Study · Academic vocabularyModule 05
Work and Employment
Level B1–B2
Learning goals
- In this module, you will learn vocabulary for discussing jobs, working conditions, and professional life. You will practise the words in context and review common word forms and collocations.
Step 1 — Read and discover
Read the passage and notice how the bold words are used.
How is work changing?
The world of work has changed as businesses respond to new technology, global competition, and changing expectations. For many people, employment provides income, social contact, and a sense of purpose. However, finding a suitable job can be difficult, especially when the skills employers need do not match the skills available in the workforce.
Some organisations offer flexibility, allowing staff to adjust their schedules or work from home. This can improve productivity when employees have the right tools and clear goals. However, flexible arrangements also require good communication. Without clear expectations, teams may struggle to coordinate their work or meet deadlines.
Employers increasingly value skills that can be used in different situations. Technical knowledge matters, but communication, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt are important too. Workers may need further training to keep up with changes in their field. In some industries, automation can reduce demand for certain tasks while creating new opportunities in other areas.
A positive workplace also depends on fair treatment. A reasonable salary matters, but so do safe conditions, respect, and chances for promotion. Managers who recognise employees' contributions may help improve motivation and reduce staff turnover. At the same time, workers need a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
There is no single solution for every workplace. Employers and employees must consider their needs, communicate openly, and take responsibility for their decisions. As the economy changes, the ability to keep learning may be one of the most valuable qualities a person can develop.
Check your understanding
1. What can make finding a suitable job difficult?Try again
1. What can make finding a suitable job difficult?
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2. What can flexible working require?Try again
2. What can flexible working require?
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3. According to the passage, what can help create a positive workplace?Try again
3. According to the passage, what can help create a positive workplace?
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Step 2 — Explore the vocabulary
Use the word cards to review each word's meaning, example, word family, and common collocations.
employment
nounB1–B2The state of having paid work.
“Employment can provide income and a sense of purpose.”
- full-time employment
- employment opportunities
- secure employment
Word family: employ, employer, employee, employed
flexibility
nounB1–B2The ability to change or adapt to different conditions.
“Flexible hours give employees more flexibility.”
- greater flexibility
- flexibility at work
- flexible working
Word family: flexible, flexibly, inflexible
productivity
nounB1–B2The amount of useful work produced in a given time.
“Clear goals can improve productivity.”
- increase productivity
- workplace productivity
- productivity levels
Word family: productive, productively, produce
coordinate
verbB1–B2To organise people or activities so they work well together.
“Team leaders coordinate tasks across departments.”
- coordinate activities
- coordinate a project
- closely coordinate
Word family: coordination, coordinator, coordinated
skill
nounB1–B2An ability to do something well, usually gained through learning or practice.
“Communication is an important workplace skill.”
- develop skills
- transferable skills
- technical skills
Word family: skilled, skilful, skillfully
adapt
verbB1–B2To change your behaviour or approach to suit a new situation.
“Workers may need to adapt to new systems.”
- adapt to change
- quickly adapt
- adapt a method
Word family: adaptation, adaptable, adaptability
training
nounB1–B2The process of learning the skills needed for a job or activity.
“New staff receive training before using the system.”
- staff training
- provide training
- training course
Word family: train, trainer, trainee
opportunity
nounB1–B2A situation that makes it possible to do or achieve something.
“The new project offered an opportunity to learn.”
- job opportunity
- equal opportunities
- career opportunity
Word family: opportune, opportunely
salary
nounB1–B2A fixed amount of money paid regularly for a job.
“She receives a monthly salary.”
- annual salary
- competitive salary
- salary increase
Word family: salaried, salary-based
promotion
nounB1–B2A move to a higher position at work.
“He received a promotion after leading a successful project.”
- earn a promotion
- promotion prospects
- promotion to manager
Word family: promote, promotional, promoted
motivation
nounB1–B2The reason or desire that makes someone act or work.
“Recognition can improve staff motivation.”
- increase motivation
- strong motivation
- employee motivation
Word family: motivate, motivated, motivating
balance
noun/verbB1–B2A situation in which different parts are kept in suitable proportions.
“Many workers want a better work-life balance.”
- work-life balance
- strike a balance
- balanced approach
Word family: balanced, balancing
responsibility
nounB1–B2A duty or task that you are expected to deal with.
“Managers have a responsibility to communicate clearly.”
- take responsibility
- shared responsibility
- responsibility for
Word family: responsible, responsibly, irresponsible
communication
nounB1–B2The process of sharing information, ideas, or feelings.
“Good communication helps teams avoid confusion.”
- clear communication
- communication skills
- internal communication
Word family: communicate, communicative, communicator
improve
verbB1–B2To make something better.
“The team wants to improve its planning process.”
- improve performance
- improve communication
- improve a system
Word family: improvement, improved, improving
motivate
verbB1–B2To give someone a reason or desire to do something.
“Managers can motivate staff by recognising their efforts.”
- motivate employees
- highly motivated
- motivate someone to
Word family: motivation, motivated, motivational
productive
adjectiveB1–B2Producing useful results or a good amount of work.
“A quiet environment can help people stay productive.”
- productive meeting
- productive day
- highly productive
Word family: productivity, productively, produce
deadline
nounB1–B2The latest time or date by which something must be completed.
“The team worked together to meet the deadline.”
- meet a deadline
- tight deadline
- extend a deadline
satisfaction
nounB1–B2The feeling of pleasure or contentment when something meets your needs.
“Job satisfaction can depend on respect and working conditions.”
- job satisfaction
- customer satisfaction
- a sense of satisfaction
Word family: satisfy, satisfied, satisfying, satisfactory
turnover
nounB1–B2The rate at which employees leave an organisation and are replaced.
“Better management may reduce staff turnover.”
- staff turnover
- high turnover
- reduce turnover
Word family: turn over, turnover rate
Step 3 — Meaning in context
Choose the best answer, then check your choices.
1. The company introduced flexibility so employees could adjust their working hours.Try again
1. The company introduced flexibility so employees could adjust their working hours.
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2. The team improved its productivity by planning tasks more carefully.Try again
2. The team improved its productivity by planning tasks more carefully.
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3. Staff need to coordinate their tasks before the project deadline.Try again
3. Staff need to coordinate their tasks before the project deadline.
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4. The company provided training on its new computer system.Try again
4. The company provided training on its new computer system.
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5. After five years in the organisation, she received a promotion.Try again
5. After five years in the organisation, she received a promotion.
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Step 4 — Complete the sentences
Type the missing word or phrase. Legitimate spelling variants and harmless capitalisation differences are accepted.
1.Many people depend on for income and social contact.Try again✓
2.Flexible schedules can give employees more .Try again✓
3.Clear goals may improve workplace .Try again✓
4.Team members need to their work effectively.Try again✓
5.Workers may need further to learn new skills.Try again✓
6.A fair is important, although it is not the only factor in job satisfaction.Try again✓
7.Some employees hope to receive a to a more senior position.Try again✓
8.Workers and employers should take for their decisions.Try again✓
Step 5 — Word families
Choose the correct form of the word in brackets.
1. The company wants to __________ communication between departments. (IMPROVEMENT)Try again
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2. The role requires good __________ skills. (COMMUNICATE)Try again
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3. Regular feedback can increase employee __________. (MOTIVATE)Try again
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4. Workers must be ready to __________ when business needs change. (ADAPTATION)Try again
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5. The organisation aims to create a more __________ workplace. (PRODUCTIVITY)Try again
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Step 6 — Collocations
Match each beginning with the most natural ending.
1. ✓
2. ✓
3. ✓
4. ✓
5. ✓
Step 7 — Quick review
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. Which word means “a chance to do or achieve something”?Try again
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2. Which word means “the money someone receives for doing a job”?Try again
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3. If someone changes successfully when circumstances change, they __________.Try again
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4. Which phrase refers to the relationship between time spent working and time for personal life?Try again
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5. Which word means “the willingness or reason to act or work”?Try again
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