Universidad Santiago de Cali

Language Institute Objective: PROFILES AND JOB HUNTING

Teacher: Hernando Vega Arias Level III
READ THE ARTICLE:

A. Who do you think the article was written for: check (X) to the correct answer

PEOPLE WHO: ____ have clear goals ____are looking for direction ____ don’t want plans

C. WORK WITH A PARTNER AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING SURVEY

a) If someone asks a friend, what would they say they like about you?
_____________________________________________________________

b) What skills would your parents say you are good at?
_____________________________________________________________
c) Do you think you have what it takes to be a leader?
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_____________________________________________________________
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 B. GROUP WORK: Write a similar profile about you and two more classmates:

NAME

OCCUPATION

PERSONALITY

LIFESTYLE

A gerund is a noun formed from a verb which refers to an action, process, or

state. In English, gerunds end in '-ing', for example ' running' and ' thinking'.
Gerunds and infinitives can replace a noun in a sentence.
 Gerund = the present participle (-ing) form of the verb, e.g., singing, dancing, running.
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 Infinitive = to + the base form of the verb, e.g., to sing, to dance, to run.
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 Whether you use a gerund or an infinitive depends on the main verb in the sentence.

 Verbs followed by
GERUNDS
Quit - Admit – avoid - enjoy
Advise – confess – Miss -
Discuss - involve - Keep –
don’t mind – fear - feel like
suggest– allow - Postpone
dislike - forgive - finish –
practice- insist-Spend- stop
Verbs followed by
INFINITIVES
Agree – hope – learn - wait
hurry – request – come –
want – decide – choose -
wish – ask – can’t afford –
Need – prepare – deserve
Offer – promise – expect –
Threat – plan - dare
Verbs followed by BOTH
(Gerunds & Infinitives
Hate – love – can’t stand
Start – prefer – continue
propose - begin – try
remember – forget – like
regret

B. EXERCISE
 Put the verb into the gerund or the infinitive
1) Unfortunately, we can’t afford ______________ (buy) a new car this year.
2) She kept ______________ (talk) during the film
3) I offered ______________ (help).
4) I miss ______________ (go) to the beach.
5) We postponed ______________ (do) our homework.
6) She waited two hours ______________ (buy) a drink.
7) I really can’t stand ______________ (wait) for the bus.
8) Do you remember _________________ (meet) her at the party last week?

 Fill out the blank spaces using the correct verb in gerund: (bother - solve – drive - play – drink –
cook)

a) I miss ___________________ with my mom.

b) Mark likes ________________ on the team.
c) The teacher appreciated _______________ the math problem in less than ten minutes
d) Jessica really enjoys ______________ the neighbors with loud music.
e) Ethan narrowly avoided ______________ off the cliff.
f) My family has always preferred _______________ water instead of soda.

C. Listening Activity
Listen to the audio and answer the following questions using a GERUND FORM:
a) What does she like doing in her free time? She enjoys ___________________________.
b) Why does she enjoy playing tennis? She finds tennis ____________________________.
c) What does the man think about tennis? It’s a _____________________ sport.
d) What does he prefer to do? He loves _________________________________.
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e) What did he suggest? He suggested ______________________ together to the movies.

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 D. What do you like or hate about these jobs. Give your answers using GERUNDS
Like / love Hate / dislike
 

 

 

 

Gerunds after Preposition- Combinations Followed by Gerunds

A PREPOSITION is a word that specifies places, directions and time .

Example 1: she wrote a poem about roses.

The preposition in the sentence is “about”
 Other prepositions are: at, for, in, to, of and with

Example 2: she is excited about writing poems.

The preposition is still “about” but this time is followed by a gerund.

Example 3: he’s bored with cooking or I’m afraid of flying

 Notice in these two examples that there is an adjective + preposition + gerund combination.

Excited and bored= adjectives

With and of = prepositions
Flying and cooking= objects of the prepositions
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ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION + GERUND

 ABOUT ANXIOUS – EXCITED – CONCERNED – HAPPY – WORRIED – ANGRY –SAD - DEPRESSED –CRAZY
OF AFRAID – SICK – TIRED – PROUD – SCARED – ASHAMED - CRITICAL
WITH BORED –DISAPPOINTED – CONTENT – PLEASED - FED
AT BAD – CLEVER – GOOD - SLOW
FOR FAMOUS – RESPONSIBLE – SORRY
EXAMPLES:
 Nancy was concerned about being late.
 She is scared of being alone at night.
 Tomas is content with winning second place
 He is clever at playing chess.
 He's sorry for eating in the lesson.

 Now, complete the following sentences using the correct preposition:

a) That actor is famous _______________ being extremely talented.
b) My mom is tired  ________________ working ___________________
c) I'm very proud __________________ rewarding my daughter, she worked very hard.
d) My students are pleased _________________ receiving the exam results
e) Unfortunately, I'm very bad _______________ understanding English
f) Was your sister very excited ________________ getting married one year ago?

VERB + PREPOSITION + GERUND

ABOUT COMPLAIN – TALK – WORRY – THINK – ARGUE – ASK – CARE – LAUGH– READ – DREAM
IN BELIEVE – PERSIST – PARTICIPATE – TAKE PART – INTEREST - SUCCEED
TO OBJECT – OPPOSED – ADAPT – GET USED – LOOK FORWARD
ON RELY – KEEP – INSIST – CONCENTRATE – DEPEND - PLAN
FOR APOLOGIZE – PREPARE – BLAME – FORGIVE – EXCUSE – FIGHT – PAY - THANK
OF DREAM – DIE – CONSIST – ACCUSE – APPROVE - SUSPECT
EXAMPLES:
 We laughed about having to do such silly things.
 Many people took part in bringing the lost child home.
 She objects to discussing her feelings
 I have always relied on saving money for the future
 My friend didn’t apologize for talking behind my back.

 Complete these sentences using the correct form for “verb + preposition + gerund”
a) I haven’t been in my country for so long. I’m looking forward ____________going ___________
b) We’re oppose _______________ waiting_______________________
c) She insisted _______________ helping_______________________
d) I always believe _______________ doing_______________________
e) Have you ever read a book ____________ riding ____________________?
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f) I have no excuse ____________ being ______________________

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 E. SPEAKING ACTIVITY: 'Find someone who...' activity, students ask and answer questions
with gerunds. Students go through the items on the worksheet and form the questions
they need to ask in order to do the activity, e.g. Do you love watching horror films?'
FIND SOMEONE WHO…
 Is sorry for being unfaithful
Name: ______________________ explanation: ___________________________________
 Enjoys having many lovers
Name: ______________________ explanation: ___________________________________
 Is worried about failing English
Name: ______________________ explanation: ___________________________________

 Doesn’t mind wearing sexy underwear

Name: ______________________ explanation: ___________________________________
 Is proud of dancing very well
Name: ______________________ explanation: ___________________________________

F. GRAMMAR PRACTICE: 'Complete the descriptions with the prepositions and gerunds (use
the verbs in the first row)

Tell Work / have to Fly

Ted is an extrovert. Like
most of extroverts he’s
direct and very honest; he
believes _____________
the truth to everyone.
At his job, he works with other He has very few fears.
people a he never complains ______ Most of all, he’s afraid
_______ long hours. He works hard ________________ .
and doesn’t worry _____________
work on weekends or holidays.

Gerunds are nouns that look like verbs ending in “ing”. The negative of a gerund is formed by
adding the word “not” before a gerund.
Example:
 Writing is fun.
In this example, “Writing” is the subject of the sentence. It is also a gerund.


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Not concentrating can be dangerous while driving.

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In this example, “Not concentrating” is the subject of the sentence. It is also a gerund.
G. EXERCISE
 Directions: Fill in the spaces with the appropriate gerund or statement
1) _________________ is a good way to get exercise.
2) _________________ too much can cause sickness.
3) Not _________________ is very relaxing.
4) _________________ is an activity done in winter.
5) Not _________________ is harder than you think.
6) Studying English is _________________________________
7) Working hard is ___________________________________

H. Watching a Video
You will watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLGNj-xrgvY (Name: CGI
Animated Short Film: "Mr Indifferent" by Aryasb Feiz) and answer the following questions using a
GERUND FORM:
a) Why does the man avoid treating other people?

b) Was the man prepared to help the old lady? Explain

c) When did the man feel like helping other people (in what moment)?

d) What did he start doing to help society?

e) How did he try to change other men similar to him?

H. Classify the correct job according to the list

 hotel manager
 disc jockey
 chef
 musician
 pilot
 receptionist
 host/hostess
 singer
 tour guide
 websitedesigne
r
 secretary
 dishwasher
 travelagent
 actor/actress
 sales manager
 waiter/waitress
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WRITING SKILLS
  For this advertisement you will write a letter of application, using the guiding letter below. You
can pretend that you have the skills and abilities for the job.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Insert the date here DATE:

Insert your name and MR / MS (name)

Address Street…..
Cali, …..

Insert the employer’s Ms P…...

name, job, and address Administrative Assistant …
(spell it correctly). Happy Trucking Company,
13 Delivery Street, DRYDOCK, SA, 5555
Insert the contact’s
name Dear, Ms ASSISTANT…

Paragraph 1.
add the vacancy name I wish to apply for the position of …..
obtained from the add Advertised in the….name of a newspaper…or magazine…etc (2 sentences)

Paragraph 2. Describe who you are….Highlight the extent to which you match the requirements
of the advertisement e.g. qualifications, abilities, age, qualities, capabilities skills etc
(3 sentences minimum)

Paragraph 3. Experience… Outline any further points in your favor, related to the job and
mention the attached resume based on your experience (3 sentences)

Paragraph 4. Mention your interest in the firm, the job, the prospects and/or your reasons for
applying (2 sentences minimum)
Paragraph 5. State your availability for an interview and request an appointment to discuss your
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application. (2 sentences)
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 Leave a space to sign Yours sincerely,
your name.

Insert your name here

Only attach what the your name….
advertisement asks for . Attachments: resume

Job interview guide

What is a job interview? (First approach)
A job interview is a process in which a potential employee (interviewee) is
evaluated by an employer (interviewer) for prospective employment in their
company, organization, or firm. During this process, the employer hopes to
determine if the applicant is suitable for the role.

Some common job interview questions

A. Tell me about yourself.
 Where are you from? ______________________________________________________
 What is your occupation? __________________________________________________
 What is your marital status? ________________________________________________
 Do you have children? Yes/no why? __________________________________________

B. Could I ask you about your interests and hobbies?

 What do you do in your free time?
 Do you have any academic interest? Which one?
 Do you like sports? Do you practice any sport?

C. How is a typical day in your life?

D. May I ask you about your abilities/skills and talents?
 Which are your abilities/skills?
 Do you have any talent? Which one?
 What is your major weakness?
E. What can you say about your family?
F. Who is/has been/was an inspiration for you?
G. Why are you the best for this job?
H. How will you contribute to the improvement of the company/institution?
I. Based on labour environment, in which situations do you feel:
o Relaxed? _______________________________________________________________
o Threatened? ____________________________________________________________
o Uncomfortable? _________________________________________________________

J. What was your favourite subject at school? ______________________________________

K. May I ask you about your studies? Could you make a short professional timeline?
 Could I ask you what were your responsibilities in previous jobs?
 What major challenges and problems did you face in your last job?
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 What did you like or dislike about your previous job?

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 Have you been fired from previous jobs? Why? Why not?
  Could I ask you about a turning point regarding your academic/professional life?
 How do you feel working with others?
 Do you prefer to work alone or in groups? Explain.
 Could I ask you about your ambitions/goals?
 What are your salary expectations?

 Are you willing to fail?

 How do you handle stress?
 If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do?
 What motivates you? What inspires you in a job?
 What have you learned from your mistakes?
 What do people most often criticize about you?
 What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?
 What is the worst thing that you have gotten away with?

 Why do you want to change jobs?

 Why have you been out of work?
 Are you overqualified for this job?
 How would you handle it if your boss was wrong?
 Tell me about something you would have done differently at work.
 What do you expect from a supervisor?

 Tell me about your dream job.

 Why should I take a risk on you?
 Why shouldn't we hire you?
 Tell me about a time that you misjudged a person.
 Describe a decision you made that was a failure. What happened and why?
 Tell me about conflicting priorities. How did you determine the top priority?
 How do you balance social life and work?
 If you start working with this company, what would be your next move?
 How do you measure success?
 Describe a job that would be your worst nightmare.
 Tell me about a time when you mediated conflicts between employees or with clients.
 What does your current employer think you are doing today?

 Describe yourself in three words.

 Do you prefer to work for a man or a woman? Why?
 Do you think that people are basically lazy and need to be pushed to perform?
 Do you consider yourself to be more of a people person or a task-maker?
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