Talking about Work: Commuting - English for Professionals

New series!
English for Professionals

Series objective:
This series will help those preparing to use English in the workplace as well as those already in the workforce. This is NOT traditional Business English (negotiating, presenting, interviewing, etc.) The lessons in this series will help learners gain confidence in talking about work and work-related matters.

Target skills of series: listening, speaking, and vocabulary.

Levels: intermediate to advanced.

LESSON 1 Topic: Commuting
Guest Teacher: Dave Sconda (Scroll down for the transcript.)

Note: A downloadable version of this video is available on Vimeo under the name JenniferESL.

NOTE: I'm very sorry to announce as of January 2012 links to EnglishCafe will no longer be active due to the site closing. I was very lucky to be a part of that online community while it lasted. I'm also sorry for the loss of additional materials for learners.

TEACHERS: Related classroom ideas are posted on my WordPress blog.
http://englishwithjennifer.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/collocation-links/

Also, consider using the following discussion questions as a post-viewing activity:
1. Do you agree or disagree with Dave's views on work? What's the most important thing about a job? What do you value most in your work?
2. Do you agree or disagree with Dave regarding the importance of a commute? Is there any job worth a long commute in your opinion?
3. Do you agree or disagree with Jennifer's views on telecommuting? Is it a good alternative to working in an office?


MUSIC CREDIT:
"Zx5" by Euglenu. Retrieved from http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Techno-Dance/Dance/Zx5-Euglenu-5751/

For more music by EUGLENU, visit http://www.designx.ro/

TRANSCRIPT OF DAVE'S TALK:
Hi. I'm Dave Sconda. My friend Jennifer asked if I would work with her on a video, so here I am. Today I'm talking about work. We all have to get to work somehow. Some of us work through the Internet, at home...like I'm doing right now. Some people have to commute very far. I've had friends who have commuted over two hours each way to get to work. In my opinion, the commute should not matter as much as the job itself. Are you doing something that you're good at? That you enjoy? That you want to learn more about and become a master of? In my opinion, that's the most important thing about a career, a job, a work in pursuit.