Tag: work

Avoiding the Post-Vacation Blues

C1 – Advanced

After few weeks or a month-long holiday some employees feel sad and depress of the workload that they left.  This sensation is called post-vacation syndrome (PVS) or post-vacation blues it is a type of mood that persons returning home from a long trip (usually a vacation) may experience.

In this video, we will tackle how to overcome Post-Vacation Blues and bounce back immediately after your summer vacation. Watch the video below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the symptoms of post-vacation syndrome?
2. What are the ways to prevent PVS according to the video?
3. Do you sometimes spend time working for few hours during your vacation?
4. Do you have a lot of work load after your vacation?
5. What do you think are the pros and cons of “Workcation” (working from a vacation destination)?

Skills Best Sales Managers Possess

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most of the times, companies reward their top sales people by promoting them as managers. Do excellent salespeople necessarily become good managers?

Look at three skills all best sales managers have through this article.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianaltman/2016/04/14/the-best-sales-managers-always-possess-these-3-skills/#2e97c9e859dd

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is important for managers to have the said skills?
2. What other traits do you associate with great managers?
3. What is the worst trait you’ve experienced?
4. Talk about a situation where the team failed, how did you/your team/your manager handle it?
5. Do you think anyone who is excellent at his job can be a leader?

Finding Your Passion

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You know exactly what you’re passionate about, and you can recite your elevator pitch in your sleep, but no one would know it based on your job title.

Maybe you don’t yet have the necessary skills or experience to land your dream job. Maybe you’re about to make a big career change. Or maybe what you’re passionate about just isn’t a financially viable option. (After all, “Follow your passion” may make a great commencement speech theme, but it’s certainly not a career plan. Some argue it’s not even great advice.)

Watch the vide below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are you passionate about?
2. How did you find out what your passion was?
3. Do you agree with the statement: “Finding your passion means you’ll never have a job.”?
4. Do you think finding your dream job is unrealistic?
5. What stops people from following their passions in life?

Tackling Remote Work Challenges

© Trello

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The world is changing along with the way we live and work. Working remotely is one work styles that is becoming a trend in the workplace nowadays. With teleworking becoming more and more popular these days, it is important to note the good and bad things about it and to know how to deal with them so telecommuting becomes advantageous and satisfying to a person who works from home.

Lift the lid on the joys and struggles of being a home-based worker.

https://blog.trello.com/tips-for-tackling-remote-work-challenges

Let’s talk:

1. What are some challenges that teleworkers face and what are ways to cope with them?

2. How do you view telecommuting?

3. How would you feel about working remotely on a regular basis?

4. Do you think everyone should be given the option to telework?

5. What other workplace trends are becoming popular in your country?

French “Right to Disconnect” Law

working-from-home

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Work-life balance is a global issue now since we are constantly asked by our employers to be always online. The pressure and stakes are high. If we don’t follow them, we might not get the promotion we’ve long been aiming for or worst-case scenario, lose our jobs. But is all this worth the stress?

France had declared a new law that allows employees to have the right to disconnect. Some say it is what every country needs but is it really possible (to be TOTALLY disconnected from work)? Let’s read and start a discussion about the topic.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/french-disconnect-law/3661695.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What can cause a lot of stress according to this article?
2. What do you think about this new French law?
3. What are the advantages of this law for the employees? What are the disadvantages of this law for companies?
4. What new laws do you have in your country?

Commercial Airline Pilot – A Dream Job?

B1 – Intermediate

Every job has its pros and cons so before diving into something, we want to know everything about it – from pretty cool benefits that come with being an airline pilot to its pitfalls.

Read the article below to find out more about being a commercial airline pilot.

http://www.english-online.at/travel/airline-pilot/commercial-airline-pilot.htm

Discuss questions:

  1. Did you ever dream of becoming an airline pilot? Why or why not?
  2. What is your impression of having a job as a pilot?
  3. What are the pros and cons of being an airline pilot?
  4. Do you think you have what it takes to become a pilot?

The Firm that Starts Work at 9.06am

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most employees consider having flexible work hours a perk. At Pivotal Software, they require their employees to clock in at exactly 9:06 in the morning.

Curious to know why? Click on the link below to read more about this unusual work rule.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37998577

Discussion Questions:

1. Why are employees at Pivotal Software required to report to work at exactly 9:06 AM?
2. What do you think of this idea?
3. Would you like such rule to be implemented in your company? Why or why not?
4. Describe your work hours and your typical work day.
5. What are the things that you do to increase your productivity at work?

The Lion Whisperer

B1 – Intermediate

There has always been a fascination with wild animals like lions and tigers. Some people’s job is to learn about their behaviors. Due to the risks associated, only a few dare to go near, more so, to live with these wild beasts.

Watch the video below and take a look at how one man is able to live amongst wild African cats.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about humans interacting with wild animals?
  2. Are you fond of animals? Why or why not? Do you/Would you like to have any pets?
  3. What are some animals found in your country that are considered wild and endangered?
  4. How would you feel being around lions?
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “The lions are his equal.“?

The Perils of Business Travel

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In some occupations, going places is one of the things that comes with the job. While it has a lot of benefits, it also involves some risks.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Although technology has enabled videoconferencing, complete with multiple participants in multiple locations, business travel still proves a necessity for some industries, organizations, and positions. A few reasons include: Difficulties with time zones, the need to have project participants together for brainstorming sessions, or even just an old-fashioned mindset in which an employee’s physical presence is a necessity to get anything done. However, new data confirms what has long been suspected: Frequent business travel is bad for you.

To start, in terms of health, a traveler’s circadian rhythm gets disrupted with travel. This refers to your physical, mental, and behavioral cycle each day, such as when you wake up at a regular time in the morning or experience a dip in energy in the early afternoon. Your mood, ability to concentrate, and judgment are all negatively impacted from travel.

Anyone who has experienced jet lag comprehends just what it feels like to be several hours off a regular schedule. However, the immune system is also compromised, and this can mean a greater likelihood for colds and flu. Even worse, the risk of a heart attack and stroke also increase with frequent travel. And lastly, the business traveler also receives increased exposure to radiation; monthly flights from New York to London put a person above the maximum annual dosage.

There are other negatives too, one of which is the effects on family. Missed birthdays and other important events like milestones can become a regular occurrence, and which lead to the loss of the traveler’s familial role. All in all, there are a lot of perils related to business travel.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “peril” mean? “All in all, there are a lot of perils related to business travel.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘peril’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “milestone” mean? “Missed birthdays and other important events like milestones can become a regular occurrence, and which lead to the loss of the traveler’s familial role.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘milestone’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does the adjective “compromised” mean in this context, “However, the immune system is also compromised, and this can mean a greater likelihood for colds and flu.“? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘compromised’ in your own sentence in this context.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about business trips?
  2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of always traveling for work?
  3. Is traveling an essential part of your job? If so, please explain the reasons why. If not, would you like to be given the opportunity to do so?
  4. Are there any places you wouldn’t want to visit for business? Why?
  5. Talk about one of the most memorable business trips you’ve ever had. What made it so unforgettable?

Rules That Make Employees Want to Quit

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every workplace needs rules. They discourage employees from coming to work late, getting drunk at their desks, and most importantly, are intended to ensure efficiency. However, a lot of companies have rules that frustrate employees because they sometimes cross the line into ridiculousness.

Read the article below then express your thoughts about it.

http://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/10-dumb-rules-that-make-your-best-people-want-to-quit.html?utm_content=buffer49014&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Discussion Questions:

1. Do agree with the items listed? why or why not?
2. Give examples of “dumb rules” you’ve encountered.
3. Why do you think rules are necessary?