Idiomatic expressions.

5. Look at how the following expressions are used in the text. What do you think they mean? How would you say number 4 and 6 in your own language?

1. to get on in life/the world 4. That's the last straw!

2. to be cut out for something 5. to make one's way in the world

3. to refuse (something) point-blank 6. The world is one's oyster.

Use the expressions above to complete the following sentences.

1. After four weeks of working in a school, he realized he wasn't ... teaching. He didn't have enough patience. 2. Although she worked hard and was ambitious, she didn't.... Perhaps she was just unlucky. 3. She was young, intelligent, free, and rich. The world ... .4. Sarah's two young children had behaved badly all day, so when they threw their dinner on the floor, she said '...' and immediately put them to bed. 5. The Director was rather shocked when she refused his offer ... .He wasn't used to receiving ... refusals.

— 166 —

— 167 —

С. Listen to seven people talking about their work What are their jobs?

1.

I'm often on duty at weekends, especially if there is a football match or a demonstration. I'm there to see things don't get out of control. I think you have to be cut out for this type of work because it isn't easy and can be dangerous. You serve the public and you're there to protect them, but they don't always appreciate what you're trying to do. The pay and con­ditions are all right, which is a good thing because you can't go on strike.

2.

Sometimes I'm on duty all night and it isn't easy to take time off work. The salary isn't very good — I can get by on it — but I'd never go on strike, because it's my job to look alter people and 1 know they depend on me. Sometimes you have to put up with bad working conditions but you know that what you're doing is an extremely worthwhile job.

j.

Well, basically I pick people up and I drop them off. I take them where

they want to go to and that's it.

4.

You have to be cut out for this kind of work, otherwise you shouldn't go in for it. You have to learn a lot of things by heart, and you can suffer from nerves throughout the whole of your professional life. You are often out of work and you have to be very ambitious and lucky to get on, but if you do, the world's your oyster.

5.

Summer vacations:

Employment history:

You have to be good at getting on with people, and you have to remain calm at all times — you must never panic. You need some training for this job, but some things you can pick up quite quickly. It's exciting to stop off in exotic places and look round for a few days, but sometimes the work can be very routine and the pay is average.

6.

Foreign languages:

You have to work long hours, and you can be on call twenty-four hours a day, but it's wonderful to be able to use your knowledge to help people and relieve suffering. I think people tend to look up to you as a result.

7.

Like all professionals, you have to be committed to what you're doing. I'm at work veiy early in the morning to set things up. so that everything is ready when the day starts. The work takes up a lot of my time, espe-

• 168 —

cially preparation time and going through people's work and correcting it. The poor pay sometimes gets me down, but I believe in what I'm doing and that's the most important thing.

What does your job involve doing? Are you pleased with your present job? Why?/Why not?

J). Work with your partner. Choose a job and decide how you can de­scribe it without saying what the job is. Try not to 'give the game away' by making it too easy. Read your description to the rest of the class. They must guess what the job is. They can also ask you questions about it.

E. Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions.

• What is your idea of a good job?

• Have you ever had a job you didn't like? What happened?

Conversation Practice

Resume

Name:

Present address:

Telephone:

Date of Birth:

Place of birth:

Education:

Stephen Lo

2315 South Sierra Drive,

San Diego, California, CA 92126

(619)076 — 5581

9/17/70

Oakland, California

1977 — 84 Millard Fillmore Elementary School, Oakland, Calif.

1984 — 88 James Garfield High School, Oakland, Calif.

1988 — 92 College. U.C.L.A, Los Angeles, Calif.

Graduated with a B.S. in Business Adminis­tration.

1992 — present. Administrative Assistant,

Soledad Computers. Pacific Beach, San Diego.

1987—1991. Camp counsellor. Camp Redwoods, Mendocino County, Calif. Swimming instructor.

Chinese — excellent, Spanish — fair.

I have a California driver's licence.

— 169—

MrsDu Mrs Da MrsDu Mrs Da.

Mrs D=Mrs Dukakis

1. MrsD: Come in. Mr Lo, isn't it? Please have a seat.

Mr Lo: Thank you.

Mrs D: Did you have a good trip?

Mr Lo: Yes, thanks. I came up from San Diego yesterday.

Mrs D: And did you find a nice hotel?

Mr Lo: No. I'm staying at my parents' place in Oakland.

Mrs D: Oh, that's right, you're from the Bay area, aren't you?

Mr Lo: Yes. I was born and raised in Oakland.

Mrs Du=Mrs Dukakis

Mrs D: When did you leave?

Mr Lo: I went to college in L.A. That was in 1988.

Mrs Du Mrs Da Mrs Du Mrs Da: Mrs Du Mrs Da:

3.

Mrs D: So, where are you presently working?

Mr Lo: Soledad Computers in San Diego. Have you heard of them?

Mrs D: No, not really. How long have you been with them?

Mr Lo: I've been working there since I graduated from college.

Mrs D: Why do you want to change jobs now?

Mr Lo: I'd like to do some travelling. I want to use my langu-­ ages, and I want a better job.

Mrs D: Yes. I see here that you speak Chinese and Spanish. That's OK. Do you want to live closer to your parents?

Mr Lo: That's not the reason why I want this job. But yes, I'd like to live in this area again.

Mrs D: Well, thank you, Mr Lo. We'll be in touch.

A. Questions.

1. Where is Mr Lo presently working? 2. What is he doing in Oakland? 3. Where was Mr Lo born? 4. When and why did he leave Oakland? 5. Why does Mr Lo want to change his job? 6. What languages can he speak?

B. Speak about Mr Lo.

С Roleplay the conversation.

D. You are applying for a job. Write a brief description —your inte ests, your character, any work experience you already have and у о ambitions for the future.

Resume

Name: Address:

Crystal Rosemary Danziger

A. Crystal's complete?

1031 Stormont Avenue,

Long Beach, California, CA 90806

(213)097-6544

12.13.67

Telephone number: Date of birth:

Place of birth: Education (from High School on):

Previous Employment: Languages spoken: Driver's licence:

Mrs Da=Mrs Danziger

Come in Mrs Danziger. Please have a seat.

Please call me Crystal. My, you have a nice office.

Thank you. Did you have a good trip?

It was OK. I got in on the early flight this morning.

Ah, you're from Los Angeles, aren't you?

I live in L.A. at the present time, but I'm originally from New York. Of course, I'm not often in L.A. I've been to seven countries this year.

MrsDu: Mrs Da:

Tell me about your present job.

Mrs Du: Mrs Da:

Mrs Du: Mrs Da:

I'm a sales representative for a book publisher... Travel Books Incorporated. We sell guide books and maps. I travel around Latin America. You see from my resume that I speak Spanish and Portuguese. I majored in Spanish for my Bachelors degree and then...

Where did you get your degree?

I got it from the University of Chicago. Then, after that, I did my Masters at the University of New Mexico.

How long have you been with Travel Books?

Two years. Before that I was with the Disney company for a year in Florida, and before that I worked at a com­mercial stationery company in Dallas for six months. Have you ever sold computer software?

No, but selling is selling. It's all the same to me.

And do you speak any Asian languages?

No, but I learn fast. I majored in languages. Now I want to ask you some questions about this job...

resume is not completed. How much of her resume can you

— 170 —

171 —

B. Speak about Crystal's career.

C. Roleplay the conversation.

D. Situation: You have applied for a job. At the moment you're being interviewed.

I = Interviewer N = Nancy Mann

4. I: Who do you work for at the moment, Mrs Mann?

N: Um, I work for the BBC World Service.

I: Ah, and how long have you worked for the BBC?

N: I've been with the BBC for five years. Yes, exactly five years. I: And how long have you been their German Correspondent?

N: For two years.

I: And what did you do before the BBC?

N: I worked as an interpreter for the EU.

I: As you know, this job is based in Geneva. Have you ever lived

abroad before?

N: Oh yes, yes I have.

I: And when did you live abroad?

N: Well, in fact I was born in Argentina and I lived there until I

was eleven. Also, I lived and worked in Brussels for two years

when I was working for the EU.

I: Mmm... That's interesting. Have you travelled much?

N: Oh yes, yes indeed. I've travelled all over western and eastern

Europe, and I've also been to many parts of South America.

I: Mmm... And why did you go to these places?

N: Well, mostly for pleasure, but three years ago I went back to

Argentina to cover various political stories in Buenos Aires for

the BBC.

A. Study and practise the conversation.

B. Here are some more events from Nancy Mann's life. She was born in Argentina in 1959.

She went to boarding school in England from 1970 to 1977. She studied French and German when she was at Oxford Uni­versity.

She hasn't spoken Spanish since she was in Buenos Aires three years ago.

She's worked in both eastern and western Europe at various times in her life.

She worked in Brussels for two years from 1989 to 1991.

She's worked for the BBC for the last five years.

She hasn't worked abroad since her son was born four years ago.

She married for the first time when she was twenty-one.

She's been married three times.

She married for the third time last year.

Speak about Nancy Mann s life and career. C. Speak about your life and career.

I=Interviewer Miss J=Miss Jones

5. I: Good morning, Miss...

Miss J: Miss Jones.

I: Miss Jones, yes, right. Hi. Um... now, you'd like to join

our team, I gather.

Miss J: Yes, I would.

I: That's very good. Er... I'd like to know a little bit about

you. Perhaps you could tell me a little bit about your edu­cation.

Miss J: Oh yes, right. Well, I left school at 18 and for the first two years I went to Gibsons, you might know them, they're an engineering firm. Um... and after that, I wan­ted to do a course, so I did a one-year full-time PA course and went back to Gibsons. I was PA to the Export Direc­tor. I stayed there for two years and... and then moved on to my present company. That's Europa Marketing... um... Mr Adair, the marketing director, offered me a job be­cause Gibson had worked quite a lot with Europa Mar­keting. And I've been with them for three years now... um... first working with the Marketing Director and now I'm with the Sales Director.

I: That's all very interesting, Miss Jones. Um... I'd like to

know, what did you enjoy most at school? What was the course that you enjoyed most?

Miss J: Ah... foreign languages I liked best. We did French and German. Yes.

I: Mhm. Are you quite fluent in those now or...?

Miss J: Yes, a bit rusty now, but... urn... obviously the more travel I can do the more I can use my languages and I'd like to learn another language. I'd like to add Italian as well.

— 172 —

— 173 —

I: Italian?

Miss J: Yes.

I: Very good, very good, that might be very useful. Now... er...

tell me a little bit about the work you're doing at present.

Miss J: Um... well... er... Europa Marketing is a marketing and public relations company and they do consultancy work for companies operating in the UK and European mar­kets. Er... our clients come from all over the world... um...we deal with some of them by post, but most of them come to our offices at least once during a project. I assist the sales director by arranging these visits, setting up meet­ings and presentations and I... I deal with her correspon­dence. I've not been able to go with her on any of her trips abroad, but I... I've been to firms in this country, several times on my own... um... to make these arrangements.

I: It sounds as if you're very happy there, Miss Jones. I'm

curious why you'd like to leave them and join our com­pany.

Miss J: Well... um... I know the reputation of Anglo-European and it has a very good reputation. And I feel that I would have more scope and opportunity in your company and that the work will be more challenging for me. I might be able to possibly travel and use my languages because at the mo­ment most of my work is... is rather routine secretarial-type and I like the idea of more...um... challenges in my life really...

A. Questions.

1. What is Miss Jones' educational background? 2. What firm is she working for at present? 3. What does she do? 4. Why does she want to change her job?

B. Speak about Miss Jones' career.

C. Roleplay the conversation between Miss Jones and the interviewer.

D. Interview your teacher or a person whom your teacher invites to class. Use the outline given below.

I. Professional life

A. Present teaching duties

B. Academic duties and activities outside of teaching

C. Past teaching experience

D. Educational background II. Personal life

A. Basic biographical information (eg. place of birth, family background, places of residence)

B. Spare-time activities and interests С Travel experiences

That Must Be an Exciting Job

Peter: So you're a journalist. That must be an exciting job.

Helen: It is, at times. It's certainly better than being a teacher!

Peter: Oh, really?

Helen: Yeah. I used to be a teacher, but I hated it! The worst thing

about teaching is correcting homework. That's why I quit.

Peter: I guess you travel a lot now and meet lots of interesting people.

Helen: Yes, that's one of the best things about my job.

Peter: Sounds great. I wish I had ajob like that.

Helen: Where do you work?

Peter: In an office. It's kind of boring. I'm stuck inside all day, and I

have to work long hours.

Helen: Oh? What do you do?

Peter: I'm a vice president.

A. Questions.

1. What is Helen's job? 2. Does she like her job? 3. What did she use to do some time ago? 4. What didn't she like about teaching? 5. What does Peter do? 6. What does he say about his job?

B. Roleplay the conversation.

С 1. Which do you think is more interesting, being a teacher or being a journalist? Why? 2. Have you or has a family member ever quit a job? Why? 3. Would you like to exchange jobs with your boss? Why or why not? 4. What are five well-paid jobs in your country?

What Are You Doing?

Carlos: Julia!

Julia: Hi, Carlos. It's so good to see you!

Carlos: It's great to see you! How are you?

— 174 —

— 175 —

Julia:

Carlos:

Julia:

Carlos:

Julia:

I'm terrific.

It's been a long time! What are you doing now? I got a new job. I'm a model. That's wonderful!

Oh, it is, it's terrific. There's lots of variety. I... I meet very interesting people. I travel a lot. And the best thing is work­ing with all these wonderful people. And I get a fabulous salary...

Carlos: Julia:

Oh, that's great!

However, I have to tell you it's very long hours, and I have to work weekends sometimes. How about you? What are you doing?

Carlos:

Julia: Carlos:

Oh, well. I'm still at the restaurant, but I was promoted. I'm a manager now.

Wonderful! And do you like it?

Julia: Carlos:

Oh, I like it. It's a lot more challenging in a lot of ways. The salary is much better... I'm much better paid... it's a lot more interesting. You know, the worst thing about being a waiter was that, you know, I wasn't getting any tips. The salary was not as good. Mmm...

Julia:

Carlos:

Julia:

Carlos:

Julia:

Carlos:

Julia:

Carlos:

Julia:

Carlos:

Now I have more responsibility... it's just a lot better. But one thing I really don't like is I have to wear a suit and tie every day. Oh, no!

So, but, you know, it's a small price to pay for being a manager. Oh, that sounds terrific! So I'm having a great time. Great! Well, it was great seeing you again. Oh, it was great to see you! Good luck with everything! Thank you. OK.

Bye-bye! Bye!

A. Questions.

1. What is Julia's job? 2. Why does she like her job? 3. What doesn't she like about it? 4. What does Carlos do? 5. Why is his present job better than his last job? 6. What doesn't he like about his job?

B. Roleleplay the conversation.

C. What is your job? What do you like or dislike about it? Compare your present job with your last job.

D. Compare these jobs:

a teacher and a student a mechanic and an engineer a pilot and a flight attendant a nurse and a doctor

I’d Rather Be on Commission

John: Have you thought about what you want to do after you grad­uate, Rita?

Rita: Oh, yeah. I think about it all the time. I've been looking for some jobs in the newspaper, but I really need to start inter­viewing soon.

John: You know, I've heard there're some really good jobs in the government. Those jobs are pretty secure and... and you get excellent medical benefits.

Rita: Yeah, but I'd rather not work for the government. Those jobs seem so boring and the salaries are low. I'd prefer to find an interesting company to work for — where I could work on my own...

John: Uh-huh...

Rita: You know, be creative and really use my skills.

John: Well, what about something like saleswork? You could be independent, creative...

Rita: Well, yeah, I've thought of that... and I really like the idea... I could meet lots of different people and...

John: Sure!

Rita: ... do some travelling and maybe get out of the office.

John: Yeah, sounds like it's right up your alley! I wonder how much money you can make in sales, though. Do you have any idea what starting salaries are like?

Rita: Mmm, I don't know... but, actually, I think I'd rather be on commission...

John: Oh?

Rita: ... so that way I'd get paid according to how successful I am.

John: Ah?

176

— 177 —

Rita: I could make much more money that way. 1 think I'd prefer

that to getting a salary. John: Well, Rita, I think you've got a great future in sales.

A. Questions.

1. What will Rita have to do soon? 2. Why doesn't she want to work for the government? 3. What kind of work would she prefer?

B. Roleplay the conversation.

C. Group work. Can you think of (a) three jobs where you can get com­ missions, (b) three jobs that are challenging, and (c) three jobs that have a lot of responsibility? Choose three of these jobs and list three advan­- tages and three disadvantages for each.

teacher construction worker

taxi driver police officer

D. homemaker

travelling salesperson

How interesting are the jobs above?

On the Way to Seoul

Franco: Hello, Bill.

Bill: Franco, hello.

Together: What are you doing here?

Bill: I'm flying to Seoul, of course. Well, well, this is a surpri

How are you? Franco: Fine. Fine. What are you working for? Are you still with

BTB? Bill: Oh no. I'm with Macdonald Hams. I'm one of their

project managers. Franco: Really? I'm sorry I don't know them. Bill: We're part of Excel.

Franco: I see. So why are you going to Seoul? Bill: I have to visit a possible supplier of components. I'm

checking the quality and the specifications and then I'm

flying to Taiwan. There's an assembly plant there using

some of our equipment and they're having some trouble

with it. Franco: Where are you staying in Seoul? Bill: At the Sheraton. For two nights.

Franco: So am I. Perhaps we get together, go out for a meal or

something.

— 178 —

Bill: That sounds like a great idea. Anyway, how are you Fran-

co? What are you doing in the Far East?

Franco: I'm visiting a friend.

Air hostess: Would passengers please return to their seats and fasten their seat belts?

Bill: Eh, Franco. I'd better get back to my seat. I'll catch you

later.

A. I. Where are Bill and Franco flying? 2. What is Bill going to do in Seoul? 3. Why is he flying on to Taiwan? 4. Where are the two friends staying in Seoul? 5. What does Franco suggest?

B. Give a brief account of the conversation. С Roleplay the conversation.

D. Write a report on a business trip.

E. Speak about the company you are working for.

What's Уour Background?

Klaus and Anna are speaking about their careers.

Klaus: What did you do at university?

Anna: Economics.

Klaus: Where was that?

Anna: At the University of Uppsala.

Klaus: Did you enjoy your time there?

Anna: Oh, yes. It's a very good university.

Klaus: Yes, it has a high reputation. And after that. What did you

do then?

Anna: I worked for my father. He has a small engineering business.

I'd worked for him during the vacation, you know, while I

was studying. But we didn't get along very well so I got a

job in a post office.

Klaus: A post office! I can't imagine you in a post office!

Anna: No, I didn't like it very much. It was very boring. Anyway, I

finally got a job in the International Exchange Department

at Svensaka.

Klaus: How long were you in that job?

Anna: Oh, about two and a half years. Then I answered an internal

advert for this job in the Purchasing Department.

— 179 —

Klaus: Do you like it?

Anna: Yes, I really enjoy it because you meet so many different

people and I often have to travel abroad. Anyway, how about

you? What's your background?

A. Study and practise the conversation.

B. Write a synopsis of Anna's career history.

C. Write a synopsis of your career history.

Margaret:

Mr Branson:

Margaret: Michelle:

Mr Branson: Margaret:

Mr Branson:

D. Situation: You and your classmate are speaking about your educa-­ tional and business background.

Do You Enjoy Your Work?

I=Interviewer

I: What do you do?

Margaret:

Mr Branson:

Margaret: Michelle:

Margaret:

Peter: I'm described as an area sales manager. I go round visiting shops, maybe five or six per day when I'm travelling. The rest of the time I spend in the office, answering queries from customers about sales and planning the next trip. My trips usually last about two or three weeks and I go mostly to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

I: What do you find rewarding about the work?

Peter: Well, the travel as much as anything else. Um... the job is fairly badly paid, but the fact that I get free trips to the foreign countries more or less of my choice for most of the year does in some measure recompense for that.

I: What do you find frustrating or annoying about it?

Peter: Well, I've already mentioned the pay. Um... obviously frus­trating is also customers that leave one waiting, but on the whole the frustrations of the job are minimal.

A. Questions.

1. What does Peter do? 2. What does he find rewarding about his work? 3. What does he find frustrating about it?

B. Find out more about your partner s career. Ask about his or her: Present job — its rewards and frustrations.

Work experience — previous jobs (or educational courses, if your part­ner hasn't worked. But do find out about any temporary or part-time jobs your partner has done.) Education and training. Ambitions and prospects for the future.

When you have both finished, join another pair and tell them what you have discovered about each other.