Dare to Speak English B1 – Lesson 3 (20/10)

Click on the words and phrases in brown to get the definitions.

I get tongue-tied when I need to talk to people.

He speaks two languages fluently. He is bilingual.

My 50^th birthday party. Their 20^th wedding anniversary.

Vocabulary review from Lesson 2:                                                                                                        fields   –    a pram / a baby carriage   –   a buggy/a stroller   –   a smoking ban   –   Smoking is banned

Shade or shadow?

• It was very hot outside so the boy found a place to rest in the shade
• We made shadows on the wall in the shape of animals using our hands.
• The big trees cast long shadows late in the evening.
• It’s hot today. They say the temperature will reach 35 degrees in the ­­­shade.
• It takes a long time to get the hang of snowboarding

 

It was a difficult presentation to understand, but I think I got the gist of it (= not the details, but the main message)

When the factory closed down, everyone was made redundant.

The government continues to subsidise/subsidize the production of eggs.  (pay part of the cost of it)

Work: Vocabulary and discussion

DISCUSSION

1. Talk a little about what you do. Is this something you have always wanted to do? What is most rewarding for you? Is there anything you would change?
2. How have your working conditions changed over the years? How has technology changed the way you work?
3. Have you ever worked overseas? Have you worked with colleagues/customers/suppliers from overseas? How did/does that country’s working culture compare with Sweden?
4. Would you prefer to work for a small or large company? Why?
5. What’s more important, job satisfaction or a generous salary?
6. What perks (or fringe benefits) do you get in your job? What other perks do you know of? e.g. baskets of fruit, subsidised gym membership etc
7. Describe the system of parental leave in your country. Is this long enough? Are there any changes you would like to see? Should parental leave be equally divided between mothers and fathers?
8. Equality in the workplace. What is it and how is it achievable?
9. If you were to retire tomorrow, how would you spend your retirement?

 

My job is very rewarding

When there is too much work to do, my job can get very stressful. I’m stressed.

I love my job, it feels very sat­­­­­­­­­­isfying  (= job satisfaction)

Everyone is very professional

Atmosphere “at-muss-feer” (long ‘e’)

Sorry, what was your name again?

 

Talking about your colleagues

What do you think about your colleagues? In what ways do you make a good team?

Does your company arrange any activities to help you bond with other employees? In what ways are they helpful? Is there anything you’ve particularly enjoyed in the past?

What are some common problems with colleagues?

Have you ever had any challenging situations/altercations with your colleagues?

Do you spend time with your colleagues outside of work? Why/why not?

Who is your favourite colleague? Why?

 

 

I’m going to divide everyone into teams/groups/pairs

My job is sometimes stressful, but on the whole I love it.

She works in the field of medicine.

I dropped the pen onto the table. It’s on the table.

I wasn’t looking where I was going, and walked into a lamppost.

 

Talking about managers

What do you think about your manager(s)?

What qualities make a good manager? What’s the best manager you’ve ever had?

How does your manager spend their time?

How can a manager motivate employees?

What is your manager’s managing style?

 

She gives us a lot of autonomy. They are autonomous

She’s calm and easy-going.

An architect, architecture, choir

He’s (un)approachable

He had to flee the war

Fled – fled