Getting Started
Our parents’ jobs
Lan: Come in, Mark. Did you find my place easily?
Mark: Yes, I actually met your dad in the street and he showed me the way. He said he was on his way to work.
Lan: That's right. My dad is a factory worker, so he works in shifts. Today he's on the night shift.
Mark: Working night shifts must be really hard. When does he sleep?
Lan: He goes to bed right after he comes home in the morning when there's no one at home. My mum's usually at work then. She teaches at a primary school.
Mark: Working with kids must be fun.
Lan: Yes, she loves her job though teaching can be tiring. Getting up in front of the class and putting up a performance every day seem so stressful.
Mark: I agree. My mum used to be a teacher, but she gave up her job to look after me and my brother.
Lan: How about your dad?
Mark: He has a nine-to-five job. He's an accountant at a bank.
Lan: Working with numbers must be difficult.
Mark: Yes, but it's not just numbers. You need to learn so many regulations and build good working relationships with clients.
Lan: I guess he often goes on business trips.
Mark: Not really, but he works overtime. He sometimes comes back home when I'm already in bed.
Lan: You're good at maths, so you should follow in his footsteps.
Mark: Definitely not. Neither I nor my brother wants to become an accountant. I'm interested in computer programming because it opens up so many job opportunities. What about you, Lan?
Lan: Well, I love working with children, so I want to become a primary school teacher like my mum.
Mark: Didn't you say last year you wanted to become a scientist?
Lan: (laughing) Yeah…