🎬 Interactive video — script & questions
NARRATOR: Sarah is having a job interview at a marketing company. She is speaking with the HR manager, James.
SPEAKER 1: Good morning, Sarah. Thank you for coming in today. I've read your CV and I'm impressed. You've worked in marketing for five years. Can you tell me about your most recent project?
SPEAKER 2: Yes, of course. I've been managing a social media campaign for a fashion brand. It's been a really interesting experience. We've increased their followers by forty percent over six months.
SPEAKER 1: That's excellent. And what skills have you developed during this time?
SPEAKER 2: Well, I've learned how to use new analytics tools, and I've improved my team management skills. If I get this job, I hope to bring these skills here and help your company grow.
SPEAKER 1: I see. We're looking for someone who is organized and can work under pressure. If you were in a situation where you had to manage three campaigns at the same time, how would you handle it?
SPEAKER 2: I think I would prioritize the tasks and communicate clearly with my team. I've used to work on tight deadlines at my previous job, so I'm confident I can manage multiple projects.
SPEAKER 1: Perfect. One more question. Have you ever used email marketing before?
SPEAKER 2: Yes, I have. In fact, I've set up several email campaigns that have been very successful. My previous manager told me that my campaigns were effective and creative.
SPEAKER 1: Wonderful. I think you're a strong candidate. We'll contact you within a week with our decision.
- How long has Sarah worked in marketing?
- a) Two years
- b) Five years
- c) Seven years
- d) Ten years
- What percentage of followers has Sarah's social media campaign increased?
- a) Twenty percent
- b) Thirty percent
- c) Forty percent
- d) Fifty percent
- If Sarah were managing three campaigns at the same time, what would she do first?
- a) Work on email marketing
- b) Prioritize the tasks and communicate with her team
- c) Ask for more staff
- d) Contact the HR manager
- What did Sarah's previous manager tell her about her campaigns?
- a) They needed improvement
- b) They were effective and creative
- c) They were too expensive
- d) They were not well-received
- When will James contact Sarah with a decision?
- a) Within three days
- b) Within one week
- c) Within two weeks
- d) Within one month
📖 Reading
Maria had always worked in an office, but last year she made a big change. She left her job as an accountant and became a beekeeper. Her friends thought she was crazy, but Maria wanted a life that felt closer to nature.
Now Maria takes care of thirty beehives in the fields near her house. Every morning, she puts on a special white suit and checks the bees carefully. 'If you move slowly and stay calm, the bees won't sting you,' she explains. She has been stung many times, but she says it's just part of the job.
Maria sells the honey from her bees at the local market every Saturday. People travel from nearby towns because her honey tastes different each month. This happens because the bees collect pollen from different flowers as the seasons change. In spring, the honey is light and sweet. In autumn, it becomes darker and stronger.
Life as a beekeeper is not always easy. Maria has to work outside in all kinds of weather, and she earns less money than she used to. However, she has no regrets. 'I used to sit at a desk all day and feel tired,' she says. 'Now I feel more alive, even when I'm exhausted from work.' Next year, she plans to teach beekeeping classes so that other people can learn about this fascinating hobby.
🗣️ Speaking — discussion
Context
- After the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people shifted to working from home permanently or in hybrid arrangements.
- Companies like Google and Meta are now pushing employees back to offices, while others like Airbnb and Dropbox embrace fully remote models.
- Remote work has changed how we define productivity, work-life balance, and community in the workplace.
- Younger workers often prefer flexibility, while older generations value in-person collaboration and mentorship.
- This shift has reshaped real estate, urban life, and even family dynamics as people move away from expensive city centers.
Themes
- Work-Life Balance — Remote work offers flexibility and time at home, but the boundary between work and personal life can blur. People struggle to switch off and family time can be interrupted by emails and deadlines.
- Productivity and Collaboration — Working remotely can increase focus and reduce distractions, but creative teamwork and spontaneous idea-sharing suffer without face-to-face interaction.
- Mental Health and Isolation — While some people thrive alone, remote work can lead to loneliness, disconnection from colleagues, and difficulty building meaningful professional relationships.
- Economic and Social Impact — Remote work affects real estate prices, public transport usage, and city economies. It also enables people to live anywhere, changing migration patterns and social structures.
Personal Response
- Would you prefer to work from home, in an office, or in a hybrid model? Why?
- What is your ideal working environment and why does it matter to you?
Themes & Ideas
- How do you think remote work affects the relationship between colleagues and managers?
- In your opinion, is it easier or harder to feel part of a team when working remotely?
Critical Thinking
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of companies forcing employees back to the office?
- How might remote work change career progression and opportunities for younger workers?
Cultural & Social Topics
- How has remote work changed where and how people choose to live in your country?
- Do you think remote work has created a new kind of inequality between those who can work flexibly and those who cannot?
🎭 Classroom activity
Pair debate: One student argues for remote work and one argues for office-based work. Each person prepares three key points and they present them to each other, then swap positions. This encourages students to think from multiple perspectives and practise persuasive language.
✏️ Questions
- My sister ___ (live) in Madrid for three years, so she speaks Spanish very well now.
- If it ___ (rain) tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
- If I ___ (have) more free time, I would learn how to play the guitar.
- The company ___ (found) in 1998 by two young engineers.
- The teacher said that she ___ (correct) our essays by Friday.
- The manager, ___ office is on the top floor, called an urgent staff meeting this morning.
- What was Maria's job before she became a beekeeper?
- a) A teacher
- b) An accountant
- c) A market seller
- d) A farmer
- According to Maria, what should you do to avoid being stung by bees?
- a) Wear bright colours
- b) Move slowly and stay calm
- c) Talk loudly to the bees
- d) Work only in the morning
- Why does Maria's honey taste different each month?
- a) She adds different ingredients
- b) She uses a different recipe
- c) The bees collect pollen from different flowers
- d) She sells honey from different beekeepers
- What can we infer about Maria's feelings towards her new job?
- a) She regrets leaving her old job
- b) She finds beekeeping boring
- c) She feels more satisfied with her life now
- d) She wants to return to office work
- What does the word 'fascinating' mean in the last paragraph?
- a) Boring
- b) Dangerous
- c) Very interesting
- d) Expensive
- What is Maria planning to do next year?
- a) Sell her beehives
- b) Open a honey shop
- c) Teach beekeeping classes
- d) Move to a new city