9C CULTURE Jobs for teenagers
I can talk about jobs for young people.
[Image: A girl in a lifeguard uniform standing by a pool]
SIENNA: The life guard
I’ve just started a part-time job as a lifeguard at my local outdoor swimming pool. Before that, I had to take a special lifeguard qualification. The exam for it was difficult, but I learned some useful skills. First aid and also being able to swim very well were the most important. I’ll be working there for the next six weeks. I’m going to university next autumn and I’m hoping to study to be a doctor. The job is quite well-paid, but I’m not really interested in the money; I really want to get some experience of working with people in a responsible role. It’s also good fun, as I get to spend all day outdoors in the summer!
[Image: A girl leading a horse]
IMOGEN: The stable hand
I’ve got a part-time job at a local riding school. I’m responsible for looking after the horses. This involves mucking out the stables, feeding them and making sure they have fresh water. I also have to groom them. It’s hard work and I’m on my feet all day, but I don’t mind. I love animals, especially horses. The job is quite well-paid, but I’m not really interested in the money; I really want to get some experience of working with people in a responsible role. It’s also good fun, as I get to spend all day outdoors in the summer!
[Image: A young man sitting at a computer, wearing headphones]
BLAKE: The IT consultant
I have my own computer company here in Florida, USA. For $50, I help people with their computer problems. I usually go to their homes. They’re often surprised when they see I’m only sixteen. Computers are my hobby, so I really enjoy my work. I probably won’t work about fifteen hours a week, but sometimes more. I think this job will be my career when I leave school. I’m not going to go to university. Bill Gates didn’t finish his degree, and he started the biggest computer company in the world!
1 Look at the photos and answer the questions.
1 Where are the people? What are they doing?
2 Which job looks the most interesting? Why?
2 Read the text. Find the age of each person and the country each person lives in.
1 When they are adults, __________________ and __________________
2 want to do similar work to the work they do now.
3 __________________ works in lots of different places.
4 __________________ is going to study at university.
5 wants to work more, but can’t.
6 __________________ did an exam before starting work.
7 __________________ and __________________ work outdoors.
VOCABULARY Match the highlighted words in the text with the definitions below.
1 a job that you have for and do as an adult
2 something that you really want to do
3 a course of study at university
4 things that you can do well
5 work that you only do for a few hours a week
6 the rules of a country
7 something you get when you pass an exam
3 Listen to three people discussing part-time jobs for teenagers. Which speakers think jobs are a good idea? Tick or cross.
| Speaker 1 | Speaker 2 | Speaker 3 |
| ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
6 3.21 Listen again. Match each speaker (1–3) with two opinions about part-time jobs (a–h). There are two opinions that you do not need.
Speaker 1 __________________ and __________________
Speaker 2 __________________ and __________________
Speaker 3 __________________ and __________________
a They are a good way to learn useful skills.
b They help teenagers making their parents for money.
c They can help you decide on your career.
d They make teenagers too tired to study properly.
e They teach teenagers how to be responsible.
f Companies employ teenagers to get cheap workers.
g They teach teenagers how to manage money.
h They aren’t as useful as studying for a qualification.
7 Speaking Work in pairs. Ask and answer your questions from exercise 6.
Part-time jobs can help teenagers decide on their career.
[Speech bubble 1] That’s a good point.
[Speech bubble 2] I don’t think that’s true.
9D GRAMMAR will
I can talk about the future and make predictions.
Will all teachers be ROBOTS in the FUTURE?
How will technology change the world of work? Nobody really knows, but we can make predictions. Scientists think that some jobs will disappear because of new technology. For example, there won’t be any mechanics because robots will repair our cars. Programmers will be their jobs too, because robots will write all the computer software. And scientists don’t think we’ll need pilots, as robots will fly planes. But what about teachers or doctors? Will robots take their jobs? Probably not. Robots are very good at technical work, but they aren’t very good at dealing with people.
1 Read the title of the text. Then read the text. What answer does it give to the question in the title?
2 Read the Learn this! box. Then read the table below. Underline one example of the affirmative, negative and interrogative in the text in exercise 1.
| THIS | LEARN THIS! |
| we use | will |
| to talk about the future. | will |
| to make predictions. | will |
will
We form the future with will (not) and the base form of the verb.
Positive
My sister will be 18 next month. There’ll be a party.
(Note, ‘ll is the short form of will)
Negative
We won’t be at home this weekend.
(Note: won’t is the short form of will not)
Interrogative
Will she get the job? Yes, she will. / No, she won’t.
What will your friend do? She’ll go to university.
3 Read the text in exercise 1 again. Complete the verbs 1–5. Use the affirmative or negative form of will and the verbs in brackets.
1 Robots __________________ our cars. (repair)
2 Robots __________________ computer programmes. (write)
3 Robots __________________ planes. (fly)
4 As doctors, robots __________________ (help).
5 Robots __________________ students at school. (teach)
LOOK OUT!
We use the short form ‘ll after pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we) and there. We don’t use the short form after names or other nouns, or in the short summers.
There will be twenty people at the party. Jack will be there.
Will you be there? Yes, I will.
4 Read the Look out! box. Then complete the sentences about the future with will and the verbs below.
be finish leave not see take place
1 It’s my dad’s birthday next week. He __________________ forty.
2 My sister is at university. She __________________ her degrees next June.
3 The new sports centre __________________ until next year.
4 The coach __________________ the hotel at 8 a.m. tomorrow – please be on time.
5 Halley’s Comet passes Earth every 75 years. We __________________ it again until 2061.
6 The next surfing World Championship __________________ in Hawaii.
5 Think about your future. Make predictions in the chart below.
1 university (yes/no) __________________ (what subject?) __________________
2 job (what?) __________________ (salary?) __________________
3 get married (yes/no) __________________ (at what age?) __________________
4 children (yes/no) __________________ (how many?) __________________
5 home (house/flat) __________________ (where?) __________________
6 Write questions about your partner’s predictions.
1 will you go to university? What subject / study?
2 will you go to university? What subject will you study?
3 will your job be? What job will you do?
4 will you have children? How many?
5 live in a house or flat? Where / be?
7 Speaking Work in pairs. Ask and answer your questions from exercise 6.
Will you go to university?
Yes, I will. / No, I won’t.
GRAMMAR BUILDER 90; PAGE 126 <<
9E READING A year out
I can understand an article about gap years.
1 Speaking Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.
1 What are the advantages of taking a year off after school?
2 What are the disadvantages?
[Image: A sea turtle swimming in the ocean]
GAP YEARS
THIS YEAR, THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE UK will take a year off between school and university, or before their first job. The aim of this ‘gap year’ can be to travel, learn a new language or get experience for a future career. Some people want to work. Here are three typical teenagers who are planning a gap year.
[Image: A young boy smiling, in a classroom setting with other children and a teacher]
EMMA
‘I’m really excited to take a gap year before university. I’m going to study Spanish and Portuguese at university, so I’ll go to South America, where they speak both languages. I’m going to spend the last four months in Peru and then I’m going to do voluntary work for a charity in Rio. The charity provides education for street children. We’re going to build a small school. I’m going to teach English because the school for two years. After that, I’m going to visit some other countries. I’ll do part-time jobs while I’m travelling. It will be great experience because I want to work in the tourist industry.’
[Image: A woman in ski gear looking out at a mountain landscape]
PHOEBE
‘I’m really excited about my gap year job. I’m going to learn to teach of volunteers on a conservation project in Cabo Verde, Africa. The aim of the project is to protect turtles, because hunters kill them and sell their shells. We’ll build special nests on the beach for the turtles’ eggs and then we’ll watch the nests at night and check that they hatch. I’ll also take the boat so the baby turtles can get to the sea safely. I’ll earn money, but I’m not doing it for that reason. It will be useful experience because I want a career in conservation after university.’
9F EVERYDAY ENGLISH On the phone
I can make a phone call and leave a message.
3.22 Read and listen to the dialogue. Is it formal or informal? How do you know?
Claire: Good morning. Can I help you?
Harry: Yes. This is Harry Jackson. I’d like to speak to George Simpson.
Claire: I’m sorry, Mr. Simpson isn’t available at the moment. Can I take a message?
Harry: Yes. Could you ask him to call me back, please?
Claire: Yes, of course. Has he got your number?
Harry: No, he hasn’t. It’s 0793 553725.
Claire: I’ll ask him to call you.
Harry: Thank you. Goodbye.
Claire: Goodbye.
LEARN THIS!
Offers
We use ‘I’ll’ and the base form to make an offer.
I’ll tell you the answer.
I’ll call you back.
GRAMMAR BUILDER 9F; PAGE 126 <<
3 Complete the letters with I’ll and the verbs below.
ask get look make phone sit
1 ‘I’m thirsty.’ ‘I’ll __________________ you some water.’
2 ‘We can’t see the TV.’ ‘Sorry! I’ll __________________ down.’
3 ‘I can’t find Sue’s number.’ ‘I’ll __________________ on my phone.’
4 ‘I’m hungry.’ ‘I’ll __________________ you a sandwich.’
5 ‘I need someone’s money.’ ‘__________________ my dad.’
6 ‘Jo isn’t here.’ ‘I’ll __________________ again later.’
3.23 Listen to two phone calls. Do the callers speak to the people they want to?
Yes, speaking. __________________. Hello, is that __________________? I’d like to speak to __________________.
I’m afraid… __________________ on the phone.
Can I leave a message? Can I take a message?
Can I give a message?
And the name is? What’s your name?
Can he/she call me back, please?
LOOK OUT!
Saying phone numbers
In English we say each individual number. Usually:
0 = oh
66 = double six
111 = treble one
07754 550111 = oh double seven five four, double five oh treble one
3.24 REPETITION Read the Look out! box. Then listen and repeat the phone numbers.
1 01197 435778
2 01755 888140
3 05544 128966
4 01629 700322
SPEECH Work in pairs. Write down three phone numbers each. Take turns to say them to your partner. Your partner writes them down. Check they are correct.
SPEAKING Work in pairs. Prepare a dialogue like the dialogue in exercise 1. Use phrases from exercise 5 and the prompts below.
| Answer the phone. | Say the person is busy. Offer to take a message. | Ask for the caller’s name. |
| Leave a message asking the person to call you on your mobile. | ||
| Ask for the caller’s number. | ||
| Give your number. | ||
| Finish the call. | ||
| Give your number. | ||
| Speaking | Act out your dialogue to the class. |
9G WRITING An application letter
I can write a letter applying for a job.
1 Read the letter. Who is the sender? Why is he writing the letter?
The Manager
Multiview Cinema
Hampton Retail, Oxford
17 Woodland Avenue
Oxford OX12 6HB
14th June 2012
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to apply for a part-time job as an usher at the Multiview Cinema. I read about the vacancy on your website.
I am seventeen years old and a full-time student. Last summer, I worked at a campsite for three weeks, so I have experience of dealing with the public.
I have always been told I do my best to get some work experience before I leave school. I believe I have all the necessary qualities: I am polite, friendly and hard-working. I am enclosing my CV with this letter. I include contact details for two referees.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
JT Taylor
Joel Taylor
WRITING STRATEGY
When you write a formal letter:
1 Start with Dear (Mr Jones) if you know the name of the person or use Dear Sir or Madam if you don’t.
2 Do not use colloquial language (e.g. mates, OK) or short informal (e.g. them, there, etc.).
3 Finish with Yours sincerely if you used the person’s name at the start or Yours faithfully if you didn’t.
5 Read the writing strategy. Why does Joel finish his letter with Yours faithfully, and not Yours sincerely?
6 Read the job advertisement below. Think of reasons why you would be right for this job. Make notes.
WORK at
Waterworld!
We are looking for full-time and part-time workers at our theme park in Wales. You need to be reliable and hard-working. You also need to be happy working in a team, and good with young children. The ability to speak other languages or experience of dealing with the public will be an advantage.
Please apply in writing to Jeff Trevia, Waterworld, Swansea. Please include a CV and details of referees.
2 Read the letter again. Number the parts of the letter in the order they appear in the application letter.
_______ a the date
_______ b the sender’s name
_______ c the sender’s address
_______ d the address the letter is going to
_______ e the sender’s signature
_______ f the sender’s signature
3 Look at the plan for an application letter below. Find one point in the plan which Joel does not include in his letter.
Plan for an application letter
Paragraph 1
What the job is
Where you saw the advertisement
Paragraph 2
What you are doing at the moment
Your recent experience and the skills you learned
Paragraph 3
Why you want the job
Why you are the right person for the job
Paragraph 4
When you can start work
What you are enclosing with the letter
7 Write an application letter (90–120 words) applying for a job at the theme park in exercise 6. Use your notes from exercise 6 and phrases from exercise 4. Follow the plan in exercise 3, inventing information where necessary.
HAVE YOU CHECKED ALL YOUR WORK?
CHECK YOUR WORK:
☐ Included all the information in the task in exercise 7?
☐ Followed the advice in the writing strategy and used phrases from exercise 4?
☐ Checked your spelling and grammar?