Category: Class

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Workplaces can be organized with a traditional hierarchy, where everyone reports to a specific manager and communication flows up and down the chain, or with a flat structure, where teams work more collaboratively, make decisions together, and rely less on rigid reporting lines.

Many modern teams are leaning toward flat structures because they encourage teamwork, transparency, and flexibility while still keeping some leadership guidance at the top. After all, who really wants a boss constantly looking over their shoulder?

Watch the video to hear different perspectives on hierarchy and flat structures in modern workplaces.

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does “hierarchy” mean in the sentence, “If you have a hierarchy, then everybody in the organization knows exactly who they’re reporting to”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “flat structure” mean in the sentence, “My preference would be for a flat structure, where people work in partnership and enjoy a flexible working environment in today’s modern world.”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “an even playing field” mean in the sentence, “It’s much more about team working and an even playing field where people are working remotely”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. Which do you think works better, a hierarchy or a flat structure? Why?
2. How can a company balance leadership and teamwork in its structure?
3. Do you think remote work encourages flatter structures? Why or why not?
4. What challenges can come from having too many levels in a company?
5. What type of structure would you prefer to work in personally? Explain your answer.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people take pride in their job titles, but this video challenges that idea. The speaker explains that job titles don’t always reflect a person’s real skills or value. In smaller or growing companies, titles are often made up or mean something only within that team. What truly matters, he says, are your actual abilities, what you contribute, and how well you fit in with your company’s culture.

Watch the video about the problem with job titles and why they shouldn’t matter.

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does “boutique team” mean in the sentence, “Small kinds of boutique teams make up job titles that don’t make sense.”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “make up” mean in the sentence, “They would make up job titles; things that didn’t even make sense.”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does the term “bucketing” mean in the sentence, “I think job titles have become a naming scheme for bucketing.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you think job titles are important when applying for a new job? Why or why not?
2. What do you think matters more, a person’s title or their actual skills?
3. Have you ever had a job where your title didn’t match what you really did?
4. How do job titles affect the way people see themselves or others at work?
5. If you could create your own job title, what would it be and why?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In today’s world, everyone should have ample opportunities to find good jobs, with strong technology, better infrastructure, and easy-to-access knowledge globally. But that ideal isn’t our current reality. Many youths among Gen Z struggle to find jobs; even those that have attended universities as prestigious as Harvard cannot find good jobs, let alone any jobs at all. But why?

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “vicious circle” mean? “This requirement contradicts the purpose of such positions and places young people in a vicious circle.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
2. What does “to string together” mean?  ”“More than 60% believe they will have to string together multiple temporary or gig economy jobs before accessing a stable position.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. What does “hybrid job” mean?  “For many, that meant a remote or hybrid job. And for some, it meant throwing out the 9 to 5 altogether.” Use this expression to make your own sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. Should companies continue requiring prior job experience for entry-level positions? Elaborate on your answer.
2. Do you believe that in the current economy Gen Z is facing, they will be able to earn good jobs after finishing college with good grades?
3. If you recently graduated in the US, how would you handle the lack of job opportunities?
4. In your opinion, what are the main factors contributing to the lack of job opportunities among Generation Z?
5. Share your thoughts on this, “Generation Z youth believe they will not achieve financial independence until age 28 or 30.”
6. Share your insights, “Companies, for their part, show a clear tendency to retain current employees instead of expanding their workforces.”