Job Opening

The American College in Tokyo is looking for ESL teachers with dynamic personality and minimum 3 years experience to work in new English Language Institute. Must have: M.A. or Ph.D. Administrative positions with more responsibility will open later to teachers. Write, with resume, to ELI/American College, Tokyo, Japan.

Maureen: Jeff, have you seen this ad in the ESL Newsletter?

Jeff: Yes, I saw it, but I'm not interested in finding a new job. I've been here since I finished on Ph.D. I like working here.

Maureen: Really? I've only been here for two years, and I'm already tired of doing the same thing every day. I'm afraid of getting really bored.

Jeff: Oh, come on! It's not that bad. You'll do the same thing there every day.

Maureen: But the salaries are good.

Jeff: I'm not interested in making more money. I have enough now.

Maureen: I can never have enough. Of course, you live at home with your parents.

Jeff: I like living with my parents. What's wrong with that?

Maureen: Nothing. But I like being independent. I like travelling. I enjoy meeting new people. I'm going to apply for the job.

Jeff: Well, good luck.

(from "American Streamline")

Dialogue 6

Nine to Five

Grace: You know, Hillary, my job is really starting to get me down. I just don't feel inspired about it anymore.

Нillаrу: I thought you liked working in the lab.

Grace: I did. I thought it was great stuff in school. But now with the daily grind of the nine to five routine, it's starting to get to me. We always have a deadline to meet. Rush, rush, rush. My supervisor's so demanding.

Hillary: A lot of jobs are stressful, and didn't you once tell me you thrived on pressure?

Grace: Maybe I'm getting old. I feel like I'm under too much strain these days.

Hillary: Have you looked into changing jobs?

Grace: Well, I did notice one of the other departments is looking for a technician. But the supervisor there makes mine look like a pussycat. They call him Attila the Hun Atkinson.

Hillary: (chuckles) It's a good thing I don't see my boss that often. He's always on the road.

Grace: The possibilities for a lateral transfer seem pretty slim right now. And lab technicians aren't in demand at other companies. Actually, I'd like to try my hand at something completely different.

Hillary: So, why don't you?

Grace: Then my two years in college would be wasted!

Hillary: Why don't you look into counselling services? They must have some sort of job where you could use your training but do something that would appeal to you more.

Grace: You are right. There's no sense in just griping about it. I'll see if I can find out about other jobs. I could take a couple of evening courses for more training. I just don't want to do a whole different programme.

Hillary: I'm sure there are lots of jobs you'd be good at. Grace: And maybe they'd even pay more! Or is that asking too much?

to get smb. down — знеохочувати, відбивати охоту, відмовляти

grind — важка, одноманітна, нудна праця

to get to smb. — набридати, надокучати

pussy-cat — тут: лагідна людина

Attila the Hun — монгольський завойовник, який жив в п’ятому столітті (вживається як метафора для характеристики агресивної людини)

to be on the road — роз’їжджати

lateral transfer — перехід на посаду такого самого рівня, не підвищення по службі

to gripe — скаржитися, бідкатися

Discussion

1. Why does Grace want to change jobs? Describe her feelings.

2. In your own words, describe Hillary's boss and Grace's boss.

3. In pairs, develop and role play a dialogue in which one student gives the other advice on looking for a job or changing careers.

Dialogue 7