Work experience and part-time jobs
It is important to be able to understand written and spoken passages about jobs and to be able to describe work and work experience.
Listening practice - Higher
Listen to these people talking about their jobs. Here is some vocabulary to help you.
| el/la azafato/a* | flight attendant |
| el/la camionero/a | lorry driver |
| el/la ejecutivo/a | executive |
| el ejército | army |
| el/la gerente | manager |
| el/la militar | serviceman/servicewoman, soldier |
| el/la pintor/a | painter |
| el/la soldado | soldier |
| la soledad | loneliness |
| caer bien | to like |
*Azafato/a is generally understood to mean flight attendant, but you could also use el/la auxiliar de vuelo, which is often more widely used nowadays.
What is the issue with each person's job? Write your answer in Spanish.
- Question
La soledad.
Transcript:
Soy pintora y, a primera vista, parece un trabajo ideal. Puedo trabajar las horas que quiera sin salir de mi casa preciosa aquí en la sierra. Pero a veces me siento muy aislada aquí. Sí ,eso es el problema para mí - la soledad.
Translation:
I'm a painter and, at first sight, it seems an ideal job. I can work the hours I want without going out of my lovely house here in the mountains. But sometimes I feel very isolated here. Yes, that's the problem for me - the loneliness.
- Question
(Problemas con) el dinero.
Transcript:
Soy ejecutiva de una empresa muy grande. Es un trabajo que me gusta mucho, pero que también a veces trae muchos problemas. Lo que me preocupa más que nada son los problemas financieros - problemas con el dinero.
Translation:
I'm the executive of a very big company. It's a job I like very much but which also sometimes brings lot of problems. What worries me most are the financial problems - problems with money.
- Question
El estrés.
Transcript:
Soy camionero. Puede ser un empleo bastante agradable, pero cuando hace mal tiempo y hay muchos atascos y voy a llegar tarde a mi destino - pues, entonces me siento bastante estresado. Sí, el estrés es el problema más grave para mí.
Translation:
I'm a lorry driver. It can be quite a pleasant job, but when it's bad weather and there are a lot of hold-ups and I'm going to arrive late at my destination - well, then I feel quite stressed. Yes, stress is the most serious problem for me.
- Question
El gerente.
Transcript:
Soy azafato. Lo bueno del empleo es que tienes la oportunidad de visitar muchos países y ciudades en el extranjero. Sin embargo, mi gerente es una persona muy antipática y si no le caes bien te trata muy mal. Sin duda, mi gerente es lo peor del trabajo.
Translation:
I'm a flight attendant. The good thing about the job is that you have the chance to visit a lot of foreign countries and cities. However, my manager is a very unpleasant person and if he doesn't like you he treats you very badly. Without doubt, my manager is the worst thing about the job.
- Question
El peligro.
Transcript:
Soy soldado y debo admitir que la vida de una militar en el ejército es normalmente bastante agradable. Pero, claro, hay momentos en que tienes que poner en peligro tu vida. Sí, el peligro es el peor aspecto de ser militar.
Translation:
I'm a soldier and I have to admit that the life of a servicewoman in the army is usually quite pleasant. But, of course, there are moments when you have to put your life in danger. Yes, the danger is the worst aspect of being a soldier.