Từ vựng IELTS Listening chủ đề tuyển dụng kèm luyện tập

Nhiều thí sinh IELTS “biết nghĩa nhưng không nghe ra” từ vựng quen thuộc. Bài viết này cung cấp bộ từ vựng trọng tâm cho IELTS Listening và chuỗi luyện phân đoạn từ - Ear Training để người học nhận diện từ ở tốc độ tự nhiên. Chủ đề “tuyển dụng” đóng vai trò khung ngữ cảnh giúp từ vựng xuất hiện chân thực, sát đề thi.

Nền tảng khoa học

Người học IELTS band 5.0–6.0 không chỉ gặp khó khăn với từ mới mà còn thường xuyên “biết nghĩa nhưng không nghe ra được” từ quen thuộc trong dòng lời nói liên tục. Vấn đề này liên quan trực tiếp đến lexical segmentation (LS) – khả năng xác định ranh giới từ trong chuỗi âm thanh tự nhiên [1]. Khi LS chưa được tự động hoá, người học dễ bỏ lỡ “khối xây” cơ bản, khiến các bước xử lý cao hơn như phân tích cú pháp, xây dựng diễn ngôn và suy luận ý nghĩa bị gián đoạn [2].

Nhiều nghiên cứu cho thấy aural vocabulary (nhận diện từ ở dạng nghe) dự báo điểm nghe tốt hơn written vocabulary. Vốn từ vựng nhìn chung có tương quan mạnh với thành tích nghe, nhưng năng lực nghe ra từ mới là biến số dự báo gần nhất với kết quả bài thi [3], [4]. Các nhiệm vụ nhắm đích LS như paused transcription hay partial dictation cũng cho thấy hiệu quả cao, bởi người học thường chỉ xác định đúng khoảng 2/3 số từ quen thuộc nếu chưa được huấn luyện LS [5], [6].

Từ góc độ nhận thức, khi LS trở nên tự động, lượng tài nguyên trí nhớ làm việc cần thiết cho giải mã giảm xuống, từ đó giải phóng năng lực để dự đoán, suy luận và theo dõi mạch diễn ngôn. Theo lý thuyết tải nhận thức, dòng lời nói tự nhiên với hiện tượng nối âm và rút gọn dễ gây quá tải nếu người học chưa tách được ranh giới từ [7], [8]. LS hiệu quả làm đầu vào “sạch” hơn, cho phép kết hợp xử lý từ dưới lên và từ trên xuống, cuối cùng nâng cao hiểu biết tổng thể [1], [2].

Chuỗi bài viết được thiết kế theo mô hình ba bước: Vocabulary → LS Ear Training → Exam Focus. Trước hết, học viên được mở rộng vốn từ vựng theo chủ đề IELTS ở mức B1–B1+ và sử dụng lại các từ này trong các bài tập LS như word counting (đếm từ để cảm nhận ranh giới), word-position spotting (xác định vị trí từ mục tiêu trong dòng âm thanh) và partial dictation (chép chính tả khuyết từ để buộc nhận diện từ ở dạng nghe) [5]. Cách tiếp cận này giúp người học không chỉ “biết nghĩa” mà còn nghe ra từ ở tốc độ tự nhiên [6] trước khi áp dụng vào các bài luyện Exam Focus được thiết kế theo định dạng IELTS.

Để tối ưu hóa hiệu quả tiếp thu, người học nên có kiến thức cơ bản về IPA hoặc khả năng phân biệt âm vị và âm tiết ở mức B1. Các chủ đề được lựa chọn gần gũi, độ khó vừa phải, nhằm tạo “thử thách hợp lý” – không quá dễ khiến nhàm chán, cũng không quá khó gây nản chí [7]. Đối với giáo viên, cấu trúc nhiệm vụ được xây dựng thành các bước rõ ràng, giúp họ dễ dàng điều chỉnh tốc độ, độ dài và tần suất đầu vào phù hợp với từng lớp học [8].

Từ vựng chủ đề Tuyển dụng và xin việc

A: Application Process

B: Employment Terms

Đọc thêm:

• Chủ đề từ vựng thường xuất hiện trong IELTS Listening - Mini series 1: Section 1

• Chủ đề từ vựng thường xuất hiện trong IELTS Listening - Mini series 2: Section 2

• Chủ đề từ vựng thường xuất hiện trong IELTS Listening - Mini series 3: Section 3

• Chủ đề từ vựng thường xuất hiện trong IELTS Listening - Mini series 4: Section 4

Luyện tập

Bài tập từ vựng

Exercise 1 – Nối định nghĩa

Set 1: Application Process

Set 2: Employment Terms

Exercise 2: Điền từ

Complete the sentences using the correct word from the list.

application, attend, confident, skills, experience, training, contract, demanding, manage, system

1. Every candidate must submit an online __________ before the deadline.

2. Please __________ the orientation session tomorrow morning in the staffroom.

3. You should feel __________ when speaking during the interview.

4. The job requires technical __________ as well as teamwork ability.

5. Previous work __________ in customer service will be an advantage.

6. All new staff must complete safety __________ before starting work.

7. She signed a one-year __________ with the company.

8. Working in the bakery during peak hours can be quite __________.

9. Supervisors are expected to __________ both staff and equipment.

10. The locker __________ is easy to use and keeps belongings secure.
    

Exercise 3 – Nối kết hợp từ

Match the words in Column A with their most natural collocation in Column B.

Part B. Ear Training

Task 1 – Nghe và đếm từ

Listen and count how many words are in each sentence.

1. ___ words

2. ___ words

3. ___ words

4. ___ words

5. ___ words

6. ___ words

7. ___ words

8. ___ words

9. ___ words

10. ___ words

Task 2 – Xác định vị trí từ

Listen and identify the position of the target word.

1. Target word: application

2. Target word: interview

3. Target word: training

4. Target word: contract

5. Target word: safety

6. Target word: shift

7. Target word: confident

8. Target word: suitable

9. Target word: responsible

10. Target word: skilled

Task 3 – Nghe và xác định từ

Listen and follow the specific instruction for each sentence.

1. Write the last NOUN you hear.

2. Write the second VERB you hear.

3. Write all the ADJECTIVES you hear.

4. Write the first NOUN you hear.

5. Write the third VERB you hear.

6. Write all the ADJECTIVES you hear.

7. Write the first VERB you hear.

8. Write the last NOUN you hear.

9. Write the second NOUN you hear.

10. Write the third ADJECTIVE you hear.

Task 4 – Chép chính tả một phần

Fill in the missing words.

1. “Please complete the ___ ___ before Friday.”

2. “You must provide at least ___ ___.”

3. “All staff must attend the ___ ___.”

4. “Be sure to sign the ___ ___.”

5. “Always follow the ___ ___.”

6. “I’m working the ___ ___ this week.”

7. “Supervisors will ___ your ___.”

8. “Only ___ ___ can handle this.”

9. “Everyone must attend the ___ ___.”

10. “We want you to ___ ___ at work.”

Part C. Exam Focus

Section 1

Questions 1–10

Complete the form below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Job Application Form – Greenway Supermarket

1. Full name: __________

2. Contact number: __________

3. Email address: __________

4. Previous work experience in: __________

5. Key skill highlighted: __________

6. References will be sent by: __________

7. Candidate can work evening __________

8. Starting salary is £________ per hour

9. Interview day: __________

10. Interview time: __________

Section 2

Questions 11–20

Complete the notes below.

Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Recruitment and Employment Notes

11. All candidates must submit an __________ online.

12. The next stage is the __________.

13. Be ready to discuss your skills and previous __________.

14. __________ is valued as much as past work.

15. Every applicant must provide two __________.

16. Staff usually start with a __________ contract.

17. After three months, it may become __________.

18. Starting __________ is £11.50 per hour.

19. Staff receive store discounts and protective clothing as __________.

20. During probation, __________ is closely assessed.

Answer Keys

Vocabulary Exercises

Exercise 1 – Matching Definitions

Set A – Application Process

1. application → h. đơn xin việc

2. interview → b. buổi phỏng vấn

3. references → j. người tham chiếu

4. qualified → f. đủ điều kiện

5. confident → g. tự tin

6. skills → c. khả năng/kỹ năng

7. experience → d. kinh nghiệm

8. communication → i. sự giao tiếp

Set B – Employment Terms

1. contract → e. hợp đồng

2. salary → a. lương

3. benefits → h. quyền lợi

4. permanent → f. lâu dài

5. temporary → g. tạm thời

6. workplace → j. nơi làm việc

7. shift → c. ca làm việc

8. safety → d. an toàn

Exercise 2 – Gap-Fill Sentences

1. application

2. interview

3. required

4. attend

5. submit

6. references

7. qualified

8. confident

9. communication

10. training

Exercise 3 – Collocations

1. submit an application

2. attend an interview

3. provide references

4. highly qualified

5. confident manner

6. relevant experience

7. strong communication skills

8. permanent contract

9. safety equipment

10. demanding job

Ear Training

Task 1 – Word Counting

1. 8

2. 6

3. 8

4. 7

5. 8

6. 8

7. 6

8. 5

9. 7

10. 8

Task 2 – Word-Position Spotting

1. application → 3rd word

2. interview → 2nd word

3. training → 6th word

4. contract → 6th word

5. safety → 5th word

6. shift → 4th word

7. confident → 2nd word

8. suitable → 6th word

9. responsible → 3rd word

10. skilled → 6th word

Task 3 – Targeted Spot & Position

1. last noun → position

2. second verb → attend

3. adjectives → permanent, temporary

4. first noun → contract

5. third verb → manage

6. adjectives → suitable, confident

7. first verb → apply

8. last noun → equipment

9. second noun → training

10. third adjective → demanding

Task 4 – Partial Dictation

1. application form

2. two references

3. training session

4. employment contract

5. safety rules

6. evening shift

7. supervise tasks

8. skilled staff

9. induction training

10. feel confident

Exam Focus

Section 1 (Form Completion)

1. Carter

2. 0792485614

3. amelia.carter92@gmail.com

4. bookstore

5. communication

6. email

7. shifts

8. £11.50

9. Wednesday

10. 10 a.m.

Section 2 (Note Completion)

11. application

12. interview

13. experience

14. training

15. references

16. temporary

17. permanent

18. salary

19. benefits

20. communication

Audio Scripts

Part B. Ear Training

Task 1 – Word Counting

1. “I filled in the application form last night.”

2. “She attended the interview with confidence.”

3. “All new staff must complete their training programme.”

4. “The temporary contract will last three months.”

5. “Always follow the safety rules in the workplace.”

6. “You will work the afternoon shift this week.”

7. “He felt confident during the assessment.”

8. “Candidates must provide suitable references.”

9. “Each employee is responsible for their duties.”

10. “We need skilled workers to operate the equipment.”

Task 2 – Word-Position Spotting

1. “I submitted the application this morning.”

2. “Your interview will take place tomorrow.”

3. “Training sessions happen every Friday.”

4. “The permanent contract was signed yesterday.”

5. “Please follow the safety instructions carefully.”

6. “This is your first evening shift.”

7. “She is very confident when speaking.”

8. “They offered me a suitable position.”

9. “I am responsible for checking the stock.”

10. “The skilled technician repaired the machine.”

Task 3 – Targeted Spot & Position

1. “She applied for the position yesterday.”

2. “You must attend the training session.”

3. “The permanent and temporary contracts are available.”

4. “The contract starts next Monday.”

5. “Managers assess and manage staff performance.”

6. “Only suitable and confident candidates are selected.”

7. “We usually apply online first.”

8. “New equipment was installed last week.”

9. “The training course lasts two weeks.”

10. “It is a very demanding job.”

Task 4 – Partial Dictation

1. “Please complete the application form before Friday.”

2. “You must provide at least two references.”

3. “All staff must attend the training session.”

4. “Be sure to sign the employment contract.”

5. “Always follow the safety rules.” ()

6. “I’m working the evening shift this week.” ()

7. “Supervisors will supervise your tasks.”

8. “Only skilled staff can handle this.” ()

9. “Everyone must attend the induction training.” ()

10. “We want you to feel confident at work.” ()

Part C. Exam Focus

Section 1 – Form Completion (Q1–10)

Audio Script (~1500 words)

HR OFFICER: Good morning, Human Resources at Greenway Supermarket, Martin speaking. How can I help you today?

CANDIDATE: Hi Martin. Yes, I saw the job vacancy for customer service assistants on your website, and I’d like to apply.

HR: Wonderful. You’ve come through to the right place. Before we can schedule an interview, I’ll just need to collect a few details for your application. And don’t worry, this only takes a few minutes.

CANDIDATE: Sure, that’s fine.

HR: Great. First of all, can I have your name, please?

CANDIDATE: It’s Amelia Carter… that’s Carter, spelled C-A-R-T-E-R. (Q1)

HR: Amelia Carter… got it. And what’s your contact number?

CANDIDATE: It’s 0792 485 613. Oh—wait, sorry! That’s my old number. I recently changed it. The correct one is 0792 485 614. (Q2)

HR: No problem at all, it happens all the time. So, ending in 614, yes?

CANDIDATE: That’s right.

HR: Perfect. And your email address?

CANDIDATE: Yes, it’s amelia.carter92@gmail.com. (Q3)

HR: Let me repeat it back: amelia dot carter nine two at gmail dot com.

CANDIDATE: Correct.

HR: Lovely. Now, Amelia, could you tell me a little about your work background? For instance, have you had any previous jobs in customer service or retail?

CANDIDATE: Yes. I worked in a bookstore for about 18 months… actually, let me correct myself—it was 16 months, but close enough. Anyway, it was a busy environment, so I learned how to handle queues, stock shelves, and operate the till. So yes, mainly in a bookstore. (Q4)

HR: Excellent. That sort of experience is definitely relevant. And what specific skills would you say you bring to the role?

CANDIDATE: I’d highlight problem-solving and good communication with customers, especially when they’re upset or stressed. (Q5)

HR: Communication is key in this role, you’re right. Now, part of our recruitment process requires at least two references—usually from past employers or supervisors.

CANDIDATE: Yes, I can provide two. I’ll send them later by email. (Q6)

HR: Perfect. Moving on—our shifts can vary. Some are mornings, others evenings. Are you willing to work evening shifts?

CANDIDATE: Yes, I’m flexible. I don’t mind evenings or weekends either. (Q7)

HR: That’s very useful. Customers often shop late, so we rely on evening staff. Now, let’s talk about pay. The starting salary is £11.50 per hour. Does that work for you?

CANDIDATE: Yes, that’s fine. Honestly, I was expecting £12, but £11.50 is acceptable. (Q8)

HR: (chuckles) Some candidates say the same, but pay is reviewed after six months. Now, for the interview, would Wednesday suit you?

CANDIDATE: Yes, Wednesday is good. (Q9)

HR: Great. We usually run interviews at ten in the morning.

CANDIDATE: That works perfectly—10 a.m. Wednesday. (Q10)

HR: Excellent. Please remember to bring your passport for identification and your national insurance number.

CANDIDATE: Sure, I’ll make a note.

HR: Oh, one more thing—did you want to mention any availability restrictions?

CANDIDATE: Not really. I’m free most weekdays, except Thursday evenings when I have a class.

HR: That’s fine. We can accommodate that. Now, let me just check—so, Amelia Carter, phone ending in 614, email with carter92, bookstore experience, skills in communication, references by email, available evenings and weekends, starting salary £11.50, interview Wednesday 10 a.m. Yes, all recorded.

CANDIDATE: Great, thank you so much.

HR: My pleasure. Looking forward to meeting you in person. Have a nice day!

CANDIDATE: You too. Bye.

Section 2 – Note Completion (Q11–20)

Audio Script (~1500 words, HR Officer briefing new staff)

HR OFFICER: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome officially to Greenway Supermarket. I can see a few new faces, and I know starting a new job can feel a bit overwhelming, so today I’ll walk you through the recruitment and employment process here. Some of you have already completed the earlier steps, but it’s important that you all understand how the system works.

Now, the very first step in joining us is the application. (Q11) All candidates must submit this form online. Occasionally people drop off paper CVs at the store counter, or even try to hand them to managers in the aisles—believe it or not—but those don’t get processed. Everything has to go through our online system, otherwise it can’t be tracked.

Once the application is reviewed, the next stage is, of course, the interview. (Q12) These are generally conducted in the small conference rooms upstairs. They usually last around twenty minutes, although if we have a lot of questions, it can stretch to half an hour. During the interview, you’ll be asked to talk about your skills and your previous experience. (Q13) Now, don’t panic if you haven’t had a formal job before—we consider training (Q14) to be equally valuable. Volunteer work, community projects, even school-based activities where you had responsibilities can count.

After the interview, references are checked. Each candidate must provide at least two references. (Q15) Ideally, these are from former employers. But if that isn’t possible—for example, if you’ve never had a paid job—we also accept references from teachers or leaders of volunteer organisations. What matters most is that the referee can comment honestly on your reliability and work ethic.

Once references are approved, you move into the employment stage. At first, you’ll usually be given a temporary contract. (Q16) This might be just for a few months. It allows us to see how you’re settling in, and it gives you a chance to decide whether the job suits you. If everything goes well, and it usually does, the contract is then extended and becomes permanent. (Q17)

Now, let’s talk about pay. The starting salary is £11.50 per hour. (Q18) I should clarify: people sometimes hear rumours of higher amounts—£12 or even £13—but those figures apply only in London branches. Here, the standard is £11.50, with a pay review every six months. During that review, supervisors consider attendance, punctuality, performance, and overall contribution to the team. If you’ve shown consistent effort, an increase is very possible.

Alongside salary, we provide a range of benefits. (Q19) These include a ten percent staff discount across most items in the store, protective clothing such as thermal gloves and aprons, and free refreshments in the staffroom during breaks. Now, you might think a free cup of tea is trivial, but during a long shift it can be very welcome. The protective clothing, however, is not optional—it’s part of our safety equipment, especially for those working in the cold-room or on the fish counter.

Now, let me turn to your day-to-day responsibilities. Each shift includes a mixture of tasks. One day you might be stocking shelves; another, you might be on the tills or helping customers at the service desk. Some roles are more physically demanding than others—for example, lifting crates of fruit or handling heavy trolleys—but don’t worry, you’ll get training on safe lifting techniques. Supervisors are always present to assess performance, provide guidance, and step in if any problems arise.

We also stress the importance of being responsible. Each of you is personally responsible for keeping your workspace tidy, for following health and safety guidelines, and for reporting issues promptly. It may seem minor, but things like a spillage on the floor can cause accidents if not reported.

Finally—and this is something I really want to emphasise—communication is central to our culture. We expect you to be confident when interacting with customers. Even if you’re unsure about an answer, it’s better to respond politely and then find someone who can help, rather than leaving the customer frustrated. Good communication (Q20) is also essential with colleagues; misunderstandings about stock or schedules can create real problems. During your probationary period, supervisors will be paying close attention to how you interact, both with the public and with your teammates.

So, to summarise: the process starts with an application, then an interview, followed by reference checks, a temporary contract, and hopefully a permanent one. Salary is £11.50 an hour, with benefits such as discounts and protective clothing. Each shift involves varied duties, and communication and responsibility are key to success here.

That’s the overview. We’ll go into more detail about specific roles later, but for now, does anyone have any questions?

Đọc tiếp:

• Vai trò của kích hoạt lược đồ tri thức (schema activation) trong việc cải thiện kỹ năng nghe hiểu

• Ứng dụng chiến lược siêu nhận thức (metacognitive strategies) để cải thiện kỹ năng nghe hiểu

• Vai trò của Mental Resources trong quá trình nghe hiểu (P1): Mối quan hệ giữa trí lực và khả năng nghe

Tổng kết

Khi luyện từ vựng gắn liền với LS, người học có thể tối ưu hóa việc nhận diện âm thanh, giảm bớt áp lực xử lý và cải thiện khả năng theo dõi thông tin. Với sự kết hợp hệ thống giữa học từ và luyện LS, kỹ năng nghe của thí sinh sẽ tiến bộ bền vững, tạo nền tảng vững chắc để đạt điểm cao trong IELTS Listening.

Để tối ưu hóa lộ trình ôn luyện, người học có thể tham khảo các khóa học IELTS tại ZIM. Với hệ thống học tập cá nhân hóa và chính sách cam kết đầu ra 4 kỹ năng, chương trình giúp học viên đạt kết quả kỳ vọng và tiết kiệm tới 80% thời gian tự học.