Languages › English as a Second Language ESL Dialogue and Quiz: Talking About Your Job English as a Second Language Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Grammar Business English Resources for Teachers 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. Learn about our Editorial Process 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 JobJack: 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 Vocabularycomputer technician = (noun) a person who programs and repairs computersday-to-day basis = (noun phrase) every dayglitch = (noun) a technical problem, possibly hardware or software relatedgood working order = (noun phrase) in good conditionin-house = (adjective) work done by the company itself rather than a third partyneed-to-know basis = (noun phrase) someone is told about something only when necessaryorganizational meeting = (noun phrase) a meeting focusing on the structure of a company or projectstressful = (adjective) full of stress making someone nervousto be responsible for = (verb phrase) to have a duty to do something, have a responsibility for a specific taskto develop = (verb) take an idea and improve it into a productto involve = (verb) require things to be doneto produce reports = (verb phrase) write a reportto work as = (phrasal verb) used to express the role of a person in a company Check Your VocabularyProvide an appropriate word to fill in the gaps below. 1. I think you'll find this computer in __________. I checked it yesterday. good shape good working order the garbage either "good shape" or "good working order" Correct Wrong 2. He's been asked to __________ a new database to keep track of our clients. operate on code develop string together Correct Wrong 3. I think we can find somebody __________ to do that. We don't need to hire a consultant. in house with a big brain at the store on the boardwalk Correct Wrong 4. I've had such a __________ day! It's been one problem after another! revolting tedious stressful exceptional Correct Wrong 5. Unfortunately, our computer has a problem and we need to call a computer __________. scientist geek pilot technician Correct Wrong 6. The team will provide information on a __________. Don't worry about studying up on any procedures. necessary-to-understand need-to-know spic-and-span back-and-forth Correct Wrong 7. I have a __________ for you to do. Could you get last quarter's sales figures for me? task thing project haircut Correct Wrong 8. I have an __________ at two o'clock tomorrow afternoon. owl appointment arrangement party Correct Wrong 9. Peter is __________ for making sure that our systems are up and running. punctual certain provided responsible Correct Wrong 10. You'll find that this job will __________ a lot of research, as well as travel. be give you involve pertain Correct Wrong ESL Dialogue and Quiz: Talking About Your Job You got: % Correct. Share Your Results ESL Dialogue and Quiz: Talking About Your Job You got: % Correct. Share Your Results