”

 

Guide Questions

1. What did the speaker say about work and careers? Talk about the speaker’s examples.
2. What did the speaker say about his/her job?
3. What did the speaker say about different jobs such as bus drivers, office workers, and doctors?
4. What did the speaker say about money? 
   
   
   
   
   

Transcript

Work and careers are important parts of many people's lives. People choose different jobs depending on what they like to do and what they are good at. For example, someone who enjoys cooking might become a chef, and someone who likes helping others might work as a teacher or a nurse. In any job, people have specific duties they must do. For instance, a bus driver's main job is to drive people safely from one place to another. In offices, people often work on computers, send emails, and attend meetings to discuss projects. Some jobs require special training or education. For example, doctors need to study medicine for many years before they can treat patients. Having a job is not just about earning money; it also gives people a sense of purpose and helps them make new friends at work. Many people take pride in their work and aim to build a successful career over time. (156 words)

 

Questions and Answers

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. What is your current job?

 Sample Answer: I work as a bank teller at a local bank. I help customers with their transactions like depositing money or withdrawing cash.

 2. How long have you been working in your current job?

 Sample Answer: I have been working here for about three years now.

 3. Why did you choose this type of work?

 Sample Answer: I chose this job because I like working with people and numbers. It's also a stable career choice.

 4. What did you study in school?

 Sample Answer: I studied Business Administration in college which helped me understand many aspects of my current job.

 5. What are your working hours?

 Sample Answer: I work from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. It’s a typical 8-hour shift.

 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

6. What are your main responsibilities at work?

 Sample Answer: My main responsibilities include handling customer transactions, answering questions about bank services, and ensuring all financial activities are accurate.

 7. What skills are necessary for your job?

 Sample Answer: Important skills for my job include good math skills, attention to detail, and excellent customer service skills.

 8. Do you use any special tools or technology in your work?

 Sample Answer: Yes, I use a computer to manage accounts and a cash-counting machine to handle money more efficiently.

 9. What is the hardest part of your job?

 Sample Answer: The hardest part is dealing with complex customer issues that require quick thinking and careful handling to resolve.

 10. What do you enjoy most about your job?

 Sample Answer: I enjoy interacting with different people every day and helping them with their financial needs.

 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

11. Have you taken any professional training for your current job?

 Sample Answer: Yes, I attended a two-week training program when I first started. It covered everything from customer service to advanced banking software.

 12. Are there opportunities for advancement in your career?

 Sample Answer: Yes, one can move up to become a senior teller, a branch manager, or even higher positions in banking.

 13. What are your career goals for the next five years?

 Sample Answer: I aim to become a branch manager. I plan to take more management courses and gain more experience.

 14. Does your company help you with your career development?

 Sample Answer: Yes, they offer various training programs and workshops to help us improve our skills and prepare for higher roles.

 

WORK CULTURE

15. Can you describe the work culture at your company?

 Sample Answer: The culture here is very supportive and focused on teamwork. Everyone helps each other to succeed.

 16. How do you get along with your coworkers?

 Sample Answer: I get along well with my coworkers. We often help each other out during busy times and sometimes hang out after work.

 17. Do you have regular meetings with your team?

 Sample Answer: Yes, we have weekly meetings to discuss our progress, any issues, and updates from the bank.

 18. How does your boss support your team?

 Sample Answer: Our boss is very supportive. He frequently checks in to offer guidance and ensures we have the resources we need.

 

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

19. How do you manage stress from work?

 Sample Answer: I usually manage stress by taking short breaks during the day and practicing yoga in the evenings.

 20. Do you find it easy to balance your work and personal life?

 Sample Answer: Yes, since I have regular working hours, it's relatively easy to plan and balance my personal activities.

 21. What do you like to do in your free time?

 Sample Answer: In my free time, I enjoy hiking, reading, and spending time with my family.

 

FUTURE OUTLOOK

22. What changes do you anticipate in your job in the next few years?

 Sample Answer: I expect that digital banking will grow, and we'll need to adapt to more online services and possibly even AI technology.

 23. Are you worried about job security?

 Sample Answer: Not really, as people will always need banking services, but I do try to keep my skills updated to stay relevant.

 24. What advice would you give to someone starting this career?

 Sample Answer: I would advise them to be patient, eager to learn, and always prioritize excellent customer service.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

25. Has your job affected how you view money?

 Sample Answer: Yes, working in a bank has made me more aware of the importance of saving and managing money wisely.

 26. What was your first job?

 Sample Answer: My first job was at a bookstore. It taught me a lot about dealing with customers and managing small financial transactions.

 27. What is one thing you wish you knew before starting your career?

 Sample Answer: I wish I knew more about the technical aspects of banking software. It would have made my early days a bit easier.

 

28. How has your job changed since you started?

 Sample Answer: Technology has changed a lot. We use more advanced systems now, which makes our work faster and more accurate.

 29. Do you think your job helps people?

 Sample Answer: Yes, it definitely helps people manage their money better and makes financial transactions safer and more accessible.

 30. What would you change about your job if you could?

 Sample Answer: If I could, I would like to have more flexible working hours to give us a better work-life balance. [END]