Comparing British and Japanese work culture

Everyday English Conversations

A printable worksheet for conversation-based English lessons.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Comparing British and Japanese work culture

Warm-up

Have you ever worked with people from another country? (Yes, I have. I worked with...)

Vocabulary Match

overtime •• harmony
initiative •• dedication
independently •• extra work
commitment •• action
balance •• alone
efficiency •• quickness

Vocabulary Answers

overtimeextra work
initiativeaction
independentlyalone
commitmentdedication
balanceharmony
efficiencyquickness

Conversation

Fill in the blanks with words from above.

Yuki and Emma discuss the differences between British and Japanese work cultures, focusing on work-life balance, teamwork, and meeting styles.
Yuki:Hi, Emma. I've been reading about British work culture. How does it compare to Japan?
Emma:Hi, Yuki. Well, in the UK, having a good work-life ________ is important. People usually leave work on time.
Yuki:That sounds nice. In Japan, many people do long hours. It's quite normal to stay late to show ________.
Emma:Yes, I've heard that. In the UK, ________ isn't so common. People really value their personal time.
Yuki:I see. In Japan, teamwork matters a lot. We usually make decisions together.
Emma:That's interesting. In the UK, people are encouraged to take ________. A lot of work is done ________.
Yuki:That's quite different. Do British companies have as many meetings as we do in Japan?
Emma:We have meetings too, but they're usually shorter. ________ helps keep things balanced.
Yuki:Hi, Emma. I've been reading about British work culture. How does it compare to Japan?
Emma:Hi, Yuki. Well, in the UK, having a good work-life balance is important. People usually leave work on time.
Yuki:That sounds nice. In Japan, many people do long hours. It's quite normal to stay late to show commitment.
Emma:Yes, I've heard that. In the UK, overtime isn't so common. People really value their personal time.
Yuki:I see. In Japan, teamwork matters a lot. We usually make decisions together.
Emma:That's interesting. In the UK, people are encouraged to take initiative. A lot of work is done independently.
Yuki:That's quite different. Do British companies have as many meetings as we do in Japan?
Emma:We have meetings too, but they're usually shorter. efficiency helps keep things balanced.

Quiz

  1. What is important in British work culture?
  2. How do Japanese people show commitment at work?
  3. What do British people value about their personal time?
  4. How are meetings different in the UK compared to Japan?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. A good work-life balance is important.
  2. By staying late at work.
  3. They value having personal time.
  4. Meetings in the UK are usually shorter.

True or False

  1. Yuki thinks British people work long hours. T F
  2. Emma says British people often work independently. T F
  3. Yuki believes teamwork is important in Japan. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. True

Discussion

  1. What is your ideal work schedule?
  2. Do you prefer working in a team or independently?
  3. How do you balance work and personal life?
  4. What do you think about having long meetings?
  5. What's your favorite way to relax after work?

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