Tag: work

Prepare Kids for the Future in the Workplace

B2- Upper Intermediate

Having successful children is what most parents aspire for. As much as we should let kids be kids, we should also think about how to raise them in order for them to be workplace-ready.

How do we prepare our children to excel in the workplace in the future?

https://www.inc.com/video/jt-odonnell/how-to-raise-kids-who-will-succeed-in-the-workplace.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What advice did the speaker share? Do you agree or disagree?

2. What are ways to raise successful children?

3. Should children be raised always thinking they should constantly strive for success?

4. How did you prepare for joining the workforce?

5. Talk about a challenge you had at work and how you overcame it.

The Art of the Business Lunch

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the business arena, having a business lunch is important as offers can be made, partnerships can be formed and deals can be closed. How much do you know about having successful lunch meetings?

Let’s learn some tips and be ready to share what you know.

Discussion Questions:
1. What did you learn from the video?
2. Who should order and what should you order? What’s meant by “not scratch-made”?
3. What other business lunch etiquette do you know?
4. Is it good or bad idea to bring a small gift for the host/hostess?
5. Is being punctual important? Why or why not?

The Gender Pay Gap

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Data show that the majority of medium and large companies pay higher wage rates to men than to women. In spite of all these records, skeptics still do not believe in the existence of the idea. See how the video debunks myths about the gender pay gap.

Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the six myths about the gender pay gap.
2. Do you experience the pay gap in your company?
3. How can we resolve issues about the pay gap?
4. In what other phenomena are men considered to be more privileged than women?
5. In what events are women thought to be more advantaged than men?

The Worst Things about Working at Google

C1 – Advanced

I bet a lot of, if not all, people perceive working at Google as THE dream job. On the contrary, according to some people who have worked in this tech giant, sometimes, it’s not all “rainbows and ponies”.

Click on the link to read more on Googlers’ least favorite things about being employed at Google.

https://www.businessinsider.com/google-employees-worst-things-about-working-at-google-2016-12#its-hard-to-be-honest-with-your-colleagues-2

Discussion Questions:

1. Talk about some complaints Googlers have about working at Google.
2. What are your thoughts on these confessions?
3. What’s the best and worst thing about working in your company?
4. What comes to your mind when you hear “Google”?
5. What are important things you look for in a company you will work for?

How to Call in Sick to Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone needs a time off from work for being under the weather. We are not machines that do not get run-down, so calling in sick to work is necessary. However, some people skip out work for some reasons, such as having a doctor’s appointment, not feeling like working, needing to relax, and catching up on sleep. Regardless if it is a genuine illness or not, be sure to follow the right steps for taking a sick day.

Read here: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-call-in-sick-to-work-4172109

Discussion Questions:

1. Talk about the process of filing a leave in your company.

2. Have you faked an illness just to take a day off?

3. What are some common fake reasons for taking a personal day? How can we lessen some of these crooked actions?

4. How can one motivate himself to go to work everyday?

Open-Plan Offices

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In recent years, companies have opted for open-plan offices to encourage employee interaction and collaboration. In a new study, however, having an open floor plan may in fact have the opposite effect and be counterproductive.

Read the article to find out more.

https://theconversation.com/a-new-study-should-be-the-final-nail-for-open-plan-offices-99756

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the article all about? Explain in your own words.
  2. What are the pros and cons of having an open floor plan? What about a closed one?
  3. Talk about the layout or floor plan of your own company/office. How do you think can communication and teamwork be improved in your company?

Four-Day Workweeks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This headline may seem too good to be true. But a New Zealand company is saying otherwise. In fact, it may be a true solution to productivity problems.

Read the article to find out about this innovative experiment.

https://theconversation.com/working-four-day-weeks-for-five-days-pay-research-shows-it-pays-off-100375

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the article in your own words. What is your opinion about this New Zealand company’s bold move?
  2. Talk about your work schedule. Do you think applying this same technique can be beneficial for yourself and for your company? Why or why not?
  3. How can one achieve work-life balance? Provide some of your own personal tips.

What Everyone Should Know About Teamwork

C1 – Advanced

We are living in a modern world where people rely much on technology and machines. This only means that competition is also rapidly tougher than before. As competition rises, individualism occurs along with it. Therefore, if we talk about teamwork nowadays, it is almost as impossible as climbing the Himalayas Mountain.

Everyone knows that teamwork is the key to any organization’s success and challenges are dealt with more easily when two or more heads are taking part, but teamwork is a challenge in itself. It requires effective communication and humility towards a common goal.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/luisromero/2016/01/20/what-everyone-should-know-about-teamwork/#55eecea73631

Discussion Questions:

1. How would you describe your ability to work as a team member?
2. Do you prefer working in a team or independently?
3. Have you ever had difficulty working with a team?
4. Talk about your own experiences that demonstrate teamwork.
5. What strategies would you utilize to cultivate teamwork within your team/department?

Retain Employees

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You probably love your job and what you are doing but you reach a point in your life when you suddenly feel unhappy and unsatisfied with your work. Your boss would notice the change in your attitude and performance so he could  either just let you go or help you get back on track by providing interventions.

Let us read the full article below on how companies can retain employees.

https://www.thedailypositive.com/retain-employees/

Discussion Questions:

  1.  Have you ever felt demotivated to work? If yes, how did you cope with it?
  2.  Can you describe the working environment of your company and your relationship with your colleagues?
  3.  Do you think your working environment affects your work performance?
  4.  Do you have any similar experience?
  5.  Describe a good leader.

Work Burnout

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the most common and serious work issues is work burnout. It is often confused with stress. But there is a big difference between the two.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to find out more about occupational blues.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/business-english/podcasts-for-professionals/work-burnout

Discussion Questions:
1. What’s the difference between stress and burnout?
2. What are ways to fight work blues?
3. Share any story about being burned-out.