Podcast English lesson - What is the future of remote work?

Listen to a podcast about changing opinions on remote work and learn some new English vocabulary on the subject. This lesson is targeted at advanced learners of English (B2/C1 level) and features an episode of NPR's 'Consider This' podcast, episode title : 'What is the future of remote work?'

This podcast episode discusses changing attitudes towards remote work in corporate contexts in the United States. Follow the steps below to learn some new vocabulary, improve your pronunciation and express your opinions in English on the subject of remote work.

Step 1 : Learn the vocabulary below

Have a look at the following vocabulary that you will find in the podcast. Identify and translate any words you do not understand. Read them out loud. Are there any words you're not sure how to pronounce? Are there any you're not sure how to use in a sentence?

Nouns/verbs

• Executives

• Leaders

• lay-offs

• Managers

• Employees

• Workers

• Staff

• Lee-way

• Caregivers

• Workforce

• Encourage

• Urge

Collocations

• In-person work

• Remote work

• Mass lay-offs

• Job flexibility

• Remote position

• Current state

• Larger trend

• Biggest positives and negatives

• Work from home

• Come back on site

Phrases

• Return to the office

• Search for a remote position

• The job’s flexibility was a huge positive

• The current state of (things)

• Part of a larger trend

• Urge staff to come back on site

• Encourage employees to..

• Keep caregivers in the workforce

• People are more productive if they can take breaks

Steph 2 : Listen to the podcast

Listen to the podcast and read the transcript here (or if you prefer, listen on Spotify here).

Try to pay attention to the pronuncation of the vocabulary above, especially any of the words you were unsure of.

Steph 3 : Answer one question

Prepare a written answer to one of the questions below. Try to use some of the new vocabulary if possible!

• Where do you do your best work, and why?

• What tasks require in-person presence? (In your job, or in general).

• How is remote work particularly beneficial for caregivers?

• Do you think companies are trying to get their employees to come back into the office because they don’t trust their employees to work efficiently at home?

• Do you think the skill of managing in a remote work culture is different from managing on site?

• What are some of the biggest positives of remote work according to Anne Helen Petersen?

  
  

About this podcast

The title of this podcast episode was 'What Is The Future Of Remote Work?'. This is an episode from the NPR podcast 'Consider This', a podcast that discusses current events, typically with a focus on US contexts.

Its short episodes (under 15 minutes) and conversational tone make this podcast a great addition to your weekly English listening practice. Listen to more episodes here here.

Happy listening!