English · Bac pro · B1, with Entry and Stretch tiers

Session 4: 9 to 5: working women

Recap check
  1. Make it polite: Give me the wig.
  2. Complete: ... I add more volume? (offer)
  3. Give one compliment.
Answer key
  1. Could you give me the wig, please?
  2. Shall
  3. For example: I love the way it shines. You look fabulous!
Key question: What is fair and unfair at work?
Document 1 · The film (1980)

9 to 5 was Dolly Parton's first film. She played Doralee, a secretary, with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The three women work in an office for a sexist boss who steals their ideas and refuses to give them a promotion. The title comes from 9to5, an organisation founded in 1973 to fight for equal pay and fair treatment for women in offices.

Document 2 · The song

Dolly wrote the song on the film set. She used her long acrylic nails to imitate the sound of typewriters. The song was number one in the pop and country charts, was nominated for an Oscar and won two Grammy Awards. It became an anthem for office workers.

“Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition”Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 (1980), first lines
“Want to move ahead but the boss won't seem to let me”Dolly Parton, 9 to 5

Watch or listen: Dolly Parton, 9 To 5 (Official Video), DollyPartonVEVO channel

What you need to say

In this session, you need to describe a working day, say what is unfair and say what workers must, should or don't have to do.

To describe routines, we use the present simple with frequency adverbs: She always arrives at nine. To talk about rules and rights, we use have to, must, don't have to, mustn't, should: A boss mustn't steal your ideas.

Words to say it

WordMeaningExample
an office workera person who works in an officeDoralee is an office worker.
a bossthe person in chargeThe boss is sexist.
a promotiona better job in the same companyViolet wants a promotion.
equal paythe same salary for the same workWomen fight for equal pay.
to get creditto be recognised for your workThey never get credit for their ideas.
harassmentrepeated behaviour that upsets or threatens someoneSexual harassment is illegal.
a shifta period of workI work the morning shift.
overtimeextra hours of workOvertime must be paid.
a colleaguea person you work withThe three colleagues become friends.

The teacher's point

Teacher's point · present simple and frequency adverbs; obligation and advice
Teacher script. Read the first lines of the song together and list the routine verbs. Then show the difference between don't have to (it is not necessary) and mustn't (it is forbidden), with examples from the students' own workplaces and work placements.
Present simple for routines
She gets up at seven. She pours a cup of coffee.
Frequency adverbs: before the main verb, after be
always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never: She always works late. The boss is never polite.
have to / must: obligation
Workers have to respect safety rules. You must wear your badge.
don't have to: no obligation
You don't have to work on Sundays.
mustn't: prohibition
A boss mustn't harass his staff.
should: advice
You should talk to a union representative.

Quick check. Choose: You (mustn't / don't have to) work on public holidays, but you can if you want.

Answer keydon't have to

Exercises

1. Routine verbs in the songEntryrecognition

Listen to the beginning of the song. Tick the verbs you hear: tumble, stumble, pour, yawn, stretch, cook, jump, drive.

Answer key

tumble, stumble, pour, yawn, stretch, jump (not cook, not drive)

2. Where does the adverb go?Entryguided

  1. Doralee arrives on time. (always)
  2. The boss says thank you. (never)
  3. Violet is tired. (often)
  4. They work late. (sometimes)
Answer key
  1. Doralee always arrives on time.
  2. The boss never says thank you.
  3. Violet is often tired.
  4. They sometimes work late.

3. Rules at workCoreguided

have to · don't have to · mustn't · should

  1. You ... wear safety shoes in a workshop.
  2. A boss ... steal his employees' ideas.
  3. You ... come in early, but it is appreciated.
  4. If you have a problem, you ... talk to your tutor.
Answer key
  1. have to
  2. mustn't
  3. don't have to
  4. should

4. My working dayCoreyour own production

Write the typical working day of a worker in your pathway (70 words), with five frequency adverbs. Then write three rules for a fair workplace with have to, mustn't and should.

Answer key

Model: I am a sales assistant. I usually start at nine. I always check the shelves first... Rules: Employees have to respect customers. A manager mustn't shout at the staff. Everybody should get credit for good ideas.

Passing the torch

The song 9 to 5 passed from generation to generation: Dolly wrote the songs of a musical version (2008), and the song is still sung by workers and by other artists. What has changed at work since 1980? What is still the same?

Stretch · B1+

Compare 1980 and today: In 1980, women often used to... Today, they still... / no longer... Write 80 words about equal pay and respect at work.

Homework
  1. Learn the vocabulary and the difference between don't have to and mustn't.
  2. Write five rules for a fair workplace in your future job.