7 Discussing Jobs
In this chapter you will learn about:
- Syllable stress in English
- Using future tense verbs
Discussion Questions:
- Look at the four pictures above. What jobs do the people have in the pictures?
- Which job looks the hardest? Which job looks the easiest?
- What education is needed for each of the jobs?
- Which of the jobs would you like to do the most? Which would you like to do the least? Why?
Chapter 7 Vocabulary
degree (n.) service (n.) together (adv.) consider (v.) position (n.) project (n.) opportunity (n.) interview (n./v.) successful (adj.)
demanding (adj.)
Activity 1 Part 1
Use your dictionary to find the meaning for the vocabulary words in the box. Then write the words from the box next to their definitions below.
The chance to do something.
A task that needs to be worked on for some time.
To think about something carefully.
A meeting where people ask each other questions.
A company that provides something to the public, like cable TV or internet.
The place where someone or something is.
Doing well at something you want; earning a lot of money, fame or respect.
A diploma earned at a university such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s.
Something that needs a lot of time and hard work.
When two things or two people are with each other.
Activity 1 Part 2 Syllables
Listen to the pronunciation of the vocabulary words. Write the number of syllables that you hear in each word. The first word has been done for you.
degree 2
service
together
consider
position
project
opportunity
interview
successful
demanding
Activity 2
Read the conversation below and try to fill in the blank lines with the vocabulary words from the box. Do not use one word more than one time. You will not use two of the words.
degree (n.), service (n.), together (adv.). consider (v.), position (n.), project (n.),
opportunity (n.), interview (n./v.), successful (adj.), demanding (adj.)
Emad: Hi Susan. How are you? I didn’t see you in class last week.
Susan: Hey Emad. I’m good. I was out of town. What did I miss in class?
Emad: We talked about how to find job that match our university .
Susan: Oh, that sounds really useful. Can you give me your notes?
Emad: Sure. We can review them before our next class.
Susan: Great. Thanks. Was the lecture useful?
Emad: Yes, it was really useful. The professor told us that in order to be with our job searches in the future, we should a lot of positions.
Susan: What does that mean?
Emad: That means, we should try to get at several different jobs. This way we will have more chances to a get a good job.
Susan: I see. That makes sense.
Emad: She also told us about the career center on campus. They offer many that help students who are looking for jobs.
Susan. That is good to know. Is there anything else I missed?
Emad: We also talked about our final for this class. I can tell you more about it later.
Susan: OK. Thanks so much for your help!
Emad: You’re welcome! See you at our next class.
Susan: OK. See you then! Bye.
Now listen to the conversation and check your answers:
Speaking Activity: Jobs Survey
Directions: Find a classmate who says “yes” to the questions below. If they say yes, write their name. If they say no, ask a different person. Try to get different names for each question.
Question
Name of Classmate who says “yes
Do you want a job where you work together with people?
Do you want a job where you do different projects every day?
Have you been to a job interview before?
Would you consider a job in customer service?
Do you want to be successful at your job?
Do you want to work for a demanding boss?
Do you know of any job opportunities for your major?
Do you know where you want to work in the future?
Do you want to be the boss at your job?
Do you think work is fun?
Listening Activity: Listening for details about jobs
There are many different types of jobs, both good and bad. Listen to the 4 people talk about their jobs. After you listen, answer the questions below.
Audio link about job schedules
What is their name?
What is their job?
What is their work schedule?
Do they like their job? Why or why not
After listening to the people talk about their jobs, answer the questions below.
Which person do you think likes their job the best?
Which person likes their job the least?
In your opinion, which of the jobs is the most difficult? Why?
Which of the jobs seems the easiest? Why?
Part 3 Directions
Think about all the jobs you know about in English. Make a list below of the easiest and the hardest jobs you can think of. Then compare your list with a partner and discuss your opinions. Do you have any of the same jobs on your lists? Which of the jobs would you like to do the most? Why?
Easy jobs
Difficult jobs
Speaking Tip: Syllable Stress
A: Did you say your major is teaching English?
B: No! I said teaching SPAnish.
When you need to stress or emphasize a word in English so another person understands you, you can pronounce the syllables of the word differently. This is called “stress”.
Syllable stress= Making a word or syllable louder or higher, so it is noticed by listeners.
Rules:
Stress the first syllable of: Most two-syllable nouns (examples: PENcil, JACKet)
Most two-syllable adjectives (examples: LOVEly, HAPpy)
Stress the last syllable of: Most two-syllable verbs (examples: reQUIRE, deCIDE)
Stress the middle syllable of: Most three syllable words (toMAto, comPUter)
Practice
Read the conversation below with a partner. Practice saying the stressed syllables louder and higher.
A: Hey! what are you studying?
B: I’m studying biology.
A: Did you say geOlogy?
B: No, I said biOlogy.
A: Oh, sorry! Cool. Biology sounds interesting. What kind of job do you want?
B: I want to be a climate scientist.
A: A WHAT?
B: A CLImate scientist. They study the weather and how it changes.
A: Oh! Cool. Good luck!
B: Thanks!
Homework Activity: Jobs Survey
Directions: Practice speaking English outside the classroom. Introduce yourself to 4 Americans. Tell them you are an English student and ask them if they can help with you with your homework. When you are finished, say ‘thank you’.
Ask each person the questions below. Listen and write their answers.
What is your job?
How many hours do you work every week?
Do you like your job? Why or why not?
What is your dream job?
What is your job?
How many hours do you work every week?
Do you like your job? Why or why not?
What is your dream job?
What is your job?
How many hours do you work every week?
Do you like your job? Why or why not?
What is your dream job?
What is your job?
How many hours do you work every week?
Do you like your job? Why or why not?
What is your dream job?
Grammar Tip: Future Tense
In English, there are two common ways to talk about future plans or events:
Future plans that are already made use the form: “be going to” + another verb.
I am going to study in France next year.
She is going to take a class with that professor next semester.
Are you going to get a job when you graduate?
Facts or promises use the form: “will” + another verb.
The semester will start on Monday.
I will call you after class. I promise!
She will be late to work today.
Practice:
Directions: Work with a partner to complete the conversation using the future tense. Think carefully about which form to use. Then practice reading the conversation together.
A: Hey! (you / study) here next semester?
B: Hey! No, (I / plan) to study here because I have a job offer.
A: Cool! When (you / start) the job?
B: (I /start) next April.
A: Where is the job?
B: (the job/ be) in San Francisco.
A: Wow! That’s great! I hope it is a good job.
B: Thanks!! Me too!
Speaking Fluency Practice
Directions: Read the questions below and think about your answers. Then discuss the questions with a partner or in a small group.
- Does the job you want require a specific university degree? Which degree?
- Do you want to work in customer service? Why or why not?
- Do you want a job that is physically demanding? Why or why not?
- What kind of projects do you enjoy doing?
- Are there lots of opportunities for jobs in your country?
- What does it take to be successful in a job?
- Have you been to a job interview before? Did you get the position?
- What is a normal salary for a beginning job in your country?
- What kind of job does your (father /mother / sister/ brother) have?
Chapter 7 Review
In this chapter, you learned about:
- Jobs and majors in English
- Syllable stress
- Using future tense verbs
Extra Listening Practice
Jeff and Tim talk about some cool jobs that they would love to have.
Hear six different people talk about what their dream job would be.
Carl and Beth are looking for jobs. Listen to them talk about jobs they like and dislike.
In this segment, six people talk about their first job.
Hear six different people talks about jobs they would not want to have.
