HEAAADERLOGORIGHT

BUSINESS ENGLISH · BUSINESS ISSUES · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING
PERKS

QrrkoD Scan to review worksheet

Expemo code:
1A7E-F3MF-G8VL

1 Warm up
Read the definition and answer the questions in pairs.

perk (n) - a benefit you get for working from a company that isn’t financial

1. What perks do you get, or have you had, for working for a company?
2. What perks have you heard about people getting that you think are good perks? Why?
3. Do you think it is important that a company gives perks to its employees? Why/why not?

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 1/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

2 Focus on vocabulary

Part A: Match the vocabulary to the definitions.

1. catch -up (n) a. provide money for a particular activity

2. expense (n) b. a mixture of two or more things

3. fund (v) c. a source of energy that was created naturally over millions of
years by dead plants and animals
4. fossil fuel (n) d. the money which is spent on an activity or purchase that you
need
5. hybrid (adj.) e. put some equipment in a place so that it can be used

6. install (v) f. a device that allows liquid to be easily accessed from pipes

7. ramp (n) g. a slope that links a lower area to a higher area and is used to help
make access easier
8. tap (n) h. a conversation where two people discuss events that have
happened since they last spoke

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 2/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

Part B: Now put the vocabulary from Part A in the correct gaps in the following sentences. You may
need to change the form of the word.

1. I’m going to have to ask you all to work at home on Tuesday and Wednesday as we’ve got some
people coming to a new air-conditioning system and it will be very noisy.

2. While there has been an increase in the use of electric cars, the world still needs to access
for the majority of its transport.

3. Can you come and help me? There’s a problem with the and there’s water all over
the kitchen.

4. I’ve just bought a Toyota Prius which I’m hoping will save me some money as it’s a
model, so I can switch between gas and electric power.

5. I need to be at home this afternoon as I’ve got some people coming to put in a
outside my front door so my mother can get into the house more easily with her wheelchair.

6. I don’t think I will be going on vacation this year. It’s an I just can’t afford at the
moment.

7. Do you want to meet for coffee and a next week? I haven’t seen you in ages!

8. I’m planning to do an engineering course next year which my company will be to

help me develop. I’m really excited about it.

3 Listening for details

Listen to the news report and write numbers 1 - 8 on the line next to the vocabulary in the order that
you hear them. The first one is done for you.

expense (n)

install (v)

catch-up (n)

fossil fuel (n)

ramp (n)

tap (n)

fund (v)

1 hybrid (adj.)

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 3/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

4 Listening comprehension

Complete the gaps a - g in the notes with two words from the news report.

Perk Details

1. a) ___________________ for car which use Reduces the cost of commuting, could be the
electricity start of a b) ___________________ towards cars
using renewable energy.

2. Dog hotel In the UK, a c) ___________________ built one

allowing employees to bring their dogs and d)
___________________ to exercise them during
lunch breaks.

3. Free food Reduces costs for employees by offering hot

and cold food as well as desserts.

4. e) ___________________ Encourages a relaxed atmosphere at the end of

the week.

5. Quiet areas and f) ___________________ Allows employees to work somewhere peaceful

and meet friends.

6. g) ___________________ Only available to employees who spend most

of their time at the office.

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 4/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

5 Scanning for vocabulary

Find vocabulary in the article on page five which means the same as the following definitions.

1. a sudden increase in the amount of something (n, para. A)

2. encourage someone to do something by offering a reward for doing it to make

it more attractive (v, para. A)
3. being completely different to what has gone before and likely to have a big
effect on a situation (adj., para. B)
4. property belonging to and used by a business (n, para. C)

5. a sense of being healthy and happy (n, para. C)

6. the treatment of an injury using movement and massage as well as light and
heat (n, para. C)
7. professional advice regarding problems in life (n, para. C)

8. containing issues that are difficult to resolve meaning it may not be successful
(adj., para. D)
9. develop a close relationship with someone (v, para. D)

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 5/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

6 Skimming for gist

Underline the best option for 1 - 10 in the article below.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

How to get employees back in the office

A. With the surge in people choosing to work from home, business leaders 1. who / whose / where prefer their
employees to be all together have been presented with a significant problem: how do we lure people back to
the office? Some companies have been finding innovative solutions. The key problem was that, for most people,
working from home is cheaper. It 2. avoided / avoiding / avoids the cost of the commute, buying meals, and
allows parents to be around for their kids, reducing the need for childcare. In tackling the issue, creatively-minded
businesses have taken this into account.

B. A company based in Birmingham, UK called Time Etc, has started offering free food to 3. its / it’s / is workers as
a method of saving them money. Dishes include hot meals such as chili, curries and soup, with desserts ranging
from fresh fruit to yogurt and cakes. CEO Barnaby Lashbrooke believes the opportunity for workers to socialize
over meals and take a break from preparing their own food is the reason for the increase in office attendance
since the company implemented the idea. Other companies have taken the more radical step of supplying a beer
tap in-house 4. on / in / with addition to a selection of non-alcoholic drinks. Employees are more likely to take
advantage of this towards the end of the week or during wrap-up meetings when the pressure is 5. off / on / in
and they can let their hair down a little.

C. At the other end of the scale, companies such as MoreySmith in London have provided a quiet space on the
company premises for those who want to escape the open-plan environment to work in peace. In Belfast, PwC, a
provider of professional services to the business community, has set 6. off / back / up a zone for well-being. Via
a company app, employees can book a space for yoga and massage which are subsidized by the company. They
can also be used for physiotherapy if they are in need 7. during / prior to / following an accident or injury, as well
as counseling to improve mental health. Both of these are part of the medical benefits package provided by the
company.

D. A London marketing firm has taken the more direct step of 8. offered / offering / offers paid vacations to staff who
spend the majority of their time at the office. Their most recent trip was to Spain, with the company paying for
all flights, accommodation and associated expenses. They have also been skiing in Bulgaria and a team traveled
to Marrakesh for an adventure using four wheelers. Sabrina Chevannes, the company’s founder, admitted that
finding time when everyone is available to go can be problematic, 9. and / but / when they have managed some
great vacations to date. While away, the employees do around an 10. hour’s / hours / hours’ work each day,
mostly checking their emails and keeping things moving. Yet once that is done, they are able to relax and enjoy
each other’s company which really helps them to bond.

Sources: BBC News, The Guardian

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 6/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

7 Reading comprehension

Part A: Write the paragraph in which you can find the following pieces of information.

1. A company lowering employees expenses by providing a variety of different cuisine.

2. Employees doing winter sports together as a reward for a high level of attendance in the office.

3. The issue of commuting to work being a greater expense to employees than remote work.

4. Work teams spending a short time doing administrative tasks before spending the rest of the day
enjoying themselves.

5. Employees being able to use discounted company benefits which can be booked using their
smartphone.

6. The belief that being able to interact with colleagues over food makes the workplace a more
inviting option.

7. A company arranging for someone to talk to, to reduce the risk or effects of depression.

Part B: Answer the questions below.

1. What is the meaning of ‘someone letting their hair down’ in Paragraph B?

2. What is the meaning of ‘at the other end of the scale’ in Paragraph C?

8 Talking point

In pairs, discuss the following questions.

1. Which of the perks that have been presented today did you think were the most interesting or
attractive? Why?
2. Would you prefer to work in an office environment or at home? Why?
3. If you ran your own company, what perks would you offer?
4. Do you think perks really make a difference to employees’ decisions on where to work? Why/why
not?

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 7/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

9 Extended activity/Homework

Imagine you are the CEO of your own company. Write a memo to your staff informing them of a new
perk you plan to introduce. You can choose one of the perks that you have read about today or you
can invent your own perk. Use the following questions to help you:

• What will the perk do?

• How will it benefit employees?
• How will it be valuable to your business?
• How will it make your company a more attractive place to work than the competition?
• What language can you use to explain it to your staff?

You should:

• Write at least 150 words

• Check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 8/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
TEACHER MATERIALS · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

Transcripts

3. Listening for details

Newsreader: And now we look at some of the unusual perks some companies are providing to get
their employees back in the office. Those of you with hybrid or electric cars might
be pleased to know that some companies are offering free charging for employee’s
vehicles making it easier for them to fund their drive to work. If this is the beginning of
a new trend, it could help transport move away from fossil fuels, especially as electric
cars become cheaper.

Newsreader: Do you feel sad saying goodbye to your dog when you leave for work? A sausage
factory in the UK has built its own ‘dog hotel’ complete with underfloor heating to
keep them warm and even a built-in ramp to help the smaller dogs get in. Workers
can take their dogs out for walks at lunch and even special volunteers to walk other
people’s dogs.

Newsreader: They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but that’s not true in some companies.
Hot meals, salads and desserts are being provided for employees who show up at the
office. Some have even gone as far as to install a beer tap, allowing workers to unwind
at the end of the day or the week.

Newsreader: There’s also been an increase in companies setting up private spaces and quiet areas.
Whether employees need to work in peace, read a book or have a private catch-up
with a colleague, there’s a place to go.

Newsreader: But what about getting out of the office? Would you want to go on vacation with your
co-workers? Some companies have been offering team vacations with their expenses
paid for, but only for those who go to the office more often than not.

FOOOOTERAPPENDIXRIGHT
Learn without forgetting! i
Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
TEACHER MATERIALS · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

Key

1. Warm up

5 mins.
This introduces the students to a key item of vocabulary and asks them to discuss it based on their own experience.
Ask the students to discuss the questions in pairs or small groups and circulate and help as needed.

2. Focus on vocabulary

Part A
5 mins.
Ask students to do the task unaided in the first instance, but allow them to use a reference later if needed. Ensure
students can correctly pronounce the target vocabulary.

1. → h. 2. → d. 3. → a. 4. → c. 5. → b. 6. → e. 7. → g. 8. → f.

Part B
5 mins.
This consolidates the vocabulary by asking the students to put it in context.

1. install 2. fossil fuels 3. tap 4. hybrid

5. ramp 6. expense 7. catch-up 8. funding

3. Listening for details

5 mins.
This task recycles the vocabulary and gets the students to focus on listening out for details as well as providing
an opportunity to hear the audio ahead of the main comprehension.

hybrid (adj.)
fund (v)
fossil fuel (n)
ramp (n)
install (v)
tap (n)
catch-up (n)
expense (n)

4. Listening comprehension

10 mins.
Ask the students to complete the notes after the first listening and then allow them to listen again to check their
answers.

Answers for the table:

FOOOOTERAPPENDIXLEFT
Learn without forgetting! ii
Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
TEACHER MATERIALS · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

a. Free charging; b. new trend; c. sausage factory; d. special volunteers; e. Beer tap; f. private spaces; g. Team
holidays

5. Scanning for vocabulary

5 mins.
This provides additional support with some of the higher-level vocabulary and will aid comprehension.

1. surge 2. lure 3. radical

4. premises 5. well-being 6. physiotherapy
7. counseling 8. problematic 9. bond

6. Skimming for gist

5 mins.
You may want to set a strict time limit on this task to encourage students to skim read rather than read in detail.

Answers to the article:

1. who; 2. avoids; 3. its ; 4. in ; 5. off; 6. up; 7. following; 8. offering; 9. but; 10. hour’s

Sources:
www.bbc.com/news/business-64914894
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/15/companies-lure-workers-back-to-office

7. Reading comprehension

10 mins.
Part A
For Part A, ask the students to read more carefully and decide where the ideas and points can be found. For Part
B, ask the students to determine the meaning of the phrases from the context.

You may need to elicit or give the students the following vocabulary.
yoga (n) - a way of exercising involving stretching and breathing
four wheelers (n) - a small motorized vehicle which can be used in a variety of different terrains and has four
wheels

1. Paragraph B 2. Paragraph D 3. Paragraph A 4. Paragraph D

5. Paragraph C 6. Paragraph B 7. Paragraph C

Part B

1. relax and really enjoy yourself while forgetting about any worries
2. At the opposite side of a set of values (in this case, the previous paragraph was talking about relaxing, drinking
and having fun, while the next point is about a company creating a library for quiet work.

FOOOOTERAPPENDIXRIGHT
Learn without forgetting! iii
Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
TEACHER MATERIALS · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

INTERESTING PERKS

8. Talking point

10 mins.
Ask the students to discuss the questions in pairs or small groups. Circulate and help as needed.

9. Extended activity/Homework

20 mins+.
Ask the students to write the memo to their imaginary staff. Allow them to use any of the perks they have read
about, but encourage them to be inventive within reason. Ask them to plan, write and edit their work. Be sure to
give them feedback.

FOOOOTERAPPENDIXLEFT
Learn without forgetting! iv
Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Tatiane Phauloz's lessons.