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In this lesson, you will find free advanced level (C1) English materials on the culture of overwork. These materials are just an introduction to the topic.
The full version of these materials can be purchased here: link. You’ll find there 11 pages full of advanced exercises which will help you cement the knowledge. You’ll practise vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and writing skills. These materials also include flashcards to aid in memorisation of new vocabulary and the answer key.
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Conversation
Ask some questions related to the topic.
- What do you think culture of overwork is?
- Do you agree that it’s a real problem nowadays?
- Compared to your parents, do you think you work more or less?
- Do you know the phrase ‘rat race’? Do you feel like you are stuck in the rat race?
- Do you think you would work less or more as a freelancer?
a rat race is a way of life in modern society, in which people compete with each other for power and money (acc. dictionary.cambridge.org)
Clip 1
Watch the clip and try to understand the general meaning.
tip!
Remember that you can change the speed of the video if Erica is speaking too fast for you. I recommend watching this video a few times. At first, slow it down, do the exercises and then watch it again at the normal speed.
Exercise 1
Watch the video and fill in the gaps in the transcript.
"And the culture of these law firms is all about how hard you can work. … is … and it's like this … of honour when you say that you had to pull an … at work. We all had extra clothes in the office for those all-nighters and if you don't … enough hours, it's basically the … rule that you'll get fired.”
answers
overworking
glamorised
badge
all-nighter
bill
unspoken
Exercise 2
Connect the words and phrases from the video with their definitions.
- overworking
- to glamorise
- a badge of honour
- to pull an all-nighter
- to bill hours
- an unspoken rule
a) to charge a client according to an agreed hourly rate based on the amount of time put into a business project
b) to make something seem better than it is in reality
c) a rule that’s not official but usually accepted and obeyed
d) to spend the whole night doing something, e.g. studying for an exam or working
e) an award given to someone for loyalty and courage / an expression of pride
f) working to excess
answers
1f
2b
3e
4d
5a
6c
Clip 2
Watch the clip and try to understand the general meaning.
Exercise 3
Watch the video and fill in the gaps in the transcript.
"We worry too much about what others think or we become … or we become golden . We become risk-… or we've … our lifestyle so much that it's hard to go back and we're working 60, 80, 100 hour weeks but why?”
answers
complacent
handcuffed
averse
inflated
Exercise 4
Connect the words and phrases from the video with their definitions.
- complacent
- golden handcuffs
- risk-averse
- to inflate one’s lifestyle
a) increasing spending as one's salary increases
b) financial benefits given by an employer to discourage employees from leaving the company
d) overly satisfied with one's own achievements
e) avoiding risks, unwilling to take risks
answers
1d
2b
3e
4a
Vocabulary
Did you know?
→ Did you notice that Erica pronounced the word ‘law’ as /lɔː/ not /ləʊ/? The latter, sounds like the word ‘low’.
→ There are two spellings of the word ‘honor’.
Honour - British English
Honor - American English
Exercise 3
Fill in the gaps. Put the words and phrases you’ve just learnt in the sentences below.
- “One 2008 study found that 60% of college students reported having pulled an … at least once since beginning college.” reference: link
- “The investigation sent political shockwaves as it shattered the … rule that members of (…) the most powerful decision-making body, would not be subject to criminal punishment.” reference: link
- “Other golden …strategies could involve buying a car, flexible working hours or paid benefits into retirement.” reference: link
- “Symptoms of … include: weight fluctuations, constant fatigue, lack of sleep and frequently feeling run down, “which all in turn lead towards a weakened immune system”, says Jess.” reference: link
- “LaRose said that with less than two weeks left in the campaign cycle, people cannot become …, but rather should keep up the work to go knock on doors, make phone calls and get others out to vote that may not have.” reference: link
- “A notable strategy taken by … investors is to slowly drip-feed money into Bitcoin at the end of each week or month. This strategy (…) ensures that investments are made gradually, as opposed to a lump sum.” reference: link
- “For her 40-old years of dedicated service to the Jamaican education system (…) Mrs. Williams was one of 30 recipients of the … of Honour for Long and Faithful Service (…)” reference: link
- “Helm explains that new crop of teen shows such as Heartbreak High, Euphoria and Sex Education are complex – but overall they take more efforts to humanise, rather than …, teen drug use.” reference: link
- “(…) partners are putting time in drumming up new business and growing the firm, rather than simply billing … at a higher rate.” reference: link
- “But not many players that play in the league further increase their wealth after retiring from the NBA. In fact, most go broke due to their … lifestyle and no longer have the comfort of earning millions (…)” reference: link
answers
1. all-nighter
2. unspoken
3. handcuff
4. overworking
5. complacent
6. risk-averse
7. badge
8. glamorise
9. hours
10. inflated
Exercise 5
Answer the questions below. Try using the vocabulary from this lesson.
- Would you agree that we should stop glamorising the ‘No Pain, No Gain’ mindset?
- Have you pulled a lot of all-nighters when you were a university student?
- Do you agree that there’s an unspoken rule that you should let people off the bus before you get on? Can you think of some other unspoken rules in our society?
- Can you list some golden-handcuffs strategies?
- Can you think of a company which clearly became complacent about its products?
Extra practise:
- Have you ever pulled an all-nighter working?
- What unspoken rules are at your workplace?
- Can you list some symptoms of overwork?
- Do you think that our modern attitude to children’s play is risk-averse and denies children opportunities to learn valuable lessons?
- Do you agree that the key to preventing overwork is to prioritise tasks and organize them accordingly?
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