hotdesking

hotdesking


BBC Learning English – Keep your English up to date Hotdesking

You are going to listen to a short talk given by Professor David Crystal about language change and new developments in English.

SPEAKING 1. If you are working with a fellow student, discuss these questions: a. What are the most challenging aspects of your job? b. These are words from the world of work. What do they mean? schedule deadline in-tray memo c. What do you find less rewarding about you job? d. What is your ideal or dream job?

VOCABULARY 2. Match these words and phrases to their definitions a. commonplace good, successful and useful b. to share something things being done c. a rota system typical or normal d. resources to let someone use something with you e. effective a way of organising when people work f. activity things which you have, and they help and support you


 * click on the mp3 file below to hear the talk**



LISTENING SECTION 1 3. Now, listen to Professor Crystal talking about a new word that has come from the world of work. Answer these questions. a. What is the word? b. What does the word describe? i. a new piece of office technology ii. a way people work by sharing the work space iii. the internet operations of a company

4. Listen again and decide if the following statements are true or false, according to Professor Crystal. a. The word made a strong impression on Professor Crystal b. Professor Crystal understood the meaning of the word immediately c. The word is unusual these days d. When hotdesking, people still have their own desk e. Hotdesking means more desks are needed, but time is saved

LISTENING SECTION 2 5. What does the word ‘hot’ in ‘hotdesking’ suggest? a. Anger and annoyance b. A lot of energy or activity making something hotter c. Fashionable or very modern d. A lot of variety or change Listen to Section 2 of the talk and check your ideas. Were you correct?

6. Are the following sentences true or false? a. The word is very useful and successful b. In England, desks produce hot water vapour c. You can make a verb and another noun from ‘hotdesking’ Listen again to check your answers.

EXTRA WORK VOCABULARY 1. Look at the tape script and find words or phrases that mean the following. a. with a low level of frequency, not very often b. a place for work that has a computer c. things that developed from something else

LANGUAGE 2. These are some more words that have come from the world of work. Match them to the definitions.


 * flexiworking || working away from the main company office, using mobile phones and wireless technology to stay in contact ||
 * telecommuting || working without fixed start and finish times ||
 * mobile working || making a business smaller, often by reducing the number of employees ||
 * downsizing || working from home, using telephone, fax and email to stay in contact with the main company office ||

3. Look at the word formation table below. Complete the table
 * noun for activity/idea || verb || noun for the person ||
 * || hotdesk ||  ||
 * ||  || telecommuter ||
 * mobile working ||  ||   ||
 * || downsize ||  ||

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these working practices? Write short paragraphs or discuss with your partner.

The tapescript and key can be found in the pdf below.