Modern offices SPEAKING

Transcription

1 Modern offices ` SPEAKING

2 Content In this lesson, we will look at some creative designs that are changing office dynamics and discuss the differences design can make on a working environment. Learning Outcomes Describe and talk about different office settings. Express viewpoints on how work environment affects us. Comfortably describe your own ideal office space. 1

3 1) cubicles 2) aesthetics 3) flourescent 4) innovative 5) morale 11) inspiring 12) state-of-the-art 13) novel 14) communal 15) conducive 6) cutting edge 7) ergonomic 8) feng shui 9) ecological 10) conservative 2

4 Comfortable Spacious Conventional Relaxed Demanding Fun Equal Stressful Strict 3

5 When most of us think of an office, we picture a conventional space, full of bland cubicles and lit by ugly flourescent lighting. However, new, cutting-edge office design is offering businesses innovative ways in which to transform uninspiring, conservative office aesthetics with novel design ideas and state-of-the art furnishings that are intended to create a more inspiring, relaxed, and communal office atmosphere - which seems to be conducive to creativity and a higher employee morale. Ergonomic working spaces, ecologically-planned interiors with plenty of green, and fun details are making a big difference in new office design. Can feng shui really make a difference in how it feels to come to work? 4

6 With the rise of the start-up, companies are coming up with progressive new office design to attract new recruits and to keep employees happy. Google s offices feature a slide from one floor to the other, plus billiards and video games for employees on break. Inventionland offers tree houses and a mock pirate boat as work stations. Urban Outfitters boasts a hanging garden and lots of green spaces. Zynga offers employees a dog park so that they can bring their pets to work. White Mountain office, in Sweden, is built in an old nuclear shelter and looks like something out of a James Bond movie. Do in-office extras and cool design make a difference in how much people love their job? Does creating a fun, colorful working atmosphere improve productivity? 5

7 Speaking Create a dialog Person A Offices are meant to be functional spaces, not playgrounds. Cubicles actually decrease productivity by keeping employees separated Employees can relax when they get home - their stress level is not their employer s responsibility. Person B A fun, relaxed atmosphere actually leads to more productivity. Offices should not be designed with interaction in mind - they are simply places to get work done. Opportunities to decompress throughout the day will help employees to work better. 6

8 1) What do you think is lacking in conventional office design? What do you think works? What doesn t? 2) Should office spaces reflect a company s culture? Can office design make a difference in employee morale? 3) If you could design and create your own working environment, what would it be like? 7

9 AGREE or DISAGREE? Cutting-edge office design makes employees feel more identified with their company, solidifies a sense of company culture, and makes going to work something to look forward to. 8

10 Vocabulary Recap: 1. ergonomics a science of design intended to make things easier and safer to use 2. conducive making it easier or more likely for something to happen 3. morale the feeling of enthusiam that a person has for a task 4. conservative believing in the value of established practises Replacing conservative office design with innovative, ergonomic offices has shown to be conducive to a better company morale. 9

11 At Google offices, there is free food available within 100 meters of every employee. Along with free haircuts during work hours and complimentary gym memberships, they also offer an in-office library as well as an aquarium. Comvert, in Italy, built its new headquarters in a old movie theater, and transformed the former audience seating area into a skate bowl. Facebook actually polls its employees on what they would like to see in their office space. One of the ideas they implemented was a DJ station. Inventionland employees work in themed sets such as a pirate ship and a medieval castle. The offices feature waterfalls, trees, and 10 butterflies.

12 During our lesson, we discussed what we don t like about traditional office design. Think about your workplace. If your boss came to you and offered to make any changes you suggested, what would you do? Write a list of specific changes, and find the vocabulary you would need to express them in English. Then practise making a short speech to your imaginary boss, telling him what changes you would like to have made and what innovations you would like to see in your workplace. 11

13 Please note Uses of specific vocabulary/spelling morale ergonomic novel feng shui don t confuse with moral (referring to what is right or good)! to make an adjective, add -ally. an adjective meaning new...not to be confused with the noun meaning book! although this word is Chinese, it has recently become very common in 12 English-speaking countries.

14 Speaking What is it like in your county? 1) Can you think of any examples of creative office design in your hometown or country? 2) Do you think employers are becoming more relaxed than, say 50 years ago? 3) Do you think that young people expect better working standards and more perks than the last generation did? 13

15 Speaking What s your opinion? 1) Innovative office planning can strengthen a company s sense of teamwork and culture. 2) Recreational facilities in the workplace can offer a space for employees to decompress. 3) Ergonomic office furniture makes sitting for extended periods at a computer more physiologically healthy. 4) Office perks make employees more motivated. 5) Companies have a higher retention rate when they 14 are concerned about employee welfare.

16 Speaking Employ the following expressions innovative office design ergonomic design typical, conventional office cubicles.can improve productivity office morale is increased by

17 Speaking Pronunciation 1. aesthetics /esˈθet.ɪks/ 2. morale /məˈrɑːl/ 3. innovative ˈ/ɪn.ə.və.tɪv/ 4. ergonomic ˌ /ɜː.ɡəˈnɒm.ɪk/ 5. ecological /iːkəˈlɒdʒɪkl/ 16

18 Speaking True or False 1. Google offices have a slide 2. Cutting-edge companies want their office space to reflect company culture 3. Facebook takes its employees skydiving True False 4. Too many perks can make employees lazy 5. Corporate culture can be fun 6. A relaxed working environment may lead to greater productivity 17

19 Speaking Argue for or against this statement There is no need to re-create traditional offices. Work is work, and employees don t need to be entertained or given special treatment. Pro Most offices don t have the resources to offer so many perks. Work is just that - work. Con It s not necessary to spend a lot of money - creative changes can be made using recycled materials, etc. A better office environment stimulates creativity and ups office morale. 18

20 Speaking Role Play Situation 1 Situation 2 The flourescent lights at work are hurting your eyes but your boss refuses to change them. Your company just added an inoffice video game room, and your colleagues keep playing during work hours. Situation 3 Situation 4 Your company needs to relocate, and you just found an old palace that they could afford. How do you convince your boss? Your friend keeps bragging to you about all the perks in his new job. You re happy for him but it makes you a bit annoyed to have to hear it all the time. 19