B1 – Intermediate
Nowadays, most families have both the mother and the father working many hours during the day. If they have little children, it is hard to balance both work and family life. It is difficult to take care of the kids.
Having an au pair to help with taking care of the children is the perfect solution.
In the UK, Brexit has caused some significant decline in the au pair business. Because it became more complicated for other Europeans who want to become au pairs in the UK to enter the country and nurseries are also too expensive, many women had to decrease their working hours to care for their children.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the au pair industry in the UK.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/uk-au-pair-industry-level-3/
Vocabulary Questions:
- What is a “nursery”? “As a result, families, especially women, have had to reduce their working hours due to the high costs of nurseries.” Use this word in your own sentence.
- What does “drastic” mean? “Agencies have reported a drastic decline in business, up to 95%, due to stricter immigration rules for European citizens.” Give a synonym and use “drastic” in your own sentence.
- Explain what “settled status” mean. “However, the opportunities for au pairs to enter the UK have diminished. Currently, only a small group of individuals with settled or pre-settled status or those eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa can work as au pairs in the country.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- How are au pairs helpful to the British people and their economy?
- How has the au pair industry been affected after Brexit?
- Are au pairs really a good option for cheaper child care? Explain your opinion.
- Is it better to make nurseries cheaper so more women do not need to take care of their children and so they can continue working? Explain.
- What do you think of the stricter immigration rules for European citizens to enter the UK?