Theme 12. The future of work. Lead-in

Work in groups. Share information on how people can use new technology for their work.

Reading and Vocabulary

Task 1. Read the words and give the Russian equivalents.

to pick up the phone iGeneration a part-time job real-world business experience having hundreds of Facebook friends tech savvy; to be tech savvy coworker flexible; workplace flexibility to relate to smb

to manage smth v to send a text message to text message to text smb back to send emails to smb to interact with co-workers to email to found online business paid internship

Task 2. You will now read an article about Gen Y-ers and their way of working.

a) Before reading, discuss in your group the following statements:

“Experts say because members of the iGeneration are so naturally tech savvy, they will do things bigger, better and at a younger age than previous generations.”

b) Do you agree with the experts? Prove your answer.

c) Read the title and subheading of the article. Are there any neologisms?

Reading

Task 3. Read the article. What are the main ideas?

Gen y-ers bring their distinct style of communicating to the job

There probably isn’t a company in America that isn’t wrestling with managing different generations. Baby boomers, Gen X, millennials: they all seem to want something different. Now, here comes the iGeneration, also known as Generation Z, with its own distinct way of walking, talking and working.

Generational expert Cam Marston says: “They will have to get used to email and, God forbid, picking up the cellphone and calling. But at the same time, employers will have to get used to the fact that they may choose to text message even if they’re standing next to you.”

Teens want the workplace to accommodate them — their schedules, opinions and style of interaction — just as their technology does. Yet most are open to the lessons the business world may offer.

Lee Orlinsky, 17, took a part-time job at Einstein’s in Plantation about a year ago, and says he, too, has learned from real-world business experience. He has discovered that having hundreds of Facebook friends doesn’t teach you interpersonal skills and sometimes you have to interact with co-workers and customers “whether you like them or not.” Yet, Lee realizes he brings something to the workplace even the millennial generation doesn’t always offer: “I can relate to the teens that come in.”

Even more, Lee has helped move supervisors toward the style of communication the iGeneration expects. He will text message his supervisor to learn his work schedule for the week or express a conflict or interest in extra hours. “It’s easier for her, she doesn’t have to stop what she’s doing to talk to me,” he said. “She can text me back on her own time.”

Experts say because members of the iGeneration are so naturally tech savvy, they will do things bigger, better and at a younger age than previous generations. Sure, there will be workplace slackers. And then there will be entrepreneurs like Ryan Breslow. At 17, he already has worked for three years at Publix, has secured two paid internships at high-tech marketing firms and has founded three online businesses. C.K.Goodman “The Miami Herald”, 2012

Task 4. Find the answers to the questions in the text.

1. What does Cam Marston do?

2. Is Cam Marston the Gen Y-er? Prove your answer.

3. What has Lee learned from real-world business experience?

4. Why does Lee prefer to text message his supervisor?

5. Is Ryan Breslow a workplace slacker? Prove your answer.

Task 5. Give your opinion on the following topics. Prove your statements. Your partner will agree or disagree with you. Then switch roles.

1. Facebook can teach you interpersonal skills.

2. Members of the iGeneration are obsessed by on-line connectivity.

3. Cellphone is crucial to business communication.

Example:

A. In my opinion, it isn’t very difficult to manage different generations.

B. Sorry, but I couldn't disagree more. In my opinion, . . .

Recommended function

Read Function 16 “HOW TO deal with neologisms” and make the following tasks.

a) How was the word “cellphone” formed? What are the roots of this word?

b) Read the text again, find neologisms and make a list.

c) Look at the list of neologisms. Find denominative verbs. What nouns are these verbs derived from?

d) Look at the list of neologisms. How are these neologisms formed? What words are they derived from?