Tag: Work and Workplace

Quiet Quitting

B1 – Intermediate

The workplace is a very competitive world. We are taught to do our very best in order to succeed. 

However, it seems times have changed. Workers only work to achieve the minimum of what they should be doing in their job while they are working to later just leave.

Read the article about the concept of quiet quitting and how it is becoming more common in the workplace.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2210/221003-quiet-quitting-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are reasons workers are quiet quitting?
  2. Was there ever a time you had to quit quietly at work? Talk about this time.
  3. How to be a good employee?
  4. What is the proper way to quit work? 
  5. Talk about a time you ‘went the extra mile’ at work.
  6. How did the pandemic change the way you do or think about your job?

Japanese Man Gets Paid to ‘Do Nothing’

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Imagine getting paid to do nothing. Sounds like the perfect job, right? Shoji Morimoto, a 38-year-old Tokyo resident, gets paid 10,000 yen ($70) by simply meeting up with clients who hire him just to be with them.

Let’s read the article below to know how this man made a career out of doing absolutely nothing.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/dream-job-japanese-man-gets-011509342.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your reaction to this video?
  2. Do you know people who gets paid to do absolutely nothing at their jobs?
  3. Would you like to get paid to do nothing? Why or why not?
  4. Do you enjoy spending time alone or with friends?
  5. Would you take a less-paying job with far less stress and live paycheck to paycheck or high-paying but high-stress job? Explain your answer.

Workers and Employers Ghosting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

‘Ghosting’ was first used in the dating scene to describe an abrupt, unexpected halt to all contacts. This societal concept is quickly catching on in the workplace and both parties are guilty of committing the crime.

You might be surprised to learn that ghosting is becoming more pervasive. Additionally, ghosting is not solely done by employees. Employers are also guilty of abandoning prospects as the talent acquisition process moves forward, even while an offer is being made.

Understand why employees and employers are ghosting one another by going through the article.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220311-why-workers-and-employers-are-ghosting-each-other

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on this work issue.
  2. How can we end the trend of ‘quiet firing’ and ‘quiet quitting’?
  3. Why do employers ghost job applicants?
  4. Is it illegal to ghost your job? Why or why not?
  5. Is ghosting an employer profitable in the long term? Explain.
  6. What are the available alternatives to ghosting?

Flexible Working

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Perhaps, there is a debate on how much change the pandemic has brought about in the way we work. Is our newfound work flexibility a boon or a bane for workers and the management?

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know more about being able to work with so much flexibility.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-210715

Discussion Questions:

  1. Personally, what are your thoughts on flexible working?
  2. What sort of flexibility do you have at work?
  3. Is it possible for the 9-to-5 jobs to become a thing of the past? Why or why not?
  4. What might be the benefits and downsides of flexible work for employers and employees alike?
  5. How has the pandemic changed your way of working or your company’s work policies?

Blue Collar Workers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The student loan debt crisis is a social issue in the US. That’s why some students choose not to go to college. They want to avoid the consequences of being in debt. It includes having a bad credit score, the inability to buy a house or car, and accepting any available jobs regardless of the compensation and benefits. They take jobs indiscriminately because they want to start paying their student loans.

As a result, some young people tend to choose the alternative. They believe it is a better option to take an apprenticeship program, learn skills, and become a blue-collar worker.

Watch the video and get to know Michael Lauther, a man who refuses to go to college and is convinced that being a blue-collar worker is the best decision.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your takeaways from what’s being discussed in this video?
  2. The video highlights the advantages of being a blue-collar worker. Do you know any other benefits?
  3. What do people in your country think about blue-collar jobs?
  4. Can you talk about some high-paying blue-collar jobs?
  5. Would you like to be a white-collar or a blue-collar worker? And why?

The Case for Job Hopping

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Thinking a bit more traditionally, it is believed that one should stay at a company for  at least a few years or even better, for years on end. 

In the more recent years, many employees who keep hopping to different companies are benefiting from career leverage. 

Read the article about the advantages of job hopping and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220720-the-case-for-job-hopping

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “buoyant job market” mean? “With each move, she’s worked with higher-profile clients, gained greater experience and acquired deeper skills that now give her leverage in a buoyant job market.” Use this term in your own sentence.
  2. What does “pay-off” mean? “There has also been another significant pay-off: Anna’s successive job moves have meant her salary has grown by 30% in a short space of time.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘pay-off’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to work one’s way up” mean? “I started at a small start-up, and have quickly worked my way up.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to work one’s way up’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on job vagrancy or the “Hobo Syndrome”.
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of staying in the same company for a long time?
  3. In your opinion, what is the most ideal number of years of tenure to stay in a company, and why?
  4. In the past, people worked only one job in their whole professional life. Can you imagine that for yourself?
  5. What’s the longest time you’ve worked for a company? What made you stay there for that long?
  6. Should the years you’ve stayed at a company should matter? Explain.

Have People Forgotten How to Behave in the Office?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some people become somewhat tolerant of the nuisances that come with being surrounded by coworkers and more socially apprehensive after achieving full control over business settings at home. Others, on the contrary, could be so content to be in an office among coworkers that they end up breaking social norms that used to exist.

Have employees spent considerable time at home that they have neglected the workplace standards?

Let’s make time to read the entire article to learn more.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220627-have-people-forgotten-how-to-behave-in-the-office

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you skeptical about returning to the office because of social anxiety?
  2. What can managers and employees do to help the transition go smoothly?
  3. Are there any complicating factors you’d be happy to disclose that might make returning to the office incredibly tough or troublesome for you?

South Korea Influencers

B1 – Intermediate

Social media has allowed for anyone to create contents. Because of this freedom, people can impact certain information and decisions. These people are called influencers.

Influencers are now becoming celebrities. They interact with their audience through online activities. This business is booming.

South Korea has recognized this opportunity. They support this culture by providing courses and business integration.

Learn more about the influencer culture in South Korea on the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/south-korea-influencers-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of influencers? Why do you think they are so popular now?
  2. What are the positive and negative effects of influencers?
  3. Do you agree that social media affects some of our decisions? Please explain and/or give examples.
  4. Do you know some popular influencers? Who are they and what made them famous?
  5. Are there famous influencers in your country? What do they do? Do you follow some of them?
  6. What professions/industries would benefit from influencers?
  7. Is getting a degree to become an influencer a good idea? Why or why not?

Going to Work in the Morning

B1 – Intermediate

Getting ready for work can be quite hectic. It takes a lot of steps before you finally get to the office. Sometimes, things don’t go the usual way.

With more cars out on the streets, traffic jams add to the stress of getting to the workplace on time. Getting home is another ordeal. These take away a lot of our precious time.

One person shares what they go through each work day. Read about their experience through this link:

https://lingua.com/english/reading/going-to-work/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your morning routine like?
  2. Is it important to have a routine? Why or why not?
  3. What’s the worst morning you’ve ever had?
  4. Do you like going to work in the morning? Why or why not?
  5. How are the morning and evening rush hours in your city?
  6. What are some fun things you do while in traffic jams?
  7. How is the public transport service in your city?
  8. Do you still have time to enjoy your hobbies, even with a busy schedule? Please share.

Learning a New Job

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Choosing a degree or getting into a university can be scary and challenging for young people. This is a big decision that affects one’s future. For some, the family’s financial situation is a huge factor.

However, apprenticeships are a good option for choosing a path that you want to take. It provides hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the field.

Watch the video about this woman’s experience with apprenticeship and how it has given her a good working opportunity.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is an apprenticeship as effective as a college education? Please explain.
2. Should apprenticeship be more available? Why or why not?
3. What are the pros and cons of apprenticeship?
4. Was an apprenticeship something you considered? Why or why not?
5. What industries offer apprenticeship programs?
6. What are your experiences in learning a new task or skill in your current work?
7. What are your thoughts on career changes?
8. What were your top 3 career choices as a teen?
9. Were/Are you interested in working abroad? Why or why not?