Tag: work

Why CEOs Make So Much Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

An Economic Policy Institute analysis showed that on average, high-ranking executives of some of the largest US companies earned around $21 m a year. 

Despite a looming global economic recession, it appears that the salaries of CEOs continue to get bigger and bigger. This will most likely intensify the scrutiny of pay inequality.

Read this article to find out why CEOs make so much and if it has always been the case.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210125-why-ceos-make-so-much-money

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the responsibilities of a CEO?
  2. Why should they be paid a lot? Is this fair?
  3. Would you like to become the CEO of a company one day? If so, what kind of top boss would you be like?  If not, for what reasons?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that CEOs are the most important factor of success of a company hence, they should be paid the highest?
  5. What do you know about the CEO of your company?

Flagging Productivity at Work? Tricks to Get Your Mojo Back

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all have those days when completing our assigned tasks seems beyond reach. With the temptation of social media, mobile games, and the internet in general—not to mention the constant bustle of people in the office—it’s easy to fall prey to disruptions and distractions at work.

So, what can we do about it? How to be productive at work?

Let’s read the article about the 5 simple tricks to be more productive at work.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/364586

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can people improve their productivity?
  2. Are you a very motivated person or do you wait until the last minute to do things?
  3. What technology helps you to be productive?
  4. Do you think that some people are more productive because of genetics or how they were raised?
  5. What are some things you want to do but don’t have time for?

Ways Companies Can Support Grieving Employees

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all have different means on how to cope up with pain and grief. Some would use their work to get back up while living with their anguish. It’s called productive destruction as work itself can restore one’s purpose after dealing with loss.

Watch as Tilak Mandadi talks about the importance of culture of empathy in the workplace and how it can support grieving employees.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss the 3 tips on the video. How can they be helpful for grieving employees?
  2. What was the most painful thing you had experienced? Who helped you get through it?
  3. How do you deal with grief and pain?
  4. What can you say about your work environment?
  5. What are the things that your company offers to mourning employees?

How We Can Use the Hiring Process to Bring Out the Best in People

B2 – Upper intermediate

Job interviews could be stressful especially for those who cannot function well under pressure and feel uncomfortable answering a lot of questions from the interviewer.

Watch as Gil Winch explains how to successfully see the true potential of a candidate.

Discussion Questions: 

  1. Do you agree with this statement: “If you want to assess a candidate’s true potential, see how they function at their best, not their worst.” Explain why it’s necessary to make the candidates feel relaxed.
  2. What are the things that would put the candidates at ease? Do you agree with them?
  3. Talk about your worst and best job interviews. What did you learn from them?

The ‘Minterns’ Taking Internships in their 30s

B2 – Upper Intermediate

At the age of 30, society expects us to have stable careers and secure jobs. However, not everyone feels personal fulfillment in what they do around this age. This is especially true for millennials.

A study conducted showed that almost half of millennials are dissatisfied with their jobs. A lot of them leave within the first 24 months. Some choose to shift from their original career paths to a different one, purposely starting from the bottom again.

Click the link below and read the article to know more about “minterns”.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190815-the-minterns-taking-internships-in-their-30s

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who are considered as “minterns”? What do you think of people in their 30s taking on internship jobs?
  2. What do you think this work trend reflects?
  3. Can you imagine yourself doing what Alejandro Cavazos did given a chance? Why or why not?
  4. Why do you think a lot of millennials are dissatisfied with their jobs?
  5. How important is personal fulfillment in choosing your career path?
  6. What are you looking for in terms of career development?

How to Know If It’s Time to Change Careers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Career changes—at any level—are stressful, time-consuming, and, well, often agonizing. How do you know if you’re making the right decision? It’s not an easy process to pivot to something unfamiliar, or to quit a job that’s OK on many levels but ultimately professionally unsatisfying.

Let’s watch the video on how to know if it’s time to change careers.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you happy at work? Why / Why not?
  2. What are some of the most common reasons that people change their jobs?
  3. Do you know anybody who has led a successful career in one field and then suddenly given it up and changed to something completely different? What reasons do you think they may have had?
  4. What three things are most important for you in a job? Why?
  5. What is a dead-end job? Are you OK to have one if it pays well?
  6. What preparations did you make before leaving your previous job/jobs?

Advice If You Should Quit Your Job

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are times when we feel tired and listless in doing our job. There are many reasons why, including toxic work environment, bosses from hell, and sometimes, the work itself is just so tiring.

In this video, it will help you realize why and how to continue even if you’re tired of your chosen profession. You will somehow think of the reasons why you need to continue or otherwise.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the problem of the two men? What did the sage tell them?
  2. How did the two men solve their problems?
  3. How do you explain these two expressions “Only a bowl of rice” and “Only a difference of thought”?
  4. What are some reasons you quit your previous jobs?
  5. What makes you stay in your current job?

Do Employers Look for Experience or Education?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Education is often described as an investment. Does having a high academic qualification still remain an important consideration in landing a job? Do companies hire employees based on their skills and experiences?

Let us read some of the factors to consider when it comes to the duel between education and experience.

https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0710/experience-or-education-which-one-lands-you-the-job.aspx

Discussion Questions:

1.What is more important – skills without a degree or a degree without skills?

2. How does a college degree improve a graduate’s employment opportunities?

3.What are some jobs where college qualifications aren’t required?

4. Is a college degree necessary in the job you have? Why do you think you were hired by your company?

5. What are some of your job-seeking experiences?

No More Bosses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Holacracy is a method of removing job titles and hierarchy. In this system, decision-making is distributed among self-managing teams. In this method, certain positions in the business hierarchy such as managers are dissolved.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the benefits of having a boss/manager? Can you think of any disadvantages in the absence of one?
  2. Do you agree with holacracy? Are there companies in your country that practice holacracy?
  3. Describe your relationship with your former and current bosses. How helpful were they to you?

Coronavirus: Dealing with Mass Unemployment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of people have been stressing about being permanently or temporarily laid off from their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic. It has caused financial problems to a lot of people. Some started finding jobs that are not in their fields of expertise and some have been trying to survive by the money that the government has given them. They say that we are not yet in a place where we can talk about recovery and the ripple effect will come in the future.

Let’s listen to the audio below to learn more.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200924

Discussion Questions:

  1. Has the pandemic caused mass unemployment in your country?
  2. What would be the ripple effect of mass unemployment?
  3. Would upskilling or reskilling be the answer to our problem?
  4. What are your thoughts about not having a job for life?
  5. What do you think are other ways to deal with mass unemployment?