Is it time for a new job?

This Business English worksheet equips students with the language and confidence to navigate job transitions. Students learn essential vocabulary to talk about job dissatisfaction and quitting your job, identify signs it’s time to move on, and evaluate what they want in a new role. The lesson is centered around a practical video outlining key signs that a job change is needed, and students solidify their learning through discussion, vocabulary exercises, and realistic role-play scenarios. It can be effectively combined with the worksheets “Changing careers” and “Idioms: Burnout“

The lesson begins with a vocabulary and speaking activity. Students examine different statements about job satisfaction, learning and using key adjectives like overworked, undervalued, burned out, and underpaid. They then personalize the language by discussing which sentiments reflect their own experiences.

Vocabulary for a Job Change: Students then hone their knowledge of professional language by identifying the correct collocations with verbs like quit, leave, resign, and hand in my notice. This is followed by conversation questions that prompt discussion about red flags, green flags, and the practical steps involved in leaving a job.

Pre-Listening Vocabulary and Video: A set of nuanced workplace phrases that would later appear in the video (e.g., to be stretched, to gaslight yourself, career momentum) is pre-taught. Students then watch a video, “5 Signs You Should Quit Your Job,” and complete two listening tasks: first, they identify the five main signs, and then they take detailed notes on the advice given for each one.

Speaking and Role-Play: After the video, students discuss which advice resonated most with them. They then evaluate a list of company perks, considering how much each would impact their own job satisfaction. The lesson culminates in a role-play activity where students tackle one of three realistic scenarios, such as addressing high employee turnover or improving a company’s attractiveness to candidates.

For more speaking practice, you can use the printable conversation cards.