Work and employment

1. WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING?
PRACTICE 9 - BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION
C1

2. SPEAKING PART 1 - THE INTERVIEW
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Personal information
- Several topics Simple introduction questions.
- Present, past or future tenses questions
- 3 minutes Ice-breaker
THE KEY:
- Give a good
fi
rst impression.
- Focus on good pronunciation, and giving a complete
and spontaneous answer.
- No need to give long answers
- AVOID HESITATING & REPEATING YOURSELF
KNOW
HOW
SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total

3. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
What are your priorities when applying for a job?
I prioritize ..
My number one requirement is ...
My fundamental expectations are ...
... is essential for me
I would never agree to ...
In no way would I ever ...
I stay clear of ...
... is a red
fl
ag
Talking about values & priorities

4. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
What skills and characteristics make you stand out in the job
I am a highly (positive characteristic) person
I'm an expert in ...
I specialize in ..
My ... skills are excellent
I have a great command of (a language /
system)
I have a great understanding of ...
I have a vast knowledge of ...
Presenting your assets

5. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
Would you rather work for a small business or a big

On one hand ...
Another bene
fi
t is ... .
A further advantage is ...
Moreover ...
In addition ...
Finally ...
On the one hand ...
Another drawback is ...
However ...
Nevertheless ...
Moreover ...
In addition...
Finally ...
Advantages & Disadvantages:

6. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
Would you rather be your own boss or work for a company?

On one hand ...
Another bene
fi
t is ... .
A further advantage is ...
Moreover ...
In addition ...
Finally ...
On the one hand ...
Another drawback is ...
However ...
Nevertheless ...
Moreover ...
In addition...
Finally ...
Advantages & Disadvantages:

7. SPEAKING PART 2 - LONG TURN
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- 1 minute without interruption
- 2 PICTURES (to choose from 3) that you have to compare
- ANSWER the questions
- Give your own opinion
- 30 seconds comment after your partner’s long turn
THE KEY:
- Organise your speech
- Speak for as long as possible, the examiner will stop you
- IMPORTANT: Answer the questions!
- Listen to your partner but do not interrupt
- AVOID HESITATING AND REPEATING YOURSELF
KNOW
HOW
STRUCTURE
Common theme
Comparison
Speculation
Answer the question
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment

8. What might be the dif culties of working in such environment?
What could these people do to improve their work conditions?
3. Speculation
It seems/appears to me that ...
They might /may / could ...
I might be wrong, but I think ...
I can't be certain, but I guess..
Both pictures present/show …
These two pictures share the fact that...
1. Identify the common theme
In picture A, as well as in B, ….
In contrast to picture A, picture B presents...
In picture A one can spot ..., whereas in picture B ...
Unlike picture A, picture B ...
2. Compare & Contrast: similarities & differences
As for (+ question)
In relation to the question... Regarding the question...
4. Answer the question
STUDENT
A
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
1 MIN

9. Do you often get distracted while working or studying?
STUDENT
B
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
30 SEC
I like to ...
On daily/ weekly/monthly basis
Every once in a while
Once in a blue moon
Describing habits

10. Why might people have chosen these jobs?
What skills are required to excel in such professions?
3. Speculation
It seems/appears to me that ...
They might /may / could ...
I might be wrong, but I think ...
I can't be certain, but I guess..
Both pictures present/show …
These two pictures share the fact that...
1. Identify the common theme
In picture A, as well as in B, ….
In contrast to picture A, picture B presents...
In picture A one can spot ..., whereas in picture B ...
Unlike picture A, picture B ...
2. Compare & Contrast: similarities & differences
As for (+ question)
In relation to the question... Regarding the question...
4. Answer the question
STUDENT
A
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
1 MIN

11. What would you need to do in order to get your dream job?
STUDENT
B
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
30 SEC
The
fi
rst step would be to ...
I wouldn't be able to ... without ...
I would need to specialize in ...
I would need to be an expert in ...
I would have to improve ...
I would need to a vast knowledge of ...
Hypothetical requirements

12. SPEAKING PART 3 - INTERACTION
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Interaction between candidates
- You will be given a discussion question and 5 written prompts
- 2 - 3 minutes conversation
- Discuss, make and respond to suggestions
- Negotiation between candidates
- The interlocutor will ask you to summarise at some point.
THE KEY:
- Organise your speech
- Focus on giving your opinion
- Support your opinions with reasons
- Respond to your partner's opinions and suggestions
- Easier if you purposely disagree with your partner.
- You don’t need to come to an agreement.
- PREPARE PART 3 & 4 together!
KNOW
HOW
SPEAKING PART 3
2 min conversation
+ 1 min to summarize

13. SPEAKING PART 3
2 min conversation
+ 1 min to summarize
REASONS FOR LEAVING A JOB
What might make people
resigning from their job?
Poor working conditions
(e.g. schedule, holidays,
facilities)
Boredom / Need for a
change
Lack of perspectives for
the future
Low salary
Poor relationship with the
team
I couldn't have said it better
You hit the nail on the head
There's nothing to add to
I'm on the same page
You've read my mind
Totally
Completely
Absolutely
Complete agreement

14. SPEAKING PART 4 - DISCUSSION
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- General conversation based on the topic in part 3
- Both of you will have to give your opinions.
- IT’S THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE
CAPABLE OF DISCUSSING ISSUES IN DEPTH
THE KEY:
- Organise your speech
- Focus on developing the conversation
- Listen to the questions carefully and answer them according to your
opinion BUT ALWAYS: Support your opinions with reasons
KNOW
HOW
SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation

15. What advice would you give to someone who's preparing for a
job interview? SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation
It might be a good idea to
Why don't they ...
How about ... ?
I would suggest ...
My recommendation would be to ..
They would de
fi
nitely bene
fi
t from...
Giving advice

16. What might young people do to increase their chances of nding
their rst employment? SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation
It might be a good idea to
Why don't they ...
How about ... ?
I would suggest ...
My recommendation would be to ..
They would de
fi
nitely bene
fi
t from...
Giving advice

17. Is it a good idea to change one's career path late in life?
SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation
May /May not
Might / Might not
Can / Can't
Have to
Need to
Must
Speculation & obligation:

18. What type of jobs might soon disappear as a result of automation?
SPEAKING PART 4
5 min conversation
I expect ...
I presume ...
Will / Won't
May /May not
Might / Might not
Could
Speculation about the
future

19. Listening: Part 3 - Multiple choice
LISTENING
40 min/ 4 parts
What to expect:
One long dialogue (an interview)
6 multiple choice questions
Listening for conclusion
KEY:
•Read the questions
fi
rst
•Listen for the general conclusion
•Focus on the speaker's general attitude
•Avoid word or sentence spotting
•If you are not sure about the
fi
nal answer, eliminate
the options which seem incorrect
fi
rst. The second
time you listen, make your
fi
nal decision.