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ENGLISH III – (33410- 240)

UNIT 1: AT WORK
2023-02

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CONTENTS

PAGES
UNIT 1: AT WORK

LESSON 1: A WORK DAY 3 -7

LESSON 2: GRAMMAR TIME 8 - 15

Suggested interactive software and websites for further practice 16

This booklet material was selected, adapted and designed for instructional purposes
and to be used in the classroom and as a study guide for students.

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UNIT 1: AT WORK
LESSON 1: A WORK DAY
GETTING STARTED

A. Think about professional jobs in Chile, e.g., journalist, political scientist,


engineer, lawyer, social worker, sociologist, psychologist, etc.
Answer the following questions.

Question Your answer


1. Where do they work?

2. Do they work mostly part-time or


full-time?
3. Do they ever work overtime?

4. What time do they start/finish


work?
5. What do you think they like best
about their jobs?
6. How much vacation time do they
have a year?
7. How much status do these
professions have in Chile?
8. How much money do they earn every
month?

B. Now think about your future job. What would you like about your job?
Tick (√)
I’d like … I’d like a job with …
( ) a good salary ( ) flexible working hours
( ) friendly colleagues ( ) opportunities to travel
( ) my own office ( ) opportunities to be promoted
( ) long holidays ( ) holiday pay
( ) a good boss ( ) on-the-job training
( ) job security ( ) sick pay

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VOCABULARY: AT WORK
A. Check your knowledge (√). Choose the best option for the following sentences.

1. A person employed by someone else, working for money.


a) Investor b) employer c) employee
2. Relations between employers and employees, managers and workers, management and
union.
a) labor union b) human relations c) labor relations
3. To be raised to a higher rank or better job.
a) sales promotion b) promotion c) motivation
4. A fixed regular payment, usually monthly, for professional or office work.
a) salary b) earnings c) benefits
5. Advantages that come with a job, apart from salary.
a) profits b) benefits c) supplements
6. Money paid (per hour or day or week) to manual workers.
a) earnings b) salary c) wages
7. Having particular abilities, acquired by training.
a) talented b) educated c) skilled
8. Having a duty to be in charge of or to look after someone or something.
a) be responsible for b) have the power of c) take command of
9. To train in or devote oneself to a particular area of study, occupation, or activity.
a) to specialize b) to develop c) to study
10. A task or action that a person is bound to perform for moral or legal reasons.
a) respect b) duty c) principles
11. A special inclination or predisposition to a particular career.
a) concern b) responsibility c) vocation
12. Innate ability, aptitude, or faculty for doing something.
a) creativity b) talent c) state of being inspired
13. All the people who work in a country or for a company.
a) labour market b) labour force c) skilled labour
14. The amount of work that a person or organization has to do.
a) schedule b) timetable c) workload
15. Workers who do jobs that are not permanent.
a) casual labour b) labour supply c) cheap labour
16. To take the necessary action especially in order to solve a problem.
a) to succeed b) to become c) to deal with something/somebody
17. The people looking for work and the jobs available.
a) labour shortage b) casual labour c) labour market

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B. What things do people usually do at work? Match a word or phrase in column A to a
word or phrase in column B. Write the correct number.
A B
1. be in charge ____ a contract
2. work ____ people in need
3. deal with ____ for running a department
4. organize ____ shifts
5. take ____ reports
6. be responsible ____ of an organization
7. sign ____ messages
5. write ____ conferences

DEPARTMENTS OF AN ORGANIZATION
Technical Support - Accounts
Marketing - Sales - Legal
C. Which department from the box usually ……….. Public Relations
Customer Service

1. gives information to the press? _____________________


2. looks for new markets for new or existing products? _____________________
3. pays the bills and receives the money? _____________________
4. answers technical questions from customers? _____________________
5. answers all questions from customers? _____________________
6. sells the products? _____________________
7. organizes contracts? _____________________

D. Match the departments in the box to the descriptions 1-7 below.

Finance – Purchasing - IT - Logistics - Human Resources - Training – Quality Control

DESCRIPTION DEPARTMENT
1. It finds new staff.
2. It maintains the computer system.
3. It arranges the transport of products.
4. This department checks the finished goods.
5. This department is in charge of paying the bills.
6. It buys from suppliers.
7. It organizes courses.

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VOCABULARY: IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR GETTING A JOB

I. Speaking

In your opinion, which factors below are important for getting a job? Choose the seven most
important. Is there anything missing from the list?

age/sex appearance astrological sign contacts and connections experience handwriting


family background hobbies intelligence marital status personality characteristics qualifications
references sickness record blood group

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Compare your answers with a partner. Do you agree or disagree?

A very important factor nowadays to find a job or be promoted is to have a certification


that measures your English language skills used in international corporations around the
world.

Your position there may require you to have some specific listening or reading skills that
will be necessary for you when attending international conferences, trade shows or
answering telephone calls and video-conferences. Also, you will need to read documents or
even send e-mails.

Having the right certification that measures these skills in a working environment is then
essential and will certainly make a difference in successfully getting a job or not.

Some international examinations of English are:

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II. Vocabulary & Speaking

For each question in the personality test, choose the statement which is most true or typical of you
in your everyday behavior and then choose which is least true. Indicate your choices by writing M
(for the most), and L (for the least) in another.

I am the sort of person who…


1
□ has a wide circle of friends
3
□ helps people with their problems
□ enjoys organizing people □ develops new approaches
□ relaxes easily □ has lots of energy
□ seeks variety □ enjoys social activities
2
□ has a lot of new ideas
4
□ enjoys organizing events
□ feels calm □ sometimes gets angry
□ likes understanding things □ is talkative
□ is easy to get on with □ resolves conflicts at work

Now, match these personality traits to some of the sentences in the personality test above.

Creative Organized Practical Energetic laid-back

Easy-going Sensitive Sociable Clever Kind

Compare your answers with a partner and discuss these questions.

1. What is your personality like according to the test?


……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. What kind of personality do you think companies usually look for?


…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Have you ever lied in a personality test? Would you lie? Why?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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LESSON 2: GRAMMAR TIME

MODAL VERBS

1. MODALS OF POSSIBILITY

USE OF MODALS: Look at the chart and compare Can, May and Might

Both CAN and MAY can be used to talk about possibility. But there is some difference between them.

CAN is used to talk about theoretical  Citizens can create a better world.
possibility (i.e. the situation is only an  Accidents can happen all the time.
CAN (Theoretical possibility)
idea but it is not real at the moment for
you).  Strikes can happen any time. (It is
possible that strikes happen any time.)

MAY is used to talk about factual  If you drive carelessly, you may have an
accident. (Factual possibility)
MAY possibility (i.e. the situation is likely to
 There may be a strike next week. (It is
happen). possible that there will be a strike next
week.)
Use MIGHT to express predictions or  The local production might decrease this
MIGHT
uncertainty about future situations. year.
 Things might not get worse.

EXERCISES

A. Complete the sentences with the correct modal verb “can or can’t”.

1. You ________ use mobile phones during the lesson.

2. Children ________ do their homework in class if they don’t want to take it home.

3. Students ________ only arrive 10 minutes late for lessons.

4. We ________ use the computers to practice English.

5. You ________ forget your coursebook to continue practicing your lessons.

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B. Rewrite the sentences using the modal verb in parenthesis.

1. Perhaps I will work in a public social service office. (might)


_____________________________________________________

2. Perhaps the new social worker will deal with domestic violence
issues. (might)
________________________________________________________

3. Perhaps there will be a meeting with the local community next week. (may)
_______________________________________________________________________

4. Perhaps the resources to help people living in poverty will not be enough. (may not)
_______________________________________________________________________

5. Perhaps you will start by assessing the social environment to delineate appropriate goals.
(may)
_______________________________________________________________________

6. Perhaps they'll join a labor union. (might)


_______________________________________________________________________

C. Choose the correct modal verb for each sentence.

1. They (can/might) be away for the weekend but I'm not sure.

2. You (may/might) leave now if you wish.

3. (Can’t/May) you open the window a bit, please?

4. He (can/might) be French, judging by his accent.

5. He (may/can) play the piano very well.

6. Listen, please. You (may not/can’t) speak during this exam.

7. They (can't/may not) still be out!

8. You (can't/might not) smoke on the bus.

9. There (can not /may) be a sunny day next week.

10. You (can/might) be right but I'm going back to check anyway.

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2. MODALS FOR SUGGESTION, WARNING OR ADVICE: SHOULD/SHOULDN’T

Use modal verb should and shouldn’t:


 to give advice and recommendations or to talk about what we think is right or wrong.
You should keep your money in a bank.

 when something is the right thing to do.


You shouldn’t drive without a driving license
After should and shouldn’t, use the infinitive without “to”.
He should call the Legal Department.
He should to call the Legal Department.
FORM:
POSITIVE: S (I, you, he, etc.) + SHOULD + verb infinitive + complement

NEGATIVE: S + SHOULD + NOT + verb infinitive + complement (SHOULDN’T)

QUESTION: SHOULD + S+ verb infinitive + complement +?

EXERCISES

A. Complete these sentences using SHOULD or SHOULDN’T and a phrase from the box.

be late stay two weeks buy an expensive computer speak to our boss develop a better website

1. The meeting is very important. We ______________________________.


2. Our team is working too many hours. We ________________________.
3. She wants to visit a lot of researchers in Spain. She ___________________.
4. We have to cut costs. We ____________________________________.
5. Our online business isn’t well. We _______________________________.

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3. MODALS TO EXPRESS OBLIGATION OR NECESSITY MUST – HAVE TO

A. Look at photos A-C. Choose three phrases from below that you think are true for each job.

B C
A

Melissa Steve Mathew

1. I have to do 72 weeks’ training, but I don’t have to pay for it – the company does.
2. I don’t have to go to university, but I probably learn more street facts than a
university student.
3. I have to get a degree at the university and the training takes seven years.

B. Match the phrases in bold in A to these meanings.

a) It is necessary to do this.
b) It is not necessary to do this, but you can if you want.

C. Read the following paragraphs about social workers and fill in with must or the correct form
of have to.

A social worker helps people to optimize their functioning within their


specific social environment. A social worker may also work to
improve social systems.

Social workers ________(1) possess excellent communication skills and an


understanding of different cultures.

Social workers who will be involved in education _______(2) to develop public


speaking skills, as well as an ability to translate more complex concepts into
language easily understood by laypeople.

Social workers who work in research________(3) have specific skills pertinent to


the type of investigations they will be conducting, as well as a good understanding
of research methods and design.

This text was extracted and adapted from Gale Science in Context

https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Reference&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=MultiTab&hitCo
unt=195&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=2&docId=GALE%7CCX3189500215&docType=Topic+overvie
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&prodId=SCIC&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCX3189500215&searchId=R1&userGroupName=ucchile&inPS=true

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 Compare: MUST vs. HAVE TO

Use modal verb MUST and HAVE/HAS TO:


 To say something is compulsory or necessary.
 Use MUST to express subjective obligation. It expresses what the speaker thinks it
is necessary.
I must stop smoking.
He must work harder.

 Use HAVE/HAS TO to express objective obligation which is imposed from outside


(law or rules)
In the UK you have to drive on the left.
John has to wear a tie at work.

 Use MUSTN’T (MUST NOT) to express prohibition. The prohibition can be


subjective (the speaker’s opinion) or objective (a real law or rule).

I mustn’t eat so much sugar (subjective)


Employees mustn’t drink alcohol at work. (objective)
 Use DON’T HAVE TO/DOESN’T HAVE TO when there is no obligation or something
is not necessary.

My brother doesn’t have to wear a formal suit at work.

PRACTICE
Match each item on the left with an item on the right.

1. I was transferred to France … ___ a) so I mustn’t make any mistakes.

2. This report is urgent … ___ b) so you mustn’t forget to back up the files.

3. I can work from home … ___ c) so we don’t have to discuss it any further.

4. This research is too important for me … ___ d) I must stay and finish it today.

5. We lost the database once before … ___ e) so I have to learn some French.

6. I think we are all in agreement … ___ f) so I don’t have to go into the office very often.

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4. MODALS TO EXPRESS PROHIBITION: CAN & BE ALLOWED TO

 Use modal verbs CAN and BE ALLOWED TO to say we have permission to do


something.
I can use Internet at work.
Anne is allowed to take her holidays when she wants.

 Use CANNOT (CAN NOT or CAN’T) and BE NOT ALLOWED TO to say we don’t have
permission to do something.

I can’t smoke in my office.


Students are not allowed to eat in the library.
 CAN = FORM
POSITIVE &
NEGATIVE:
I-he-she-it-we-you-they + CAN/CAN’T + verb + C

QUESTION: CAN + subject + verb infinitive + C+?

 BE ALLOWED TO = FORM

POSITIVE & I am
NEGATIVE: He/she/it is + (not) allowed to + verb infinitive + C.
We/you/they are

Am I
QUESTIONS: Is he/she/it + allowed to + verb infinitive + C + ?
Are we/you/they

EXERCISES

A. Make true sentences about your job. Use CAN / CAN’T / AM ALLOWED TO / I’M NOT ALLOWED TO.

Compare your answers with a partner.

1. I _________________ take my vacation when I want.


2. I _________________ work at weekends.
3. I _________________ work late in the evenings.
4. I _________________ use English at work.
5. I _________________ wear formal clothes.
6. I _________________ travel a lot for my work.
B. What do these signs mean? Write the letter on its
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corresponding meaning. There are some extra sentences.

A B C D

E F G H

1. ___ You can’t walk on the grass. 2. ___ You can’t park your car here.
3. ___ You aren’t allowed to smoke here. 4. ___ You can’t drive more than 120 kilometers per hour.
5. ___ You can’t turn right. 6. ___ You can’t turn left.
7. ___ You can’t talk near here. 8. ___ You can smoke here.
9. ___ You are allowed to park your car here. 10. ___ You can eat here.
11. ___ You aren’t allowed to use your cell 12. ___ You can turn right.
phone here.

C. Complete the dialogs about friends talking about some work regulations. Choose verb
phrases from the box.

do you have to - can he - have to - don’t have to - isn’t allowed - has to - can -
doesn’t have to - does he have to - are allowed - can’t - are you allowed

Conversation 1:
A: How many hours a week are you doing in this new job?
B: Oh, probably about 50 or 55.
A: That’s a lot. So, (1) _____________________ work at weekends sometimes?
B: No, I don’t. But I often (2) _________________ work late in the evening because that the only time I
have to answer the emails.

Conversation 2:
A: … What about vacation? (3) _________________ to take them when you want?
B: No, I’m not. I (4) _________________ take any vacation from mid-December to mid-February
because I’m single. Only employees with children (5) _______________________ to take them off in
that period.
A: Is that a problem, then?
B: No, not at all. I like it. It means that I (6) _______________ go on vacation in March or May when
flights and hotels are cheaper.
A: And you (7) __________________ share the beach or swimming pool with hundreds of
schoolchildren!

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Conversation 3:
A: … What about Jimmy? How’s he doing in his new advertising job?
B: He’s really enjoying it. He (8) _________________ work so hard because he’s only working part-time.
But he (9) _________________ to take any vacation this summer because he just started working two
weeks ago. He’ll have to wait until next year.
A: And (10) ____________________ travel a lot in his job?
B: No, not much. He (11) ___________________ spend most of his time in front of a computer.
A: And (12) _________________ choose the days he doesn’t work?
B: No, that’s not possible. The company always wants him on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

D. Complete the chart with information about the work responsibilities of these social science
careers. Write one sentence for each category and do not forget to use MODALS.

CAREER RECOMMENDATION OBLIGATION NECESSITY PERMISSION

An anthropologist
ANTHROPOLOGIST should understand
the human behavior.
COLLEGE
PROFESSOR

ECONOMIST

HISTORIAN

JOURNALIST

LAWYER

POLITICAL SCIENTIST

PSYCHOLOGIST

SOCIOLOGIST

SOCIAL WORKER

SURVEY
RESEARCHER

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SUGGESTED ENGLISH INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE AND WEBSITES FOR FURTHER PRACTICE

 Recursos virtuales National Geographic – Cengage Learning disponibles mediante clave institucional.
ucentral 2015
http://www.ucentral.cl/prontusucentral2012/site/edic/base/port/english_program.html

Bases de datos interactivas:

- GALE VIRTUAL REFERENCE LIBRARY

Webgrafía:

Software interactivo y material de ejercitación online:


 www.englishgrammarsecrets.com
 www.ego4u.com
 http://www.britannica.com
 http://eslpdf.com
 www.agendaweb.org
 www.english-zone.com
 www.esl-lab.com
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/audiointerviews/professions/
Diccionarios online:

 www.wordreference.com . www.dictionary.cambridge.org/
- www.ldoceonline.com . www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary

This booklet material was selected, adapted and designed for instructional purposes
and to be used in the classroom and as a study guide for students.

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