Download this free A2–B1 English worksheet PDF for English learners and teachers. This lesson explores midlife sabbaticals, career breaks, burnout and why some people decide to take several months away from work.
Students practise reading comprehension, useful vocabulary and speaking skills through a real-world work and lifestyle topic about career breaks, unpaid leave, family responsibilities, personal goals, saving money and returning to work. The worksheet is suitable for private English lessons, online classes, classroom teaching, homework and self-study.
The article explains the topic in clear, simple English. Students read that some people in their late 30s or 40s take a sabbatical because they feel burned out, need to deal with family responsibilities or want time to work on a personal goal.
This worksheet helps lower-level learners discuss work and career breaks in accessible English. Students talk about whether they have ever taken a long break, what they would do with three months off, how much planning a sabbatical requires and whether they would prefer to return to the same job or try something new.
The article also explores the practical side of taking time away from work. Many sabbaticals are unpaid, so people may need to save money, think about bills and consider whether their job will still be available when they return. Some people study, volunteer or complete a project to keep their skills fresh.
The PDF includes a short A2–B1 reading text, True / False questions, Synonym Match, a task where students use new vocabulary, discussion questions and a full answer key. It helps learners build useful vocabulary for talking about work, rest, responsibilities, goals, skills, costs and achieving something during a career break.
Level: A2–B1
Date: 29 September 2026
Focus: reading, vocabulary, sabbaticals, career breaks, burnout, work and speaking
This free worksheet includes:
- an A2–B1 reading text about midlife sabbaticals
- True / False comprehension questions
- Synonym Match vocabulary practice
- a sentence-writing task using new language
- discussion questions for Student A and Student B
- full answer key
The worksheet practises useful vocabulary such as work, rest, responsibilities, goal, chance, skills, return, valuable, costs and achieve. It helps students discuss unpaid leave, saving money, family responsibilities, personal projects, keeping skills fresh, returning to work and whether a career break can help someone make better decisions.
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