In this lesson we’re looking at … in English.
Introduction. Add plenty of links
Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes.
– James.
Lesson Contents
Travel vocabulary
jet lag = a disorder that causes insomnia due to changing time zones
time zone = a region of the world that follows a standard uniform time
GMT = the time zone observed in the UK and some of Western Africa
local cuisine = the popular or staple food in a region or country
homesick = the feeling of longing for one’s home during absence from it
language barrier = the inability to communicate due to not sharing a common language
sunburn = a skin irritation due to prolonged exposure to the sun
Create sentences that explore the positive and negative sides of living abroad.
Other words and expressions
shift = periods of work
the HQ = the main offices
copper = a brown metal
can’t stand it = to be unable to tolerate something
guinea pig = a small tailless rodent
lads = male friends
rounds = a serving of alcoholic beverages at a pub
pool = a table game similar to snooker
Order the telephone conversation between Kirsten and her Dad.
Adam Jones in Peru
Adam Jones comes from Cornwall, England, but he now lives and works in Peru. He’s married to a Peruvian woman called Janet, and works as an IT technician in the city of Lima.
Adam says: “I work in Lima, but I live in Cusco which is about a 20-hour drive away. My wife is an English teacher in Cusco, so we can’t move to Lima unfortunately. I work 10-days shifts at my company, and then I get four at home. Being away from Janet really takes its toll. I miss her when I’m at work.
Where he works: I work for a mining company based in Peru. I work in a twelve-person IT team, which is responsible for all the computers and software the company uses. Basically I keep an eye on the network usage, and fix any issues the office workers might have. The company that I work for owns and runs about a dozen mines across Peru. They mine copper, zinc and silver. I don’t actually work near a mine, just at the HQ in Lima.
Why he moved: I moved to Peru when I was 29. I had just separated with my ex and wanted a fresh start. I was working in an office in Cornwall, and I couldn’t stand it. So when my ex and I broke up, it was the last straw and I decided it was time for a change. I stumbled upon an advert for the job online, and I though, why not?
Life in Peru: Well, I couldn’t actually speak Spanish when I arrived in Peru, so the language barrier was a big deal for me. The worst instance was when I was driving to work during my first week, and I was stopped by the police. They were asking me questions and I had no idea how to respond! I don’t think they believed me when I said I couldn’t speak Spanish, because they kept repeating themselves! At work we speak English, so there’s no problem there.
In town there’s not many people that speak English, so I had to communicate mostly with my hands. One lunchtime, I went down to the market in Lima and tried some local meat called Cuy. It tasted really good so I told my co-workers about it. I felt quite sick when they told me that Coy is guinea pig in English.
What he misses: Even after five years I’m still not used to the climate. It gets really hot in Lima. At home in Cusco it’s a bit cooler, but it’s still much hotter than Cornwall! Another thing that I miss, my old friends. The lads I went to school with, and grew up with. I still FaceTime them every now and again, but it’s not the same as meeting up in the pub on a Friday night for a few rounds and a game of pool.”
Answer questions about the vocabulary and information in the text Adam Jones in Peru.
