General English:9

Stages of life Discussing work life balance

Vocabulary Working

compensation 赔偿
Something came up.
issue
right job
overtime
compensation
time off
three weeks off
career choice

	SALLY
	HEY

	SIMON
	Hey

	SALLY
	Have you been working on a Saturday again?

	SIMON
	Yeah

	SALLY
	Simon,why do you do it?

	SIMON
	Something camp up.An issue with the new computers.

	SALLY
	Oh,no.

	SALLY
	Do you ener have any doubts about your career choice?

	SIMON
	No-none at all.I'm completely sure I'm in the right job.

	SALLY
	Really?

	SIMON
	Yeah.I mean,I'm sick of working so much overtime,but my job's rewarding and I'm happy with my compensation.I just need more time off.

	SALLY
	Hmm.

	SIMON
	Is this about you training to become a project manager?

	SALLY
	Yeah.I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing.

	SIMON
	Why?Don't you enjoy it?

	SALLY
	Yeah,I do.But when I'm a project manager,will I be working 60 hours a week like you?

	SIMON
	I doubt it.Look,My job's just a bit crazy right now.I'm sure you'll have more free time than I do.

	SALLY
	you sure?

	SIMON
	Absolutely.And remember,I'm taking three weeks off next month to go back to Europe with Jake.That's why I'm so busy right now.

	SALLY
	Oh,yeah.I'd forgotten about that.

	SIMON
	Sally.you're definitely making the right career choice.

	SALLY
	Thanks,Simon.So,where in Europe are you going this time?

	SIMON
	Well,first we're going to Pamplona to run with the bulls.

	SALLY
	Run with the bulls? Jake never told me he was gonna go run with the bulls...

Vacation expressions with 'off'

Use these expressions with off to talk about time off and vacations:

A: Are you taking any time off?
B: Yes. I have a week off in May.


Brent gets New Year's Day off.

She's off next week.

I'm grateful for my job. The  compensation is good.

I  get three weeks off every year.

Actually, I'm taking   a week off next month.

However, I often work overtime  .

If something comes  up , then I have to work overtime to fix it.

There was an employee issue  last week, and I had to work late.

If my supervisor is  off , then I also work overtime.

Grammar Sense verbs with 'as if' and 'as though'

Use a sense verb + as if or as though to talk about your perception of a situation.

I feel as if I don't have enough time off.

It looks as though I'll be compensated well.

It sounds as if you worked a lot of overtime.

In informal conversation, you will hear like used instead of as if or as though. This is technically incorrect but very common.

It seems like he's been off for a month.	

It looks like we'll have to work on the weekend.

Expressions Expressing doubt and certainty

Do you ever have any doubts?

No – none at all.

I'm completely sure ...

I'm wondering if ...

I doubt it.

You're sure?

absolutely

Sometimes I wonder about all this overtime.
I'm completely comfortable with my job.
I doubt that it's the right thing for me.
You don't have any time off? Do you have doubts about that?
I'm positive . We definitely have next Tuesday off.

Final Task Discussing your work-life balance