Original Listening/Reading Specimen Scripts — Vocational AGOrA
These are original scripts written for classroom use — not transcripts of the real copyrighted videos referenced in the progression (BBC, British Council, National Careers Service, TED, etc.), which cannot be reproduced here. Each script is paired below with the real video it stands in for, so you can play the original video in class and use the script only as a back-up (read aloud, or recorded) if the link is unavailable on the day, or as extra practice alongside it. The comprehension questions already in the interactive exercises page work equally well with either.
Assistance a la Gestion des Organisations et de leurs Activites — sector-specific scripts
Listening specimen — A day in the life of an admin assistant
Real video: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/admin-assistant
I work as an administrative assistant for a small charity. My mornings usually start with
checking emails and replying to the most urgent ones first. Then I might spend an hour updating
our database, making sure all our volunteers' contact details are correct. I also help organise
meetings — booking rooms, preparing documents, taking notes during the meeting itself. It's a job
where you need to be very organised, because you're often juggling several small tasks at once. I
really like that every day is a bit different, and that I get to support a cause I actually care
about, not just push paper around.
Listening specimen — Artificial intelligence and the future of office work
Real video: teachingenglish.org.uk/teaching-resources/teaching-secondary/class-plans/intermediate-b1/what-ai
Artificial intelligence tools are increasingly being used in offices to handle tasks that used
to take up a lot of admin staff's time — things like sorting emails, scheduling meetings, or
drafting simple replies. Some experts believe this will free up administrative staff to focus on
more interesting, people-facing parts of the job. Others worry that some entry-level admin roles
could disappear altogether as AI tools improve. Most agree that admin staff of the future will
need at least basic confidence using these new tools, even if they don't need to understand
exactly how the technology works behind the scenes.
Shared scripts (same for every specialty)
Listening specimen — Christmas: UK vs USA
Real video: listeninenglish.com/av034-british-christmas.php (see also: learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/vocabulary/b1-b2-vocabulary/christmas-uk)
Hi everyone! Today I want to talk about Christmas traditions in the UK and the USA, because
although they're similar, there are some real differences.
In the UK, most people open their presents on Christmas morning, not on Christmas Eve. Christmas
dinner usually includes turkey, roast potatoes, and Christmas pudding for dessert. The 26th of
December is called Boxing Day, and it's a public holiday when many people go shopping for the
sales or watch football.
In the USA, Christmas is also a big family celebration, but there's more variation depending on
the region. Some families open presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. Classic dishes
include ham or turkey, and pumpkin pie is very popular for dessert.
Both countries love Christmas lights, carol singing, and of course, Santa Claus — although in
Britain, some people still call him "Father Christmas"!
Listening specimen — Health and safety at work
Real video: youtube.com/watch?v=SPxTs5YG_Ag ("Health and safety", episode 23, English at Work, BBC Learning English)
MANAGER: Morning! Before you start your shift, let's quickly go over the safety rules.
NEW EMPLOYEE: Sure, go ahead.
MANAGER: First, you always need to wear the protective equipment we gave you.
NEW EMPLOYEE: Even for quick jobs?
MANAGER: Yes, always — accidents often happen during "quick jobs" because people skip the rules.
Second, if you notice anything unsafe — a wet floor, a loose cable, broken equipment — you report
it immediately. Don't wait.
NEW EMPLOYEE: Who do I report it to?
MANAGER: Me, or whoever's supervising that day. We take it seriously — better ten false alarms
than one accident. And finally, if there's ever an emergency, the meeting point is just outside,
by the car park.
NEW EMPLOYEE: Got it, thanks.
Listening specimen — Job interview: a weak vs a strong answer
Real video: youtube.com/watch?v=Qhz9dz9lle8 (ep.1) · youtube.com/watch?v=5K8o2nYAA6U (ep.4, bad candidate) · youtube.com/watch?v=NRiaznQevTA (ep.5) — "Job Interview Tips", You're Hired, British Council
BAD CANDIDATE EXAMPLE
INTERVIEWER: So, tell me a bit about yourself.
CANDIDATE: Um, not much really. I don't know, I just need a job.
INTERVIEWER: Okay... and why do you want to work here?
CANDIDATE: My friend said it was easy money.
INTERVIEWER: I see. Do you have any questions for me?
CANDIDATE: No, not really.
GOOD CANDIDATE EXAMPLE
INTERVIEWER: So, tell me a bit about yourself.
CANDIDATE: Of course. I'm currently training in this sector, and I did a work placement last year
where I learned a lot about teamwork and following procedures carefully.
INTERVIEWER: And why do you want to work here specifically?
CANDIDATE: I've heard great things about how this company trains its apprentices, and I'm someone
who really wants to keep learning on the job.
INTERVIEWER: Great. Do you have any questions for me?
CANDIDATE: Yes — what does a typical first month look like for a new trainee?
Listening specimen — A mobility placement abroad (Erasmus+)
Real video: reso-avenirs.onisep.fr/ressources-transversales/la-mobilite-en-voie-professionnelle-avec-erasmus/le-stage-professionnel-en-europe-avec-erasmus ("MecaBoost" mobility project video)
Hi, I'm a student in my final year of a vocational course, and last year I did a five-week work placement
abroad through the Erasmus+ programme.
I was a bit nervous at first — I'd never worked in English before, and everything felt strange for
the first few days. But the team I worked with was really welcoming, and they were patient when I
didn't know a word.
By the end, I could follow instructions in English without translating them in my head first,
which felt like a big step. I also learned to be more independent — I had to sort out my own
accommodation and travel, which taught me a lot about organising myself.
If you're thinking about doing a mobility placement, my advice is: say yes, even if it feels scary
at first. You'll come back more confident, in the language and in yourself.