Lesson4_Vocabulary_Working life

1. Vocabulary Working life

Astana IT University
Department of General Disciplines
English for Academic Purposes
B1- level
Vocabulary
Working life
Week 1 Lesson 4

2.

Read the texts carefully and pay attention to the highlighted words. These are the key
vocabulary items for this lesson. If you are not sure about a word, check its meaning in the
Glossary after the text. Then complete the exercises to practice and remember the new words.
Text 1. Beginning a Career
For many young people, choosing a career path is one of the most important
decisions in life. Some prefer to work in the same field as their university degree,
while others look for opportunities in new areas. Many students hope to find an
employer who can offer job security and the chance to have a steady job. A
supportive working environment helps new employees feel comfortable and
develop quickly. Of course, the first years can be stressful, with a heavy workload
and the need to prove that you are hard-working and a good team player. At the
same time, a competitive atmosphere often motivates people to improve their
skills. In the end, most graduates look for more than money – they also want real
job satisfaction.

3.

Text 2. Challenges at Work
Although working life can be rewarding, it also brings many difficulties. Some
people decide to resign because their tasks are too demanding or because the
company does not value their efforts. Others become unemployed due to
downsizing, or they may experience firing after poor performance. In contrast,
some choose to be self-employed or to work as freelance professionals. Human
resources departments often focus on hiring the right candidates and trying to
give incentives to those who perform well. However, not all rewards are positive:
sometimes staff may receive a cut in salary instead of being given an increment. In
addition, many organisations require people to work unsociable hours or deal with
adverse working conditions. Low salaries, long shifts and a lack of initiative and
motivation can all reduce productivity and morale.

4.

Glossary (A–Z)
adverse working conditions – difficult or unpleasant situations at work
career path – the direction your working life takes over time
competitive – involving competition; trying to be more successful than others
demanding – requiring a lot of effort, time, or energy
downsizing – reducing the number of employees in a company to save costs
employee – a person who works for a company
employer – a person or organisation that hires people
field – an area of work or study
firing – dismissing someone from a job
freelance – working independently, usually for different companies rather than one
employer
give an increment – to increase someone’s salary
give incentives – to provide rewards that motivate employees to work better
hard-working – putting a lot of effort into work
have a steady job – to be employed in a long-term, stable position

5.

Glossary (A–Z)
hiring – the process of employing people
job satisfaction – the feeling of being happy with your work
job security – the certainty that you will keep your job without risk of losing it
lack initiative and motivation – not showing energy or willingness to do tasks
receive a cut in salary – to have your pay reduced
resign – to officially leave a job
self-employed – working for yourself, not for an employer
team player – someone who works well with others
unemployed – without a job
workload – the amount of work someone has to do
work unsociable hours – to work at night, weekends, or very early in the morning
working environment – the conditions and atmosphere at work

6.

Exercises
Exercise 1. Match the situations with the correct word or phrase
Match each situation with the correct item from the box.
a) position b) CV c) apply for a job d) vacancy e) cover letter f) qualifications
1.
Anna saw that a company is looking for a new worker. She wants to send her
documents to them.
2.
He wrote a short letter to explain why he is interested in the job.
3.
They asked him to list his diplomas and certificates.
4.
This is the official name for the job in the company, for example “Marketing
Assistant.”
5.
She found an available job in the newspaper advertisement.
6.
He prepared a document describing his work experience and education.

7.

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences with the correct word or phrase from the box.
team player, adverse working conditions, demanding, self-employed, receive a cut in
salary, firing, have a steady job, competitive
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
She decided to leave the company after years of working in extremely __________ that
affected her health.
Many graduates today would rather be __________, even though it requires more
responsibility and financial risk.
Healthcare professionals often mention that their work is emotionally and physically
__________.
The company has started __________ several employees whose performance did not meet
expectations.
After years of unstable temporary jobs, he was relieved to finally __________ with a reliable
organisation.
In modern workplaces, being a good __________ is considered just as important as having
strong technical skills.
Following the economic downturn, a number of employees had to __________, which
created financial difficulties.

8.

Exercise 3. Unscramble the words to make sentences
1. Her / this / has / semester / workload / heavy / increased / significantly
2. She / her / finally / worked / years / hard / received / after / promotion
3. The / his / to / position / manager / from / company / plans / resign
4. Government / people / because / job security / often / prefer / of / jobs
5. He / freelance / a / enjoys / career / as / working / designer / graphic
6. Management / outstanding / for / employees / performance / to / give /
decided / an increment
7. The / adverse / organised / strike / workers / to / conditions / working /
due
8. A / player / each / team / success / project / to / was / contributed / real

9.

Exercise 4. Complete the expressions with the correct word or phrase from the box.
career path, job security, working environment, lack initiative and motivation,
give an increment, work unsociable hours
1.
Due to staff shortages, many doctors are required to __________ in order to provide
continuous patient care.
2.
A positive and collaborative __________ contributes significantly to employee well-being
and long-term efficiency.
3.
After completing her degree, she decided to pursue a structured __________ within the
international business sector.
4.
Some students demonstrate a __________, which prevents them from reaching their full
academic and professional potential.
5.
Employees are generally more productive and committed when they feel a strong sense
of __________.
6.
As a reward for consistent high performance, the company decided to __________ at the
end of the financial year.

10. Go to the quiz on MS Teams. Check your knowledge by taking the quiz. Note: 1. Consider the deadline 2. Gain at least 6 points

• Go to the quiz on MS Teams.
• Check your knowledge by taking the quiz.
Note:
1. Consider the deadline
2. Gain at least 6 points