Section 2

Working Life

Talking about jobs, describing your daily routine, and thinking about what you want from working life.

Discussion reminder

In Section 1 you practised active listening (eye contact, nodding, brief responses like "I see" and "That makes sense"). Keep using that strategy in all discussions this section. This time, also try asking follow-up questions to keep the conversation going.

Reading

Choose the level that fits you. You can switch at any time.

My Job at the Workshop

My name is Erik and I am 19 years old. I work at a car workshop in a small town in Sweden. I started as an apprentice two years ago. Now I work there full time.

A normal day starts at seven o'clock. First, I check which cars need to be fixed. Then I start working. The most common problems are brakes and oil changes. I like working with my hands. It feels good to solve a problem and see the result.

The hardest part is when a customer is unhappy. Sometimes a repair takes longer than expected. I have learned that it is important to explain clearly what needs to be done and how long it will take.

Adapted text for Foundation level.

The Changing Workplace

The way we work has changed dramatically in the past twenty years. Remote work, once a rare privilege, became the norm for millions during the pandemic. Many companies have since adopted hybrid models, where employees split their time between home and the office.

For younger workers entering the job market, expectations look different from their parents' generation. Surveys show that Gen Z values work-life balance and meaningful work over high salaries. They are also more likely to switch jobs frequently. The average time at one employer has dropped from over four years to just two.

At the same time, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping entire industries. Some jobs are disappearing, while new ones are growing rapidly. Data analyst, sustainability consultant, and UX designer are just a few examples. The question is no longer whether the workplace will change, but how quickly workers can adapt.

Written as course material. Compare with BBC Worklife articles on the future of work.

The Gig Economy: Freedom or Exploitation?

In 2023, approximately 36% of American workers participated in the gig economy. They earned money through short-term contracts, freelance work, or platform-based jobs like driving for Uber or delivering for DoorDash. Proponents argue that gig work offers unprecedented flexibility. You choose your hours, you are your own boss, and you can pursue multiple income streams simultaneously.

Critics, however, paint a bleaker picture. Without employee status, gig workers typically lack health insurance, pension contributions, and paid leave. They bear the financial risk of slow periods and equipment costs, while the platforms capture the lion's share of profits. Legal battles across Europe and the US have challenged the classification of gig workers as "independent contractors." The argument is that the degree of control platforms exert over their workers effectively makes them employees in all but name.

The debate forces us to confront a fundamental question about modern capitalism. Does flexibility genuinely empower workers, or does it merely allow companies to transfer risk and responsibility onto individuals least equipped to bear it?

Written as course material. For further reading, see The Guardian's coverage of gig economy legislation.

Exercises

Multiple choice

1 According to the Standard-level text, what do surveys show about Gen Z workers?

Short answer

2 Name two new types of jobs mentioned in the text that are growing rapidly.

Open question

3 What kind of job would you like to have in the future? Why? Write at least three sentences.

Vocabulary

Learn these words for the vocabulary test in week 2.

Grammar: Present Simple vs Present Continuous

When to use which?

Present simple = habits, routines, permanent states.
"I work at a workshop." "She starts at seven."

Present continuous = right now, temporary situations.
"I am working on a car." "He is looking for a new job."

Grammar · Foundation

Fill in the correct form: present simple or present continuous. Write in the gaps.

1. She (work) at a hospital. She is a nurse.
2. Right now, he (fix) a car.
3. They (have) a meeting every Monday.

Grammar · Standard

Choose the correct form and explain why in one sentence.

1. She usually (drives / is driving) to work, but today she (takes / is taking) the bus.
2. More and more young people (change / are changing) jobs frequently.
3. My brother (studies / is studying) engineering. He (finishes / is finishing) next year.

Grammar · Challenge

Write a short paragraph (4–5 sentences) about your daily routine and what you are doing differently this week. Use at least three examples of present simple and two of present continuous. Mark which tense you are using.

Self-assessment

How did it go?

Look at the goals for this section and think about where you are. Be honest. It helps you know what to practise more.

I can… Not yet Partly Yes
Read a text about working life and answer questions about it ◯ ◯ ◯
Talk about jobs and my future plans using relevant vocabulary ◯ ◯ ◯
Use present simple and present continuous correctly ◯ ◯ ◯
Ask follow-up questions in a discussion ◯ ◯ ◯