IELTS Topic: Work
Why you need to be able to talk about
work and jobs

Why?
O Work is one of the most common topics in
the IELTS exam. You are very likely to be
asked about it.
O It is most common in the IELTS Speaking
Test.

How
O It could appear in any of three sections of
the speaking test:
O Part 1 and 2: Personal experience
O Part 3: General discussion

Personal Experience
O In part one you may be asked some
simple questions like:
O “Do you have a job?”
O “Do you work or are you a student?”
O As you are students, you can say you
don’t work and are in full-time education.

Personal Experience
O However, if you said yes, you may be
asked:
O “Why did you choose that job?”
O “Do you enjoy your job?”
O “Do you get along well with your co-
workers?”
O “What responsibilities do you have?”
O “What would you like to change about your
job?”
O etc

Personal Experience
O In Part 2, you may be asked about:
O A job you have done in the past
O A job you would like to do in the future
O Your dream job
O An interesting/challenging job you know
about

Personal Experience
O Here’s an example:
Describe a job that you would like to do in the
future.
You should say:
O what the job is
O how much training would be necessary
O what is so special about this job
and explain why you are attracted to this job

General Discussion
O These topics may be raised in the IELTS
Speaking Test Part 3, or the Writing Test
Task 2.
O You will be asked about difficult social or
ethical issues.

General Discussion
O Possible topics:
O Sexual equality
O Should men and women get paid the same?
O Can men and women do the same work?
O Ageism
O Should people be forced to retire at a certain
age?
O Work-related health
O What can employers do to safeguard their
employees’ health or reduce workplace
stress?

General Discussion
O Other workplace issues:
O What are the advantages and
disadvantages of wearing uniforms at
work?
O Will more people work from home in the
future?
O Should co-workers spend their leisure time
together?

Essential Language
How to talk about jobs

Current Job
O What do you do? What’s your job?
O I’m a dentist.
O I work as a lawyer.
O I work in an insurance company.
O I’m unemployed right now.

Current Job
O Be prepared to give more details:
O Tell me about your job.
O My job involves… ing
O My job involves giving presentations.
O My job involves meeting people.
O My job involves tracking sales.
O I have to … and …
O I have to fix computers and set up networks.
O I have to meet guests and organize files.

Future Jobs
O What are your career plans? What job do
you want to do?
O I’m hoping to be a chemist.
O I’m studying to be an accountant.
O I plan on becoming a programmer.
O As you are students, you may also say:
O After graduating, I’d like to…

Future Job
O Tell me about the job you hope to do.
O You have to… and …
O You have to call people and collect
information.
O You need to have …
O You need to have patience.
O You need to have a lot of energy.

Future Job
O You need to be …
O You need to be cautious.
O You need to be highly motivated.
O Note: We use “you” to refer to people in
general.

Practice
Mind mapping aspects of a job

Job
Boss/
Colleagues
Personal
Qualities
Training/
Qualificatio
ns
Best/ worst
Things
About the
Job
Place of
Work
Duties/
Hours
Vet
Many years
of training
Must be
very caring
and patient
Work with
other vetsWorst thing
is seeing
animals
suffer
Work at a
pet hospital
Work long
hours
caring for
animals

Questions and Answers
1. Complete a mind map for a job you
would like to do.
2. Ask your partner questions about the job
they have chosen.
O Example: What sort of personal qualities
do you need to do this job? Why?