Speaking vocabulary
Work and careers
Use these expressions to speak more precisely about work and careers. Learn the meaning from context, then make your own example rather than memorising a complete answer.
Original practice material · Draft: editorial review pending
career progression
- Meaning: movement towards more responsibility or better work opportunities.
- Example: The role offers training and a clear path for career progression.
- Context: work and careers. Use the phrase to describe.
- Use “career progression” naturally in one sentence about work and careers.
- Check the words around the phrase in the example; change pronouns and verb forms to fit your sentence.
transferable skills
- Meaning: abilities useful in different jobs or situations.
- Example: Customer service helped me develop transferable skills such as listening.
- Context: work and careers. Use the phrase to explain.
- Use “transferable skills” naturally in one sentence about work and careers.
- Check the words around the phrase in the example; change pronouns and verb forms to fit your sentence.
a supportive manager
- Meaning: a manager who gives useful help and encouragement.
- Example: A supportive manager explains expectations and listens to concerns.
- Context: work and careers. Use the phrase to compare.
- Use “a supportive manager” naturally in one sentence about work and careers.
- Check the words around the phrase in the example; change pronouns and verb forms to fit your sentence.
a manageable workload
- Meaning: an amount of work that can reasonably be completed.
- Example: We need a manageable workload to maintain quality.
- Context: work and careers. Use the phrase to give an example.
- Use “a manageable workload” naturally in one sentence about work and careers.
- Check the words around the phrase in the example; change pronouns and verb forms to fit your sentence.
professional development
- Meaning: learning that improves your ability to do your job.
- Example: I set aside an hour each week for professional development.
- Context: work and careers. Use the phrase to qualify an opinion.
- Use “professional development” naturally in one sentence about work and careers.
- Check the words around the phrase in the example; change pronouns and verb forms to fit your sentence.
job satisfaction
- Meaning: a feeling of enjoyment or fulfilment from work.
- Example: Helping customers solve problems gives me job satisfaction.
- Context: work and careers. Use the phrase to discuss effects.
- Use “job satisfaction” naturally in one sentence about work and careers.
- Check the words around the phrase in the example; change pronouns and verb forms to fit your sentence.
Practise your answer
Use the existing speaking practice tools, or type instead. This is practice feedback, not an IELTS band score.
up to 45 seconds practice.