A1 Lesson: My First Part-Time Job

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Content Objective: Students follow a teenage girl through a weekend at her first part-time job at a smoothie stand and can talk about a simple work routine.

Language Objective: Students learn to use adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, never) with the simple present tense to describe habits and routines.

---

1. Reading Section

Hi, my name is Nora. I am sixteen years old. I have a part-time job at a smoothie stand. It is my first job, and I love it.

I work on Saturdays and Sundays. I always start at nine o’clock in the morning. I am never late. I usually take the bus to work. Sometimes my dad drives me.

My boss is Mr. Lopez. He is always kind. He often says, “Great job, Nora!”

My coworker is Ben. He is very funny. He sometimes sings at work. Ben often cuts the mangoes. I usually cut the strawberries.

First, I always wash my hands. Then I put on my green apron. I never forget my apron.

Many customers come in the afternoon. They often order the strawberry-banana smoothie. I always smile and say, “Hello! What would you like?”

At twelve o’clock, I take a short break. I usually drink a mango smoothie. It is my favorite.

I am usually tired at the end of the day. But I am always happy at the smoothie stand. I get money for my work. I often buy books with my money.

I love my first job!

---

2. Vocabulary Section

Word / Phrase	Meaning	Example
part-time job	a job where you work only a few hours or days each week	Nora has a part-time job on Saturdays and Sundays.
smoothie stand	a small shop that sells cold fruit drinks	Nora works at a smoothie stand.
boss	the person in charge at work	Nora’s boss is always kind.
apron	a piece of clothing that keeps your clothes clean at work	Nora puts on her green apron.
customer	a person who buys things in a shop	Many customers come in the afternoon.
coworker	a person who works with you	Ben is Nora’s coworker.
order	to ask for food or a drink in a shop or restaurant	Customers often order the strawberry-banana smoothie.
break	a short rest from work	Nora takes a short break at twelve o’clock.

---

3. Example Sentences (Target Grammar in Use)

• I always start at nine o’clock in the morning.
• I usually take the bus to work.
• Sometimes my dad drives me.
• Mr. Lopez is always kind.
• Ben often cuts the mangoes.
• I am never late.

---

4. Grammar Section

Simple Present + Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often we do something. We use them with the simple present tense to talk about habits and routines, like a job or a daily schedule. Remember: add -s to the verb for he, she, and it (Ben often cuts the mangoes).

Adverb	How Often (rough guide)	Example
always	100% (every time)	I always wash my hands.
usually	about 80–90%	I usually take the bus.
often	about 70%	Ben often cuts the mangoes.
sometimes	about 50%	My dad sometimes drives me.
never	0% (not at all)	I never forget my apron.

Where does the adverb go?

• Before most verbs: Nora usually takes the bus.
• After am / is / are: Nora is usually tired at the end of the day.

Quick Tip: “Sometimes” can also start a sentence (Sometimes my dad drives me), but “always” and “never” stay in the middle. Also, “never” already means “not,” so do not use it with “don’t” or “doesn’t.” Say “I never drink coffee,” not “I don’t never drink coffee.”

---

5. Comprehension Questions

A. True or False

1. Nora works on Saturdays and Sundays.
2. Nora always starts work at ten o’clock.
3. Ben often cuts the mangoes.
4. Nora never drinks smoothies at work.

B. Short Answer

5. Where does Nora work?
6. How does Nora usually go to work?
7. Who is always kind?
8. What does Nora often buy with her money?

C. Fill in the Blank

Word Bank: always / usually / sometimes / never (use each word once)

9. Nora ___ starts work at nine o’clock.
10. Nora ___ takes the bus to work.
11. Nora’s dad ___ drives her to work.
12. Nora is ___ late.

---

---

Next lesson: A1 — “The Lost Dog”

Not sure which level fits? Take the free English level test to find out in about ten minutes.