Monday, April 15th

A. I would travel to the Moon if I could.  What about you? Understanding the multiple uses of WOULD

There are many useful uses of the word would as it plays various functions in the English language.  Let's explore together its many uses and then we'll play a game

Click on the following link to get to the sheet summarizing the uses of the word WOULD: https://docs.google.com/document/d/128--me9jAU5dZE2KTFi3gJNIReNpJ_M15GOQnePCL9M/edit?usp=sharing

Ready to play the YOU RATHER game and see what people think: What would you rather do...? http://yourather.com/

B. Reading: Arianna Huffington on avoiding burnout at work

Read the following article and we'll discuss in class what does Arianna Huffington advices to avoid a burnout at work: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-14/arianna-huffington-on-burning-out-at-work.  Please pay special attention to the verb tenses used in the article.

Here is another article that contains a lot of colorful vocabulary when speaking about burning out at work....or avoiding it!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2012/07/17/5-ways-to-beat-burnout-at-work/


And now a little bit of humor... 

Explain each of the cartoons in a sentence or two
C. Read the following text, answer the questions below and then you'll do a quick 2 minute presentation on own recipe for a good work-life balance

Work-life balance refers to the balance between a person's career and his personal life. Many people work longer hours and use fewer vacation days, in part because of globalization, outsourcing, and a loss of job security. As a result, employees have less time for personal interests, personal development, and family. Reduced productivity, depression, high levels of stress, and burnout result from such an imbalance.

Although the employee makes the choice to work longer hours, the corporate culture is also responsible. Companies should educate their workers on the importance of a healthy work-life balance. It's also helpful to provide flex time, maternity and paternity leave, telecommuting, or even recreation or exercise facilities. If they don't, people will become money-rich, time-poor.

The reality of the society that we're in is that there are thousands and thousands of people out there leading lives of quiet, screaming desperation, where they work long, hard hours at jobs they hate to enable them to buy things they don't need to impress people they don't like. Thus, it is my belief that going to work on Friday in jeans and a T-shirt isn't really getting to the heart of the issue.

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Comprehension Questions: Answer the questions after reading the article.

1. People work longer hours because they are worried about their jobs.  T / F
2. Employees might ignore personal interests if there is a poor work-life balance. T / F
3. Only the company is responsible for overwork. T/F
4. All employees should have flex time and recreation facilities. T/F
5. Companies should disallow the use of phones and emails during the weekend.  T/F
6. According to the author, dress down days are a good way to achieve work life balance.  T/F

Discussion Points

1. Name 3 things that employers could do to better the work life balance of their employees

2. Name 3 things that employees could do to have a better work life balance without affecting their productivity.
3. Do you agree with the author that says that there are tons of people unhappy doing the things that they do for a living? Please give a few examples of how their unhappiness manifest at work. 

D. Small Pleasures in Life

List 5 things that give you pleasure in life and explain

Watch the following short video and answer the questions below

Answer the following questions:

1. Do you think the film has a message? What’s the message of the film?

2. Do you think we overlook the small things which make life beautiful?

3. How does this reconcile with our theme of Work/Life Balance?

4. What are some of the things that you could do that will allow you to enjoy more the small things in life?