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INGLS CONVERSACIONAL (LEVEL IV )

PROSECUCIN DE ESTUDIOS A INGENIERA CIVIL INDUSTRIAL

2014-02
1

CONTENTS

UNITS AND LESSONS


UNIT 1: AT WORK
Lesson 1: Talking about a company
Lesson 2: People at work

PAGES

3 - 21

3-8
9 - 16

Instructions for TEST 1 (Oral Presentation: N1 = 50%)

17 - 18

Appendix 1: Language for Presentations

19 - 21

UNIT 2: EMPLOYMENT

22 - 40

Lesson 1: Identifying important factors to find a job

22 - 26

Lesson 2: Preparing for a Job Interview

27 - 33

Instructions for TEST 2 (Oral Job Interview: N2 = 30%)

33

Appendix 2: Vocabulary Bank - Unit 2 (Employment)

34 - 35

Suggested English interactive software and websites for


further practice.

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UNIT 1: AT WORK
LESSON 1: TALKING ABOUT A COMPANY
VOCABULARY: Company Structure (Departments)
A) Match the departments to the definitions 1-9 below.

1. The Quality Control Department


2. The Legal Department
3. The Accounts Department
4. The Marketing Department
5.The Production Department
6. The Public Relations Department
7. The Human Resources Department
8. The Sales Department
9. The Research and Development Dpt.

_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____

gives information to the press.


pays the bills and receives the money.
makes the goods in the factory.
checks the finished goods.
runs tests and makes prototypes.
is responsible for promotion and advertising.
sells the products to the customers.
recruits staff and organises training.
organises contracts.

B) The people in the sentences 1-10 all have problems. Match problems 1-10 to the
department a-j that they call for help.
PROBLEM

1. 5% of the products we made today were defective.


2. My phone doesnt work.
3. I need a new assistant in my department.
4. I want to do a course to improve my English.
5. I dont know if we have enough cash in the bank to pay this supplier.
6. I want customers to know about this new product.
7. A customer has just called to say he isnt happy.
8. I want to buy some new furniture for my office.
9. I want to know if we can transport an order to a customer before Friday.
10. I need a new program which works more quickly.
a.
c.
e.
g.
i.

Customer Services
Technical Support
Training
Human Resources
IT

b.
d.
f.
h.
j.

Logistics
Quality Control
Finance
Marketing
Purchasing

LETS TALK ABOUT YOUR COMPANY


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PRACTICE: DESCRIBING A COMPANY.

I. Read this company profile.

Masisa S.A is a Chilean company that produces lumber and manufactures radiata
pine products including mouldings, doors and panels.
The company sells its products in Chile as well as in foreign markets. The head office
is in Santiago.
Masisa S.A employs about 7,700 people and its principal shareholders are: GN
Inversiones Ltda (45.70%), AFP Habitat (6.25%) and Inversiones Forestales Los
Andes S.A (20.24%).
This company was founded in 1996.

*This article was extracted from the data base Business Insights: Essentials. (International
Directory of Company Histories). Link Universidad Central de Chile:
http://www.ucentral.cl/prontus_ucentral2012/site/edic/base/port/english_program.html

II.

Complete the following description using information about your company.

____________________________ (name of the company) designs and manufactures


_______________________________________________________________________.
The company sells its products in ___________________ (city, country and/or continent)
and it has offices in

_____________________. The head office is in ____________

(city, country and/or continent).


_____________________________ (name of the company) employs _______________
people.
In ________________ (year) ___________________________ (name of the company)
(an important event or achievement) _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Well use the PAST SIMPLE TENSE to talk about


the past performance of the company.

WORK WITH A PARTNER.


Talk about the problems the company had. How did it solve the
problems? Use the words in the box or your own ideas.

TABLE 1: EXAMPLE:

Last year
A few years ago
Five years ago
In the early 2000s

Last year my company faced increasing competition.

(name of the company)

faced increasing competition.


lost market share.
had falling sales.
couldnt sell a new product.

TABLE 2: EXAMPLE: Last year the sales went down.

Last year
A few years ago
Five years ago
In the early 2000s

the sales
the profits
the production
the welfare benefits

went down.
remained the same.
dropped dramatically.
increased.

4
Well use the following phrases to discuss the future
activities of the company.
EXAMPLE:

We aim to expand service to the south of Chile.

We aim to
We plan to
We will
We are going to
We (dont) expect to
We might (not)

expand service to
introduce a new ..
begin a joint venture with .
enter a new market.

continue to work on ..
start a new advertising campaign ..

Write a brief report outlining two or three of your companys or departments goals for
the future. Use some of the words in the box.
improve

develop

increase

continue

design

expand

launch

invest

start

- To achieve our goal, we will ..................


Useful sentences
- To compete effectively, we will .............

...............................................................................................................................................

GRAMMAR REFERENCE 1: WILL BE GOING TO PRESENT CONTINUOUS

will, wont
We use will (ll) and will not (wont) for what we know about the future.

Examples: In 2050 Ill be 77 years old.


I wont have my own company in two years from now.
We use will (ll) and will not (wont) for what we think about the future.

Examples: I think China will produce the most food in the future.
I think people wont buy traditional products in the future.
Use contractions -ll and wont for speaking an informal English.
Examples: Ill help you with the bags at the airport.

Well get in touch soon.


Use will / wont + subject to ask questions.

Examples: Will the climate become warmer?


Wont you come tomorrow?

Be going to and Present Continuous

Use be going to to talk about plans and intentions (something which you have
already decided).

Examples: Im going to have a holiday in the summer.


Were going to have a meeting tomorrow.
My brother is going to get a promotion next month.
Use the present continuous to talk about fixed future arrangements, usually
involving other people.

Examples: Im meeting Peter at the factory at seven oclock.


Nobody else is coming to the conference this evening.
We are presenting the new product on Friday.

LESSON 2: PEOPLE AT WORK

I. Speaking
A) Think of your job or one you would like to have in the future and answer the
following questions. Ask and answer these questions with a partner.
1 What do you do?
2 Where do you work?
3 Do you work part-time or full-time?
4 Do you ever work overtime?
5 What time do you start/ finish work?
6 What do you do at work?
7 What do you like the best about your job?
8 What do you like the least?
9 How much vacation time do you have a year?

B) Which of the following would you like ( ) or not like ( x ) in a job?


__ sharing an office

__ working flexible
hours

__ using English at
work

__ casual dress

__ wearing
uniforms

__ working with the


same people

__ writing lots of
reports

__ working on your
own

__ working with a
lot of different
people

__ doing a lot of
telephone work

II. Vocabulary: At work


A) Choose the best option that defines the following sentences
1 A person employed by someone else, working for money
a) earner
b) employer

c) employee

2 Relations between employers and employees, managers and workers, management and union.
a) labour union
b) human relations
c) labour relations
3 To be raised to a higher rank or better job
a) sales promotion
b) promotion

c) motivation

4 A fixed regular payment, usually monthly, for professional or office work


a) salary
b) earnings
c) benefits
5 Advantages that come with a job, apart from salary
a) profit
b) benefits

c) supplements

6 Money paid (per hour or day or week) to manual workers


a) earnings
b) salary

c) wages

7 Having particular abilities, acquired by training


a) talented
b) educated

c) skilled

8 Having control of something as part of your job


a) responsibility
b) power

c) command

B) Which word does not go with the verb?


a company

arrive early

training employees

write to

a customer

a supplier

a contract

answer

an email

the phone

a grade

work for

an organization

in an office

a multinational company

a meeting

a form

a contract

in doing a job

for a department

for classifying files

attend

customers

meetings

conferences

take

contracts

messages

notes

go to

meetings

CEO

a seminar

write

customer

reports

letters

be in charge of

sign
be responsible

C) Put he words in the right order to make sentences that are frequently used in
meetings or appointments.
1. Im afraid another I that the same
have appointment time - at
2. I to meeting look forward - the
3. They want at a later time planned
the meeting originally to hold - than
4. I want meeting - the a to take the
role leading - in

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GRAMMAR REFERENCE 2: Can, Should, Have to, Must

Words like can, should, etc., are called modals or auxiliary verbs
We use can and the simple form of the verb to
describe things people are able to do.

* Emily can speak Spanish and English.

We use cannot or

* Emily cant speak Japanese.

cant

to describe things

people are not able to do.

CAN

To make questions, we change the order like this:


To make information questions, add the question word,
and change the order like this:
We also use can to make a request.

* Can Emily speak Italian?


* What languages can Emily speak?
* Can you show me how to use this math
program now?

We use should to give advice or make suggestions.

* You

should study today.

It is always followed by the simple form of the verb.

We use should

SHOULD

not or shouldnt

to write

negative statements.
To make questions, we change the order like this:

* Should you look up words in a

To make information questions, add the question word,


and change the order like this:

* What library should I go?

Use have to to give advice or to talk about


something that is necessary or compulsory.
Use dont or

doesnt

To make a yes/no question, use


the simple form of

dictionary, first?

* You

have to finish your assignment.

to talk about something

that is not necessary.

HAVE TO

* You shouldnt go out.

* You dont

do or does

have to work late tonight .

with

have.

To make information questions, add the question word,


and use do or does with the simple form of

have.

* Do you have to study?


* What program do you have to use?

Remember use the simple form of the verb after have

to.

MUST

* I must study more to get better marks.


We use must not (mustnt) to express prohibition.
* I musnt work late tonight (subjective) .
The prohibition can be subjective (the speakers
opinion) or objective (a real law or rule).
* I mustnt drink beer when I am working.
(It is forbidden).

* What must I do to improve my reading


skills?

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EXERCISES
A) Complete these sentences using should or shouldnt and a phrase from the box.
be late

stay three days

speak to our boss

buy an expensive computer

develop a better website

1 The meeting is very important. We .


2 Our team is working too many hours. We ..
3 She wants to visit a lot of customers in Spain. She .
4 We have to cut costs. We .
5 Our online business is bad. We ...

B) Read these problems. Complete the advice with should / shouldnt and a verb from
the box. Then match the advice to the problems.
A I hate waiting in queues.
After about 3 minutes I get
really angry and want to hit
someone. Please help!

B There is a really nice shirt


on sale in my local shop. Its
expensive but I just can afford
it. Should I buy it?

D My colleague earns more


money than I do but does half
the amount of work. Its really
making me angry. What
should I do?

E I love going out at night and


then watching TV when I get
home. The trouble is, Im
always tired at work the next
day. What should I do?

tell

be

buy

join

C I use the computer at work


a lot. I have a bad pain in my
wrist. When I move my hand it
gets much worse. What is
your advice?
F Im 26 and lonely. I work
from home and I never get a
chance to meet anybody. Any
advice?

visit

go

. 1 You to bed so late!


. 2 You your boss. He might offer you more money.
. 3 You a dating agency or go out more.
. 4 You so impatient. Try to relax more.
. 5 You the doctors immediately.
. 6 You it before someone else does.

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GRAMMAR REFERENCE 3: Can and Be allowed to

We use modal verb can and be allowed to to say we have permission to do


something
Example: I can use internet at work.
Can you choose your working hours?
Anne is allowed to take her holidays when she wants.
Are you allowed to make private calls at work?

We use can not (cant) and be not allowed to to say we dont have
permission to do something.
Example: I cant smoke in my office.
Students are not allowed to eat in the library.

EXERCISES
1. What do these signs mean? Write the letter on its corresponding meaning.
There are some extra sentences.

.. 1 You cant walk on the grass.


.. 2 You cant park your car here.
.. 3 You arent allowed to smoke here.
.. 4 You cant drive more than 120
kilometres per hour.
.. 5 You cant turn right.

.. 6 You cant turn left.


.. 7 You cant talk near here.
.. 8 You can smoke here.
.. 9 You are allowed to park your car here.
. 10 You arent allowed to use your mobile here.
. 11 You can turn right.

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2. Complete the dialogue about two friends talking about some work regulations with
these expressions
are you allowed

do you have to

have to

cant

dont have to

are allowed

can

doesnt have to

has to

isnt allowed

does he have to

can he

A How many hours a week are you doing in this new job?
B Oh, probably about fifty-five or sixty.
A Thats a lot. So .. .(1) work at weekends sometimes?
B No, I dont. But I often .(2) work late in the evenings, because
thats the only time I get to answer my emails.
A What about holidays? . ..(3) to take them when you want?
B No, Im not. I .(4) take any holiday from mid-December to
mid-February because Im single. Only employees with children .(5) to take
them off in that period.
A Is that a problem, then?
B No, not at all. I like it. It means that I (6) go on holiday in March or
May when flights and hotels are cheaper.
A And you . (7) share the beach or swimming pool with hundreds
of schoolchildren!
B Yes, thats right. What about Ken? Hows he doing in his new advertising job?
A Hes really enjoying it. He (8) do the same hours as you because
hes only working part-time. But he . (9) to take any holiday this
summer, because hes just started. Hell have to wait until next year.
B And . (10) travel a lot?
A No, not much. Hes more in the design field, so he . (11) spend
most of his time in front of a computer.
B So (12) choose the days he doesnt work?
A No, thats not possible. The company always want him on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday.

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3. Make true sentences about your job or one you would like to have. Use the verbs from
activity 2. Compare your answers with a partner.
Example: Im not allowed to take my holidays when I want.
I sometimes have to work at weekends.
a. I . take my holidays when I want.
b. I . work at weekends.
c. I . work late in the evening.
d. I . travel a lot for my work.
e. I . spend a lot of time in front of the computer.
f. I . go for lunch when I want.
g. I . use English at work.
h. I . wear formal clothes.
i. I . Use Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
SPEAKING
Work with a partner. Role-play the following situation.
Follow the instructions.
Student A:

Student B

This is your first day at work. You dont know much You meet a new colleague. This is his/her first day at work,
about the regulations in the company, so you make and he/she is asking questions about the regulations in the
company. Answer his/her questions using this prompts and
questions about these to your colleague.
the modals can, have to, must, be allowed to:
Use this prompts and the modals can, have to,
must, be allowed to:
Smoke in the office

Smoke in the office

Take holidays in summer

Take holidays in summer (only one week)

Wear formal clothes

Wear formal clothes

Listen to music in the office

Listen to music in the office

Start working at 8 oclock

Start working at 8 oclock

1 ...
2 ...
3 ...
4 ...
5 ...

(Casual Friday)
(but not too loud)
(but not later than 10 oclock)

1 ...
2 ...
3 ...
4 ...
5 ...

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LISTENING

I.

A customer is calling Eversoft Help Center. Answer the questions.

1. Whats the customer problem?

___________________________________

2. How does the customer feel at the beginning?

__________________________________

3. How does she feel at the end?

__________________________________

4. Is the customer agent calm?

__________________________________

5. Is he helpful?

________________________________

6. Does the customer thank the agent at the end?

________________________________

II.

Listen to two telephone calls and write down the messages.

WHILE YOU WERE OUT

WHILE YOU WERE OUT

Date: _____________________

Date: _____________________

To: _______________________

To: _______________________

From: _____________________

From: _____________________

Phone: ____________________

Phone: ____________________

Message: __________________

Message: __________________

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

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INSTRUCTIONS: TEST 1 (N1=50%)


ORAL PRESENTATION
INSTRUCTIONS:

Students must work in GROUPS OF 2 members.

Every group must work out a presentation in POWER POINT based on personal
research about A COMPANYS PERFORMANCE OVER A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS.

The presentation has to be ORAL, and must be done using grammar and vocabulary
contents from UNIT 1: Simple Present Tense/ Past simple Tense / Present Continuous
Tense / Future Tense (will or be going to)

Every presentation must last between 5 and 7 minutes (4 5 slides). Presentations


shorter or longer than that will have marks discounted.

Each group member has to speak the same amount of time.

Reading WILL NOT be allowed. Every group member has to say his/her part ORALLY.
In case a student reads, his/her final score will be graded negatively (=0 point).

At the end of each presentation, the teacher will ask 2 questions about Unit n.1.

The use of data show and role playing is compulsory.

The groups present their topic to the whole class.

The organization, selection of the company/industry, and role division is totally up to


every group.

Every presentation must INCLUDE:


a) A brief companys profile (it must include: Year of foundation, Headquarters,
Type of industry-company, 2014 slogan, Present CEO-owner, and any other
interesting information about the company).
b) A description of a companys performance over a period of four years.
I. This description should include the following three aspects:
1. REVENUE 2. EMPLOYEES OVER TIME 3. SALES PER EMPLOYEE

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II. To select one company or industry to be researched, the students should


consider the following information:
Companies /Industries are classified according to sector of the economy they
are involved in:
-

GOODS-PRODUCING SECTOR: includes all businesses that produce tangible


goods. Companies that are involved in this sector are: Manufacturing,
Construction, Agriculture, and Mining.

SERVICE-PRODUCING SECTOR: includes all businesses that provide services but


dont make tangible goods. Companies that are involved in this sector are:
Transportation, Communications, Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Health Care,
Advertising, Accommodation and Food Services, and Entertainment and
Recreation.

III. It is also compulsory to use material taken/extracted from


http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/ucchile

Clave UCEN: ucentral2014

Click on: BUSINESS INSIGHTS: ESSENTIALS

SEE SECTIONS:
1. Company Finder: to look up information about company profiles
2.

Comparison Charts: to find out tables and charts.

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APPENDIX 1: LANGUAGE FOR PRESENTATIONS

19

20

21

UNIT 2:

EMPLOYMENT

LESSON 1: IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT FACTORS TO FIND A JOB

I. Speaking
In your opinion, which factors below are important for getting a job? Choose the seven
most important. Is there anything missing from the list?
age/sex appearance astrological sign contacts and connections experience family
background handwriting hobbies intelligence marital status personality characteristics
qualifications references sickness record
blood group

Compare your answers with a partner. Do you agree or disagree?

II. Vocabulary. Personal qualities


How do you see yourself? Tell your classmates. Choose adjectives from the box and
write a sentence as the example.
I think Im organized and optimistic, but Im not very creative.
punctual

friendly

competent

hardworking

committed

responsible

loyal

disorganized

reliable

honest

.
.
.

22

LISTENING

A) John Dalton and Liz Holmes, from Dalton Computers, are talking about promoting
some employees. Listen and check (X) the candidates qualities.

NAMES

CANDIDATES QUALITIES

Pam Carson

___ committed

___ competent

___ responsible

Henry Crane

___ friendly

___ honest

___ sensitive

Meg Trent

___ punctual

___ loyal

___ optimistic

B) Listen again. Check TRUE or FALSE.


TRUE

FALSE

1. Pam Carson is not very sympathetic.


2. Henry Crane is a bit disorganized.
3. Meg Trent is very friendly.

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III. Vocabulary & Speaking


For each question in the personality test, choose the statement which is most true or
typical of you in your everyday behavior and then choose which is least true.
Indicate your choices by writing M (for the most), and L (for the least) in another.

I am the sort of person who


1

has a wide circle of friends

enjoys organizing people


relaxes easily
seeks variety
has a lot of new ideas
feels calm
likes understanding things
is easy to get on with

helps people with their problems


develops new approaches
has lots of energy
enjoys social activities
enjoys organizing events
sometimes gets angry
is talkative
resolves conflicts at work

Now, match these personality traits to some of the sentences in the personality test.

Creative

Organized Practical Energetic laid-back

Easy-going Sensitive Sociable Clever Kind


Compare your answers with a partner and discuss these questions.
1.

What is your personality like according to the test?

2.

What kind of personality do you think companies usually look for?

3.

Have you ever lied in a personality test? Would you lie? Why?
..

24

IDENTIFY YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSSES

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

25

What do you know about transferable skills? Look at the chart.


TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

EXAMPLES

Analytical skills

identify a mistake / analyze data/ conduct a survey.

Creativity

invent a machine/ suggest an alternative / solve a problem.

Communication skills

write a report / explain an idea / give a presentation.

Interpersonal skills

resolve a dispute/ listen to someones point of view/ work with difficult people.

Negotiation skills

negotiate with someone/ convince someone to do something.

Leadership skills

chair a meeting / motivate a team / delegate tasks.

Organizational skills

meet deadlines / decide on priorities / implement a plan.

Team working skills

contribute to a meeting/ support a colleague.

Can you identify your transferable skills? Tell your classmates about them.
I think I have skills because I can

..

26

LESSON 2: PREPARING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW


Complete these sentences with your own information
and practice them orally.
I. Talking about your qualifications.

I graduated from X university with a BA / an MSc etc. in Marketing / Management, etc.

I hold a Masters degree / an MBA, etc.

I was awarded a scholarship to read Economics Studies / English Literature, etc.

I have a Business /Engineering degree from X university, which is equivalent to a BSc/BA


in Economics in the UK.

II. Talking about yourself


I amand apply a(n) approach to my work.

I can speak Spanish fluently.

I believe in .

I work well under pressure/ in a team .

This enables me to because ..

I think Im suitable for the position of

Im also able to

In this way I am able to.

For example, in my last job

I feel that I am

In my last job I was responsible for negotiating .

I have recently started to .. to improve

I am used to dealing with customers.

I used to be

I have a good knowledge of ..

I enjoy ...

III. Talking about specific experiences


At the time .

I decided to ....

There was a time when

Therefore I ..

There was one situation when ..

I organized a(n) .

The problem was ..

So in order to . I

Probably the best example is

This resulted in

I discovered that

This led to

I realized that ..

In the end

I agreed to .

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IV. Talking about the company

Before applying for this position, I did a lot of research into .

In the end I decided to . as it was clear that...

I had a look at your website and could see that you .

I think working for you would be very....... enjoyable / challenging / fulfilling.

V. Structuring your answer

When I was at

Ever since .

So to sum up, .

.. years ago I was . and I ...

Following my degree,..I start working / continue studying, etc.

Firstly .. /Secondly / Finally

VI. Emphasizing positive information

I put as much effort / energy as possible into ..

I am extremely / very ..

I pay a lot of attention to detail.

I enjoy a great deal about my current job.

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ANSWER SOME COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND PRACTICE THEM ORALLY.


1.

Tell us something about yourself.

2.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

3.

Why do you want this job?

4.

Why should we hire you?

5.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

6.

Why did you choose to study your degree subject?

7.

What did you most/least enjoy about your time at university?

8.

What skills did you develop at university?

9.

What was the most challenging aspect of your degree course?

10.

What is your biggest achievement?

11.

What do you consider to be the main skills necessary for this position?

12.

What do you know about our company?

13.

What attracted you to our company?

14.

Describe your management style.

15.

What sorts of things do you like to delegate?

16.

What qualities do you look for in a manager?

17.

How do you handle stress?

18.

Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

19.

In what environment do you work best?

20.

What motivates you in terms of work?

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21.

What interests you most/least in your current work?

22.

What would you change about your current work?

23.

Why are you considering leaving your current job?

24.

Why did you leave your last job?

25.

What are you looking for in a job?

26.

What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of this role?

27.

What kinds of decisions do you difficult to make?

28.

Tell us about a time when you demonstrated good customer service / leadership
skills / interpersonal skills, etc.

29.

Do you have any questions you would like to ask us?

30.

Tell us about a time when you have been innovative at work.

31.

Tell us about a time you encountered a problem and how you resolved it.

32.

Tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

33.

Tell us about a time when you successfully managed a difficult situation at work.

34.

Describe a situation in which you took a risk. What were the results?

35.

How do your colleagues describe you?

36.

How would your colleagues describe you?

37.

How would your manager describe your work?

38.

When were you happiest at work?

39.

Do you think you are overqualified for this position?

40.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

30

LISTENING

I. Silvia Carnali is approaching to the end of her degree course at university. She has decided
to start looking for a job, but is not sure where to begin. She asks her friend Sophie, who
works in the university careers office, for some advice.
Listen to their conversation and, in pairs, discuss the following questions

1. What is the first thing Sophie suggests Silvia does?

2. How does Sophie identify her transferable skills?

3. Does Sophie think personality tests are very important?

4. What is the final piece of advice Sophie gives Silvia?

II. Alejandro is a recent Economics graduate, practising for an interview at an international


bank. Listen to his answers to four questions. In pairs, discuss what you think of
Alejandros answers, and suggest ways in which he could improve them.
1. Can you tell us something about yourself?

2. What did you learn during your time at university?

3. What kinds of things do you worry about?

4. Would you say that youre an ambitious person?

III. Listen to the answers Alejandro gives in the real interview.


How has he improved his responses?

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READING AND WRITING

This is part of a report that a personnel manager wrote after interviewing a candidate for the
position of Director of Software Development. Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or
present continuous tense.
Present simple or continuous
1. The present simple is used for permanent or regular actions.
Examples:

They work for an important company in New York.


She doesnt have lessons on Saturdays.
Does DELL sell software?

2. The present continuous is used for temporary present actions.


Examples:

At the moment they are trying to get a taxi.


This week she is not having any lessons.
Are they selling a lot of products in Europe this year?
INTERVIEW ASSESSMENT

Articulate and well presented Paul Jones is an excellent candidate for the post of
Director of Software Development. He ___________ (want) to leave his present
employer, a small computer company, because he ____________ (feel) that he
_________________ (not use) his knowledge of software engineering to the full. He
____________ (look for) a more challenging position where his field of specialization
can be exploited in a more stimulating environment. He ____________ (realize) that
our company (grow) rapidly, and that he would be expected to contribute to that growth. He is familiar with our
existing range of software and regularly (read) our publications.
Although as present he ____________ (live) in the south, he ___________ (say) that he is willing to go
wherever we ___________ (decide) to send him. He occasionally (travel) to various European countries for
trade fairs and exhibitions and ____________ (enjoy) meeting people of different nationalities. At the moment
he ___________ (attend) a training course at the Goethe Institute in order to perfect his German.

J Hargreaves
Personnel Manager
14th August 2013

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Now, read the assessment and answer the questions.


1. What does Paul Jones look like?

2. What post (or job position) is he applying for?


.
3. Why does he want to leave his current job?
.
4. What does he know about the company he is applying for?
.
5. What is he doing these days?

INSTRUCTIONS: TEST 2 (N2= 50%)


A JOB INTERVIEW
INSTRUCTIONS:

Every student must select one test-card at random. Each card has 6 interview questions.

Every student must answer the 6 interview questions.

Each student must be able to comprehend, interact, and make himself/herself


understood using vocabulary and grammar items in oral sentences with volume,
pronunciation and fluency appropriate for this level.

Reading IS NOT allowed. Every student will try to speak naturally (in a genuine way).

The students performance related to communicative skills in each response will be


graded as follows:
-

1 pt = right answer, very good performance.


0,5 pt = incomplete answer, acceptable performance, but it could be better.
0 point = wrong answer, deficient performance.

Each answer should have ideas that connect well, exhibit clear pronunciation, and incorporate
effective vocabulary and correct grammar.
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APPENDIX 2: Vocabulary Bank


n): Noun

v): Verb

(adj.): Adjective

Unit 2: Employment
Word and definition

Spanish

Recruit (v): to persuade someone to work for a company or become a


new member of an organization.
Position (n): A job.
Apply for (v): to request something, usually officially, especially by writing
or sending in a form.
Letter of application (n): is a letter of introduction attached to, or
accompanying another document such as a rsum or curriculum vitae.
Curriculum vitae (n): a short written description of your education,
qualifications, previous employment and sometimes also your personal
interests, which you send to an employer when you are trying to get a job.
Application form (n): a document used for asking officially for something,
for example a job.
Human resources (n): the department of an organization that deals with
finding new employees, keeping records about all the organization's
employees, and helping them with any problems.
Candidate/Applicant (n): a person who formally requests something,
especially a job, or a place at college or university.
Interview (n): a meeting in which someone asks you questions to see if
you are suitable for a job or course.
Hire (v): to employ someone or pay them to do a particular job.
Recruitment agency (n): a business that finds suitable people to work for
other businesses.
Creative (adj.): producing or using original and unusual ideas.
Organized (adj.): someone who is able to plan things carefully and keep
things tidy.

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Practical (adj.): able to provide effective solutions to problems.


Energetic (adj.): having or involving a lot of energy.
Laid-back (adj.): relaxed in manner and character; not tending to get
anxious about other people's behaviour or things that need to be done.
Easy-going (adj.): relaxed and not easily upset or worried.
Sensitive (adj.): understanding what other people need, and being
helpful and kind to them.
Sociable (adj.): someone who likes to meet and spend time with other
people.
Clever (adj.): having or showing the ability to learn and understand things
quickly and easily.
Kind (adj.): generous, helpful and caring about other people's feelings.
Analyst (n): someone whose job is to study or examine something in
detail.
Consultant (n): someone who advises people on a particular subject.
Director (n): the person who is in charge of an organization, company.
Representative (n): someone who travels to different places trying to
persuade people to buy their company's products or services.
Manager (n): the person who is responsible for controlling and organizing
an organization.
Supervisor (n): a person whose job is to supervise someone or
something.
Assistant (n): someone who helps someone else to do a job.
Specialist (n): someone who has a lot of experience, knowledge or skill
in a particular subject.
Coordinator (n): someone whose job is to make different groups work
together in an organized way to achieve something.

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Suggested English interactive software and Websites for further practice


Software interactivo y material de ejercitacin online:

www.agendaweb.org

www.englishgrammarsecrets.com

www.ego4u.com

http://eslpdf.com

http://encyclozine.com/ (encyclopedia for students)

Diccionarios online:

www.wordreference.com

www.dictionary.cambridge.org/

www.ldoceonline.com

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary

This booklets material was selected, adapted and/or designed for instructional purposes and to be used
in the classroom and as a study guide for students.

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