CEFR C1 • Society English
Debating AI in the Workplace: ESL Listening Dialogue (C1)
A C1 English listening dialogue. Two professionals discuss whether AI will replace or empower workers. Use it for listening practice, role play or homework, and generate the audio in a US, UK or Australian accent.
Dialogue Script (2 speakers)
Tariq: I'm genuinely worried that AI will displace millions of office workers within a decade.
Claire: I'd argue it's more likely to augment most jobs rather than replace them.
Tariq: Maybe in creative fields. But roles built on routine tasks, like data entry or basic customer support, are clearly at risk.
Claire: Granted. Yet historically, automation has created more jobs than it destroyed, just different ones.
Tariq: Historically, yes. But the pace of change now is unprecedented. People can't retrain overnight.
Claire: That's a fair point. The transition is the real problem, not the technology itself.
Tariq: So, by and large, we agree the outcome depends on policy.
Claire: Precisely. Without serious investment in retraining, the benefits will be very unevenly shared.
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Key Vocabulary
to automate
To make a process happen by machine.
to augment
To make something bigger or better by adding to it.
to be displaced
To lose your job because of change.
by and large
Generally; on the whole.
Comprehension Questions
- Which jobs does Tariq think are at risk?
- What is Claire's view of AI?
- What do they both think is essential?
Tip: after you generate the audio, open its Lesson view for a printable transcript, vocabulary list and quiz with answers.
How to Use It in Class
- Before listening: pre-teach the key vocabulary and ask students to predict what happens.
- First listen: students answer the comprehension questions without the script.
- Second listen: give out the script and have students underline useful phrases.
- Speaking: pairs role-play the dialogue, then change one detail and improvise.
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