Task 1. Read the text and complete the chart. Job 1
Well, you need to be good with people. I’d say that’s the most important thing. And you need to be
really patient. You don’t need any qualifications except languages, of course. The more languages
you speak, the better. The good side of the job is definitely the travelling. I’ve been able to get to
know places I never dreamed of seeing, like Bali and Honolulu. And you meet a lot of nice people
too.
The bad side is that it’s not very well-paid. The salary is quite low compared to other jobs. And the
job itself can sometimes be very stressful. There are nearly always problems – overbooking in
hotels, flight delays, luggage that doesn’t arrive, people wanting to change the rooms and things
like that.
The worst experience I have ever had was this awful customer who spent at least two hours a day
complaining to me, and always about the same things. He complained about the size of the
swimming pool, then about the music in the restaurant, then about the food. Finally, he even
locked me in his room one day to make me listen to his complaints. After that we paid for a plane
ticket for him to go home a week early. He was the worst customer I’ve had.
Job2
I think the most important thing is that you have to love children, and be good at getting on with
them. You do not need any qualifications, you just have to be able to speak a bit of English.
The good side of the job is definitely the children. Although sometimes they are naughty or
difficult, most of the time I really enjoy looking after them. And I have learned a lot of English
talking to them and playing with them. I also have a lot of free time, so I can go to classes, or go
out with my friends at night. The bad side is the parents of children. They are not friendly to me
and they do not get on with each other. They are always arguing. I don’t like them. And I have to
do a lot of housework. Too much.
My worst experience was one night when the phone rang, and I picked it up and said “Hello?” It
was a woman and she thought I was the children’s mother. She said, ‘I’m going to tell you
everything. I’m in love with your husband!’ Then when I explained that I was only the au pair, she
became completely hysterical! That evening, when the wife wasn’t there, I told her husband about
the phone call. First he laughed and said it was a joke, but then he offered me more money. I didn’t
accept it.
1 2
Personal qualities
Abilities/Qualifications
Good side
Bad side
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