(If student's answer is yes)

Why?
(Read it only when the student cannot answer)

Because being honest is very important.

(If student's answer is no)

Why not?
(Read it only when the student cannot answer)

Because we might offend someone.

surcharge

- NEW WORK
Repeat
surcharge

Listen
"Surcharge" is a noun. It is the money that you have to pay in addition to the basic price of something.

For example,
I usually have to pay a surcharge if I want something I’ve bought online to be delivered more quickly than normal.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

Do you usually have to pay a surcharge if you want

something you’ve bought online to be delivered more
quickly than normal?
I usually have to pay a surcharge if I want something I’ve
bought online to be delivered more quickly than normal.

general manager strategy aspect

operations*

- NEW WORK
Repeat
general manager / strategy / aspect / operations*

Listen
In some companies, the top executive may have the job title of general manager instead of CEO.
However, if a company has both a CEO and a general manager, the CEO is more senior.
The CEO is responsible for the overall strategy of the company, and the general manager is responsible for operations.

"Aspect" is a noun. It is a particular part or feature of something.

"Operations" is a noun. It is the activities involved in a company producing goods or delivering services

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

In a situation where a company has both a CEO and a

general manager, which position is more senior?
In a situation where a company has both a CEO and a
general manager, the position of CEO is more senior.

Which of these two executives is responsible for the

overall strategy of the company, and which is
responsible for operations?
The CEO is responsible for the overall strategy, whereas the
general manager is responsible for operations.

When might we find that a company has more than one

general manager?
We might find that a company has more than one general
manager when the company is very large. Each general
manager will be responsible for different aspects of the
company's operations.

supply demand in short supply

- NEW WORK
Repeat
supply / demand / in short supply

Listen
"Supply" is a noun. It is the amount of something available to be used.

For example,
The nation's fuel supplies will not last forever.

"Demand" is a noun. It is the need or desire that people have for particular goods and services.

For example,
Tickets for certain sporting events, concerts, etc, sell at very high prices because the demand for the tickets is very high, and the supply is limited.

"In short supply" is a phrase. It means not enough.

For example,
Another way of saying that the supply of a product is limited is to say that the product is in short supply.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

Why do tickets for certain sporting events, concerts, etc.

sell at very high prices?
Tickets for certain sporting events, concerts, etc. sell at very
high prices because the demand for the tickets is very high,
and the supply is limited.

What’s another way of saying that the supply of a

product is limited?
Another way of saying that the supply of a product is limited
is to say that the product is in short supply.

field specialize specialist

career path skill set (skillset)

- NEW WORK
Repeat
field / specialize / specialist / career path / skill set (skillset)

Listen
"Field" is a noun. It means an area of work, study, etc.

For example,
I am working in my chosen field. (teaching)

"Specialize" is a verb. It means to limit your business or area of study to one specific subject.

For example,
Some mechanics specialize in repairing foreign cars.

"Specialist" is a noun. It isa person who has special knowledge and skill relating to a particular job, area of study, etc.

For example,
He's a specialist in international law. [=he specializes in international law]

"Career path" is a noun. It is a plan of action or a way of achieving something.

For example,
Thinking about a person’s career path, one advantage of becoming a specialist in a particular field is that a person can earn a lot of money if the work they specialize in is in high demand.

"Skill set (skillset)" is a noun. It is a person's range of skills or abilities.

For example,
A possible disadvantage of being a specialist is that it can be difficult to change a career if the demand for a particular specialist skillset disappears.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

Thinking about a person’s career path, what’s one

advantage of becoming a specialist in a particular field?
Thinking about a person’s career path, one advantage of
becoming a specialist in a particular field is that a person can
earn a lot of money if the work they specialize in is in high
demand.

And tell me a possible disadvantage of being a

specialist, please.
A possible disadvantage of being a specialist is that it can be
difficult to change a career if the demand for a particular
specialist skillset disappears.

import export commodity* lucrative

- NEW WORK
Repeat
import / export / commodity* / lucrative

Listen
"Import" is a verb. It means to bring a product into a country to be sold.

For example,
Philippines imports some products from another country like cars, gadgets, etc.

"Export" is a verb. It means to send a product to be sold in another country.

For example,
Philippines exports sugar, bananas, mangoes, etc. to other countries.

"Commodity" is a noun. It is anything that can be traded (bought or sold); usually something quite basic such as sugar, steel, oil, etc.

For example,
Rice is a commodity that most countries in this part of the world have to import from other countries.

"Lucrative" is a noun. It means producing money or wealth.

For example,
I think my country’s most lucrative export is rice.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice
Name a commodity that most countries in this part of the
world have to import from other regions.
Rice is a commodity that most countries in this part of the
world have to import from other countries.

What do you think your country’s most lucrative export

is?
I think my country’s most lucrative export is rice.

market domestic global

- NEW WORK
Repeat
market / domestic / global

Listen
"Market" is a noun. It is a place where products are bought and sold.

For example,
I think Philippines has the largest rice market in the world.

"Domestic" is a noun. It means of, relating to, or being made in your own country.

For example,
I reckon Japan has the biggest domestic car market.

"Global" is an adjective. It means involving the entire world.

For example,
I think Toyota has the highest global sales.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

Which country in the world do you reckon has the

biggest domestic car market?
I reckon ... has the biggest domestic car market.

And which car manufacturer do you think has the

highest global sales?
I think Tesla has the highest global sales.

businessman businesswoman

businessperson entrepreneur

- NEW WORK
Repeat
businessman / businesswoman / businessperson / entrepreneur

Listen
When we use the words “businessman”,“businesswoman”, or “businessperson”, we usually mean a business owner or a company executive who makes important business decisions.
We use the word “entrepreneur” to describe a businessperson who starts their own business and accepts the risks that this involves.

For example,
An entrepreneur is a businessperson who starts their own business and accepts the risks that this involves.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

What kind of businessperson is an entrepreneur?

An entrepreneur is a businessperson who starts their own
business and accepts the risks that this involves.

application documentation cover letter

CV = curriculum vitae

NEW WORK - OPEN

-Q&A
Let's practice

When we submit a job application, what documentation

do we usually send?
When we submit a job application, we usually send our CV
together with a cover letter.

agenda ensure issue

focus circulate item

- NEW WORK
Repeat
agenda / ensure / issue / focus / circulate / item

Listen
"Agenda" is a noun. It refers to a list of things to be considered or done.

"Ensure" is a verb. It means to make (something) sure, certain, or safe.

"Issue" is a noun. It is something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc. (an important subject or topic).

"Focus" is a noun. It is a main purpose or interest.

For example,
For a meeting at work, it’s useful to have an agenda to ensure that everything is discussed in a logical order, that important issues are not forgotten, and that people stay focused.

"Circulate" is a verb. It means to go or spread from one person or place to another.

For example,
I need to circulate these documents to all my members for the meeting tomorrow so that they can read ahead of time the topic that is going to be talked about.

"Item" is a noun. It is a separate piece of news or information.

For example,
An agenda is normally circulated to people a few days before a meeting takes place so that everyone can think about the items on the agenda, ask for other items to be added if necessary, etc.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

For a meeting at work, why is it useful to have an

agenda?
For a meeting at work, it’s useful to have an agenda to
ensure that everything is discussed in a logical order, that
important issues are not forgotten, and that people stay
focused.

Why is an agenda normally circulated to people a few

days before a meeting takes place?
An agenda is normally circulated to people a few days before
a meeting takes place so that everyone can think about the
items on the agenda, ask for other items to be added if
necessary, etc.

public sector private sector

- NEW WORK
Repeat
public sector / private sector

Listen
"Public sector" is a noun. It is the part of an economy that is controlled or owned by the government.

For example,
She has a job in the Public Sector.

"Private sector" is a noun. It is the part of an economy that is not controlled or owned by the government.

For example,
I believe it’s better to build a career in the private sector because it is not controlled or owned by the government.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

Do you personally believe it’s better to build a career in

the public sector or the private sector?
I personally believe it’s better to build a career in the ...
sector.
Why?
(Sample answer for "public sector")
Because a career in the public sector is more stable.
(Sample answer for "private sector")
Because there are many different companies you can work
at in the private sector.

economy growth

- NEW WORK
Repeat
economy / growth

Listen
"Economy" is a noun. It is the process or system by which goods and services are produced, sold, and bought in a country or region.

For example,
An increase in tourism will help the city’s economy.

"Growth" is a noun. It is an increase in the number, amount, or size of something.

For example,
The Philippines is a country that’s experiencing rapid growth in its economy at the moment.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

Name a country that’s experiencing rapid growth in its

economy at the moment.
The Philippines is a country that’s experiencing rapid growth
in its economy at the moment.
 correspond correspondence

- NEW WORK
Repeat
correspond / correspondence

Listen
"Correspond" is a verb. It means to be similar or equal to something.

For example,
The job title that corresponds more closely to CEO is managing director.

"Correspond" is a noun. It means to communicate with someone in written form.

For example,
Nowadays it’s easy to correspond to someone, by sending a message using our phones.

"Correspondence" is a noun. It is the activity of writing letters or emails to someone.

For example,
A business might choose to correspond by sending a letter rather than an email when the correspondence needs to appear very formal or official.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

Which of the following two job titles corresponds more

closely to CEO: general manager or managing director?
The job title that corresponds more closely to CEO is
managing director.

In what situation might a business choose to correspond

by sending a letter rather than an email?
A business might choose to correspond by sending a letter
rather than an email when the correspondence needs to
appear very formal or official.

health and safety workforce statutory*

meet an obligation

- NEW WORK
Repeat
health and safety / workforce / statutory* / meet an obligation

Listen

For example,
It’s the Government's job to ensure health and safety for the people.

"Workforce" is a noun. It is the group of people who work for a particular organization or business.

For example,
The increase of workforce in a country helps the country to develop.

"Statutory" is an adjective. It means of or relating to formal laws or statutes.

For example,
Citizens in a country have a statutory right to get their benefits as soon as they retire.

"Meet an obligation" means something that you must do because of a law, rule, promise, etc.

For example,
In this country, there’s a statutory obligation for businesses to maintain good standards of health and safety for their workforce.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

In this country, is there a statutory obligation for

businesses to maintain good standards of health and
safety for their workforce?
Alternative: In your country, is there a statutory obligation for businesses to
maintain good standards of health and safety for their workforce?

Yes, in this country, there's a statutory obligation for

businesses to maintain good standards of health and safety
for their workforce.
Alternative: Yes, in my country, there’s a statutory obligation for
businesses to maintain good standards of health and safety for their
workforce.

And if workers feel their employer isn’t meeting their

obligations in this area, what can they do?
(Read it only when the student cannot answer)
If workers feel their employer isn’t meeting their obligations
in this area, they can complain to the management.

break even

- NEW WORK
Repeat
break even

Listen
"Break even" - when we say that a business breaks even, we mean that its income is just enough to cover its costs, and it avoids making a loss.

For example,
I’d feel pleased if my new business broke even in its first year of trading.

NEW WORK - CLOSE

-Q&A
Let's practice

How would you feel if your new business broke even in

its first year of trading?
I’d feel ... if my new business broke even in its first year of
trading.

10