English Listening Library Online (ELLLO): Job Options

Details

Activity Description

In this activity, students will:

• listen to a conversation about job/work preferences (work environment, uniforms, schedules, pay/salary)
• listen for the definitions of words and phrases used in the dialogue and take notes
• test their knowledge of the new vocabulary and their listening comprehension

Preparation

Make sure the audio plays on both the teacher and student computers before using it with students. Set volume at an appropriate level.

How-To

1. Generate interest in the topic and activate background knowledge by beginning the lesson with a discussion. Use these and/or other questions for the class:
   • Raise your hand if you have a job.
   • Do you work alone or as part of a group at your job? Do you like working alone/as part of a group?
   • Do you wear a uniform to work? Do you like wearing/not wearing a uniform?
   • Do you have flexible work hours or a set schedule? Do you like having flexible work hours/a set schedule?
   • Are you paid hourly or salary? Do you like being paid hourly/salary?
2. Write the following on the board:
   • Jeff's Preferences:
     • work alone/work in a group
     • uniform/no uniform
     • flexible schedule/set schedule
     • hourly pay/salary
3. Tell students they will be listening to a conversation between Tim and Jeff in which Tim asks about Jeff's job/work preferences. Ask the students to listen for Jeff's preferences (listed on the board).
4. Play the audio for the class. You will find the Play button on the Example Web Site (above).
5. Have students discuss which preferences they heard in pairs.
6. Play the audio again so students can confirm their responses.
7. Tell students to remember Jeff's preferences, but not to discuss the answers as a class. These questions are part of the comprehension quiz that students will do individually.
8. Direct students to the Example Web Site (above link). Have them select the Audio Notes tab to see definitions for the blue words in the story to learn the meanings of each. Have them write the meanings and example sentences from the dialogue in their notebooks.
9. Have students complete the vocabulary and comprehension quizzes independently. Have them show you their scores for both quizzes.

Teacher Tips

Include this listening activity in a unit on employment.

More Ways

• English Listening Library Online (ELLLO) offers 1300+ authentic dialogues on a variety of topics. The latest dialogue is featured on the site's home page. Each dialogue includes vocabulary lessons as well as vocabulary and comprehension quizzes. Browse the ELLLO archives for dialogues that are suitable for your class theme/topic. You can also sort the dialogues by level, country, topic, or media.
• Other topics include: appearance, culture, economics, education, environment, family, food, health, holidays, leisure, movies, music, nature, places, relationships, routines, shopping, sports, technology, travel, work

Program Areas

• ESL: English as a Second Language

Levels

• Intermediate Low
• Intermediate High
• Advanced

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