Tag: Work and Workplace

Women Drive Buses

B1 – Intermediate

In a very busy city, there are dedicated people who have a crucial role in keeping our communities connected and moving smoothly—bus drivers. Often disregarded, these heroes ensure that people reach their destinations safely and on time.

Breaking traditional gender roles and stereotypes, women entering the bus driving profession not only contribute to diversity and equality but also showcase their capabilities and skills in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about female bus drivers in Colombia.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/women-drive-buses-in-colombia-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1.  What does “on-site” mean in this sentence, “Drivers get a monthly salary of 376 dollars, and the company plans to build an on-site daycare center for its employees.” Use it in a sentence
  2. “Bogotá wants to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.” What does “emissions” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “run” mean in this sentence, “La Rolita is a Colombian electric bus fleet run by women and it is changing public transit in the capital city of Bogotá.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about women driving buses? Elaborate.
  2. Can you think of any challenges that women might face as bus drivers? How can these challenges be overcome?
  3. In which other professions would like to see more women breaking gender barriers in?

People Switch Careers to Teaching

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The role of an educator is instrumental in sculpting the minds of the youth, fueling the ambitions of future leaders, and leaving an enduring imprint on the very essence of society.

Many individuals, driven by a genuine passion for a subject and a desire to work with children, choose to switch careers to become teachers. 

Unlock the insights behind this career transition and discover the remarkable impact it can have on both teachers and their students by clicking on the link.

https://theconversation.com/working-with-kids-being-passionate-about-a-subject-making-a-difference-what-makes-people-switch-careers-to-teaching-205999

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “mid-career” mean, “A 2022 survey by the federal government’s Behavioural Economics Team found one in three mid-career individuals was open to the idea of teaching.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “make the switch” mean in the sentence, “Many had thought about becoming a teacher for a long time, calling it a longstanding interest or “someday” career. This desire often predated their first career choice, but life circumstances played a big role in choosing when to make the switch.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “longstanding interest” mean in the sentence, “Many had thought about becoming a teacher for a long time, calling it a longstanding interest or “someday” career. This desire often predated their first career choice, but life circumstances played a big role in choosing when to make the switch.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In what ways can teaching provide an avenue for individuals to make a difference in the lives of children and society as a whole?
  2. Do you hold the belief that teaching is an esteemed and honorable occupation?
  3. Is teaching considered a popular and commonly chosen profession in your country? Why or why not?
  4. Share any personal stories or examples of individuals who switched careers to teaching and successfully made a difference in the lives of their students.
  5. Talk about your ideal vocation that you dream of attaining.
  6. What field or area of study has held your fascination over an extended period of time? Please share.

Your Productivity Needs More Breaks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the fast-paced and demanding world of work, it’s easy to get caught up in a constant cycle of tasks and responsibilities. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, one crucial element often gets overlooked – breaks.

Taking regular breaks throughout the workday is not a luxury, but rather a necessity for maintaining productivity, focus, and overall well-being.

Read the article to know more about how taking regular breaks during the workday help improve performance, concentration, and overall, one’s mood. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://lifehacker.com/your-productivity-needs-more-breaks-1850400649

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “decompress” as used in the article. “After a long day of work, I like to decompress by taking a relaxing bath.” Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “stick to something” mean? “Despite facing challenges, she stuck to it and eventually achieved her fitness goals.” Use the phrase in a sentence.
  3. Explain the meaning of the expression “build the habit” as mentioned in the article. “By consistently practicing piano every day, she was able to build the habit of regular practice.” Use the expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, what is the prevailing belief about uninterrupted work and productivity?
  2. What are some of the negative consequences of not taking regular breaks at work?
  3. Do you agree with the article’s assertion that taking breaks can improve productivity? Why or why not?
  4. How do you personally prioritize and incorporate breaks into your work routine? What benefits have you experienced?
  5. Are there any challenges or barriers you face when trying to take breaks at work? How do you overcome them?

Future of Jobs

B1 – Intermediate

The future of jobs is a big topic now. Many people want to know what jobs will be available in the coming years. Technology is changing fast and it will impact the job market a lot.

Some jobs that are easy and routine may soon be done by robots or computers. This means that some jobs may disappear. But, new jobs will also be created such as those that require knowledge of technology like robots and artificial intelligence.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the future of jobs.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/future-of-jobs-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cut” mean in this sentence, “According to the report, technology and digitalization will both create and cut jobs.“? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to keep up with something“ mean, “Companies will need to adapt to new technologies and increase their digitalization to keep up with the changing job market.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. “All this means that the job market will see big changes in the coming years.” What is “job market“? Define and use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some technological advancements that are changing the job market?
  2. What skills do you think will be most important for workers in the future job market?
  3. How might the increase in teleworking impact the job market in the future?
  4. What are some problems related to the job market changes and how can they be solved?
  5. How might advancements in artificial intelligence impact the job market in the future?

Adapting to Last Minute Project Changes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

How flexible you are when sudden changes happen? Although last-minute changes can be prevented with careful planning, some projects can be a real challenge to maintaining your balance sometimes.

Read the article to know how to quickly adapt to last-minute hiccups at certain project phases.

https://pmtips.net/article/how-to-adapt-to-last-minute-project-changes-or-hiccupshttps://pmtips.net/article/how-to-adapt-to-last-minute-project-changes-or-hiccups

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “best-laid plan” mean, “The best-laid plans sometimes don’t work out. In a perfect world, every project you take on at work would be smooth sailing from start to finish.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “hiccup” mean, “But that still doesn’t stop the occasional hiccup or unexpected circumstance from happening.”? Use the word hiccup in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “to be knocked out of the groove” mean in this sentence, “When that happens, it can feel as though everyone is instantly knocked out of the “groove” they’ve been in for the project.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How often do you have to deal with bottlenecks created by your colleagues or partners?
  2. How do you usually deal with the situation when unexpected events affect your project timing?
  3. How do you feel when your plan changes suddenly? Do you start panicking or looking for solutions?
  4.  Have you had to deal with any last-minute changes in your workplace?

Job-Hopping Impacts Retirement Savings

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Job-hopping has become a thing nowadays as more people seek greener pastures. It may seem advantageous in terms of your long-term savings. However, it could potentially hurt your retirement savings in the long run.

Read the article to learn about some things to factor in when job-hopping.

https://lifehacker.com/how-job-hopping-impacts-your-retirement-savings-1850274503

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “vesting schedule“, “In most cases, increasing your overall income will do more for you in the long-term than any one company’s vesting schedule.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does the expression “to leave money on the table” mean, “With incentives like a dedicated vesting schedule or matching 401(k) contributions, workers who stick with one company get rewarded for their loyalty—while job-hoppers feel like they’re leaving free money on the table.“? Make a sentence with this idiom.
  3. What does “stick with” mean,  “Workers who stick with one company get rewarded for their loyalty.“? Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does job-hopping impact retirement savings?
  2. Is job hopping a viable option for those who prioritize their retirement savings? Why or why not?
  3. Have you ever considered job hopping in order to increase your income or advance your career?
  4. How important is retirement planning to you, and what steps are you taking to ensure your future financial security?
  5. Do you believe that job hopping can have a positive impact on your career trajectory, or do you think it is better to stay with one employer for a longer period of time?

Cope With Layoff Anxiety

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being employed in a company is surely not all rainbows and butterflies. There’s always that fear of getting laid off or fired out of nowhere.

Read the article to learn how to deal with layoff anxiety.

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-cope-with-layoff-anxiety-1850097349

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “safety net” mean, “Even if having a financial safety net isn’t feasible, coming up with a backup plan gives you some sort of control over your situation.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “cobble” mean, “According to a 2022 survey, roughly 36% of employed Americans are gig workers—cobbling an income together from multiple sources, none of which likely come with benefits.“? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to channel something into” mean, “Channel your anxiety into learning new skills.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do people experience anxiety after being laid off from their jobs?
  2. What are other ways to deal with layoff anxiety?
  3. How can talking to someone about your layoff anxiety help you cope?
  4. How can employers help ease their employees’ anxiety during a period of potential layoffs?
  5. Can seeking professional help, such as counseling, be beneficial for coping with layoff anxiety?
  6. Have you experienced getting laid off? If yes, how did you deal with it? If not, how do you think will you handle this situation?

AI Anxiety: Workers Fear Losing Jobs to Artificial Intelligence

B2 – Upper Intermediate

AI is undeniably useful in many different industries and applications. With the increasing automation of jobs, many people are concerned about the security of their employment.

Read the article to learn more about the impact of AI on the workforce and how some workers fear for their jobs.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230418-ai-anxiety-artificial-intelligence-replace-jobs

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “shy away from something” mean, “Instead of shying away from AI, employees should plan to embrace and educate.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “fluid” mean here, “It is normal to feel anxiety about the impact of AI because its evolution is fluid.“? Use “fluid” in a sentence in this context.
  3. What does “streamline” mean, “Technology advancements have shown us that, yes, technology has the potential to automate or streamline work processes.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that AI will ultimately create more jobs than it replaces, as some experts suggest? Why or why not?
  2. What are some potential solutions to address job displacement caused by AI?
  3. How can governments and policymakers ensure that AI is used responsibly and for the benefit of society as a whole?
  4. Do you think that there are certain jobs or industries that are more vulnerable to job displacement caused by AI than others? Why or why not?
  5. Are you concerned about the potential impact of AI on your job or industry? Why or why not?

Strengths and Weaknesses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Imagine being asked about your strengths and weaknesses at a job interview. What would you say?

Read the article and find out some tips on how to talk about strengths and weaknesses at a job interview.

https://www.betterteam.com/strengths-and-weaknesses

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “frame” here, “Use the job description to frame your answer.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “hard skill” mean, “Your weaknesses can include a hard skill set out in the job description, provided that you emphasize your desire to acquire this skill through a course or program.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. Define “note” here, “I struggle with negative criticism and can become obsessed with perfecting my work after receiving notes from a supervisor.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What should you consider when listing your weaknesses?
  2. Can your weakness affect your hiring? How can you avoid this?
  3. What are some examples of weaknesses that you can mention during an interview depending on the job profile?
  4. What should you consider when listing your strengths?
  5. What are some examples of strengths that you can mention during an interview?

Remote Work a Liability

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For small business owners, allowing staff to work from home offers several advantages. Among them include fostering employee satisfaction and lowering rent costs for offices. Despite the buzz around telecommuting, there are still possible risks to be aware of.

Watch the video on a discussion about how some companies think the remote working is a liability.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “preempt” mean? “I don’t want to preempt anything I would say to the team. So, he wouldn’t tell me what the timeline is.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘preempt’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “crank up” mean? “Come summer, if folks want to be working from home on Fridays, they really need to crank up the effort.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘crank up’ in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “buzzword“? “The latest buzzword in international travel is “ecotourism”.” Kindly use the word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of working from home? Is remote working a liability or not? Explain.
  2. What are the pros and cons of remote working for companies?
  3. What do companies in your country think of remote work?
  4. How do you think company managers in your country would feel about workers having the flexibility to combine weeks of proper vacation and working remotely during summertime?
  5. What do you think about being able to choose to come in and out of work at time that best suits an employee during their workday? Cite the advantages and troubles with this kind of flexibility in worker schedules.