This week we're talking about work-life balance. The below steps will take you through the Learn, Try, Apply approach to speech improvement...

📖Step 1: Learn! Listen to this week's band 9 demonstration here: https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/view/courses/speaking-about-work/1429184-11-july-2022-part-3-work-life-balance/4434707-listen-without-the-pauses

Remember to note any new language you come across in your journal. Here is a transcript to help with your review:

We’ve been talking about time, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Why don’t people have enough time nowadays?

I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, I believe instant messaging technology has made it difficult for people to disconnect from their professional lives. For example, it’s hard to ignore a request from a coworker if they can see through an app that you are online. Further, in my country, life in general has become more expensive and this has demanded people commit more time to their professions. Often, both partners in a household need to work, which means household chores must be done in their free time.

Is it necessary for people to relax during the working day?

I think people should have the option, yes. Among jobs where a worker’s alertness is a safety concern, such as an airline pilot or a surgeon, periods for recuperation are enforced by law. Long stretches of non-stop work, especially strenuous work, can have serious health effects as well. Further, I think people are more productive when they are given short breaks throughout their workday, so it’s not only good for the wellbeing of the worker, but also the wellbeing of their organisation.

How can people achieve better work-life balance?

First and foremost, it’s important to allot time in your schedule where you completely disconnect from technology. People should regularly put their devices on silent and avoid interruption, or leave these devices at home when they do short errands or exercise outdoors. I would even go so far as to declare to work colleagues the timings at which you can’t be reached, whether that’s lunchtime, evenings or weekends. People should also prioritise work-life balance by writing clear goals for the important relationships in their lives. For example, parents should actively strive to be mentally present when speaking to their children.

Does current technology cause people to waste time or save time?

It does both. It makes it possible to communicate instantly with people, which could be helpful if you want to tell your friend you need to urgently change some plans. However, it’s also a source of a tremendous amount of distraction. I mean, it’s so common nowadays to be talking in person with someone only to receive a mundane mobile notification. I guess I would have to say that technology wastes as much time as it saves!

 👨‍🏫Step 2: Try! Work through the shadowing exercise here. Push yourself to sound exactly like the model: https://www.ieltsspeakingblog.com/view/courses/speaking-about-work/1429184-11-july-2022-part-3-work-life-balance/4434712-full-lesson

(If you don't yet have a full account, you can watch the shorter YouTube version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNlunQuqkrc )

🗨️Step 3: Apply! Use the language you have learned in your own day-to-day speaking. Use some of the questions from this week's exercise to help you keep your conversation going. (If you are looking for speaking partners, visit our voice chat!)

Was this week's lesson helpful? Please leave a five star review at iTunes! (Thanks!) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ieltscast-weekly-shadowing-exercises-for-ielts-speaking/id1070129363