Listening Activity: Therapist In A Yellow Cab
Therapist in a yellow cab
Write:
Choose one of the tasks and write a short text.
Make a summary of the interview using all the words listed in the box below.
Use the words listed below to tell the story of one day in Ray’s life as a yellow cab driver. Write one sentence for each word.
- 7 years
- 10 miles long
- vehicles
- parking
- hail
- corner
- 12 hours
- snow
- penny
- level
- contagious
- apologetic
- Queens
- retaliating
- tip
Interview for a Job
Ray owns two taxis and has different drivers working for him. He is now planning to hire one more driver. Work in pairs and pretend that one of you is Ray, the employer, who is about to interview a new driver. The other person is the applicant, hoping to get the job.
Preparation:
The employer should create an interview form with relevant and essential questions.
The applicant should think of reasons for applying and prepare to present their qualifications, skills, and experience.
Perform the interview as a role play in front of the class or in pairs.
Discuss:
How does the interview with Ray, the cab driver, relate to the American Dream?
What is the stereotype of a typical cab driver? Do you think Ray differs from this image? Explain your answer.
How would you communicate with the following passengers: a furious passenger, a sad passenger, and a threatening passenger?
Why does Ray see himself as a therapist?
Discuss the statement: “Having a good friend is better than having a professional therapist.”
Ray has an education that he does not use professionally. Do you think this is a waste of time and talent? Why or why not?
What motivates you when choosing a career? Is it money, status, flexibility, the opportunity to use your talents, or something else? Explain your answer.
Write a longer text:
Write a blog entry in which you describe your first day as a yellow cab driver in New York.
Write an article for a Norwegian newspaper discussing the importance of yellow cabs to New York City.
Ray described an incident involving a furious passenger and how he handled the situation. Write the story of this man before and after he met Ray, using a first-person narrator.