Vocabulary: Thematic & Topical Vocabulary (A2) - Lesson 2: Jobs & Occupations

Lesson 2: Jobs & Occupations

What Do You Do?

When you meet a new person, after learning their name, you might ask about their job or occupation. Talking about what you do for work is a very common part of adult conversation. This lesson will teach you the English words for some important jobs, especially those you might see in a city like yours.

Word Bank: Common Jobs

• Job (noun) | ការងារ
  The work that a person does regularly to earn money.
• Occupation (noun) | មុខរបរ
  A more formal word for a person's job or profession.
• teacher (noun) | គ្រូ
  A person who teaches students in a school.
  Example: "My English teacher is very kind."
• student (noun) | សិស្ស
  A person who is learning at a school or university.
  Example: "My brother is a student."
• doctor (noun) | គ្រូពេទ្យ
  A person who treats people who are sick or hurt.
  Example: "You should see a doctor."
• farmer (noun) | កសិករ
  A person who grows food like rice and vegetables.
  Example: "The farmer works in the rice fields."
• tour guide (noun) | មគ្គុទ្ទេសក៍
  A person who shows tourists around places like Angkor Wat.
  Example: "Our tour guide was very friendly."
• driver (noun) | អ្នកបើកបរ
  A person who drives a vehicle like a car or tuk-tuk.
  Example: "The tuk-tuk driver took us to the market."
• cook / chef (noun) | ចុងភៅ
  A person who prepares and cooks food in a restaurant.
  Example: "The chef at this restaurant is famous."

Usage Note: Asking About Someone's Job

To ask about someone's job, we do not usually say, "What is your job?". It is not natural.

The most common and polite question is: "What do you do?"

To answer, you can say: "I am a/an + [Job Title]."

• "What do you do?" ➞ "I am a teacher."
• "What does she do?" ➞ "She is an engineer."

In Conversation

Maria is meeting Bora's friend, Srey, for the first time.

Maria: Hello Srey, it's nice to meet you. What do you do?

Srey: I am a teacher. I teach English to young students. What about you?

Maria: I am a writer. I am visiting Cambodia to write a book. I have a tour guide who helps me.

Srey: That sounds interesting! My father is a driver. He drives a tuk-tuk for tourists.

Maria: I love the tuk-tuk drivers here! My brother is a chef in Brazil. He loves to cook.

Srey: A chef! That is a great occupation.

Check Your Understanding

1. A person who shows tourists around Angkor Wat is a ______.
   • a) doctor
   • b) farmer
   • c) tour guide
   Answer: c) tour guide

2. What is the most natural way to ask about someone's job?
   • a) What is your job?
   • b) What do you do?
   • c) Are you a job?
   Answer: b) What do you do?

3. If you are sick, you should see a ______.
   • a) teacher
   • b) driver
   • c) doctor
   Answer: c) doctor

Your Mission

1. My Job / Future Job: Write one sentence about your job or what you want to be in the future. (e.g., "I am a student." or "I want to be a doctor.")
2. People I Know: Think about your family and friends. What are their jobs? Write two sentences. (e.g., "My father is a farmer. My friend is a chef.")
3. Speak: Your mission is to ask a friend or classmate, "What do you do?". Be ready to answer the question about yourself, too!