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Learning a new job – A2 English Listening Test
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Learning a new job – A2 English Listening Test

Leaving School and Finding an Apprenticeship

The speaker discusses their decision to not attend university due to financial constraints and instead opting for an apprenticeship in a construction company. They highlight the benefits of gaining practical experience while learning different aspects of the industry.

Pursuing an Apprenticeship

  • The speaker's friends went to university, but it was too expensive for them.
  • They felt unhappy seeing their friends having a great time while they had a job at a building company in their hometown.
  • The speaker planned to save money to go to university but came across an apprenticeship opportunity in a magazine at work.
  • They applied for the apprenticeship and got accepted, considering it as the best of both worlds.

Structure of the Apprenticeship

  • The apprenticeship is with a big construction company and lasts for four years.
  • Every four months, the speaker works in a different department, gaining knowledge about each area.
  • Currently in their second year, they have already worked in planning safety, administration, and now environmental departments.
  • Three days per week are spent doing regular office or on-site work, while two days per week involve lectures and classes at the company's offices.

Group Dynamics

  • The company takes on 12 apprentices each year, resulting in approximately 50 apprentices across different year groups.
  • Within the speaker's year group of 12 people, they are divided equally among three departments.
  • In the environmental department where they currently work, there are three other people from their year group.
  • Study days provide opportunities for all 12 people from their year group to meet up and learn together.

Future Plans

  • After completing the training, the speaker has agreed to work for the company for three more years.
  • They have flexibility in choosing which department they want to work in after finishing their training.
  • Planning has been their favorite department so far, and they may consider working in that area.
  • There are also possibilities for international work as the company undertakes projects abroad.
Video description

This is a CEFR A2 English listening test for elementary/pre-intermediate students. You can take the test online and see the transcript and the answers here: https://test-english.com/listening/a2/learning-a-new-job-listening-test/ Listen to Marta talking about her apprenticeship. For questions 1 to 7, choose the correct answer. These are the questions: 1. What did Marta do after leaving school? a. She got a job. b. She went to university. c. She started her apprenticeship. 2. How did she find out about the apprenticeship? a. from a friend b. from a university jobcentre c. from a magazine 3. How many departments does she work in each year? a. three b. four c. five 4. Which department is she working in at the moment? a. administration b. services c. environment 5. How often does she attend lectures? a. one day a week b. two days a week c. three days a week 6. How many apprentices attend her lectures? a. four b. twelve c. fifty 7. Which sentence is NOT true about her plans for after the apprenticeship? a. She must work for the company for four years. b. She is interested in working in planning. c. She would like to work in Indonesia.