📙 Part 2: Describe a person who loves to do social work

This episode's vocabulary

Administrative (adj.) - relating to the arrangements and work that is needed to control the operation of a plan or organization.

Get a kick out of (sth) (idiom) - if you get a kick out of something, you enjoy it very much.

To keep track (phrase) - to make certain that you know what is happening or has happened to someone or something.

Push on (phrasal verb) - to continue doing something, especially when this is difficult.

Worthwhile (adj.) - useful, important, or good enough to be a suitable reward for the money or time spent or the effort made.

Get into (phrasal verb) - to become interested in an activity or subject, or start being involved in an activity.

Fulfilling (adj.) - making you feel happy and satisfied.

To promote (verb) - to advance someone to a more important rank or position.

Department (noun) - a part of an organization such as a school, business, or government that deals with a particular area of study or work.

Social care (noun) - care by public organizations and private companies for people in society who need special help in order to live comfortably, for example, help with washing or eating.

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Questions and Answers

M: Rory is going to describe a person who loves to do social work. He's going to say who the person is, what the person does, why the person loves to do social work. And he's going to explain how he felt about him or her. Rory, could just start speaking now, please.

R: Well, I can't help but wonder how anyone who doesn't know a social worker is supposed to answer this question. But in this case, we seem to have gotten lucky because as it happens, my sister is a social worker. Her name is Corrine. And I think she works on the administrative side of things more now, since she's a manager and has been for several years now. In my family, just about everyone loves their work. And I think she's no exception to this rule. As well as the opportunity to give back to society, we also have this thing about us, maybe it's genetic, where we all get a kick out of working quite hard. And social work is extremely hard work, there's so much to keep track of, and lots to stay on top of as well. I'm not sure why my feelings about her work are important, since that's her choice. And it's important to respect the choices that people make. But if I'm pushed on it, I would say the same thing I'd say about anyone in my family. I'm quite proud of the work she does. It's worthwhile, and helps other people out of the messes they get into. Which I think would be quite fulfilling, and certainly one of the better ways to spend once time. If she didn't do it, I think people would be worse off than before, since she's obviously quite good at what she does. And well, if she wasn't, then she wouldn't have been promoted to be a manager. And that alone should be justification enough. I can't really imagine her doing anything else, quite frankly. Specifically, she manages a team of social workers. Well, actually, I think it's the whole department, to be honest with you. And so, that's something else that she has to, well, work with. Not just people who need social work and social care, but actual social workers, delivering not herself. So I can only imagine that that's quite challenging.

M: Is anybody from your friends does any social work?

R: Ah, not that I know of. Oh, no. I do know. I know someone who's studying Social Work at university right now. So yes, one of them.

M: Rory, thank you for your answer!

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