Vocabulary and Grammar

HELP OTHERS, HELP YOURSELF

Interviewer.

Today I introduce you two young people who are both doing voluntary work in the sports sector. There's Liam ['lıəm] Parker, who works at a sports centre. And then there's Debbie Sanford, who now has a paid job. So, Lat am, tell us a bit about your work. Liam. It's really cool! Basically it's a huge space where sports events take place. The building was completely renovated and now we have facilities for urban sports like skateboarding, Parkour...elow we Interviewer. Hang on a moment, can you explain the last?

Liam.

Parkour? It's a way of moving around an urban environment developed from military training. It involves climbing, jumping... Well, everyone's seen it on TV : people jumping off incredibly high buildings, between roofs...

Interviewer.

So what are you involved with?

Liam.

My passion is for BMX biking, and I get people involved in it doing demonstrations. But I also make sure the bikes meet safety standards, check the tracks. I even teach kids the basics of BMX)

Interviewer.

Right, so you've learned a lot of skills?

Liam.

Yeah. At first I was a bit nervous, but now I have no problem giving safety instructions to people. I even had to learn sports-specific first aid in case anyone hurts themselves.

Interviewer.

So that training will be valuable when you come to look for paid work?

Liam.

Sure. I'd like to stay in this sector and find paid work, so my experi- ence will help a lot.

Interviewer. Thank you, Liam. Our other guest has made the jump from voluntary to paid work. Debbie, you've been involved in many sports in your 19, haven't you?

Debbie.

Oh! As a child I played in a football team and I know that this would not be possible without the help of volunteers. So when I had the chance to help others, I did. After getting the Degree, I realised that lots of people are looking for the same job, and I need more experience to compete with them all!

Interviewer.

So you volunteered again?

Debbie.

Yes, I spent a year helping with a volunteering bureau and at vari- ous events including a cricket tournament or a swimming championship.

Interviewer.

Wow, that's a lot of experience! Do you play cricket?

Debbie.

I must say I don't play cricket myself. You don't have to be an expert to volunteer - there are lots of jobs that need doing.

Interviewer.

And now you've finished your degree and you're working...

Debbie.

I wrote my dissertation, and now I manage volunteers for swimming clubs and organise events at a national level. I would never have got the job with-out my volunteering experience.

Interviewer.

And finally, a question for you both. We often recruit volun- teers. Do you ever feel that you should be paid for what you do?

Liam.

Well, of course, it would be nice. But the organisation I help is non- ✓ profit-making and it couldn't pay all the volunteers. At the moment, I'm happy to do what I love and gain experience of dealing with the public.

Liam says that Parkour is…

Liam’s main job is…

Which area did Liam have training in

Why did Debbie volunteer the second time

Which sport did Debbie not volunteer to help with

Debbie and Liam both say that

Specify who it is about

swimming, football, cricket

Specify who it is about

parkour, skateboarding, BMX biking

Specify who it is about

modern dance, tennis, marathon running

to whom do the words belong?

After getting the Degree, I realised that lots of people are looking for the same job