Speaking practice: answer out loud for one minute
What do you do for work or study?
1:00
12 conversation questions about work and studies
- 1What do you do for work or study?
- 2Why did you choose your job or subject?
- 3What does a normal day look like for you?
- 4What do you enjoy most about it?
- 5What is the most difficult part?
- 6Do you prefer working alone or in a team?
- 7Who has helped you most in your career or studies?
- 8Would you like to work from home?
- 9What skills are important in your job?
- 10What was your first job?
- 11What would you like to learn next for your career?
- 12If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
Useful phrases
- I work as a... / I'm studying...
- I'm responsible for...
- What I like most is...
- The challenging part is...
- I chose it because...
- I'm hoping to...
- In the long term, I'd like to...
- It's rewarding, but...
Key vocabulary
- career
- the jobs you do over your working life
- deadline
- a time by which work must be finished
- colleague
- a person you work with
- promotion
- a move to a higher position at work
- degree
- a university qualification
- workload
- the amount of work you have to do
Sample answer
What do you do for work or study?
I work as a junior accountant at a medium-sized company. I'm responsible for checking invoices and preparing monthly reports. I chose this job because I've always been good with numbers. What I like most is that every month I learn something new, but the deadlines at the end of the month can be quite stressful.
Practise "Work and studies" with a real partner
Questions are easier to remember once you've answered them out loud. Start a live 1-on-1 video call and use this topic to get the conversation going.
Practise this topic liveHow to practise this topic
- Answer each question in at least two or three sentences.
- Try to use two of the useful phrases and one new word in every answer.
- With a partner, ask a follow-up question like "Why?" or "Can you give an example?"
- Alone, record your one-minute answer and listen back for one thing to improve.