UNIT ONE

CAREER CHOICES
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Learners can use vocabulary related to skills and personal qualities.

• Learners can use a range of phrases for giving advice and making suggestions.

• Learners are aware of simple ways to build rapport at first meetings and can use a range of appropriate
questions.

• Learners can use a range of expressions to start, close and show interest in simple, face-to-face
conversations on familiar topics.

• Learners can write an email introducing themselves to work colleagues.

LEAD IN: TRANSFERABLE SKILLS PT. 1
 LEAD IN: TRANSFERABLE SKILLS PT. 2

Discuss these questions.

1 Is there an expression in Exercise 1 that definitely doesn’t describe you?
2 Which is a) the most important b) the least important life skill in the box? Why?
 LEAD IN: TRANSFERABLE SKILLS PT. 3

Discuss the question. According to the video you’re going to watch, employers want skills that can be applied to a range of
tasks and roles. What skills do you think this means? Give examples.
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 VOCABULARY PT. 1

• What do these words and phrases mean? Match them with the best situation (a–h):
You …
-1 can think outside the box. -2 have a can-do attitude. -3 can set goals. -4 use critical thinking.
You …
-a. decided to save money for a holiday a year in the future.
-b. did a difficult project without complaining.
-c. carefully checked information you found on the internet to make sure it was true.
-d. asked your teacher if you could make a short film instead of handing in an essay
 VOCABULARY PT. 2

• You …
-5 have a lot of determination. -6 are a team player. -7 have integrity. -8 have good communication skills.
You …
-e. found a wallet with a lot of money in it and returned it to the owner.
-f. took four tries to pass your driving test, but never gave up, and kept studying and practicing.
-g. worked with a group of friends to start a weekend cycling club.
-h. spoke clearly when you gave a presentation and really listened to questions from the audience
 VOCABULARY PT. 3

Complete the tables with the correct words.

Adjective Noun Adjective Noun
1 adaptability 7 independence
flexible 2 ambitious 8
3 Motivation 9 passion
Confident 4 enthusiastic 10
5 Dependability 11 honesty
Resourceful 5 authentic 12
 WRITING A JOB DESCRIPTION PT.1

Look at the jobs below. Discuss how some of the transferable skills from the previous 2 exercises are necessary for each job.
-Accountant
-construction
-worker
-factory worker
-journalist
-personal trainer
-Politician
-professional athlete
-salesperson teacher
 WRITING A JOB DESCRIPTION PT.2

- Think of a job: one from the previous exercise, one you know about or one you would like to do.
• Write down the name of the job, e.g. personal trainer, accountant, salesperson, etc.
• List 3–5 things the person needs to do, e.g. lead classes, take care of company money, meet customers, etc.
• Identify skills that the person needs to have to take care of the responsibilities you’ve listed. Use skills from Exercises 6
and 7, or your own ideas.
- Write a job description based on your research.
GRAMMAR PT. 1
 GRAMMAR PT. 2

• Complete the sentences from the programme using the words below.
could - How – ought – should - Why don’t you - Why not try
1 _____ deleting everything you’ve written about yourself?
2 _____ take your description of yourself … and for each word, think of an example from your own experience that shows
who you are?
3 _____ about telling me about something creative that you’ve done?
4 You really _____ put that on your social media profile – you designed and built a website.
5 You _____ consider putting something about that on your profile.
6 You _____ to think outside the box.
 GRAMMAR PT. 3

• Choose the correct option in bold to complete the sentences.

1 Why don’t you send / to send an email to some companies?
2 How about to set up / setting up your own website?
3 You should to research / research the companies you’re interested in.
4 Why not try make / making a video for YouTube?
5 You ought to spend / spending some time improving your online profile.
6 You could think / to think about meeting some people who work in the industry.
7 What about asking / to ask your teacher for some help?
 FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE PT. 1

discuss these questions.

1- Why do people attend careers events?

2- What are employers looking for at a careers event?

3- Have you ever attended a careers event? What was your experience?
 FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE PT. 2

Look at these tips on how to prepare for a careers event. Choose the three most important tips for you. Explain your
choices 1 Look at the list of attending companies and target those that interest you most.
2 Update your CV and bring several copies.
3 Take a fi le to collect business cards and brochures.
4 Research your target employers and prepare a list of questions you want to ask.
5 Write an online profile.
6 Prepare a short, professional introduction (your experience, strengths, career interests and goals).
7 Dress professionally, as if you were going to an interview.
8 Arrive early, and plan extra time for locating your target employers.
 LISTENING PT. 1

Ella and Jamie are attending a careers event. They both speak to Ben, a recruiter from a large specialised travel agency.
Listen to the two conversations. Who was better prepared, Ella or Jamie?
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1 How did Ella prepare for the careers event?
2 What relevant skills and qualifi cations can Ella off er the company?
3 What was the outcome of the conversation with Ben for Ella?
4 What relevant skills can Jamie off er the company?
5 How did Jamie prepare for the careers event?
6 What was the outcome of the conversation with Ben for Jamie?
7 How could Ella and Jamie have been better prepared?
 LISTENING PT. 2

Complete the questions and phrases from the two conversations in the previous exercise with the words and phrases
below. Then listen again to check your answers.
ask you a few questions - been nice talking - could I just ask for your time - how are you - in charge of - in touch with really -
see - tell me more – sounds
1 Can you put _____ me the person _____ your marketing projects?
2 Can you _____ about that?
3 I’d like to _____, if possible.
4 Good morning. _____ enjoying the fair?
5 It’s _____ to you.
6 That _____ interesting.
7 I _____, wonderful.
8 Sorry, _____ you a few questions about Travelogue?
9 Thank you _____, Ben. I really appreciate it.
10 Oh, _____?
 READING

To: Marketing staff

From: Elenor Rinna
Subject: Good morning!
Dear / Welcome colleagues,
I would like to introduce me / myself as the new Account Executive in your department. Before I joined / join this company,
I was working in a similar position in a very small company in Sweden. However, I wanted / am wanting to work for a larger
company so I am really excited to be working by / for this company. Please feel free to contact me by email or phone if / so
you have any questions. I very much look forward to meet / meeting you all in person. Kind / Truly regards,