Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Even though we often complain about our jobs, nobody wants to get fired. If you have to lose your job, it should at least be for something crazy, like having an affair with the boss’s daughter or setting fire to your cubicle. But often, when businesses start losing money, they have no choice but to lay off a bunch of their employees.
Times are tough for a lot of people right now, and Devan is worried that she might lose her job as a waitress. Listen to talk to Marni about what she should do.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Devan: So I think I’m getting laid off at my work.
Marni: Oh no! Really? Why?
Devan: ‘Cause it seems like they’re phasing me out. They’re only scheduling me two days a week, and I used to work four. And it’s been really slow lately ‘cause of the economy, ‘cause people aren’t going out to eat.
Marni: Yeah, I think you’re, uh…Sounds like you’re gonna get the ax. It’s the recession, I mean, it’s happening, and it’s sad. It’s hitting all industries. It’s hitting people in office jobs, it’s hitting people who’re in the service industry...
Devan: Yeah. I think I’m gonna have to file for unemployment, but unemployment checks are never for as much as you would normally make, so I’m pretty worried about it.
Marni: Right. And there’s always the…And then you have to get a job and look for a job, and who wants to do that. So do you think you’re gonna get a pink slip or…
Devan: I don’t know, I hope not. I open my locker at work every day hoping there’s not gonna be some pink slip waiting there for me telling me I’m not gonna have a job anymore.
Marni: Well, best of luck to you, and hopefully…Maybe it’s a wise idea to start job-hunting now so you can be one step ahead of them.
Devan: Yeah, I think I’m going to start looking for new jobs today.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Devan is worried that she’s going to get fired from her job. Her boss has been giving her fewer shifts lately and she’s noticed that there’s been less business at the restaurant where she works.
Marni feels sorry for Devan. She says a lot of people have been losing their jobs lately because the economy is so bad.
If Devan does get fired, she can get unemployment benefits from the government. But those don’t last forever and they’re not worth as much as a real job. Plus, looking for a new job is really annoying. So Devan really hopes she’ll be able to keep her job, but she’s going to start looking for new jobs just in case.
Have you ever lost a job? What happened? Are you worried about the economy?
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