Conversation Topic: WorkJack Bradshaw
jack_bradshaw [at] hotmail.com
- Knowledge Level
- I have found that it works best with intermediate to advanced level students, but I tried to make the topics progressively more difficult to discuss so that it could be used by any level.
- Age Range
- I have never tried this with high-school age students or younger.
- The classes I teach are an hour in length and I have never covered all six topics completely in that time. An hour is typically enough time to cover the first four topics with a beginner class and enough to cover five or six topics with a higher level group.
- If you could have any job in the world, what would you like to be? Why?
- Do you think it's fair for your boss to ask you to work overtime for no extra pay? Why or why not?
- If you are paid for your overtime, would you prefer to be paid in money or in "time off."
- Which of the following benefits is most important to you in a job and why?
- A high salary
- Good working conditions
- A boss you enjoy working for
- Co-workers you like
- Little or no overtime
- Good opportunities for advancement
- The opportunity to use the training and skills you have acquired
- A job near where you live
- The opportunity to travel
- Flexible working hours
- Are there any of these not important to you?
- Are there any benefits not on the list that you would like to have?
Editor's Note: You may also want to print out a copy of the following page to take into the classroom just in case you need them.
Conversation Questions: Jobs & Occupations
The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. VI, No. 11, November 2000