ESL Dialogue and Quiz: Talking About Your Job

By
Kenneth Beare
Kenneth Beare
English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert
  • TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London
  • M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music
  • B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music
Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience.
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Updated on January 21, 2020

Read the dialogue featuring a computer technician who is being interviewed about his job responsibilities. Practice the dialogue with a friend so you can feel more confident the next time you speak about your job. There's a comprehension and vocabulary review quiz following the dialogue.

Talking About Your Job

Jack: Hi Peter. Can you tell me a little bit about your current job?

Peter: Certainly What would you like to know?
Jack: First of all, what do you work as?

Peter: I work as a computer technician at Schuller's and Co.
Jack: What do your responsibilities include?

Peter: I'm responsible for systems administration and in-house programming.
Jack: What sort of problems do you deal with on a day-to-do basis?

Peter: Oh, there are always lots of small system glitches. I also provide information on a need-to-know basis for employees.
Jack: What else does your job involve?

Peter: Well, as I said, for part of my job I have to develop in-house programs for special company tasks.
Jack: Do you have to produce any reports?

Peter: No, I just have to make sure that everything is in good working order.
Jack: Do you ever attend meetings?

Peter: Yes, I attend organizational meetings at the end of the month.
Jack: Thanks for all the information, Peter. It sounds like you have an interesting job.

Peter: Yes, it's very interesting, but stressful, too!

Useful Vocabulary

  • computer technician = (noun) a person who programs and repairs computers
  • day-to-day basis = (noun phrase) every day
  • glitch = (noun) a technical problem, possibly hardware or software related
  • good working order = (noun phrase) in good condition
  • in-house = (adjective) work done by the company itself rather than a third party
  • need-to-know basis = (noun phrase) someone is told about something only when necessary
  • organizational meeting = (noun phrase) a meeting focusing on the structure of a company or project
  • stressful = (adjective) full of stress making someone nervous
  • to be responsible for = (verb phrase) to have a duty to do something, have a responsibility for a specific task
  • to develop = (verb) take an idea and improve it into a product
  • to involve = (verb) require things to be done
  • to produce reports = (verb phrase) write a report
  • to work as = (phrasal verb) used to express the role of a person in a company

Check Your Vocabulary

Provide an appropriate word to fill in the gaps below.

1. I think you'll find this computer in __________. I checked it yesterday.
2. He's been asked to __________ a new database to keep track of our clients.
3. I think we can find somebody __________ to do that. We don't need to hire a consultant.
4. I've had such a __________ day! It's been one problem after another!
5. Unfortunately, our computer has a problem and we need to call a computer __________.
6. The team will provide information on a __________. Don't worry about studying up on any procedures.
7. I have a __________ for you to do. Could you get last quarter's sales figures for me?
8. I have an __________ at two o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
9. Peter is __________ for making sure that our systems are up and running.
10. You'll find that this job will __________ a lot of research, as well as travel.
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