1 The internship is a well-known starting point for any new graduate looking for their first step onto the career ladder. It’s a great way to get hands-on work experience and a sure sign to any future employer that you have plenty of self-motivation. Many global companies now offer internship programmes. In the USA, Google recruits 3,000 interns in the summer, promising the chance to ‘do cool things that matter’. The Bank of China runs an eight-week programme. In Japan, one software company runs a four-day internship with a cash incentive of ¥100,000. And the ‘Big Four’ audit companies – Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PWC – employ more than 30,000 interns per year in offices in different countries, which may lead to a full-time position later on.
2 It is true that the majority of internships do not come with a cash reward or the promise of a job offer. For many, an internship can mean some unpaid hours spent making coffee and doing someone’s photocopying. However, you have to start somewhere and in most cases, it will benefit you in the long-run. Alongside some menial tasks, you’ll be learning about the professional work environment and meeting future contacts. One key piece of advice when you begin is to let the company know your areas of interest; find out if they can help you improve your performance in certain skills. Companies appreciate when interns show interest in this way and they will reward your enthusiasm with a reference full of praise and recognition of your achievements. This could make all the difference at your first interview for a paid job.
3 Individuals such as freelancers and job-seekers also need to think carefully about their social media image before posting photos and comments online.
📁 br2_004_a2_1.mp3
1 Introduce yourself and use a ‘tag line’, e.g. Hi, I’m Jules from Munich. This can get the conversation started as your colleague can ask a question about your home town or your trip.
2 When your colleague introduces himself/herself, try to repeat his/her name when you reply, or use their name later in the conversation.
3 Break the ice with a comment about a current news story or a remark about the event you’re at, its location and the weather.
4 Avoid these topics of conversation: your health, your private life, gossip. The best conversation topics are sports, books, theatre, movies, food, museums and travel.
5 Keep the conversation flowing by not monopolizing it. Ask a question and really listen to your colleague’s reply.
6 Ask open questions which require more than a one-word answer.
7 Use sounds like hmm and words like Really to indicate that you are listening and interested.
8 Share information about yourself, but keep it positive.
📁 br2_004_a2_2.mp3
Conversation 1
Conversation 2
Conversation 3
Conversation 4
📁 br2_004_a2_3.mp3
Echoing is often done with question tags like this:
It’s cold this morning.
I was stuck in traffic for half an hour near the airport.
That was a long meeting, wasn’t it?
They’ve done a good job with the decorating.
It’s freezing, isn’t it?
It gets so busy around there, doesn’t it?
Yes. I didn’t expect it to last all afternoon. (developing the echo)
Definitely. It looks really good. haven’t they?
The speaker is genuinely asking for information. They’re not sure of the answer.
You’re from Milan, aren’t you?
It’s Kirsten, isn’t it?
The speaker already agrees and is showing interest or inviting the other person to continue.
It’s freezing, isn’t it?
That was a long meeting, wasn’t it?
Use a phrase like Do you know …, Could you tell me …, I’d like to know … before the question. After the phrase, use subject–verb order (not verb–subject).
Where does Mr Elmore work? → Could you tell me where Mr Elmore works?
Use the contracted negative auxiliary: Aren’t you based in Milan? / Didn’t you work for them?
Positive statement → negative tag: It’s hot, isn’t it?
Negative statement → positive tag: You haven’t seen my keys, have you?
Use a phrase like Do you know …, Could you tell me …, I’d like to know … before the question. After the phrase, use subject–verb order (not verb–subject).
Where does Mr Elmore work? → Could you tell me where Mr Elmore works?
Use the contracted negative auxiliary: Aren’t you based in Milan? / Didn’t you work for them?
Positive statement → negative tag: It’s hot, isn’t it?
Negative statement → positive tag: You haven’t seen my keys, have you?
Echo/confirmation tags (Type 2): the speaker already knows the answer and is showing interest or inviting the other person to keep talking. It’s freezing, isn’t it?