10K+ students - 4.8/5
Learn with a teacher Learning materials included Practise conversation

Reading and listening exercise

Diego Velázquez fue uno de los pintores más importantes de España. Trabajó como empleado en la corte del rey Felipe IV. Su trabajo principal era pintar retratos de la Familia Real y de otras personas importantes. No tenía un gran departamento de arte pero sí algunos ayudantes que le preparaban las herramientas necesarias. Con más ayudantes él habría terminado sus obras más rápido. No se jubiló porque trabajó hasta su muerte en 1660. Hoy sus pinturas se conservan en museos como el Museo del Prado donde muchos empleados cuidan de su legado.

Translation

Diego Velázquez was one of the most important painters in Spain. He worked as an employee at the court of King Philip IV. His main job was painting portraits of the Royal Family and other important people. He didn't have a large department of art but did have some assistants who prepared the necessary tools for him. With more assistants he would have finished his works faster. He did not retire because he worked until his death in 1660. Today, his paintings are preserved in museums like the Prado Museum where many employees take care of his legacy.

Exercise 1: Open conversation questions

Instruction: Discuss the following questions with your teacher using the vocabulary from this lesson, and write down your answers.

  1. ¿Has tenido que despedir a alguien en tu trabajo? ¿Cómo fue esa experiencia?
    2. Have you ever had to fire someone at your job? What was that experience like?
  2. ¿Qué tipo de estudios tienes y cómo te han ayudado en tu trabajo actual?
    3. What kind of studies do you have and how have they helped you in your current job?
  3. ¿Has experimentado algún cambio en tus expectativas laborales desde que comenzaste a trabajar?
    4. Have you experienced any change in your work expectations since you started working?
  4. ¿Conoces a alguien que esté jubilado? ¿Cómo es su vida después del trabajo?
    5. Do you know someone who is retired? What is their life like after work?

Useful websites to study with your teacher

Discuss and read the following resources during your conversation classes.

  1. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez
  2. https://www.museodelprado.es/