Tag: work

Job Hugging

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this day and age, the world has begun to feel incredibly unstable. With the rise of artificial intelligence, the onset of large economic wars, and problems with even securing job positions, Gen Z has become paranoid about leaving their current positions.

To find out more about job hugging, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “fly around” mean? “And there are all of these workplace buzzwords that are just flying around, things like ‘quiet quitting, bare minimum Mondays, the great resignation’.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “flip something around” mean? “But if you flip that around, you have all these employees saying, “Well, why are you just treating me like a number?”  se this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “canary in the coal mine” mean? “I think the tech sector is a good kind of canary in the coal mine.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the positive and negative effects of job hugging?
  2. Do you believe job hugging will be less prevalent in the next few years? Elaborate on your answer.
  3. How will job hugging affect Gen Z in the future?
  4. In your opinion, what does job hugging say about the current state of the job market?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Fear is the biggest obstacle to career growth.”

Pitching at Work

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Giving a formal business pitch can be difficult for some people. Many individuals feel nervous about speaking in front of an audience, answering questions, or convincing others to support their ideas. It can also be challenging to organize information clearly and communicate it confidently. 

However, with practice, preparation, and experience, most people can improve their presentation skills and become more comfortable delivering business pitches.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about delivering a pitch at work.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/250609

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to pitch one’s idea” mean? “It is stressful because I think until you see the reaction of the person who you’re pitching your idea to, even if you think it’s brilliant, you have a big, big doubt.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What is the meaning of “informal setting”? ”I think if it’s an informal setting, then I find it OK, but if there’s pressure to come up with ideas and if I’m asked to think of an idea in advance, I find it more stressful than just kind of having a conversation.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to trail off” mean? “That’s a really good question because you don’t just want your pitch to trail off.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do some people find pitching difficult?
  2. Why is it important to give a clear and professional pitch?
  3. What skills should employees have to become better at presenting at work?
  4. Have you ever given a presentation or pitch? How did it go?
  5. What is your opinion on this “Giving a good pitch is more important than having a good business idea.”?
  6. What are your thoughts on this, “Anyone can become a great presenter with enough practice.”

Career Development

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Career development is the process of improving skills, gaining experience, and setting goals to achieve professional success. It helps individuals grow in their chosen field, adapt to new opportunities, and reach their long-term career objectives. Continuous learning and self-improvement are important parts of career development.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about career development.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260511

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “to sound somebody out”? ”What you want to do is to sound your manager out  and see how they feel about your ideas.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “insider knowledge” mean? “They can help you prepare. They’ve probably been through the process of being promoted if they’re your manager. So, they might have a bit of ‘insider knowledge‘ on those kinds of things.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to check in with someone” mean? “You might want to send fairly regular emails such as ‘Just wanted to check in with you. Wonder if you had any opportunities coming up.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does career development mean to you, and why do you think it is important?
  2. What challenges do people commonly face in their career development and how can they possibly overcome them?
  3. Talk about some career goals that you have set for yourself and how have you been able to achieve them over the years?
  4. In your personal experience, how important is networking in one’s career growth? 
  5. How can managers or mentors influence career success?
  6. How can a person know when it is time to change careers?

AI and College Degrees

B1 – Intermediate 

More students in the US are choosing skilled jobs instead of college. Jobs like welding and plumbing pay well and do not need a degree.

At the the moment, some college students use AI to do their schoolwork, which makes people question the value of college. Because of this, more people support training programs that teach practical skills and lead to good jobs.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about US students choosing skilled trades instead of going to college.

https://newsinlevels.com/products/ai-and-college-degrees-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “skilled trade” mean? “More students in the US are choosing skilled trades instead of going to college.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “field” mean here, “Many high school students are offered well-paid jobs in welding, plumbing, or similar fields right after graduation.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “shop class” mean? “They want to bring back shop classes and support programs where students learn real-life skills.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are more students choosing skilled trades instead of going to college?
  2. Do you think skilled trade jobs are a good alternative to college? Why or why not?
  3. How is AI affecting students’ learning in college?
  4. Do you think using AI tools for schoolwork is helpful or harmful? Explain. 
  5. Do you think schools should focus more on practical skills like shop classes? Why?  

Companies in China Cannot Fire Workers to Replace Them with AI

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

An employee surnamed Zhou held a quality assurance role at a tech firm. The company, pointing to AI-driven improvements and a need for efficiency, tried to move Zhou to a different role and reduce their monthly salary from 25,000 yuan (about US$3,655) to 15,000 yuan. After Zhou refused the salary reduction, the company terminated their employment.

Zhou quickly filed for labour arbitration and requested compensation for being unfairly dismissed.

The court found that the new role, with its significant pay cut, was not a reasonable offer for reassignment. As a result, it ruled the firing illegal and ordered the company to compensate the employee.

Read the article about the Chinese court ruling prohibiting firms to lay off workers on AI grounds.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/companies-cannot-fire-workers-replace-them-ai-china-courts-rule

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be hinged on something” mean? “The dispute largely hinged on whether eliminating a job through AI adoption constitutes an objective major change in circumstances under China’s Labour Contract Law.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. Differentiate “arbitration”, “mediation”, and “litigation”. “According to the country’s Labour Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Law, parties must first take their disagreements to mediation and arbitration commissions; if dissatisfied with the verdict, they can then pursue litigation.” Use each term in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your insights on Zhou’s case and the court’s ruling. 
  2. Should companies be prohibited from firing employees simply to replace them with cost-saving artificial intelligence? Share your opinion.
  3. What are your thoughts on this, “If AI restructuring is necessary, corporations should prioritise retraining staff.”?
  4. How can workers’ rights be protected against AI?
  5. Do you believe AI will create more jobs than it replaces in the future? Explain your answer.

The Truth Behind Unlimited PTO

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) is often promoted as a modern workplace benefit that gives employees freedom and flexibility to take leave whenever they need it. At first glance, it sounds like an ideal system that supports work-life balance and employee well-being, removing the limits of traditional vacation policies.

However, discussions around unlimited PTO also reveal a more complex reality behind the policy. While it appears generous on paper, some employees may feel unsure about how much time off is actually acceptable to take, especially in workplaces where productivity expectations remain high. This raises questions about whether unlimited PTO truly benefits workers or if it creates new pressures in disguise.

Watch the video on the truth about unlimited PTO.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “accrual” mean? “At first glance, it sounds like a dream. Take time off whenever you want — no accruals, no tracking, no caps.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “baseline” mean? “Unlimited PTO has no baseline.” Construct a sentence featuring this phrase. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “performative” mean? “If the answers are “no”, unlimited PTO becomes performative.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of unlimited paid time off (PTO) policies?
  2. Do you think employees actually take more or less time off under unlimited PTO systems? Why?
  3. How might unlimited PTO affect workplace fairness and team workload?
  4. What challenges could managers face when implementing an unlimited PTO policy?
  5. Do you think unlimited PTO improves employee well-being, or does it create pressure to work more?

The Always On Work Culture

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In many modern workplaces, managers often say they value results, efficiency, and work-life balance. However, in practice, employees who appear constantly available—replying to emails late at night, attending meetings after hours, and staying “always on”—are still more likely to be rewarded and promoted. This creates a workplace culture in which visibility and responsiveness are sometimes valued more than actual performance outcomes.

This “always-on” expectation can blur the line between productivity and presence. Instead of focusing purely on results, employees may feel pressured to appear busy and constantly connected to work. Over time, this can shape how performance is judged, influencing career growth, workplace behavior, and even employee well-being.

Read the article about the always-on work trap.

https://theconversation.com/how-an-always-on-work-culture-can-create-a-vicious-cycle-that-damages-workers-and-employers-232281

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “public outcry” mean? “It is not surprising that there was a public outcry around a culture that discourages a work-life balance.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “in the flow” mean? “Employees who felt supported by their partner (at home) and colleagues (at work) felt energised and “in the flow”, and they contributed to company success by showing creativity and innovation.” Construct a sentence featuring this phrase. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “breadwinner” mean? “There is an emphasis on long working hours with men predominantly the breadwinners.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is an “always-on” work culture also present in your country? Talk about it.
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being constantly connected to work?
  3. How can employees set boundaries between work and personal life?
  4. How would you describe the work culture in your workplace?
  5. What is the ideal work culture for you? Why are the things you mention important to you?
  6. How can companies encourage productivity without promoting burnout?
  7. What role should government or labor laws play in regulating work-life balance?

Understanding the Gig Economy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The gig economy refers to a labor market where short-term, flexible, or freelance jobs are more common than permanent, full-time positions. Workers in this system, often called gig workers, take on temporary tasks or projects through digital platforms or direct contracts instead of traditional employment arrangements.

This type of work has grown rapidly due to technology, changing work preferences, and demand for flexible staffing. While it offers opportunities such as independence and flexible schedules, it also raises concerns about job security, income stability, and worker benefits.

Read the article to understand the gig economy more.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gig-economy.asp

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “gig worker” mean? “In 2023, nearly 64 million Americans, 38% of the U.S. workforce, were gig workers.” Use it in a sentence. Give at least 2 synonyms.
  2. What does “bottom-dollar scam” mean? “Workers also need to be wary of online bottom-dollar scams.” Construct a sentence featuring this word. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “free market system” mean in this sentence? “In this free market system, temporary positions are common and work is characterized by the prevalence of small contracts known as ‘gigs.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever done gig work or freelance work? What was it like?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of gig work for employees and employers?
  3. Is the gig economy a good or bad development for society? Shre your insights.
  4. Would you prefer a full-time job or several gig works? Explain your choice.
  5. Do you think governments should regulate gig economy platforms more strictly? Why or why not?
  6. In the future, do you think gig work will become more common than traditional employment?

Workplace Surveillance Impacts Job Performance

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Workplace surveillance is becoming more common as companies use digital tools to monitor employee activity and productivity. While these systems are intended to improve efficiency and accountability, they also raise concerns about their impact on employees’ well-being and performance.

Although monitoring can provide useful data, excessive surveillance may lead to stress, reduced job satisfaction, and lower motivation. Instead of boosting performance, it can sometimes cause employees to focus on appearing productive rather than doing meaningful work.

Read the article about how workplace surveillance impacts job performance.

https://worldatwork.org/publications/workspan-daily/how-workplace-surveillance-impacts-job-performance

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “oversight” mean in this sentence? “Employees facing the constant scrutiny of workplace surveillance are fed up with all the oversight.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “talent loss” mean? “Excessive monitoring can lead to feelings of micromanagement, decreased morale and lower job satisfaction, ultimately resulting in reduced productivity and potential talent loss.” Construct a sentence featuring this phrase. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “intrusive tactic” mean in this sentence? “Royal suggested instead of intrusive tactics like excessive productivity reporting, employers should focus on fostering ongoing, open conversations about expectations and performance goals.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of workplace monitoring?
  2. How can companies balance productivity tracking with employee privacy and trust?
  3. What alternative methods can managers use to evaluate performance?
  4. Have you ever experienced being monitored at work? How did it feel?
  5. Do you think younger workers and older employees feel differently about workplace surveillance?

US Wants Gamers to Become Air Traffic Controllers

B1 –  Intermediate 

There is a shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the USA is recruiting gamers to become air traffic controllers.

The FAA thinks gamers may have useful skills. Officials want more young people to apply.

Read the article about USA’s FAA recruiting gamers to become air traffic controllers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2604/260413-air-traffic-controller-gaming.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “recruitment campaign” mean in this context, “The USA’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a recruitment campaign aimed at gamers.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What is a “candidate pool”? “Our union welcomes innovative approaches to expanding the candidate pool, including outreach to individuals with high-level skills, such as gamers, so long as all pathways maintain the rigorous standards required of this safety-critical profession.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What is a “tagline”? “The tagline is explicitly aimed at gamers.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about FAA trying to recruit gamers as air traffic controllers?
  2. What skills from gaming might help in this job?
  3. Do you think gamers are a good fit for this job? Why or why not?
  4. What do you think about the job of being an air traffic controller?
  5. Why do you think there is a shortage of air traffic controllers in America? Is it the same situation in your country? Talk about it.