Category Archives: Work

Lesson 179: Breakfast🍳

Leave a reply

👇Driving?🚗Jogging? 🏃Click the button for hands-free training!👇

Non-stop shadowing lessons!

This week we look at questions from Part 1 of a new exam. The topic is ‘breakfast’.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s lesson. (Audio and video version below.)

This week’s Part 1 questions:

Do you work or study?
What do you like about your job?
Would you like to change your job in the future?
Let’s talk about breakfast. Do you think breakfast is important?
What do people typically eat for breakfast in your country?
Do you ever skip eating breakfast?
When do you usually eat breakfast?

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲
I do both, actually. I currently work as a cashier in a fast food restaurant, and I’m also studying business management.

Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

Do you work or study?

I do both, actually. I currently work as a cashier in a fast food restaurant, and I’m also studying business management.

What do you like about your job?

What I enjoy most about my job is learning about the business’s processes and how these processes can be improved. It’s interesting to see what’s required to keep our operations running smoothly while ensuring customers leave happy.

Would you like to change your job in the future?

Yes, definitely. I’m studying business management with the goal of transitioning into a more senior role where I can apply those skills. I have enjoyed working as a cashier, but it is not what I want to do long term.

Let’s talk about breakfast. Do you think breakfast is important?

Absolutely, I believe breakfast is essential. It’s the first meal of the day and really helps kick-start the body and mind. Personally, I notice a big difference in my energy and focus when I’ve had a nutritious breakfast compared to days when I skip it.

What do people typically eat for breakfast in your country?

In Portugal, traditional breakfasts can be quite hearty. A Portuguese breakfast might include eggs, cold cut meats or bacon, toast and possibly grilled tomatoes or baked beans. Of course, for a lighter option, many people enjoy porridge or just toast and coffee or tea, especially on weekdays when mornings are busier.

Do you ever skip eating breakfast?

Occasionally, yes, especially if I’m in a rush. However, I do try to avoid skipping it as I’ve noticed it affects my concentration and energy levels throughout the day. On busier mornings, I might grab something like a banana or yogurt just to keep myself fueled.

When do you usually eat breakfast?

I usually have breakfast around 7:30 in the morning, just before starting my workday or study session. It gives me a good foundation to stay focused and productive. On weekends, I might have it a bit later, but it’s still something I try to make time for every day.

Thank you.

Lesson 169: Responding to questions about working in a team🧏

Leave a reply

👇Driving?🚗Jogging? 🏃Click the button for hands-free training!👇

Non-stop shadowing lessons!

This week’s IELTS Part 3 questions extend upon last week’s cue card. In both cases, the topic revolves around working as part of a team.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version below).

Part 3 Questions
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in a team?
How do you think technology has impacted teamwork in recent years?
What are some common challenges people face when working in a team?
How can conflicts within a team be effectively resolved?
Have you ever learned something valuable about yourself through working with others?
🧑‍🎓Target language:

seamlessly(adv.)
-with no spaces between one part and the next

“With the advent of digital collaboration tools like video conferencing, teams can now work together seamlessly regardless of geographical location.”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

“One of the most significant advantages is the diversity of perspectives that different team members bring. Additionally, teamwork allows for the distribution of tasks, which can lead to greater productivity.”
Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in a team?

One of the most significant advantages is the diversity of perspectives that different team members bring. Additionally, teamwork allows for the distribution of tasks, which can lead to greater productivity.

However, there are also disadvantages to teamwork such as the potential for conflict. Another disadvantage is that some individuals may contribute less and rely on others to carry the workload.

How do you think technology has impacted teamwork in recent years?

Technology has had a profound impact on teamwork, particularly in the last decade. With the advent of digital collaboration tools like video conferencing, teams can now work together seamlessly regardless of geographical location. This has enabled the rise of remote teams and allowed organisations to tap into talent pools from around the world.

What are some common challenges people face when working in a team?

One of the most common challenges in teamwork is communication. Miscommunication or lack of communication can lead to confusion, mistakes and a lack of cohesion among the team members. Another challenge is the potential for personality clashes. In any team, there are likely to be individuals with differing temperaments or working styles, which can create tension.

How can conflicts within a team be effectively resolved?

Effective conflict resolution within a team often starts with open communication. This can be facilitated by having regular team meetings where everyone has the opportunity to voice their thoughts.

Another key strategy is to focus on the issue rather than the individuals involved. In some cases, involving a neutral third party, such as a team leader or mediator, can help to facilitate the resolution process. This can help team members feel heard and valued and encourage them to work together harmoniously.

Have you ever learned something valuable about yourself through working with others?

Absolutely. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through working with others is the importance of adaptability. In a team setting, circumstances can change rapidly. I’ve come to realise that being flexible and open to change is crucial not only for the success of the project but also for personal growth.

Lesson 168: A time when you worked with others✍️(A common job interview question!)

Leave a reply

This week’s IELTS Part 2 cue card is also a common question in job interviews. (Click here to engage another prompt that is also commonly asked in interviews.)

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version below).

Describe a time when you worked with others. You should say:
-what you were doing
-when this occurred
-who you were working with
and explain how you felt about working with these people
🧑‍🎓Target language:

particularly(adv.)
-at a higher degree than is normal

“One member was particularly skilled in data analysis, another in graphic design, while the others focused on traditional marketing methods.”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

“One memorable time when I worked with others was during a group project at university. We were tasked with developing a marketing strategy for a local startup as part of our final-year business course.”
Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

Describe a time when you worked with others. You should say:
-what you were doing
-when this occurred
-who you were working with
and explain how you felt about working with these people

One memorable time when I worked with others was during a group project at university. We were tasked with developing a marketing strategy for a local startup as part of our final-year business course.

The project took place during my final semester, about a year ago. It involved conducting market research, analysing competitors and ultimately proposing a comprehensive marketing plan. My role within the group was to focus on the digital marketing aspects, including social media strategies and online advertising campaigns.

I worked closely with four other classmates, each of whom had a different area of expertise. One member was particularly skilled in data analysis, another in graphic design, while the others focused on traditional marketing methods. We all brought our unique strengths to the table, which made the collaboration very dynamic.

I felt very positive about working with this group of people. We had a great balance of skills and personalities, which allowed us to tackle the project from multiple angles. In the end, our hard work paid off, as we received top marks for our project. This experience not only strengthened my teamwork skills but also gave me confidence in my ability to work in groups.

Lesson 166: An educational experience that impacted you professionally 🧑‍🎓

1 Reply

This week, you will train to speak about your education. This is a great exercise to help with job interviews in English as well. Speaking at length about your education is not uncommon when interviewing with a potential employer.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version below).

Talk about an important educational experience you had that impacted you as a person or a professional. You should say:
-what the experience was
-when you had this experience
-how this experience impacted you
-and how you feel about this experience
🧑‍🎓Target language:

keen on
-interested in

“I am also sincerely keen on pursuing computer science as a career.”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

“An important educational experience that impacted me professionally was a first-year university course I took in computer programming. This experience took place during my first semester at university around four years ago.”
Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

Talk about an important educational experience you had that impacted you as a person or a professional. You should say:
-what the experience was
-when you had this experience
-how this experience impacted you
-and how you feel about this experience

An important educational experience that impacted me professionally was a first-year university course I took in computer programming. This experience took place during my first semester at university around four years ago.

The course was an introduction to the fundamentals of Java programming. It covered essential concepts such as object-oriented programming and a variety of data structures. Initially, I enrolled in the class because I had a general interest in technology, but I had little experience with programming. As the semester progressed, I found myself increasingly fascinated by the logical and creative aspects of coding.

Academically, it opened my eyes to the world of computer science. This newfound interest led me to pursue further courses in computer science, and I ultimately ended up changing my major to the subject. I now am a very skilled programmer and have built several programs that are quite popular online. I am also sincerely keen on pursuing computer science as a career.

Reflecting on this experience, I feel immensely grateful and inspired. The course not only expanded my academic and career prospects but also contributed significantly to my personal growth.

Lesson 161: A time when you woke up early👀

Leave a reply

This week, we will examine a band 9 response to this Part 2 cue card:

Describe a time when you had to wake up early. You should say
-what time you woke up
-why you woke up at this time
-what you did after waking up
and explain how you felt about getting up at this time

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

🧑‍🎓Target language:

grogginess (noun)
-feeling confused due to tiredness

“However, my anticipation of the interview quickly overshadowed any grogginess I felt.”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

“I’m going to talk about a time when I had to wake up early for an important job interview I had last year. I set my alarm for 5:00 AM, which is significantly earlier than my usual wake-up time.”
Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

Describe a time when you had to wake up early. You should say
-what time you woke up
-why you woke up at this time
-what you did after waking up
and explain how you felt about getting up at this time

I’m going to talk about a time when I had to wake up early for an important job interview I had last year. I set my alarm for 5:00 AM, which is significantly earlier than my usual wake-up time.

The reason I had to wake up so early was that the interview was scheduled for 8:30 AM in a different city. It was about a two-hour drive from my home. I wanted to make sure I had ample time to get ready, review my notes, and account for any potential traffic delays.

After getting out of bed, I immediately started my morning routine. I took a quick shower to help wake myself up fully and then prepared a light breakfast. As I ate, I started to review my resume and the company’s profile one last time to ensure I was well-prepared for any questions they might throw my way. Around 6:00 AM, I left my house and began the drive to the interview location.

Regarding how I felt about waking up at this unusually early hour, I would say it was a mix of excitement and a bit of nervousness. Initially, the early wake-up call was a bit of a shock to my system, as I am not typically a morning person. However, my anticipation of the interview quickly overshadowed any grogginess I felt. By the time I was on the road, the crisp morning air and the peaceful drive helped me to feel more awake and focused. I arrived to the interview with time to spare, and this gave me a sense of accomplishment for having managed my time so effectively.

Although waking up at 5:00 AM was challenging, it was necessary for the important occasion and led to a successful interview.

Thank you.

Lesson 160: Chocolate and staying up late🍫

1 Reply

In this lesson, you will practise speaking about the topics of (1) chocolate and (2) staying up late. This lesson uses a sample band 9 demonstration for Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking exam.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Part 1 Questions

Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Let’s talk about chocolate. Do you like eating chocolate?
When do you eat chocolate?
Let’s talk about routines. Do you stay up late at night?
Why do you stay up late?
How do you feel in the morning after staying up late?
Has staying up late affected your productivity?
🧑‍🎓Target language:

kickstart(verb)
-get something started

“I often need a strong cup of coffee to kickstart my day.”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

“I’m from the city of Mumbai. It’s located on the western coast of India and is known as a major financial hub in Asia.”
Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

Where are you from?

I’m from the city of Mumbai. It’s located on the western coast of India and is known as a major financial hub in Asia.

Do you work or study?

I currently work as a software engineer. I mostly do front end development to help enhance the user experience.

Let’s talk about chocolate. Do you like eating chocolate?

Yes, I absolutely love chocolate. It’s one of my favourite treats.

When do you eat chocolate?

I wouldn’t say I eat it a lot, but when I do have it it’s usually in the evening as a dessert. Sometimes, I might have a small piece in the afternoon as a quick energy boost, too.

Let’s talk about routines. Do you stay up late at night?

Yes, I often stay up late at night, especially on weekdays.

Why do you stay up late?

My work sometimes requires me to collaborate with international teams in different time zones, so this is almost always why I need to stay up late. When we have important deadlines to hit, I might not get to bed until as late as 3 am!

How do you feel in the morning after staying up late?

In the morning, I usually feel quite tired and sluggish if I’ve stayed up late. It takes me a bit longer to get started and feel fully alert. I often need a strong cup of coffee to kickstart my day.

Has staying up late affected your productivity?

Yes, staying up late has definitely affected my productivity. While I can accomplish a lot at night, it often leads to a lack of sleep, which in turn affects my concentration and efficiency the next day. Because of the international nature of my job, I unfortunately don’t really have the option for better work-life balance at the moment.

Lesson 159: How is success defined in your culture?🏆

Leave a reply

In this lesson, you will practise speaking about success and how it is defined in your culture. This lesson uses a sample band 9 demonstration for Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking exam.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Part 3 Questions

On what occasions do people congratulate someone in your culture?
How do people offer congratulations in your culture?
Is success important in your culture?
How do people achieve success in their lives?
What factors contribute to a person’s success?
Do people need motivation to succeed in their work?
🧑‍🎓Target language:

perseverance (adjective)
-persistence in doing something despite difficulty

“People achieve success through education and perseverance.”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

“In my culture, people offer congratulations for anything that’s a significant life milestone. So for example, academic events like graduation, professional achievements such as a promotion, and personal events such as a wedding would all be causes for celebration.”
Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

On what occasions do people congratulate someone in your culture?
In my culture, people offer congratulations for anything that’s a significant life milestone. So for example, academic events like graduation, professional achievements such as a promotion, and personal events such as a wedding would all be causes for celebration.

How do people offer congratulations in your culture?
People offer congratulations verbally, through written messages like cards, and by giving flowers. Public acknowledgments during gatherings or on social media are also common. The method often depends on the occasion and the relationship between individuals.

Is success important in your culture?
Yes, success is highly valued as it reflects hard work and dedication. It brings honour to individuals and their families, motivating others to strive for excellence. Achievements in education, career, and personal life are particularly celebrated in my culture.

How do people achieve success in their lives?
People achieve success through education and perseverance. Continuous learning is particularly important, along with building strong relationships. I think adaptability when facing challenges is also crucial.

What factors contribute to a person’s success?
I would say education and determination are key factors. Opportunities for growth and access to resources significantly influence success, too. There’s a saying in my culture that goes “you can only be as successful as your environment will allow,” which I think is very true.

Do people need motivation to succeed in their work?
Yes, motivation is essential for achieving success because it drives individuals to work towards a goal. One of the most motivating workplaces I ever worked was at a company that provided a very positive work environment and an achievable performance bonus. In such a motivating environment, workers always successfully completed their tasks.

Thank you. That is the end of the speaking exam.

Lesson 158: A situation when people congratulated you🥳

Leave a reply

This week, you will train to speak about a situation when you were congratulated by others. This lesson uses a Part 2 cue card that was recently seen in a real IELTS Speaking exam.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Describe a situation when people congratulated you. You should say:
-what you did
-when it was
-how they congratulated you
and explain how you felt about it
🧑‍🎓Target language:

comprehensive (adjective)
-includes all components

“The project involved developing a comprehensive marketing strategy.”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

“I’d like to talk about a situation when people congratulated me. This occurred last year when I successfully completed a challenging project at work.

The project involved developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new product our company was launching. It was a significant undertaking as it required not only a deep understanding of the market but also innovative thinking to differentiate our product from the competition.”
Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

Describe a situation when people congratulated you. You should say:
-what you did
-when it was
-how they congratulated you
and explain how you felt about it

I’d like to talk about a situation when people congratulated me. This occurred last year when I successfully completed a challenging project at work.

The project involved developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new product our company was launching. It was a significant undertaking as it required not only a deep understanding of the market but also innovative thinking to differentiate our product from the competition. I worked tirelessly for three months. I conducted extensive market research and coordinated with various departments. The end result was a marketing campaign that was highly profitable for the company.

The moment of recognition came during our annual company meeting last December. The CEO, in front of the entire company, highlighted the success of the project and praised my efforts specifically. He then invited me to the stage to receive a certificate of excellence.

The congratulatory gestures didn’t stop there. My colleagues gave me a standing ovation, and many came up to me personally after the meeting to shake my hand and offer their heartfelt congratulations.

It felt great to be recognised, and I also felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. The experience not only boosted my confidence but also motivated me to continue striving for excellence in my work. Having my peers congratulate me in this way reinforced my belief in the importance of dedication and hard work.

Thank you.

Lesson 154: Transportation🚇

Leave a reply

This week’s lesson examines the topic of ‘transportation’. These questions were taken from a recent IELTS exam and –as always– the suggested responses were written by a former IELTS Speaking exam at the band 9 level.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Part 1 Questions

Do you work or study?
Where are you from?
What type of job do you have?
Is it easy to find a job in your hometown?
Let’s talk about transportation. What type of transportation did you use to get to your test centre today?
Do you usually use this form of transportation?
Are there any forms of transportation you prefer not to use?
🧑‍🎓Target language:

on the spot
-without any delay

“They gave me the job on the spot!”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

“I actually do both at the moment. I study business administration and am currently working at a small cafe near my apartment.”
Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

Do you work or study?

I actually do both at the moment. I study business administration and am currently working at a small cafe near my apartment.

Where are you from?

I’m from this city, London. I’m very much a proud Londoner, and to me London is a place that will always feel like home.

What type of job do you have?

My job is not very exciting. I wash dishes in the cafe I was mentioning. It’s really just a job to help fund my schooling.

Is it easy to find a job in your hometown?

I think it depends on what you’re looking for. Securing employment in London can be competitive in specialised fields, but other industries are desperately in need of workers. For example, I got my job at the cafe just by asking whether they were hiring. They gave me the job on the spot! So I think the time and effort required to find a job really is relevant to the type of work a person is pursuing.

Let’s talk about transportation. What type of transportation did you use to get to your test centre today?

Today, I used the subway to reach this test center. In London, we lovingly call it ‘The Tube’ and its known for its punctuality, cleanliness and extensive coverage of the city.

Do you usually use this form of transportation?

Yes, I frequently rely on the Tube for my daily commute. Its reliability and efficiency make it my preferred mode of transportation for navigating the city’s busy streets and reaching my destination in a timely manner.

Are there any forms of transportation you prefer not to use?

While I appreciate the convenience of most transportation options available in London, there are certain forms I tend to avoid, such as buses. During peak hours, the buses in London are way too crowded for comfort. I’m also not a fan of taxis. I just find them overpriced and not much faster than other transportation types. Those would be the two I’d most prefer not to use.

Thank you.

Lesson 152: A profession done in or near water🌊

Leave a reply

This week, you will train to speak about a profession that is related to water, such as a fisherman or ship captain.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Describe a profession you know that is done near or in water. You should say:
-What the profession is
-Where it is typically done
-Why it is important
and say what skills or qualifications are required to do this job
🧑‍🎓Target language:

firsthand
-from personal experience

“Others spend a considerable amount of time diving underwater to observe marine life firsthand.”

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

“The profession I want to talk about is that of a marine biologist. Marine biologists are scientists who study life in the oceans and other saltwater environments. They conduct research to understand marine organisms – their behaviours, habitats and ecosystems.”
Chat on WhatsApp

Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

Transcript

Describe a profession you know that is done near or in water. You should say:
-What the profession is
-Where it is typically done
-Why it is important
and say what skills or qualifications are required to do this job

The profession I want to talk about is that of a marine biologist. Marine biologists are scientists who study life in the oceans and other saltwater environments. They conduct research to understand marine organisms – their behaviours, habitats and ecosystems.

Marine biologists typically work in or near water bodies such as oceans, seas and coral reefs. Some may work in laboratories analysing samples collected from the field, while others spend a considerable amount of time diving underwater to observe marine life firsthand. They may also work on research vessels, coastal facilities, or even aquariums and marine parks.

This profession is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, marine biologists play a vital role in understanding and conserving marine biodiversity. By studying marine ecosystems, they can identify threats to various species, as well as develop strategies for their protection. Additionally, their research contributes to our understanding of climate change, which is a significant issue facing our planet today.

To become a marine biologist, one typically needs a strong educational background in biology. I am not a marine biologist, but I would assume this profession requires obtaining a bachelor’s degree followed by further studies at the graduate level. Practical experience through internships or volunteer work is probably highly valued in this field, too. Other skills key to becoming a marine biologist would include having excellent observation skills, critical thinking and a passion for the life forms that live in salt water.

I feel marine biologists contribute significantly to our understanding of the oceans and they play a crucial role in conserving these precious ecosystems for future generations.

Thank you.