Course 2

On the Job

1. SNAPSHOT
People who quit their jobs each day in the U.S.: 60,000 People who are fired each day: 12,000
People who would like their boss's job: 29%
Teachers who wish they had chosen another career: 24%
People who have invented a job or degree for their resumes: 10%
Owners of small businesses who do not have a college degree: 76%

Discussion
Have you or has a family member ever quit a job? Why?
Would you like to exchange jobs with your boss? Why or why not? What are five well-paid jobs in Romania?

2. CONVERSATION
1. Read
A: So you're a journalist. That must be an exciting job.
B: It is, at times. It's certainly better than being a teacher!
A: Oh, really?
B: Yeah. I used to be a teacher, but I hated it! The worst thing about teaching is correcting homework. That's
why I quit.
A: I guess you travel a lot now and meet lots of interesting people.
B: Yes, that's one of the best things about my job.
A: Sounds great. I wish I had a job like that.
B: Where do you work?

A: In an office. It's kind of boring. I'm stuck inside all day, and I have to work long hours.
B: Oh? What do you do?
A: I'm a vice president.
2 Which do you think is more interesting, being a teacher or being a journalist? Why?
3 Role play. Now role-play the conversation using your own words.

3. GRAMMAR FOCUS: Comparisons

A lawyer is better paid than a
teacher.
A lawyer earns more than a
clerk.
Teaching is more challenging
than office work.
Being an accountant is as
challenging as being a
teacher.
A teacher has better benefits
than a journalist.
The best thing about being a
teacher is the vacations.

A teacher is not as well paid as a

lawyer.
A clerk doesn't earn as much as a
lawyer.
Office work is less challenging than
teaching.
Being a clerk is not as
challenging as being a teacher.
A journalist has worse benefits
than a teacher.
The worst thing about being a teacher is
correcting homework.

1. Match the information to make sentences.

2

COLUMN A

COLUMN B

a)

A high school teacher doesn't earn

.is getting free air travel yourself and your family

b)

Working on a construction site is more dangerous

.as much as a doctor

c)

The worst things about being a doctor

d)

. as an airline pilot

One of the best things about being a flight attendant .are the long hours and having to work weekends
and

e)

evenings

A taxi driver is not as well paid

. than working in an office

2 Now complete the phrases in column A with your own information. Then compare with a partner.
a) A high school teacher doesn't earn ..
b) Working on a construction site is more dangerous ..
c) The worst things about being a doctor ..
d) One of the best things about being a flight attendant ..
e) A taxi driver is not as well paid ..

3 Pair work Compare these jobs. Use your own information.

COLUMN B
........... is getting free air travel for yourself and your family.
............ as much as a doctor.
............ as an airline pilot.
...... are the long hours and having to work weekends and
evenings.
............ than working in an office.

a nurse and a doctor

a teacher and a student
a mechanic and an engineer
a pilot and, a flight attendant
3. WORD POWER
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1 Put these words in the categories below. Then compare with a partner.
bonus

challenge

commission

health insurance

overtime pay

paid vacations

pension plan

responsibility

variety

Job satisfaction

Salary and earnings

Benefits

3 Group work Can you think of (a) three jobs where you can get commissions, (b) three jobs that are
challenging, and (c) three jobs that have a lot of responsibility?
a.
b.
c.
4. CONVERSATION
1 Read aloud Celia's interview at an employment agency.
A: When did you graduate, Celia?
B: I graduated last year.
A: I see. And what have you been doing since then?
B: Traveling mostly. I love to travel, but now I think it's time for me to get a job.
A: Uh-huh. Are you good at foreign languages?
B: Yes, I think so. I speak French and German, and I can speak a little Russian.
A: Mmm. What kind of job are you looking for?
B: Well, I'd like to have a job where I can use my writing skills. I love working with computers and organizing
information. Also, I'd like to work in a large office, so that I'm around other people.
A: OK ... Well, I think I have the perfect job for you!
2. Pair work. Can you think of a good job for Celia?
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5. GRAMMAR FOCUS: Adverbs of degree and adjectives

I can type (very) well.

Im very good at typing

I can speak Spanish pretty well/ fairly well.

good at Spanish.

I can type a little.

fairly good at languages.

I dont speak it at all.

pretty good at speaking it.

Ok at it.
Im not very good at typing.
Terrible at it.

1 Put the words in B's answers in the correct order.

Then compare with a partner and practice the conversation.
A: How well can you write English?
B: think write pretty I well English can I

________________________________________

A: Are you very good at math?

B: math no terrible actually at I'm

________________________________________

A: Do you know how to use an adding machine?

B: using good adding machine I'm yes an at ________________________________________
A: Are you good at keeping deadlines?
B: at yeah deadlines good keeping I'm pretty ________________________________________
A: Do you get along well with people?
B: very with usually yes get, well along I people ________________________________________
A: Are you good at public speaking? .
B: at' very I'm no it good not

________________________________________

6. PERSONNEL FILE
1 Pair work Take turns asking these questions and others of your own.
-

How many languages do you know?

How well do you (speak/write) ... ?

Are you good at sports?

How well can you swim?

What computer skills do you have?

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Can you type?

Do you like working on a team?

Are you good at managing people?

How well can you work under pressure?

Are you punctual?

2. Tell the group two interesting things you learned about your partner.
7. WRITING
1 Prepare a self-profile. First, make notes about your educational background, work experience, language skills,
other skills, and personal qualities. Then write a composition.
I am a high school graduate. I graduated from Allen High School in 1991. Since then, I have worked at First Valley
Bank. In my job, I am responsible for filing and general office work. I speak two languages. I am good at ...

2 Pair work Exchange your profiles and answer any questions your partner may have.
8. READING
Stressed Out
Stress on the job costs American companies as much as $150 billion a year in lower productivity,
unnecessary employee sick leave, and higher medical costs. Three-quarters of the office workers today say they
suffer from stress at work. Recently, psychologists and doctors have begun to study the problem more closely. They
have discovered that the most stressful professions are those that involve danger and extreme pressure and those
that carry a lot of responsibility without much control.
The signs of stress range from nervousness, anger, and frequent illness to forgetfulness and even mental
problems. The best way to deal with stress is through relaxation, but sometimes the only answer is to fight back or
walk away.
Ten jobs with high stress
-

inner-city high school teacher

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police officer

miner

air-traffic controller

medical intern

stockbroker

journalist

clerk in complaint department

waitress/waiter

secretary

Some ways to cope with stress

-

maintain a sense of humor

meditate

get a massage

exercise regularly

eat more sensibly

limit intake of alcohol and caffeine

spend more time with family and friends

say no to the boss

Some warning signs of stress

-

intestinal distress

rapid pulse

frequent illness

persistent fatigue

irritability

nail biting

lack of concentration

increased use of alcohol and drugs

hunger for sweets

a)

Why do you think the jobs above often produce stress?

b)

Do you show any of the warning signs when you are stressed?

c)

How else do people sometimes react when they are under stress?
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d)

Which of the ways to cope listed above are most effective?

e)

What are some other ways of coping with stress?

Practice
1. What is one of the best things and one of the worst things about the jobs below?
a. a dentist The worst think about a dentist is standing up all day. The best think is

b. a flight attendant

c. a waiter or waitress

.
d. a teacher

.
2. Write three sentences comparing some of these jobs.
an actor or actress

a police officer

a soldier

a factory worker

a salesclerk

a student

a musician

a secretary

a taxi driver

a. ..Being a salesclerk is better than being a taxi driver because you dont have to worry about bad weather.
b.

c. .
.
.
.
d. .
.
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.
.
3. Match the information in column A and column B.
a. architect

wears and shows new fashions to buyers

b. civil servant

decides cases in a court of law

c. clerk

works for the government

d. disc jockey

writes articles for newspapers or magazines

e. geologist

designs and draws plans for new buildings

f. journalist

studies rocks, soil, and other things that the Earth is made of

g. judge

introduces music and songs on the radio

h. model

does general office work

i. realtor

helps people buy and sell buildings and land

Now describe what these people do.

j. A detective is a person who ..
k. A janitor .
l. A mechanic .
m. A musician .
4. Describe one think you are good at and one think you are not so good at in each of these areas.
a. sports Im really good at soccer. .
.
.

.
b. faculty courses .
.
.

.
c. language skills .
.
.
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.
d. other skills .
.

.
5. Complete the questions to these conversations.
a. A: Do you know how ?
B: Yes, I took a computer course in school.
b. A: How .?

B: I speak Portuguese fairly well. I used to live in Brazil.

c. A: Are .? .

B:Yes, I'm pretty good at sports. I play tennis and golf.

d. A: .business letters?
B:I'm afraid I'm not very good at translating letters. I've never had to do that before.
6 Write a paragraph like this about someone you know who is very good at his or her job.
Mr. Grant is the best history teacher I've ever had. He's very good at making his classes interesting, and he really
knows how to make us laugh. Also, he ...

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