1. No category

Write or tell about How to Rent an Apartment.
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Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
A Floor plan of My Home
Study the floor plan (below).
Then draw a floor plan of your house or apartment.
Draw your floor plan at the bottom of the page.
Top
Bottom
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
23
Martha A. Lane
Write or tell your teacher about My Favorite Room.
OR draw a picture of your favorite room (below).
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Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Write or tell your teacher about My Favorite Apartment.
OR draw a picture of your favorite apartment (below).
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Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
21
Martha A. Lane
Bath Was Not Relaxation, But a Fight
By Yuan Yu
In my country, China, all baths are based on housing conditions.
In outlying districts, some people take baths only twice in their lives—on
the day of birth and on the day they died. Some people take baths in a
river or stream. In the city, people usually go to a public bath-house to
take a shower.
In my early youth, I lived in a city, Hang Zhow, with my parents. There
was a dormitory, but no bathroom. A downstairs room was separated into
three parts: a kitchen, a dining room and a small bedroom. We had a small
round tub. When you bend your knees, your whole body can sit in.
In the winter season, the bathroom temperature was as cold as outdoors.
When I was taking a bath, my mother made a roaring fire in the kitchen
for a long time. Then she poured two big kettles of boiling water into the
tub. After she added a little cold water, I jumped into the tub, soaped,
rubbed, and rinsed my body. In less than five
minutes, I jumped out of the tub and ran to the
fire, shivering with cold. I hurried to dry myself. I
got dressed as soon as possible.
a bathtub
At that time, taking a bath was not a relaxation, but a fight.
Now, in China, the city buildings all have a bathroom and a heating system.
Today we can say: Washing is good and healthy.
in the city
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
in the country
20
Martha A. Lane
Family Action Activities
Choose one.
1. Try this game. It is called Where Am I? This is how you play it.
• Think of a room. Start to describe it. [It has a big window. I study
there. Etc.]
• The first person to guess the room is the winner.
• Then the winner starts to describe a room.
If your children are little, try the game in your native language, first. Then
switch to only English.
2. Explain what a floor plan is. Then make a floor plan of your house. Do it like
this:
• Give every person in your family a piece of paper and a marker or
crayon.
• Let each person choose a room, then draw its floor plan.
• Put all the pieces of paper together. There’s your house!
3. Together look at the outside of your house. Your family will draw the outside
of the house like this:
• Give every person in your family a piece of paper and a marker or
crayon.
• Let each person choose a side of the house, then draw it. Or let two
people work on the same side together.
• There’s your house!
Here are three examples of the front of a house.
4. Read the story on page 20 together. Have everyone tell about something that
happened when they were young.
5. Choose an activity from pages 21-24 to do as a family. As much as possible,
do everything in English.
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Personal Action Worksheet
Do This:
STEP 1
?
Notes/Results:
What is your question?
OR
What is your problem?
Where to get good, free information. Mark the ones you will try:
STEP 2
___ family or friends
___ classmates
___ police
___ bulletin boards
___ TV or radio
___ newspaper
___ books/magazines
___ encyclopedia
___ phone book
___ map
___ Internet
STEP 3
___ school
___ Better Business Bureau
___ church
___ library
___ boss or someone else at work
___ community center
___ recreation center
___ __________________________
___ __________________________
___ __________________________
___ __________________________
1. Get the information.
2. Write down things
that will help you.
(Take plenty of notes, or
get brochures, or copy
things that will help you.)
STEP 4
DO IT!
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
1. Do what you think
is best, based on
the information you
found.
2. Write down the
results.
3. Write down other
action you want to
take.
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Martha A. Lane
Community Action Worksheet
Do This:
STEP 1
?
Notes/Results:
What is your question?
OR
What is your problem?
Where to get good, free information. Mark the ones you will try:
STEP 2
___ family or friends
___ classmates
___ police
___ bulletin boards
___ TV or radio
___ newspaper
___ books/magazines
___ encyclopedia
___ phone book
___ map
___ Internet
STEP 3
___ school
___ Better Business Bureau
___ church
___ library
___ boss or someone else at work
___ community center
___ recreation center
___ __________________________
___ __________________________
___ __________________________
___ __________________________
1. Get the information.
2. Write down things
that will help you.
3. Discuss the
information with
your class or
friends or family.
(Take plenty of notes, or
get brochures, or copy
things that will help you.)
STEP 4
DO IT!
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
1. Do what you think
is best, based on
the information you
found.
2. Write down the
results.
3. Write down other
action you want to
take.
17
Martha A. Lane
Cultural Notes
In the USA:
Most Americans dream of owning their own home. It is part of "the American
dream." Many people have that dream come true.
∇ But too many Americans do not have good housing. Too many Americans are
homeless.
♦ Homeless people live in cars. Homeless people live on the streets, under bridges-wherever they can find a place. America's homeless people include men, women
and children.
In Your Country:
Fill in the blanks and check the best answer about housing in your country:
My country is ____________________________.
In my country:
1. There are
___ no
___ some
___ many
2. It is
___ easy
___ hard (difficult)
3. I lived in
___ an apartment.
4. I lived
___ alone.
homeless people.
to find a place to live.
___ a house.
_____________ .
___ with my parents. ___ with my spouse’s parents.
___ with friends.
5. The rent was about __________ a month in US dollars.
6. I
___ did
7. The landlord
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
___ did not
sign an agreement with the landlord.
___ does
does not
16
have to fix the apartment.
Martha A. Lane
♦ Is It Better to Rent or to Buy?
There are many advantages to owning your own house. But there are some disadvantages,
too.
We will discuss some of the advantages, first.
If you own your house, you can:
repair it and remodel it without getting someone else's permission;
decide what colors to paint the rooms and what kinds of rugs to have;
get some tax breaks (help);
usually sell it for more than you paid for it;
provide a place for your family to live for a long time.
Now let's discuss some of the disadvantages.
If you own your house, you must:
pay for and fix everything that breaks;
take care of the yard and the outside of the house, as well as the inside;
pay property taxes;
pay all the insurance and utilities (heat, lights, water, trash pick-up).
Comprehension Check
1. Name something you can do. Now name something else that you must do.
2. ∇ Read the advantages of owning your own home again (above). What are
some other advantages? What are some other disadvantages?
3. ♦ At the present time, is it better for you to rent a home or to own a home?
Group Work
Be prepared to discuss your answers to the Comprehension Check questions with
your class.
∇ Be prepared to put some of your answers on the board, for example advantages
and disadvantages of owning your own home.
♦ What questions would you like to ask an expert about housing? Who could you
invite to class to answer your questions?
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Practice with a Partner
Choose one of the following things to do with your partner. Choose the one that will
help you the most. If none of these will help you, please write one that will.
1. Find a newspaper ad for a place that is "for rent." Work together to figure out
what it says.
2. ∇ Think of a time you had a problem with an apartment. What was the
problem? How did you solve it? Tell your partner about your experience.
3. ♦ Interview your partner. Ask: "How do you usually find an apartment to
rent?
4. ♦ Find out what problems your partner has had renting an apartment. What
were the problems? How did your partner solve the problems? Share what
you find out with the class.
5. I will do this with my partner about housing:
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Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Comprehension Check
Here is an ad for an apartment. Read the ad. Then answer the questions.
Use the Vocabulary chart on page 70 to help you answer the questions.
3bd, 2ba, 2 car gar, fenced yard, frpl, lease req, pet on approv, avail now,
$875/mo + $875 sec dep, 777-207-1111
Location: Tubig City CA
1. How many bedrooms does it have?
____________
2. How many bathrooms does it have?
____________
3. How much is the rent per month?
____________
4. ∇ How much is the security deposit?
____________
5. ∇ Does it have a garage?
___________________________
6. ∇ Does it have a fireplace?
___________________________
7. ♦ Are pets OK?
___________________________
8. ♦ When can I move in?
___________________________
More Important Words
from Apartment Ads
1. available
Abbreviations
avl
avbl
1. __________________________
2. apartment
apt
2. __________________________
3. house
hse
3. __________________________
4. laundry
lndry
4. __________________________
5. manager
mgr
5. __________________________
6. studio
stu
6. __________________________
7. near
nr
7. __________________________
8. with
w/
8. __________________________
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
13
Translation/Notes
Martha A. Lane
Vocabulary
Some Words that Describe Apartments for Rent
Abbreviations
used in Ads
The Words
Translation
or Notes
ba or bath
1 bath
2 ba
1 1/2 ba
a bathroom
bdrm
a bedroom
1 bdrm
2 bdrm
an air conditioner
a/c
A/C
AC
a fireplace
frpl
refrig
frig
20
a refrigerator
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
a stove
stv
a washer and
dryer
w/d
W/D
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Martha A. Lane
More Conversations
1.
Henry:
Person B:
Henry:
2. ∇ Person B:
Henry:
Person B:
Henry:
Person B:
Henry:
3. ♦ Secretary:
Ana:
Secretary:
Ana:
Secretary:
Ana:
4. ♦ Ana:
Secretary:
Ana:
Secretary:
Ana:
Secretary:
Hello. I've just moved into my
apartment.
I need the gas turned on.
OK. What is your name, please?
Henry Ahmed.
Please spell your last name.
A-H-M-E-D. Ahmed.
Thank you. And your address?
123 West Nevermore Street, Apartment 3-D.
I'll send someone over tomorrow, between noon and
3. Will someone be there then?
Yes, I'll be here. That's fine. Thank you.
Shamrock Apartments.
Hello. This is Ana Chrostowski. I want
to talk to the manager.
I'm sorry. The manager isn't here. I can take a
message.
OK. Please tell her that my sink is leaking. I
need it fixed as soon as possible.
I'll give her the message as soon as she comes in.
Thank you.
Hello. I called this morning about my sink. It's still
leaking. When is someone coming to fix it?
Where do you live?
214 Lake Drive, in Apartment 12.
Maybe I can get someone over there tomorrow.
I can't wait until tomorrow. The whole floor is covered
with water!
The floor is covered with water?
Someone will be there in a few minutes.
Class Discussion
Talk about your experience renting a place. OR tell about the first home you can
remember.
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Renting a Place to Live
Finding a place to live can be easy.
Look in the newspaper for ads.
Watch for FOR RENT signs in front of apartments and houses.
Ask your family and friends if they know of any places for rent.
When you find a place for rent, you will have to talk to the
landlord. The landlord is the man or woman in charge of
the apartment building or house. The landlord will ask you to sign a lease.
∇ A lease is an agreement between you and the landlord. It tells you the rules for renting.
It tells how much you must pay and when you must pay it. You must follow the rules in the
lease. You must pay your rent on time. If you don't pay your rent, the landlord can evict you
(kick you out).
♦ The landlord must follow the rules of the lease, too. If you have a problem with your
apartment or house, the landlord must fix it. The landlord must keep your place in good
condition. If the landlord does not fix the problem, there are laws to protect you. You have
rights as a renter.
♦ Never sign a lease until you understand everything it says. For example: How much is
the rent? How much is the security deposit? On what day of the month is the rent due?
How much notice must you give the landlord before moving? How much notice must the
landlord give you? How and when do you get your security deposit back?
Comprehension Check
1. Please write TRUE or FALSE.
a. You can look in the newspaper to find a place to live. _______
b. The landlord will ask you to sign a lease. ________
c. You don’t have to pay your rent on time. ________
d. ∇ If you have a problem with your apartment, you must fix it. ________
e. ♦ You can call your landlord to come and fix your apartment. ________
f.
♦ If your landlord doesn’t fix your apartment, you can’t do anything. ________
2. ∇ What is a lease? Why is it important?
3.
♦ What are some responsibilities of the landlord? What are some responsibilities of
the tenant (the person who is renting)? Write down your answers on a separate
paper. Then share your answers with the class.
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Group Work
Do one of the following:
1. Choose someone to draw a picture of a building on the board. The person
will draw whatever the class describes. Each person will tell one thing about
the building. Then the drawer will draw it. Example: Someone says: It is a tall
apartment building. The drawer draws the outline of a tall apartment building.
NOTE: The teacher will be the first drawer.
2. The teacher has a picture of a building. The teacher describes the building.
Each person draws what the teacher describes. It is OK to ask questions.
When the teacher is done, look at all your pictures. Which picture is closest
to the teacher’s?
3. Find this URL on the Internet:
http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,1674,P1623,00.html
Go to page 3 of Renting an Apartment. Look at the survey. Answer each
question about your current apartment or house. Share your answers with
the group. NOTE: The page you are looking for looks like the one below.
You have to scroll down to see the survey. Be sure you are on page 3.
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Grammar Point: Am, Is and Are in Questions & Short Answers
Am I…?
Are you…?
Is he….?
Is she….?
Is it….?
Are we…?
Are they…?
Yes, I am.
Yes, you are.
Yes, he is.
Yes, she is.
Yes, it is.
Yes, we are.
Yes, they are.
No, I'm not (am not).
No, you aren't (are not).
No, he isn't (is not).
No, she isn't (is not).
No, it isn't (is not).
No, we aren't (are not).
No, they aren't (are not).
Practice Using Am, Is and Are
Answer every question with am, am not, is, isn't, are or aren't.
Are you renting a mobile home (house trailer)? __________________________
Is there a lot of crime in your community? _______________________________
Is your house a 2-story house?
________________________________
Is there a basement in your house?
________________________________
Are there any libraries on your street?
_______________________________________
Practice with a Partner
1. Ask each other the questions above.
2. Draw your house or apartment (or its floor plan) below or on another paper. Ask
each other questions about your houses.
3. ♦ Brainstorm the advantages and disadvantages of renting an apartment. Make a
list of the advantages and disadvantages. Be prepared to share your list with the
class.
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Grammar Point: How Much and How Many?
Use how many with nouns you can count (1, 2, 3 etc.): How many bedrooms does this
apartment have? How many children do you have?
Use how much for questions about money and other uncountable nouns: How much is the
rent? How much milk did you buy?
HINT: If the plural form of the noun ends in s or es, you almost always use how many.
Practice Using How Much and How Many
Write how much or how many:
____________________ water
____________________ stories
____________________ bathrooms
____________________ cars
____________________ rice
____________________ houses
____________________ communities
____________________ time
Grammar Point: Do and Does in Questions & Short Answers
Do I….?
Do you…?
Does he….?
Does she….?
Does it….?
Do we…?
Do they…?
Yes, I do.
Yes, you do.
Yes, he does.
Yes, she does.
Yes, it does.
Yes, we do.
Yes, they do.
No, I don't (do not).
No, you don't (do not).
No, he doesn't (does not).
No, she doesn't (does not).
No, it doesn't (does not).
No, we don't (do not).
No, they don't (do not).
Practice Using Do and Does
Answer every question with do, does, doesn't or don't.
Do you rent an apartment?
Yes, I do.
.
Does the President live in Washington, D. C.? ___________________________
Does January come before December? ________________________________
Do you like your neighborhood?
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
________________________________
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Martha A. Lane
Conversations
1.
♦ Realtor:
Teresa:
Realtor:
Person B:
Realtor:
Person B:
Realtor:
Person B:
Ronson Realty. How may I help you?
I'm calling about the apartment in your ad.
Which one?
The 2-bedroom apartment on Main Street.
Would you like to see it?
Yes.
OK. How about 5 o'clock tomorrow?
That's fine! I'll meet you there at 5.
2.
Teresa:
Realtor:
Teresa:
Realtor:
Teresa:
Hello. I'm here to see the apartment.
What's your name?
Teresa Lopez.
OK. The apartment is this way, Ms. Lopez.
Thank you.
3. ∇ Realtor:
Teresa:
Realtor:
Teresa:
Realtor:
Teresa:
Realtor:
Teresa:
Do you like the apartment?
Yes. How much is the rent?
$600 a month.
How much is the security deposit?
One month's rent--$600.
OK.
Do you want to rent the apartment?
Yes, I do.
Important Words from the Conversations
Translation/Notes
1. realtor
1. _____________________________
2. ad (advertisement)
2. _____________________________
3. the rent
3. _____________________________
4. security deposit
4. _____________________________
5. 2-bedroom
5. _____________________________
6. one month's rent
6. _____________________________
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Pronunciation: m, n, o, and p Sounds
Your teacher will model the sound and the words. Please repeat them as directed.
m
n
o (short o sound) p
mobile home
no
off
pay
map
new
on
public
most
neighborhood
October
people
many
next
office
purchase
money
nice
Ontario
part
Clap the Stress
X x = CLAP clap
X
X x
X x x
x X x x
each
bedroom
practical
security
house
landlord
general
available
room
tenant
families
experience
gate
money
mobile homes
the manager
home
housing
trailer house
the living room
x X
x x X x
control
comprehension
in earthquakes
garage
your opinion
apartments
decide
information
tornadoes
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
5
x X x
Martha A. Lane
Types of Housing
Housing is a general term for where people live.
There are many types of housing.
Some people live in mobile homes (house trailers).
Many people live in apartments.
Some people live in condominiums (condos). Many people live in houses.
∇ Mobile homes are quite inexpensive (cheap).
You can take a mobile home with you when you move.
Mobile homes are not very safe.
In earthquakes, tornadoes and high winds,
they often collapse.
Mobile homes are cheaper than houses.
But they are not as strong as most houses.
∇ There are many kinds of apartments.
People with the least money often live in public housing apartments.
The rent is controlled. The government helps to control and pay for the rent in public
housing.
♦ Condominiums are about the same size as apartments, but they are owned, not
rented. Some condos are very expensive. Often they have a guard or a gate to
keep the people safe and to keep sales people out.
♦ There are many kinds of houses. Some houses are very expensive. Houses
come in many colors and sizes. It takes most families 20 or 30 years to buy a
house.
Comprehension Check
1. What kind of housing do you live in?
2. What does each sign mean?
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Vocabulary
an apartment building
(apartment buildings)
a house (houses)
a floor plan (floor plans)
a 3-bedroom house
(3 bedrooms)
a 2-bedroom house
a 1-bedroom house
a 2-story house
(2 stories)
a 1-story house
a modular home
a trailer house, a mobile home
(trailer houses, mobile homes)
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
in the kitchen
(kitchens)
3
in the living room
(living rooms)
Martha A. Lane
What Is It?
1. ___________________________
2. _________________
3. _____________________
4. __________________
5. _______________________
Write the correct words in the
blanks:
the basement
the roof
a window
a fence
a gate
windows
a for-sale sign
a for-rent sign
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
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Martha A. Lane
Unit 4: Housing
Cal Lit ESOL/Civics: Housing
1
Martha A. Lane