Co-working spaces are getting more popular, especially after the pandemic. Jill Parrish, who works in London, shared her experience of working at a co-working space near her home in Twickenham. Her company helps pay for her membership at Patch, where she works twice a week. This trend, called “working near home,” is becoming more popular as an option instead of working from home or going to the office.

WeWork, a big co-working space company, recently had money problems in the US. But smaller co-working spaces like Patch, which focus on the local community, are doing well. These spaces have lots of things to use and attract people who want to work and be social close to home.

Freddie Fforde, who started Patch, talks about how smaller co-working spaces can save money by being in smaller towns or on the edges of cities. These spaces also help parents who work by being close to where their kids are taken care of. They also create a sense of community and let people be social.

Vibushan Thirukumar made Oru Space, a co-working space in south London that also helps people be healthy. Thirukumar wants to make a community and help the local area by giving people a place to work and do wellness activities and social things.

Some experts think that regular office spaces are getting more popular, but others think that co-working spaces, especially community-focused ones, are growing. These spaces are important to their neighborhoods, using buildings in new ways and helping people in the area get to know each other.

In the end, the idea of working near home in community co-working spaces is getting more popular as a good choice instead of regular offices or working from home. These spaces don’t just give a good place to work, but also help the local economy and make a sense of community.

Original news source: Work near home: The co-working hubs for locals (BBC)

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Students are divided into pairs. One student takes on the role of a journalist while the other is an entrepreneur who has started a local co-working space. The journalist interviews the entrepreneur about the advantages of co-working spaces, their impact on the local community, and the trend of ‘working near home’. Afterward, they switch roles.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article (e.g., “Co-working spaces are better for productivity than home offices,” “Local co-working spaces contribute significantly to the local economy,” etc.). Students move around the room and poll their classmates’ opinions on these statements, tallying agree/disagree responses. Discuss the results as a class afterward.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key terms from the article (such as co-working space, community, wellness, local economy, etc.) on slips of paper. Students take turns drawing the words for their team to guess without speaking or writing any words. This helps reinforce new vocabulary from the article.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Students work in small groups to discuss and predict the future of workspaces, based on the article. They should consider the role of co-working spaces, community engagement, and the balance between working from home and in traditional offices. Each group then presents their predictions to the class.

– Mind Map
Instructions: On a large piece of paper or whiteboard, the teacher writes the central idea of “Co-working spaces” from the article. Students then work in groups to add branches of ideas related to the central concept (such as ‘benefits’, ‘challenges’, ‘community impact’, etc.). Each group presents their mind map to the class, explaining the connections between the different ideas.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What has increased the popularity of co-working spaces according to the article?
2. Where does Jill Parrish work and how often does she go there?
3. What financial issue did WeWork face in the US?
4. What is the main focus of smaller co-working spaces like Patch?
5. How do co-working spaces benefit parents, according to Freddie Fforde?
6. What additional features does Oru Space offer besides being a place to work?
7. Why do some experts believe that co-working spaces are still growing in popularity?
8. What are two benefits of community co-working spaces mentioned in the article besides providing a workspace?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Co-(1)______ (2)______s are getting more popular, especially after the pandemic. Jill Parrish, who (3)______ in London, (4)______ her experience of working at a co-working space near her home in Twickenham. Her company helps pay for her membership at Patch, where she works twice a week. This trend, called “working near home,” is becoming more popular as an option instead of working from home or going to the office.

WeWork, a big co-working space company, recently had (5)______ problems in the US. But smaller co-working spaces like Patch, which (6)______ on the local (7)______, are doing well. These spaces have lots of things to use and attract (8)______ who want to work and be social close to home.

Freddie Fforde, who started Patch, talks about how smaller co-working spaces can save money by being in smaller towns or on the edges of cities. These spaces also help parents who work by being close to where their kids are taken care of. They also create a sense of community and let people be social.

Vibushan Thirukumar made Oru Space, a co-working space in south London that also (9)______ people be healthy. Thirukumar (10)______ to make a community and help the local area by giving people a (11)______ to work and do wellness (12)______ and social things.

Some experts think that regular office spaces are getting more popular, but others think that co-working spaces, especially community-focused ones, are growing. These spaces are important to their neighborhoods, using (13)______ in new ways and helping people in the area get to know each other.

In the end, the idea of working near home in community co-working spaces is (14)______ more (15)______ as a good choice instead of regular offices or working from home. These spaces don’t just give a good place to work, but also help the (16)______ economy and make a sense of community.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a co-working space and have you ever been to one?
2. How would you feel about working in a place that is not your home or a traditional office?
3. Do you like the idea of “working near home”? Why or why not?
4. Do you think co-working spaces are a good solution for parents? Why do you think that?
5. What are some benefits of being part of a local community at work?
6. Have you ever felt lonely while working or studying from home? How do you think a co-working space could change that?
7. What activities would you like to have in a co-working space to help with wellness and socializing?
8. Do you think it’s important for a workspace to also offer social activities? Why or why not?
9. How do you think small towns or suburbs could benefit from having local co-working spaces?
10. Would you prefer to work in a big company’s co-working space or a smaller, community-focused one? What’s your reason?
11. How do you think co-working spaces can help the local economy?
12. Do you think the trend of co-working spaces will continue to grow? Why do you think so?
13. What do you imagine could be some challenges of working in a co-working space?
14. Do you think a sense of community is important in a workspace? Can you explain why?
15. If you had the choice, would you prefer working from home, in a co-working space, or in a traditional office? What factors influence your choice?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. co-working
2. Patch
3. community
4. wellness
5. economy
6. local
7. option
8. sense

Meanings:
(a) A group of people living in the same area
(b) A feeling or understanding about something
(c) A smaller co-working space company
(d) The money and resources of a place
(e) A choice or alternative
(f) Being healthy and taking care of yourself
(g) A place where people work together
(h) Related to a specific area or neighborhood
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the trend called where people work at co-working spaces near their homes?
(a) “working far from home”
(b) “working near home”
(c) “working in the office”
(d) “working from home”

2. Which co-working space company recently had money problems in the US?
(a) Patch
(b) Oru Space
(c) Regus
(d) WeWork

3. What does Freddie Fforde talk about in relation to smaller co-working spaces?
(a) They can save money by being in smaller towns or on the edges of cities.
(b) They are not as good as bigger co-working spaces.
(c) They are not helpful for parents who work.
(d) They don’t create a sense of community.

4. What does Vibushan Thirukumar want to achieve with Oru Space?
(a) Make a community and help the local area by giving people a place to work and do wellness activities and social things.
(b) Make a lot of money.
(c) Create a space for people to work in silence.
(d) Help people find jobs.

5. What do some experts think about the popularity of regular office spaces?
(a) They are getting less popular.
(b) They are staying the same.
(c) They are getting more popular.
(d) They are only popular in big cities.

6. What do community-focused co-working spaces help with, according to the article?
(a) They only provide a good place to work.
(b) They are not important for the local economy.
(c) They are important to their neighborhoods, using buildings in new ways and helping people in the area get to know each other.
(d) They don’t create a sense of community.

7. What is one benefit of working at a co-working space near home?
(a) It is cheaper than working in a regular office.
(b) It is more fun than working from home.
(c) It is the same as working in the office.
(d) It helps the local economy and makes a sense of community.

8. What is the main idea of the article?
(a) Regular office spaces are the best option for working.
(b) Co-working spaces near home are becoming more popular and beneficial for the local community.
(c) Working from home is the only option for the future.
(d) Co-working spaces are not a good choice for working.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Co-working spaces are not becoming more popular, especially after the pandemic.
2. Patch isn’t a co-working space where Jill works twice a week, and her company doesn’t help pay for her membership there.
3. Jill Parrish doesn’t work in London and didn’t share her experience of working at a co-working space near her home in Twickenham.
4. Freddie Fforde started Patch and believes that smaller co-working spaces can save money by being in smaller towns or on the edges of cities.
5. Working near home in community co-working spaces is becoming more popular as a good choice instead of regular offices or working from home.
6. Some experts think that regular office spaces are getting more popular, but others think that co-working spaces, especially community-focused ones, are growing.
7. Vibushan Thirukumar made Oru Space, a co-working space in south London that also helps people be healthy.
8. WeWork, a big co-working space company, didn’t have money problems in the US, but smaller co-working spaces like Patch are struggling.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the new trend mentioned in the article that is becoming an alternative to working from home or at the office?
2. How does Jill Parrish participate in the “working near home” trend, and how often does she do this?
3. What is the main difference between big co-working space companies like WeWork and smaller ones like Patch?
4. What two benefits does Freddie Fforde mention about smaller co-working spaces being located in smaller towns or city outskirts?
5. According to the article, what additional activities does Oru Space offer to support wellness and social interaction?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What has increased the popularity of co-working spaces according to the article?
The popularity of co-working spaces has increased, especially after the pandemic, as people are looking for options other than working from home or commuting to the office.

2. Where does Jill Parrish work and how often does she go there?
Jill Parrish works at a co-working space called Patch near her home in Twickenham, and she goes there twice a week.

3. What financial issue did WeWork face in the US?
WeWork, a big co-working space company, recently had money problems in the US.

4. What is the main focus of smaller co-working spaces like Patch?
Smaller co-working spaces like Patch focus on the local community, offering amenities and social opportunities close to home.

5. How do co-working spaces benefit parents, according to Freddie Fforde?
Co-working spaces benefit parents by being close to where their kids are taken care of, which saves time and allows parents to work flexibly.

6. What additional features does Oru Space offer besides being a place to work?
Oru Space offers wellness activities and social events in addition to being a co-working space.

7. Why do some experts believe that co-working spaces are still growing in popularity?
Some experts believe that co-working spaces, especially those focused on community, are growing because they are important to their neighborhoods, repurposing buildings, and fostering local connections.

8. What are two benefits of community co-working spaces mentioned in the article besides providing a workspace?
Two benefits of community co-working spaces are that they help the local economy and create a sense of community among the people in the area.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) working
(2) space
(3) works
(4) shared
(5) money
(6) focus
(7) community
(8) people
(9) helps
(10) wants
(11) place
(12) activities
(13) buildings
(14) getting
(15) popular
(16) local
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. co-working
Answer: (g) A place where people work together

2. Patch
Answer: (c) A smaller co-working space company

3. community
Answer: (a) A group of people living in the same area

4. wellness
Answer: (f) Being healthy and taking care of yourself

5. economy
Answer: (d) The money and resources of a place

6. local
Answer: (h) Related to a specific area or neighborhood

7. option
Answer: (e) A choice or alternative

8. sense
Answer: (b) A feeling or understanding about something
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the trend called where people work at co-working spaces near their homes?
Answer: (b) “working near home”

2. Which co-working space company recently had money problems in the US?
Answer: (d) WeWork

3. What does Freddie Fforde talk about in relation to smaller co-working spaces?
Answer: (a) They can save money by being in smaller towns or on the edges of cities.

4. What does Vibushan Thirukumar want to achieve with Oru Space?
Answer: (a) Make a community and help the local area by giving people a place to work and do wellness activities and social things.

5. What do some experts think about the popularity of regular office spaces?
Answer: (c) They are getting more popular.

6. What do community-focused co-working spaces help with, according to the article?
Answer: (c) They are important to their neighborhoods, using buildings in new ways and helping people in the area get to know each other.

7. What is one benefit of working at a co-working space near home?
Answer: (d) It helps the local economy and makes a sense of community.

8. What is the main idea of the article?
Answer: (b) Co-working spaces near home are becoming more popular and beneficial for the local community.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Co-working spaces are not becoming more popular, especially after the pandemic. (Answer: False)
2. Patch isn’t a co-working space where Jill works twice a week, and her company doesn’t help pay for her membership there. (Answer: False)
3. Jill Parrish doesn’t work in London and didn’t share her experience of working at a co-working space near her home in Twickenham. (Answer: False)
4. Freddie Fforde started Patch and believes that smaller co-working spaces can save money by being in smaller towns or on the edges of cities. (Answer: True)
5. Working near home in community co-working spaces is becoming more popular as a good choice instead of regular offices or working from home. (Answer: True)
6. Some experts think that regular office spaces are getting more popular, but others think that co-working spaces, especially community-focused ones, are growing. (Answer: True)
7. Vibushan Thirukumar made Oru Space, a co-working space in south London that also helps people be healthy. (Answer: True)
8. WeWork, a big co-working space company, didn’t have money problems in the US, but smaller co-working spaces like Patch are struggling. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧