Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Jobs” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Understanding Jobs and Employment
1. What is a job?
2. Why do people need to work?
3. What is the difference between a job and a career?
4. How do you find a job?
5. What is a part-time job?

II. Job Preparation
6. How do you write a resume?
7. What should you wear to a job interview?
8. What kind of questions do they ask in a job interview?
9. Why is it important to have work experience?
10. What are job references?

III. Types of Jobs
11. What are blue-collar and white-collar jobs?
12. What is a freelancer?
13. What does it mean to work remotely?
14. What are some popular jobs for students?
15. What are high-paying jobs?

IV. The Workplace
16. What is an office?
17. What is a team?
18. How do you work with others at a job?
19. What is a boss?
20. Why is time management important at work?

V. Job Skills
21. What are communication skills?
22. Why is teamwork important in a job?
23. What are problem-solving skills?
24. How do you handle stress at work?
25. What is leadership?

VI. Changing Jobs
26. How do you quit a job?
27. What is a notice period?
28. Why do people change jobs?
29. What is unemployment?
30. How do you ask for a promotion?

VII. Salaries and Benefits
31. What is a salary?
32. How often do people get paid for their jobs?
33. What are job benefits?
34. Why is it important to save money from your job?
35. What is a pension?

VIII. Job Satisfaction
36. How do you know if you like a job?
37. What is work-life balance?
38. Why do some people prefer certain jobs?
39. What can you do if you are unhappy in a job?
40. How can you improve your job skills?

IX. Workplace Culture
41. What is company culture?
42. How do you adjust to a new job?
43. Why is diversity important in the workplace?
44. What are work ethics?
45. What is professional development?

X. Employment Laws
46. What are workers’ rights?
47. Why is there a minimum wage?
48. What is discrimination in the workplace?
49. Why is health and safety important in a job?
50. What is a union?

XI. The Future of Jobs
51. What is the future of work?
52. How is technology changing jobs?
53. What are green jobs?
54. Why is lifelong learning important for jobs?
55. What jobs might not exist in the future?

XII. Job Challenges
56. How can you deal with difficult co-workers?
57. What do you do if you make a mistake at work?
58. How do you handle a tough boss?
59. Why is change at work sometimes hard?
60. How can you manage a heavy workload?