Retirement & Work Satisfaction

ESL Private Lesson Notes

Retirement Feelings:
- “Some people are very happy to retire, especially if they don’t like their jobs.”
- “I feel sorry for people who count the days until retirement.”
- “They leave and never go back to say hello.”
Enjoying Work at an Older Age:
- “Some people keep working because they love their job.”
- “You can continue working in old age, maybe at a slower pace.”
- “For example, in commercial real estate, I know people in their 70s and 80s who still close deals.”
Finding a New Purpose After Retirement:
- “Some people retire and feel lost. I know a man who sold his successful carpet business.”
- “After sitting around at home, he decided to start an airport driving service because he loves meeting people.”
- “I wouldn’t do that—I don’t like driving, especially in city traffic!”

Traffic Issues:
- “I live in a big city in Brazil, and the traffic is terrible.”
- “Many people own cars, so the streets are always congested.”
Public Transportation:
- “There are buses, but the wait time is long.”
- “It’s frustrating to wait so long for a bus!”
Alternative Transportation:
- “I prefer to take an Uber.”
- “In New York City, many people don’t own cars because they don’t need them.”

Choosing the Right Job:
- “Many people work jobs they don’t like. I would never do that.”
- “You spend so many hours working—why be unhappy?”
- “I believe it’s important to love your job, no matter what it is.”
Teaching as a Passion:
- “I love teaching. It’s rewarding to help people develop new skills.”
- “That’s what makes me feel good—helping others learn.”

Retirement System in the U.S.:
- “In the U.S., workers pay 12.5{3e76333c54b122e6e9695664683ffbf1b68f2e2181d9597fd0081fd6992a73ce} of their salary into Social Security every month.”
- “Their employer matches that, so a total of 25{3e76333c54b122e6e9695664683ffbf1b68f2e2181d9597fd0081fd6992a73ce} goes into their retirement fund.”
- “Many people also have a private pension, which helps them live comfortably after retirement.”
Retirement System in Brazil:
- “In Brazil, workers also contribute to Social Security.”
- “However, some self-employed people don’t pay into it, so they don’t receive benefits.”
- “Some people rely on the church or farming programs for financial help after retirement.”

Changes in Retirement Age:
- “In the U.S., the retirement age used to be 62, then 65, and now they want to raise it to 70.”
- “Why? Because if people die before retirement, the government saves money.”
- “It’s a sad reality.”
Life Expectancy & Work Conditions:
- “Some people live long and healthy lives, but others, especially those with physically demanding jobs, don’t.”
- “Hard work wears you down over time.”

Exercise & Longevity:
- “I don’t do hard physical work, but I go to the gym to stay healthy.”
- “Exercise gives you energy and helps you live longer.”
- “In the U.S., retired people sometimes get free gym memberships.”
Workouts & Energy Levels:
- “A morning workout helps you feel better throughout the day.”
- “Exercise makes a big difference in overall health and energy.”

Travel Plans:
- “I’ve been to New York five times, and I studied English in Toronto for five months in 2001.”
- “I planned to visit New York again in April but changed my plans—I’m going to Turkey instead!”
Solo Travel Programs:
- “I found a travel agency with a good program for solo travelers.”
- “I will visit Istanbul and take side trips to nearby cities.”
Visiting Greece First:
- “I’ll first spend five days in the Greek islands.”
- “After that, I’ll take a ferry from Athens to Turkey.”
Destinations in Turkey:
- “I’ll visit places like Cappadocia, Ephesus, and Pamukkale.”
- “I’m excited about exploring these cities and trying the local food.”

Turkish & Greek Cuisine:
- “I love Greek and Turkish food!”
- “They have dishes like baba ghanoush, hummus, and falafel.”
- “Turkish cuisine uses a lot of lamb cooked over a fire.”
Vegetarian Options:
- “I’m not vegetarian, but I prefer chicken over red meat.”
- “Luckily, Turkish and Greek food have many vegetarian options.”

Using English While Traveling:
- “I will use my English skills during my trip.”
- “Speaking with locals will be great practice.”
How English Speakers React to Mistakes:
- “In the U.S., people don’t care too much about grammar as long as they understand you.”
- “French speakers, on the other hand, are very particular about correct grammar and pronunciation.”

Practice Through Conversation:
- “Speaking in another language is difficult at first.”
- “But practice makes it easier!”
Shadowing Method:
- “One way to improve is by watching a TV show in English with subtitles.”
- “Pause after a sentence and repeat it exactly like the actor says it.”
- “It helps with pronunciation and natural intonation.”

Congested (con-GES-ted) – Full of traffic or too many people.
Autonomous (aw-TON-uh-muhs) – Independent; self-governing.
Pension (PEN-shun) – Money received after retirement.
Self-employed (SELF-em-PLOYD) – Working for oneself instead of an employer.
Commuting (kuh-MYOO-ting) – Traveling regularly between home and work.
Longevity (lawn-JEV-ih-tee) – A long life or duration of something.
Exhausting (eg-ZAW-sting) – Making someone feel very tired.
Side Trip (SYD-trip) – A short visit to a nearby place during a longer trip.
Shadowing (SHA-doh-ing) – A language-learning technique of repeating what you hear.
Extemporaneous (ex-tem-puh-RAY-nee-uhs) – Spoken without preparation.