PREVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.

Should You Follow Your Passion? (C1)

PAGE 1

Define "passion" in your own words. Then read the quotes below about passion. Which one
PART 1
do you agree with the most? Why?

3
1

“ When you catch a glimpse “ Just because you’re passionate

about something doesn’t mean
of your potential, that's Passion you won’t suck at it.”
when passion is born." ~ Mike Rowe
~ Zig Ziglar

“ Follow your passion. It will

lead you to your purpose."
~ Oprah Winfrey

PART 2 Discuss the questions below about passion.

1 What are some ways that people can find their passion in life?
2 To what extent do you think having passion for one's work ensures success?
3 Do you think people should follow their passion when it comes to making
a living or choosing a career? Why or why not?

PART 3 Which 3 factors below are/were the most important to you when choosing a career?

1 Passion for the work 6 Geographic location

2 Financial stability 7 Opportunity for growth & advancement
3 Market demand 8 Flexibility & Autonomy
4 Aptitude or skill level 9 Another (specify):
5 A sense of purpose

Compare your choices with a classmate/your teacher. Explain your choices.

SHOULD YOU FOLLOW Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.
YOUR PASSION? Should You Follow Your Passion? (C1)
PAGE 2

PREVIEW DISCUSSION

When it comes to your work/studies, are you following

your passion? If so, describe how your passion led you to
this field. If not, what led you to the field you’re in now?

VIEWING ACTIVITY

PART 1 What realizations did Mike come to when watching the two TV programs below?

1 The Oscars 0:25 2 American Idol 1:00

PART 2 Discuss/Write short answers according to the information in the video. (1:42 - 3:30)

1:42 1 What does Mike say about “dream jobs”?

2:14 2 What story has Mike heard from various

tradesmen regarding their career path?

2:56 3 What does Mike say about the current

job market and the skills gap?

PART 3 Summarize/Paraphrase Mike's personal story about following his passion. (3:30 - 4:26)

PART 4 Write the adjectives Mike uses in his quote below. (4:26 - end)

“ At the time, this felt to everything I believed about the importance of 'passion'
and persistence and 'staying the course.' But of course, he was right. Because 'staying the course'
only makes sense if you’re headed in a direction. And while passion is way too
important to be without, it is way too to follow around. Which brings us to the
final 'Dirty Truth': Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you."
VIEWING FOLLOW-UP Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.
Should You Follow Your Passion? (C1)
PAGE 3

PART 1 What do Mike's quotes mean below? To what extent do you agree/disagree with each one?

1
“ Passion is way too fickle to follow around." ?
2
“ Your happiness on the job has very little to do with the work itself."

Discuss: Overall, what do you think about Mike's philosophy on not following your passion
for a career? To what extent does his philosophy resonate with you?

Read the dialogue below between the career coach, Isaac, and his client, Elisa. Define each
PART 2
phrasal verb in bold in your own words.

ISAAC: Hi Elisa. What brings you here today?

ELISA: Well, I've been mulling over some different career options but I'm a bit stuck. I've narrowed
down my paths to either data analysis, software development, or computer programming.

ISAAC: I think those are all fruitful career aspirations. Let's break everything down. First of all, what is
your inclination? Do you find yourself leaning towards one more than the others?
ELISA: Well, I'm most passionate about computer programming, so I do lean towards that one. But I
don't want to miss out on opportunities in data analysis or software development, especially if
there is higher demand in those fields.

ISAAC: Ok, I see. And what's your level of aptitude in each of these three fields? Which one meshes
with your skills and background the most?

ELISA: My dilemma is that all of them mesh with my skills and background, which is
why I'm teetering between all of them equally. I can't really put my finger on
which one to pursue. What would you suggest in my case?

PART 3 Discuss the questions below.

1 If you were the career coach, what strategies could you use to help Elisa narrow
down her three options to just one?

2 Have you ever teetered between different career, work, or study options and
struggled to decide, like Elisa? If so, what helped you decide?

3 Elisa expresses concern about missing out on opportunities in certain fields due
to higher demand. How much weight should one give to job market demand when
making career decisions?
CAREER COMPASS: NAVIGATING Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.
NEW & ALTERNATIVE PATHS Should You Follow Your Passion? (C1)
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STEP 1 • Imagine you’re exploring new/alternative career paths.

• Contemplate and write 3 potential careers. Think of ones you're passionate
about, you could see yourself doing, or would be a strong fit for you.

1 2 3

STEP 2 Take one of the roles below and do the role play. Then switch roles and repeat.

STUDENT A: CLIENT STUDENT B: CAREER COACH

You’re contemplating new or alternative career Your client is contemplating new or

paths but you’re struggling to decide which one. alternative career paths but they’re
Tell your career coach about these paths and struggling to decide which direction to
why you chose each. Make a decision. Use take. Guide them and help them find the
some of the phrases / phrasal verbs below: right one. Use some of the nouns below:

USE: mull over teeter between USE: passion inclination

miss out on narrow down aptitude demand
mesh with aspirations

STEP 3 Reflect on your role plays. Discuss the questions below.

1 Which career did you end up deciding on? How did you and your career coach
narrow them down and decide on that one?

2 How easy / hard was it to come up with a decision? Explain.

3 How confident would you feel if you actually pursued the career you chose? What
would be your first steps towards pursuing this new career?
QUIZ & REVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.
Should You Follow Your Passion? (C1)
PAGE 5

PART 1 Answer each question below according to the information in the video.

1 What realizations did Mike come to when watching the Oscars and American Idol?
2 What does Mike say about “dream jobs”?
3 What story has Mike heard from various tradesmen regarding their career path?
4 What does Mike say about the current job market and the skills gap?
5 Summarize/Paraphrase Mike's personal story about following his passion.

PART 2 Finish writing Mike's quotes from the video below.

1
“ Passion is way too... "
2
“ Your happiness on the job has very little... "

PART 3 Complete the dialogue below using phrasal verbs. Write each one in the correct form.

MATIAS: Hi Helga. What brings you here today?

HELGA: I've been some different career options, but I'm struggling a bit. I've
my choices to either graphic design, marketing, or content writing.

MATIAS: Interesting options! Let's dive in, and we'll start with your inclination. Do you find yourself
one more than the others?

HELGA: Well, I'm most drawn to content writing. But I don't want to potential
opportunities in graphic design or marketing, especially if they offer more stability.

MATIAS: Got it. Now let's consider your aptitude. Which field do you think your
skills and background?

HELGA: Honestly, they all mesh quite well with what I've done before, which is why I'm
them. I can't seem to decide which direction to go in. Any advice for me?

LESSON REFLECTION:
REFLECTION

Discuss the questions below about the lesson.

1 Did you learn or use any new vocabulary, phrases, etc. in this lesson? If so, what?
2 Did you learn anything new in this lesson about career paths or following your passion?
3 What did you enjoy about the lesson?
4 Is there anything you found difficult about the lesson?