ESL WORKSHEET - An interview with a lifeguard

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

LIFEGUARDS

LinguaHouse

Aug. 13, 2020

Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
Type of language: General English
Tags: Work; Sport and Fitness; Emergency Services; People and Places; Situation Based; Vocabulary and Grammar; Modal Verbs
Publication date: 08/13/2020

This lesson is based on a graded interview with a lifeguard. The worksheet focuses on vocabulary development, grammar (modal verbs of ability), and speaking.

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Interviewer: Sally, where do you work?
Sally: I’m a lifeguard and coach at a private sports club in New York. The club has a pool, a gym and a spa. We have about 250 members of all ages.
Interviewer: How long have you been working as a lifeguard?
Sally: I originally trained as a lifeguard when I finished school, about seven years ago. I really just wanted to work and save money while I decided if I wanted to go to college. But I loved the job so much, I never stopped! And for the last three years, I’ve also been working as a swimming and diving instructor.
Interviewer: What do you do on a typical day at work?
Sally: On any particular day, I’ll be sent to work in one area in the club, like the pool, gym or reception. So, what I do can be very different from day to day, and that’s one thing I like about the job.
Interviewer: What else do you like about the job?
Sally: I also like the social aspect, dealing with people the whole time - people who enjoy doing water sports or kids who are learning to swim. I like being able to help people learn or improve a skill that could save their lives. The club has a relaxed friendly atmosphere and some of the members are like a second family to me.
Interviewer: What do you dislike about the job?
Sally: It can be boring, especially when you are watching the pool at quiet times. That can be dangerous because it’s hard to stay focused when there’s not much happening. Busy times are more interesting - I feel more useful.
Interviewer: What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a lifeguard?
Sally: Obviously, there’s more work in the summer, and it’s hard to make money in the winter. So, get qualified in as many areas as you can, because employers like to hire people who can work in more than one area in the club. If you can teach fitness classes or do personal training as well as lifeguarding, then you’ll be able to find work more easily.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/lifeguards. Accessed on April 23, 2025. LinguaHouse.com © 2008–2025. All rights reserved.