1.3.2 COMPANIES AND WORKPLACES
COMPANIES AND WORKPLACES
What kind of company do you work for, and what’s its main goal or purpose?
If you could switch to a completely different industry, which would you pick and why?
What makes a workplace positive and motivating, and what usually causes stress or low morale?
How would you describe your company’s culture, and how does it affect how people work?
1B. Brainstorming
What kind of words could you use to describe a company or workplace?
2A. Pre-listening discussion
1.In your opinion, what makes up a company’s culture?
2. How would you describe the culture of the company you work for?
3. How do you think company culture affects employees’ motivation and performance?
4. Which elements do you think are most important for a positive company culture?
2B. Vocabulary
2C. Practice
2D. Discussion
3A. Listening
Listen to three people talking about their company.
3C. Discussion
Can you identify with anything the speakers said?
4A. Reading
4B. Reading comprehension
4C. Scanning for vocabulary
4D. Talking point
In pairs discuss the following questions.
What do you think are the positives and negatives about your company’s culture?
Do you think there are members of staff who do not feel included in the culture? Why?
What would you do to improve the culture in your company?
Do you think company social events are a good idea? Why/Why not?
What steps can senior management take to ensure that everyone feels included in a company?
5. Idioms for Companies and Workplaces
5E. Discussion Questions
6A. Speaking: Role Play
Scenario Options: Read the scenario and then click on your tab for more information.
One student is the interviewer; the other is the candidate.
Ask about the candidate’s ideal company and work environment.
Describe your preferred company culture and explain why you’d be a good fit.
One student is the person presenting and the other students are potential partners or investors.
Describe your company to a potential partner or investor.
Include: company type, structure, culture, strengths, and future goals.
Listen to the presentation and ask appropriate questions.
6B Debate
Working for a large multinational is better than working for a small local company.
Instructions
- Divide into two groups (for/against).
- You have 3–5 minutes to prepare arguments.
- Each group presents and defends their position using comparative structures, adjectives, and idioms from the lesson.
Phrases to try and use
- In my opinion…
- It seems that…
- One advantage/disadvantage is…
- I would argue that…
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