Level 3Work

The Reluctant Businessman

Grammar: Conditionals

A Level 3 English lesson exploring work.

workconditionals

What's in this lesson

A Level 3 (intermediate) ESL lesson on work, practising conditionals. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary, a grammar reference with practice and discussion questions.

From the reading: The Reluctant Businessman

"I never wanted to be a businessman," Yvon Chouinard once said. "I still don't." For most people, that would be a strange thing to say. Chouinard is the founder of Patagonia, a company worth around three billion dollars. But for him, the pivotal moment in his career was never about money. It was about a trade-off between freedom and responsibility.

Vocabulary

  • pivotal moment
  • trade-off
  • passion
  • self-made
  • reluctant
  • pursue a passion
  • take the leap
  • conviction

Grammar: Conditionals

Second conditional
If I had more time, I would travel. — if + past simple, would + base verb
Second vs first
If I get the job, I will start Monday. vs If I got the job, I would start

Discussion questions

  1. Have you noticed how some people seem to choose a career, while others just fall into one?
  2. Why do you think so few people walk away from a well-paid job, even if they are unhappy?
  3. Do you think it is possible to build a successful business without wanting to be rich?

The Reluctant Businessman

Grammar: Conditionals

What's in this lesson:

Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.

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