LINC 4 Classroom Activities

LINC
Classroom
Activities
Language
Instruction
for Newcomers
to Canada
Based on Canadian Language Benchmarks
LINC
4
8Accompanied by online activities
Developed by:
Funded by:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Principal Writers Kathleen Johnson Shelia Morrison
Contributing Writer Joyce Lax
E-learning Developer Jim Edgar
Principal Editors Kathleen Johnson Shelia Morrison
Copy Editor Helen Bach
Canadian Language Ron Lavoie
Benchmarks Editor
Audio Production New Media Language Training Inc.
(Rob McBride; David Bignell; Christine Doyle)
Graphic Design Design Ink of Algonquin College
(Karen Young; Graham Ross; Beth Haliburton)
Project Coordinator Mavis Spencer
The project team would like to thank Sheila McMullin, Nicole Busby and Heather Richmond for their support
throughout; Citizenship and Immigration Canada for funding this project; and the following individuals for their
generous contribution of time and expertise:
Advisory Committee Salome Atandi Nicole Busby
Myra Clark Jim Edgar
Shirley Graham Anne-Marie Kaskens
Ron Lavoie Rob McBride
Adonai Rodriguez Ruth Waters
Expert Readers Cynthia Clubb Larry Iveson
Susan Middlesworth Norbert Molzan
Expert Reader: E-resources Susan Middlesworth
Copyright Algonquin College 2009
Published by The Print Shop
Creative design by Design Ink of Algonquin College 2009
All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-1-55323-512-5
NOTES TO READERS
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada I
Notes to Readers
This book is a miscellany of language learning activities organized by the twelve themes in the
LINC 1-5 Curriculum Guidelines. It is intended as a supplementary resource of self-contained and
reproducible activities to complement existing LINC programming. The attached CD ROM contains
the book in PDF format.
The choice and development of activities was determined by a wide range of factors, including:
~ the LINC 1-5 Curriculum Guidelines;
~ a survey of needs of LINC instructors in Ontario;
~ the requirement to adhere to the appropriate Canadian Language Benchmarks;
~ the classroom experience of the writers;
~ a mandate to address the specific needs of women, youth (school-leaving age to twenty-nine
years old) and seniors, as identified in the Consultations on the Settlement and Language Training
Services Needs of Newcomers in Support of the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, 2006.
Every activity has been assessed by a CLB-trained editor to ensure alignment with the appropriate
benchmarks.
A general methodology is provided for each activity, but it is anticipated that instructors will make
modifications based on the needs of their particular classes.
The book contains a wide range of tasks that can be used as assessment tools. They adhere to the
Competency Outcomes outlined in the Canadian Language Benchmarks.
The activities target the following benchmark levels:
LINC 1 LINC 2 LINC 3 LINC 4
CLB 1 CLB 2 CLB 3,4 CLB 5
CLB 1 CLB 2 CLB 3,4 CLB 5
CLB 1 CLB 2 CLB 3 CLB 4
CLB 1 CLB 2 CLB 3 CLB 4
Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
What is the purpose of the e-resources?
The purpose of the e-resources is to both stimulate and challenge learners using web-based multimedia
technologies. Good teaching practice necessitates the use of a variety of learning activities, and these
resources give teachers another mode of delivery to enhance learning.
Continued on next page.
About the e-Resources
NOTES TO READERS
II Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
Who are the e-resources for?
These e-resources are appropriate for use by students working independently outside of a LINC class or
inside a computer lab facilitated by a classroom instructor. In fact, the e-resources are ideal for use in a
computer lab; each learning object has a lead-in page to introduce the background language and any
requisite knowledge.
What is the best way to introduce students to an e-activity?
As with any learning activity, the e-activities will be more meaningful and students will have a greater chance
of success if they are introduced to the task. The lead-in page for each activity addresses this by providing
suggested discussion questions and a link to a related website, which can extend these discussions. These
introductory activities are optional; instructors may use their own introduction or they may use the activities
in the print version as the lead-in to the e-activities. This lead-in page also has links to the e-activities, and a link
to a password-secured answer key. The password is lincesl.
Are the online activities the same as the paper-based activities?
While some of these e-activities are very similar to the paper-based activities, many are different. Instructors
should check before using both the print- and e-activities.
What is the role of the teacher using these e-activities?
Instructors using this book are encouraged to incorporate the e-activities into their lesson planning using a
balanced approach. Generally, with the exception of the communication during the introduction, there is no
collaboration in these self-study activities. In addition, because of the limitations of technology in providing
feedback on written work, there is little opportunity for students to write, other than completing cloze
exercises, correcting errors in texts, and filling in short answer type questions. Instructors should ensure
learners have a balanced opportunity to practice all of the language skills, especially writing and speaking.
What is the password for the instructors answer key on the introduction pages?
The password is lincesl. Do not give learners the password. They do not need the answer key because all
of the activities are self-correcting.
Why do I need an answer key if the e-activities are self-correcting?
The purpose of the answer key is to help instructors who are facilitating in a computer lab. The answer key
is to assist them make more effective use of their time when they are helping students at work stations.
What are the technical requirements for using these resources?
The e-activities have been tested with the following specifications:
broadband Internet access
Windows XP or later; or Mac OS X (v. 10.5)
Browsers: Windows: Firefox 3.5.5/ Macintosh: Safari 4.0.3
Screen resolution: 1024 X 768 (or higher)
QuickTime Player plug-in (version 7 or higher)
Adobe Flash Player
CONTENTS
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada III
THEMES & ACTIVITIES
AT HOME IN OUR COMMUNITY & THE WORLD
David Suzuki: Environmental Hero ......................................................................... 3
Good Things Come In Recycled Packaging .......................................................... 7
Community Recycling Programs .......................................................................... 11
Enviro News .............................................................................................................. 14
How Big Is Your Footprint? .................................................................................... 17
Personal Acts Of Green ......................................................................................... 20
Earth Friendly Challenge ........................................................................................ 22
The Kobar Family I: Relocating ............................................................................. 27
The Kobar Family II: The Spacious Semi-Detached .......................................... 31
The Kobar Family III: A Great New Place To Live ............................................. 35
BANKING, CUSTOMER SERVICE & TELEPHONE
All Our Lines Are Currently Busy ........................................................................ 41
Gimme A Ring ........................................................................................................... 45
Whats The Message? .............................................................................................. 52
Cell Phone Manners ................................................................................................ 56
Stop Bugging Me! ..................................................................................................... 59
National Do Not Call List: FAQs ......................................................................... 64
National Do Not Call List: Filing A Complaint On The Internet .................. 67
Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Application Form .............................................. 70
Monthly Budgets ...................................................................................................... 74
LINC 4 Contents
WOMEN YOUTH SENIOR ONLINE
CONTENTS
IV Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
CANADA
Library of Parliament .............................................................................................. 85
The Amazing Rattenbury Story: Part One ......................................................... 95
The Amazing Rattenbury Story: Part Two ........................................................ 101
The Amazing Rattenbury Story: Part Three ..................................................... 110
The Amazing Rattenbury Story: Part Four ....................................................... 115
The Amazing Rattenbury Story: Extensions For Group Discussions ......... 120
Canadian Trivia: Question Formation Review ................................................. 125
Did You Say Saskatchewan? .................................................................................. 134
CANADIAN CULTURE
Lovely Winter ......................................................................................................... 141
Would You Like To Come Over? ........................................................................ 146
I Like Your Dress! Giving And Receiving Compliments I ............................. 161
I Like Your Dress! Giving And Receiving Compliments II ............................ 170
Canadian Icons ....................................................................................................... 173
The Greatest Canadian Hero ............................................................................. 186
CANADIAN LAW
Legal Vocabulary ..................................................................................................... 197
The Cigar Story ..................................................................................................... 204
The Spanking Case ................................................................................................ 209
Drinking And Driving ............................................................................................ 221
The CopShop Event .............................................................................................. 231
Personal Safety Test ............................................................................................... 240
Who Killed Mr. Green? ........................................................................................ 245
CONTENTS
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada V
COMMERCIAL SERVICES & BUSINESS
Product Nutritional Information ........................................................................ 251
It Tastes Good ........................................................................................................ 260
Internet Use Survey .............................................................................................. 265
Shop Online ............................................................................................................ 271
Internet Shopping Role Play ................................................................................ 276
Gifts Online ............................................................................................................ 280
Internet Shopping Cards ...................................................................................... 284
The Electronic Grandmother ............................................................................. 292
COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT SERVICES
Volunteer Applications .......................................................................................... 297
Volunteer Experiences ......................................................................................... 307
Volunteer Ottawa .................................................................................................. 316
2-1-1 Community Services Information ........................................................... 324
2-1-1 Quick Facts .................................................................................................. 334
2-1-1 Role Play ....................................................................................................... 341
Hey Dude ................................................................................................................ 345
EDUCATION
Jasons Email............................................................................................................... 351
Parent-Teacher Interviews ................................................................................... 356
Here Is My Opinion .............................................................................................. 361
Coping Strategies: My Experience ..................................................................... 366
Family Coping Strategies ...................................................................................... 368
How Would You Like to Volunteer? ................................................................... 374
Learning Styles: Which Kind of Learner Are You? ........................................... 379
CONTENTS
VI Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
EMPLOYMENT
Canadian Employers: What Do They Expect? .................................................. 385
Vet Clinic Interview ............................................................................................... 390
Follow-up Letter: Central Veterinary Clinic .................................................... 395
Mock Interview ...................................................................................................... 398
Volunteer Heroes .................................................................................................. 401
Be Positive I ............................................................................................................. 407
Be Positive II ........................................................................................................... 412
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party I .............................................................. 419
Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party II ............................................................. 423
Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party III ............................................................ 430
Childfree By Choice I ........................................................................................... 434
Childfree By Choice II .......................................................................................... 439
Its Our Choice ...................................................................................................... 442
If I Were In Your Shoes ......................................................................................... 446
HEALTH & SAFETY
Canadian Superfoods ............................................................................................ 461
Steps For Buying And Freezing Blueberries ..................................................... 465
Cranberries, A North American Superfruit ..................................................... 468
How To Prepare A Healthy Snack ...................................................................... 475
Nutrition Tables ...................................................................................................... 478
Food And Health Myths ....................................................................................... 487
CONTENTS
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada VII
TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION
Getting Around Town ........................................................................................... 495
Alternative Transportation ................................................................................... 498
Letter To The Editor .............................................................................................. 502
Confederation Bridge ........................................................................................... 507
A Perfect Day ......................................................................................................... 510
Dream Destination ................................................................................................ 513
A Great Holiday ..................................................................................................... 515
Travel Accommodations Canada ........................................................................ 518
Travelling Experiences .......................................................................................... 522
Safety In Your City ................................................................................................. 528
At Home In
Our Community
and The World
LINC
4
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada 3 Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada 3
Activity:
David Suzuki: Environmental Hero
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Areading passage about the environmentalist David Suzuki
is followed by comprehension questions.
Timing: 45 minutes
WARM-UP Begin with a class discussion on what it means to be a hero.
Ask learners who their heroes were at various stages of their lives.
Ask if anyone has heard of David Suzuki and make an outline on the board of the
information they have.
ACTIVITY Give each learner a copy of the reading David Suzuki: Environmental Hero.
Learners read the text and answer the questions.
FOLLOW-UP Learners search online for videos about David Suzuki.
ANSWER KEY 1. He taught David to think about nature and the environment.
2. He researched the life of fruit flies.
3. answers will vary
FURTHER See LINC Curriculum Guidelines, pp. 166-171.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY environment; environmentalist; hero; scientist; host; broadcast; broadcaster; activist;
Order of Canada; Companion of the Order of Canada; biology; zoology; genetics;
cause (n.); to make sense; sibling; complex
4 Level 4 R W
Activity:
David Suzuki: Environmental Hero
David Suzuki is an environmental hero. He loves the planet and he has worked for most of his life to
teach us how to take care of it.
David Suzuki was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1936. He has a twin sister and two other siblings.
When David was growing up, he and his father Kaoru Carr Suzuki often went on fishing and camping trips
together. David says his father is his hero because he taught David to think about nature and the
environment.
David Suzuki is a scientist. He studied in Canada and the United States and has a PhD in zoology. He
became very interested in genetics and researched the life of fruit flies. He taught biology, zoology and
genetics for many years in universities in Canada and the United States. Suzuki believes it is important to
be able to explain science very clearly.
1. Why does David Suzuki say his father is his hero?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Joshua Sherurcji
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada 5
Activity: David Suzuki: Environmental Hero
David Suzuki has spent his life trying to focus attention onto our planet and what we can do to improve
it. He is very passionate about the world we live in and he gets excited when he talks about ways we can
make our lives healthier. He has written over thirty books, received over ten honorary degrees, and
hosted television and radio programs. In 1991, he and his wife set up The David Suzuki Foundation to help
find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world.
One very special thing about him is that he is able to talk about complex issues in a way that is very easy
for most people to understand. Davids father practiced public speaking with him in the basement of their
home when he was a small boy. David said his father wanted him to be an expert public speaker and a
great dancer. We dont know very much about his dancing skills, but we do know that people around the
world love to hear him speak so passionately about the planet.
2. A scientist is a person with an expert knowledge of science. What has David Suzuki
researched?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. An activist is a person who works very hard for a certain cause or reason. In your own
words, explain why David Suzuki is an activist.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
6 Level 4 R W
Activity: David Suzuki: Environmental Hero
Not everyone agrees with Suzukis ideas. Sometimes politicians and world leaders think he doesnt make
sense. Sometimes he says things that make them angry, but he doesnt stop. In fact, his life and work have
been recognized by the Government of Canada. In 2006, he received an award called The Companion of
the Order of Canada for his efforts to teach us how to take care of our greatest resource, planet Earth.
4. Think about what you could do to help the planet or just to help one person. If you got
an award for doing something to help others, what would the award be for?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Activity:
Good Things Come In Recycled Packaging
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners write emails to companies, telling them why they love their products, and how they think
the companies could make environmentally friendly changes to the product packaging.
Timing: 15-20 minutes per email
WARM-UP Bring several product packages into the class and show learners the labeling
containing the manufacturer contact information.
Ask learners if they have ever written or telephoned a company to ask about a
product. Ask why they have done this.
ACTIVITY Distribute the handouts. Focus attention on the title and isolate the word
recycled. Explain its verb and adjective forms.
Allow time for students to complete the exercises.
FOLLOW-UP Have learners select one product from home that they have purchased and bring
the empty packaging into the classroom.
~ read the recycling information
~ find out if the materials are completely or partially recyclable
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY recycle(d) (v.); recyclable (adj.); recycled (adj.); package (v.); packaging (n.);
fibre; leftover(s); spout; cartridge; value
8 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Good Things Come In Recycled Packaging
In Canada, we can find a wide variety of packaged items for sale. Some of these items are sold in packages
that contain 100% recycled products. Many others are not.
1. Read these email samples. They were written to companies that do not use packaging materials that
can be completely recycled. The people who wrote the emails believe that companies should try to
do a better job of using recyclable materials.
2. Study these word forms:
Now write your own sentences containing these words.
recycled (v.)___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
recyclable (adj.)_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
package (v.)____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
packaging (n.)__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Activity: Good Things Come In Recycled Packaging
WORD SENTENCE
recycle (v.) Samir can think of a way to recycle almost anything.
recycled He recycled products before most of us thought about doing it.
recyclable (adj.) Samir reads the labels on all products to see if they contain
recyclable materials.
package (v.) Samir is going to package his leftover dinner for lunch tomorrow.
packaged Samir packaged the leftovers for his lunch.
packaging (n.) The packaging was made from 100% recycled paper.
10 Level 4 R W
Activity: Good Things Come In Recycled Packaging
3. Read the headings on the chart:
PRODUCT
WHY I LOVE IT
PROBLEM
Use the information to write your own email. Your instructor will tell you how many to write. Follow the
examples you have already read.
name the product
tell the company why you love their product
tell them what you would like them to change
PRODUCT WHY I LOVE IT PROBLEM
All-Ways Good fun shapes no recyclable materials in
Cereal my children love it the box
lots of fibre and low fat
Top Banana 100% fruit in every bar package can be recycled,
Frozen Fruit Bars healthy product but bars are on a
recyclable plastic stick non-recyclable plastic stick
Super Clean great to use in cold water box is recyclable, but has a
Laundry Detergent good value metal spout that is not
Color Mark excellent black and white package is almost twice as
Print Cartridge copies large as the cartridge, so it
excellent color copies is wasteful
Activity:
Community Recycling Programs
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners fill in a chart describing the recycling program in their communities.
Timing: varies
WARM-UP Ask learners if they have participated in a community recycling program in their
home countries.
Encourage learners to share information about these community recycling
programs, for example:
~ Where is waste collected?
at the curb? in a common area for rental units?
~ Who collects it?
~ How often is it collected?
weekly? bi-weekly?
~ Is there a fee for pickup?
~ What is included in the pickup?
paper one week? plastics one week?
ACTIVITY Give each learner the two-page handout.
Review the information sheet and have learners write sentences to practice the
vocabulary.
Review the fact sheet and be sure learners understand what is required.
Learners fill in the fact sheet with information about their community recycling
programs.
FOLLOW UP Learners search another city on the Internet and fill in the chart to compare.
Discuss findings.
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual fact sheets.
CLB Performance Indicators:
~ describe a situation: reader can follow
~ uses simple structures; few errors
~ uses adequate vocabulary for the topic
~ spells correctly; follows punctuation conventions
~ has legible handwriting or printing
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY recycle; recyclables (n.); waste; cart; collection; curb; depend on
12 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Community Recycling Programs
Do you live in Northern Canada? Is your home in the Maritimes? Maybe you live in the middle of the
country. Perhaps you wake up to the sound of the ocean, or to the sight of mountains or a field of wheat.
Canada is a big country and we do many things differently depending on where we live.
Many Canadians participate in recycling programs. The recycling program in the town of Yellowknife is
different from the one in the city of Winnipeg. The recycling program in the city of Montreal is different
from the one in the town of Sackville. What kind of recycling program does your community have?
1. Write your own sentence to practice the vocabulary below. You will see these words in the chart on
the next page.
recyclables (n.) = materials that can be used again for another purpose
Newspapers and glass bottles are recyclables.
Your sentence: __________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
waste (n.) = materials that cannot be recycled
Throw this broken lamp and other waste into the garbage can.
Your sentence: __________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Activity: Community Waste And Recycling Programs
Name of your
community
City, Town Province
How often is waste
collected?
How often are recyclables
collected?
What are the specific hours
garbage can be taken to the curb?
How are waste and recyclables sorted? Is there a box, cart, or bag for plastics? For paper? For waste?
How are containers for waste and recyclables identified? Is there a blue, black, or green box?
Are there any programs for residents to put out good used items that neighbours can take away
for free?
Are recyclables sorted by the homeowner or
by the recycling company?
Are there pickups for special collections such
as Christmas trees, leaf or yard waste?
2. Read the form and fill in information about your community.
14 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Enviro News
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Areading of a community newsletter is followed by
comprehension questions.
Timing: 40 50 minutes
WARM-UP Ask learners if the communities in their countries of origin circulate newsletters.
If so, ask:
~ what information may be found in them
~ how the newsletter is distributed
Ask learners if their communities in Canada circulate newsletters.
ACTIVITY Distribute the Enviro News to each learner.
Talk about the title and layout.
Learners answer the questions on the Enviro News Fact Sheet, using dictionaries
as required. Short answers are acceptable.
ANSWER KEY 1. I Can Reuse That 2. craft projects 3. online at [email protected]
4. call 613-555-1234 5. composting 6. bring garbage bags and gloves
7. contact person for Enviro News 8. something to grill
9. [email protected] 10. 22
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual learner fact sheets.
~ identifies layout of forms; finds specific information
~ gets overall meaning; identifies type and purpose of text
~ gets key information and specific details from verbal text
~ uses simple structures
~ uses adequate vocabulary for topic
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY compost (n., v.); dummies; seminar; depot; green ideas; parkway; grill (v.); exchange
Activity:
Enviro News
Clean-Up Day at Ottawa
River Parkway
Come and help us clean
up the river parkway
Sat., July 11th
9
12:00
Bring
garbage
bags
and
gloves.
ITS EASY
BEING GREEN
Do you have a
green idea that
youd like to share?
Join the
conversation
online at
[email protected]
BBQ
Sat. 12:00
Eastboro Park
Bring something
to grill.
Drinks provided.
Thank you to
everyone who
participated in the
neighbourhood
I CAN REUSE
THAT
garage sale.
WANTED FOR
CRAFT PROJECTS
paper towel rolls, toilet tissue rolls, gift wrap
rolls, poster tubes.
East Gate Elementary School
Call 613-555-8888 Sarah or Mohammad
Composting
Questions??
Do you have questions
about using worms in
your compost?
Email Dr. Earth for all
the answers.
[email protected]
PLANT EXCHANGE
11 2 pm
Saturday, July 25th
St. James Park
Come and exchange a garden plant
or herb with your neighbour
To place a free advertisement in
Enviro News
contact Jarod
email: [email protected]
tel: 613-555-8900
RECYCLE DEPOT
Operating Hours:
8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Saturdays until July 18th
Information: 613-555-1234
COMPOSTING
FOR DUMMIES
Come and learn
everything you
need to know
about composting
at a free seminar.
Guest Speaker
Dr. Earth
Park Place
Community
Centre
Tuesday,
July 7th
7 9 pm
Coffee and
muffins provided
VOL. 22 SAT. JULY 4th
16 Level 4 R W
Activity: Enviro News
FACT SHEET
1. What is the name of the Eastboro Park garage sale?
__________________________________________
2. Why does East Gate Elementary School want paper products?
_______________________________________
3. How can the community share their green ideas?
__________________________________________
4. I need more information about the Recycle Depot. How can I find it?
__________________________________________
5. What will Dr. Earth talk about at the Park Place Community Centre?
__________________________________________
6. What do I need to do if I am going to help clean up the Ottawa River Parkway?
__________________________________________
7. Why should I contact Jarod?
__________________________________________
8. What should I bring to the Eastboro Park BBQ?
__________________________________________
9. How can I contact Dr. Earth?
__________________________________________
10. What is the volume number of this Enviro News?
__________________________________________
Activity:
How Big Is Your Footprint?
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners participate in a survey in this whole class activity. Each learner has a
questionnaire to complete with information shared by classmates.
Timing: varies
WARM-UP Ask learners if they are familiar with surveys.
Find out if they have filled in surveys online, over the telephone or in person.
Find out what kinds of surveys they have participated in.
Determine the number of surveys you wish each learner to fill out and make the
appropriate number of copies for each.
ACTIVITY Distribute the Fact Sheet and Ecological Footprint Survey to all learners.
Read the fact sheet and the survey together; discuss and clarify information and
vocabulary.
Learners circulate among their classmates with their surveys and formulate
YES/NO questions (for example, Do you carpool to school?). Learners fill in the
survey by checking the YES or NO responses.
Learners come together in small groups, compare the responses and find out who
has the smallest ecological footprint.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY ecological footprint; survey; reduce; recycle; reuse
18 Level 4 L S R
Activity:
How Big Is Your Footprint?
Exercise
1. Write your classmates name on the survey, read each statement, and write the answer with a check
mark ( ). If your classmate answers sometimes, mark the answer as YES.
2. When you have finished filling out all your surveys, sit in small groups and add the number of YES and
NO responses. Who has the smallest ecological footprint in your group?
3. Talk about an appropriate environmentally friendly gift for the winner.
MY ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IS THE AREA OF LAND AND SEA THAT I USE EACH DAY
COMPARED TO WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE WORLD.
AN ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IS THE MARK THAT WE LEAVE ON THE PLANET.
FACT SHEET
CLOTHING
YES NO
I buy clothing or toys from second-hand shops.
I exchange used clothing or toys with friends and family.
FOOD
YES NO
I buy locally grown products.
I shop at farmers markets.
I plant a garden.
I shop for the week, not for
the day.
Activity: How Big Is Your Footprint?
TRANSPORTATION
YES NO
I carpool to school / work.
I walk when I can.
I take the bus to school / work.
I often ride my bike.
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT SURVEY
3 Rs
YES NO
I reuse grocery bags.
I reduce water by taking
shorter showers.
I recycle paper to make lists
(grocery, errands).
ELECTRICITY
YES NO
I turn down my thermostat in
winter and put on an extra sweater.
I turn off lights when Im not
using them.
I turn off appliances when Im
not using them.
I take short showers instead
of long baths.
20 Level 4 S W
Activity:
Personal Acts Of Green
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A class survey is used to record learners personal acts of
environmentally friendly behaviour their personal acts of green.
Timing: 1 hour
WARM-UP List several environmentally friendly practices on the board (e.g. using a refillable
water bottle).
Ask learners to identify the environmental benefit of each practice.
Survey by a show of hands how many learners participate in the practices listed on
the board.
ACTIVITY Give each learner one or more copies of the Personal Acts of Green chart.
Review the information and the example, and answer any questions.
Have learners circulate around the classroom and ask each other to name one
environmentally friendly thing they do and why it is important for them.
FOLLOW-UP Learners search online for websites which promote environmentally friendly
behaviour (e.g. One Million Acts of Green).
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY green act; green behaviour; environmentally friendly behaviour; decompose
Activity:
Personal Acts Of Green
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22 Level 4 L S
Activity:
Earth Friendly Challenge
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A bingo-style game board is used to initiate discussion about learners care for the environment.
Timing: varies
WARM-UP Begin with a class discussion on what it means to be earth friendly.
Ask learners if they talk about the environment with their own families and friends.
Divide the class into groups, giving each group a copy of the Challenge Statements.
Together, learners talk about the statements, asking each other to explain any
vocabulary or ideas that are not clear. If no one in the group knows the answer, they
can check their dictionaries or ask the instructor.
MATERIALS One Earth Game Board for each player
Earth Friendly Challenge Statements
Earth Friendly Challenge Squares Callers Board (make two copies and cut one into
squares)
Coins or other playing pieces
Laminate the playing materials for future use.
ACTIVITY Divide the class into small groups.
Each group has players and a caller, who calls out the Earth Friendly Challenge
Statements. (If desired, the caller can read and participate in the challenge.)
Each player has a game board and playing pieces.
The caller has the Challenge Statements, the Challenge Squares (full page), and the
Challenge Squares cut into squares and placed in a pile.
The caller randomly selects a Challenge Square from the pile, reads the
corresponding Earth Friendly Challenge Statement to the first player, and places the
piece of paper on the Challenge Squares board to indicate it has been used.
The player must respond to the Challenge Statement with a full sentence.
Example: Challenge Statement E6 - In the past 24 hours, I have picked up litter.
Response No, I never do that. or Yes, I picked up an empty water bottle this
morning.
A player who can answer yes to the Challenge Statement puts a playing piece on
the corresponding space on his or her game board.
Play continues with the caller randomly selecting another Challenge Statement for the
second player.
The first player to put a playing piece on each square, creating a line either horizontally
or vertically, is the winner.
VARIATION A learner who cannot fill in the last square of his or her game board may state an
environmentally friendly habit in order to win.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY refill; reusable; scrap; litter; rechargeable; donate; recycle; dry goods; compost; bulk;
(full) load; liner
Activity:
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24 Level 4 L S
Activity:
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Activity:
The Kobar Family I: Relocating
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners listen to a telephone conversation between a landlord and a prospective renter.
This activity can be used alone or in conjunction with The Kobar Family II & III.
Timing: 45+ minutes
WARM-UP Ask learners how they found the home or apartment they are presently living in.
Ask the class what methods they use for finding locations in a city, e.g. city map,
or global positioning system (GPS).
ACTIVITY Play the audio (Track 1). Learners listen for the gist.
Clarify any new words.
Hand out the exercises.
Learners circle the best answer to complete each statement in Exercise 1.
Replay the audio as needed.
Learners discuss the questions in Exercise 2 in small groups..
FOLLOW-UP The Kobar Family II & III
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: 1. b 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. a
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY relocate; bungalow; utilities; included; excluding; MapQuest; semi-detached;
roughly(adv.); to look (something) up; global positioning system (GPS)
28 Level 4 L S
Activity:
The Kobar Family I: Relocating
LISTENING TRANSCRIPT
Relocating
Paul Kobar, an electrical engineer, just got a terrific new job in Toronto. He has to start work in three weeks, so he
and his family don't have much time to relocate from Ottawa to Toronto. After meeting with his new employer, Paul
returns to his hotel and phones about an ad he saw in the Toronto Star, advertising a semi-detached house for
rent. Listen to the conversation.
Paul: Hi. I'm calling about the ad you have for the three-bedroom semi-detached
bungalow in Scarborough. Have you rented it yet?
Landlord: Not yet. I just put the ad in this morning's paper.
Paul: So, it's $1,200 a month with appliances included, but excluding utilities and heat?
Landlord: Yes, that's right, and you get free parking as well.
Paul: Can I come see it today?
Landlord: Sure. I'll be here most of the day. When did you want to come?
Paul: Well, Id like to come out this morning. Actually, right now would be good.
Could you please give me the address?
Landlord: The address here is 3313 Stoneton Avenue. Thats close to the Scarborough Town
Centre and the 401. Do you know how to get here?
Paul: I think so. I'm just looking up the directions on MapQuest. Coming from downtown,
it looks like I get onto the Don Valley Parkway going north and then Highway 401
Express east until I exit at Victoria Park Avenue/Warden Avenue.
Landlord: Yes, that's right. It should take you roughly twenty-five minutes to get here. If you
have any problems getting here, call me on my cell in case I'm outside. The number
is 416-555-4583. By the way, my name is Tom.
Paul: 416-555-4583. Okay. Ive got it. Thanks, Tom. See you shortly.
Activity: The Kobar Family I: Relocating
Exercise 1
Circle the best answer to complete each statement.
1. Paul is in a hurry to find a new place to live because:
a. he dislikes Ottawa.
b. he is starting a new job in Toronto in three weeks.
c. the rent is too high in his apartment right now.
2. Paul came to Toronto to:
a. work for the Toronto Star newspaper.
b. stay downtown in a four-star hotel.
c. meet his new employer.
3. The rent for the semi-detached bungalow is $1,200 a month, but Paul will actually have to pay
more because:
a. the appliances are included.
b. the utilities and heat are not included.
c. the parking is not included.
4. Paul knew the directions to the Scarborough address because:
a. he looked them up on his computer using MapQuest.
b. he has a GPS receiver in his car.
c. the landlord gave him detailed instructions.
5. The landlord Tom gives Paul his cell phone number because:
a. he wants Tom to reach him even if he is outside.
b. he doesnt want Tom to rent the house.
c. he wants to rent the house to someone else.
30 Level 4 L S W
Activity: The Kobar Family I: Relocating
Exercise 2
Answer these questions in a small group.
What does relocate mean?
Have you had to relocate recently? If yes, what difficulties did you have?
What is most important when you choose a neighbourhood to move to?
What do you do when you need to find a new location in a city?
Activity:
The Kobar Family II: The Spacious Semi-Detached
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A dialogue between a prospective renter and a landlord is followed by comprehension questions and a chart
completion exercise. This activity can be used alone or in conjunction with The Kobar Family I & III.
Timing: 45+ minutes
WARM-UP The Kobar Family I (optional)
Ask learners about the types of houses in which they have lived.
Have them discuss what a prospective renter should look for in a new home, and list
these qualities on the board.
Find out if anyone currently lives in a semi-detached house.
Ask questions to determine learners listening comprehension:
~ Does Paul think this house is big enough for his family?
~ Are the floors in good shape? Does anything need to be done to them?
~ Who will repaint the rooms? Paul? The landlord?
Hand out the student worksheets. Learners read Exercises 1 and 2
before they hear the audio again. They work in pairs to use context clues to define
new vocabulary and idioms.
Learners create sentences using new idioms.
Work in pairs to complete the chart, listing advantages and disadvantages of the
semi-detached home.
FOLLOW-UP Have learners share the sentences they have created.
Review learners completed charts.
The Kobar Family III (optional)
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: answers will vary
Exercise 2: 1. to be in good condition 2. to pay for
Exercise 3: Advantages: new appliances, washer and dryer are in good condition,
spacious rooms, bungalow is close to many services
Disadvantages: air conditioner looks old, walls need to be repainted
hardwood floors are not in good shape, some of the fence in the
backyard is broken
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY neutral; install; (to be) in good shape; to spring for; semi-detached; splinters;
allergies; crawl; spacious; repaint; shabby; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC); refinish;
security deposit
32 Level 4 L S W
Activity:
The Kobar Family II: The Spacious Semi-Detached
The Spacious SemiDetached
Paul Kobar is on his way to inspect a semi-detached bungalow in Scarborough that he is thinking of
renting. The landlord, Tom, is outside waiting for him. Tom greets Paul and immediately starts to show
him the outside of the house and the yard.
Paul notices that part of the fence in the backyard is broken, but he doesn't say anything. He also sees that the air
conditioner looks old and probably hasnt been used for a while.
Paul tells the landlord about his new job and relocating his family to the Toronto area. He tells Tom that he thinks this
bungalow is in a good location since he passed the Scarborough Town Centre on his way here. The landlord proudly
informs him that the bungalow is close to all kinds of services and that it is also near schools, parks, a main highway,
and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Then, he suggests that Paul come inside to see what the house looks like.
Listen to their conversation as they go through the rooms.
Paul: Wow! This place is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. The rooms are very large.
Tom: Yes, it's a nice-sized bungalow and I had new appliances installed in the kitchen a
couple of years ago. The washer and dryer in the basement are in good condition, too.
Paul: Tom, I like hardwood floors in a house because they're easy to keep clean and great for
allergies, but I have to tell you, these floors are not in good shape. In fact, they really need
to be refinished. We have a baby who's just starting to crawl, and I don't want him to get
splinters in his knees.
Tom: Well, I would consider refinishing them if you plan on staying more than a year.
Paul: My new contract is for two years, so I don't think that will be a problem. You know, Im
really impressed with the size of these rooms. Theyre quite spacious. But in all honesty,
I must say, they look a little shabby. How long has it been since this place was painted?
Tom: Oh, it was a while back, maybe seven or eight years ago. Look, Ill spring for the paint if you
want to repaint the place yourself but only if you choose neutral, not wild, colours!
Paul: It's a deal. I'm happy to rent the house. Now, what do you need? The first and last month's
rent and a security deposit?
Activity: The Kobar Family II: The Spacious Semi-Detached
Exercise 1: Listen again. You will hear these words in the conversation. With a partner, talk about what
they mean. Then, write your answers on the lines.
hardwood __________________________________________________________
refinish _____________________________________________________________
spacious ___________________________________________________________
shabby _____________________________________________________________
repaint _____________________________________________________________
neutral _____________________________________________________________
Exercise 2: The speakers use these idioms in their conversation:
I have to tell you, these floors are not in good shape.
Look, Ill spring for the paint if you want to repaint the place yourself.
With your partner, discuss what the idiom means. Write a sentence that contains the idiom.
to be in good shape
to spring for
34 Level 4 L S W
Activity: The Kobar Family II: The Spacious Semi-Detached
Exercise 3: With a partner, look at the box below. Decide if these things that Paul has learned about
the semi-detached bungalow are advantages or disadvantages. Copy the words into the
correct column of the chart.
air conditioner looks old
new appliances
washer and dryer are in good condition
walls need to be repainted
spacious rooms
bungalow is close to many services
hardwood floors are not in good shape
some of the fence in the backyard is broken
Advantages of Renting
The Semi-Detached Bungalow
Disadvantages of Renting
The Semi-Detached Bungalow
Activity:
The Kobar Family III: A Great New Place to Live
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
In this telephone conversation, a man describes the house he has found for his family.
Timing: 45+ minutes
WARM-UP The Kobar Family I & II (Optional)
Together, the class compiles a list of adjectives to describe feelings about relocating
(for example, excited, afraid).
Talk about how children feel when they relocate and how parents can help to
alleviate any fears about adjusting to a new location. Ask how parents (adults) felt
when they relocated to this country.
Hand out the fill-in-the-blanks and listening comprehension exercises. Allow time
for learners to read and begin answering the questions before replaying the audio.
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: Start packing; rooms; nearly all new; backyard; love, place
Exercise 2:
1. Any two of: not too far from downtown
large rooms
it will suit their needs
appliances nearly all new
few carpets
good location close to everything
fenced backyard
2. Any two of: where it is
shopping
fenced backyard
neighbours
3. two
4. He means that there are more good things about the new house than bad things.
5. Any one of: happy
excited
enthusiastic, etc.
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct answers for listening assessment.
~ identifies the emotional state of speaker from tone and intonation
~ gets the gist, factual details and some inferred meanings in a listening text
~ identifies key words and phrases
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY ideal; fenced; huge; immense; to zip downtown; pluses outweigh any minuses
36 Level 4 L W
Activity:
The Kobar Family III: A Great New Place to Live
Paul Kobar, an electrical engineer, can hardly believe his good luck. Hes so pleased because he just got an ideal job
and now hes just found a great new home for his family. Listen as he excitedly phones his wife in Ottawa to tell
her about the new place.
Paul: Hi Teresa, its me. Start packing because I found us a great place to live.
Teresa Really, where is it?
Paul: I got us a great semi-detached bungalow in Scarborough, not too far from downtown
Toronto. You should see it, Teresa. Its got huge rooms and I think it'll really suit our needs.
Wait till you see it!
Teresa No kidding, tell me more about it.
Paul: Well, like I said, the rooms are immense, the appliances are nearly all new and, best of all,
there are practically no carpets at all, only hardwood on most of the floors. That's great for
your allergies, isn't it?
Teresa Wow, that doesnt sound too bad, but is it near any shopping?
Paul: You bet, its close to everything -- the Scarborough Town Centre; parks; a school for Emily; and
its even close to the transit system if you want to zip downtown to get away once in a while.
Teresa I can hardly wait to see it, but is there a fenced backyard for Simon to play in?
Paul: Yeah, its got a good-sized backyard for Simon. Some of the wood in the fence is broken,
but I'll ask the landlord to repair it.
Teresa What about the neighbours? What are they like?
Paul: Gee, I don't know. I didn't hear or notice anyone next door, which must mean theyre quiet, eh?
Teresa I hope so.
Paul Don't worry Teresa, you'll love this place. Believe me, youll see that the pluses outweigh
any minuses!
Activity: The Kobar Family III: A Great New Place to Live
Exercise 1
Listen to the conversation again and fill in the blanks below.
Paul: Hi Teresa, it's me. ____________ _____________ because I found us a great place to live.
Paul: You should see it, Teresa. Its got huge __________________ and I think it'll suit our needs.
Paul: The appliances are ___________ __________ ___________ and, best of all, there are
practically no carpets at all.
Teresa I can hardly wait to see it, but is there a fenced____________________for Simon to play in?
Paul: Don't worry, Teresa, youll ____________ this ______________.
Exercise 2
1. Name two positive things that Paul tells Teresa about the new house.
1. _________________________________ 2. _________________________________
2. Name two things Teresa asks about.
1. _________________________________ 2. _________________________________
3. How many children do Teresa and Paul have? ________
4. What does Paul mean when he says that ...the pluses outweigh any minuses?
He means that _____________________________________________________________
5. Use one word to describe how Paul feels about the new home.
______________________________________
Banking,
Customer Service
and Telephone
LINC
4
Activity:
All Our Lines Are Currently Busy
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners are introduced to high-frequency expressions and messages commonly used in
business telephone operating systems.
Timing: 15 minutes + 20 minutes
WARM-UP Encourage learners to recount personal stories about making business phone calls
in English.
Ask learners if they are more comfortable on the phone dealing with a voice mail
system or a person, and why.
ACTIVITY Part 1
Play the audio of the three voice mail messages one or more times(Track 4),
and then hand out Exercise 1. (It contains a transcript of the three voice mail
messages on the audio.)
Allow the class time to read the messages individually and answer the multiple
choice question. It may be necessary to clarify the meaning of massage and contrast
its pronunciation with message.
Read the transcripts with the class, pausing at the end of each sentence to clarify
the meaning of the high-frequency business telephone expressions. (Refer to
vocabulary list below.) Write the expression and its general meaning on the board
for learners to read and copy.
Part 2
After an interlude of several hours or days, play the audio to the class once more.
Hand out Exercise 2.
Read the transcripts again slowly for a writing dictation.
FOLLOW-UP Collect and correct learners work, providing feedback as appropriate.
ASSESSMENT The dictations can be evaluated for listening/writing assessment.
~ gets the gist, detail, key words and expressions as required
FURTHER See LINC Curriculum Guidelines, pp. 198 - 203.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY unavailable to take a call; all our lines are currently busy; stay on the line for the next
available operator; thank you for holding
42 Level 4 R W L
Activity:
LISTENING TRANSCRIPTS
Voicemail 1
Hello. You have reached ABC Baby Toys. For store hours and location, please press 1. For anything else, please stay
on the line, and well be happy to assist you as soon as we can.
Voicemail 2
Hello. You have reached the office of Dr Yang, Dr Singh and Dr Rushmore. We are unavailable to take your call
right now. Our office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. Please call back during regular office hours. If
you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Voicemail 3
Hello. You have reached Champs and Bell. We keep you comfortable all night long. All our lines are currently busy
but your call is important to us, so please stay on the line for the next available operator. Thank you for holding.
Remember, if its from Champs and Bell, youll sleep very well!
Activity:
Exercise 1
Telephone Voice Mail Messages
Voicemail 1
Hello. You have reached ABC Baby Toys. For store hours and location, please press 1. For anything else,
please stay on the line, and well be happy to assist you as soon as we can.
Voicemail 2
Hello. You have reached the office of Dr Yang, Dr Singh and Dr Rushmore. We are unavailable to take your
call right now. Our office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. Please call back during regular
office hours. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Voicemail 3
Hello. You have reached Champs and Bell. We keep you comfortable all night long. All our lines are
currently busy but your call is important to us, so please stay on the line for the next available operator.
Thank you for holding. Remember, if its from Champs and Bell, youll sleep very well!
Comprehension Question
These are voice mail messages from (Choose one):
a) a library, a pharmacy and a massage clinic
b) a library, a medical office and a mattress store
c) a nursery school, a medical office and a liquor store
d) a toy store, a medical office and a mattress store
e) a nursery school, a pharmacy and a liquor store
44 Level 4 R W L
Activity:
Exercise 2
Telephone Voice Mail Messages
Listen to the messages and write the missing words.
Voicemail 1
Hello. You have reached ABC Baby Toys. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________. For anything else, please
________________________________________________________________, and well be happy to
assist you as soon as we can.
Voicemail 2
Hello. __________________________________________________________Dr Yang, Dr Singh and Dr
Rushmore.___________________________________________________________________. Our office
hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. Please call back during __________________
___________________________. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Voicemail 3
Hello. You have reached Champs and Bell. We keep you comfortable all night long. _________________
______________________________________________________________________________,
so please stay on the line for ________________________________________________________. Thank
you for ____________________. Remember, if its from Champs and Bell, youll sleep very well!
Activity:
Gimme A Ring
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners examine and practice idiomatic expressions commonly used in friendly phone calls.
Timing: 40 minutes
WARM-UP Ask class members to talk about their experiences using the telephone to chat
with friends in English. Inform them they are going to complete some activities that
will help them use the phone with more confidence.
ACTIVITY Hand out Expressions People Often Use on the Phone. Learners should complete
as much as they can individually before working in a pair or small group. Take up
the answers.
Play the first conversation one time for general meaning (Track 5), and then
repeat it. The second time, learners listen specifically for the idiomatic expressions
and underline them on their Listening Worksheets. Note that learners use the
same list for two conversations. Continue with the remaining conversations.
Divide the class into groups of two to create their own mini-dialogues that contain
some of the vocabulary in Expressions People Often Use On The Phone.
FOLLOW-UP Select pairs to perform their telephone dialogues for the class. The audience listens
for the expressions and underlines them in the final list on the Listening Worksheet.
VARIATION Stronger classes may need to listen only once to each conversation.
After each of the four listening passages, ask the class to speculate on the speakers
their ages, occupations, relationship.
ANSWER KEY Expressions People Often Use On The Phone
1. I wont keep you 2. hang on a sec; hold on a minute 3. gimme a buzz; gimmie a
ring; gimme a shout; get back to me 4. Id better let you get back to it; Im looking
forward to seeing you soon; Ill let you go now; it was nice talking to you; thanks
for calling 5. hang up on somebody 6) break up; cut out
Conversation 1
I wont keep you; gimme a shout; Ill let you get back to it; it was nice talking to you
Conversation 2
cut out
Conversation 3
hang up on somebody
Conversation 4
hang on a sec; thanks for calling
46 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
Gimme A Ring
INSTRUCTOR NOTES CONTINUED
ASSESSMENT The telephone dialogue role plays can be observed for speaking assessment.
~ answers the phone
~ provides needed information
~ refers the call to another person
~ responds to small talk comments
FURTHER See LINC Curriculum Guidelines, pp. 198 203.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY Refer to the list in Expressions People Often Use On The Phone.
Activity:Gimme A Ring
Conversation 1
KATIE: Hello?
CHRIS: Hi, Katie, its Chris.
KATIE: Oh, hi Chris.
CHRIS: I know youre busy studying tonight, so I wont keep you. I just want to know if you are going to
come to the game tomorrow.
KATIE: Yeah, I want to if I get enough work done. Can I let you know tomorrow?
CHRIS: Sure. Gimme a shout tomorrow.
KATIE: OK.
CHRIS: Well, Id better let you get back to it.
KATIE: Thanks. It was nice talking to you.
CHRIS: Bye.
Conversation 2
LINDA: Hello?
EMILY: Hi, Linda. Its Emily.
LINDA: Hi Emily. How are you?
EMILY: Actually, Im not great. I have some bad news. Something terrible has happened.
LINDA: Oh, no! What?
EMILY: Andrew and Jason have been in an accident.
LINDA: What happened?
EMILY: [reception crackling and fading like a cell phone cutting out temporarily] They were riding
on a motorcycle and a truck came speeding along, and then a bus
LINDA: Emily? I think youre cutting out.
EMILY: Can you hear me now?
LINDA: Yeah. Keep going.
EMILY: [reception fading into silence] Well, as I was saying, Andrew and Jason were on the
motorbike and
LINDA: Emily?... Emily?... DARN!
48 Level 4 R W L S
Activity: Gimme A Ring
LISTENING TRANSCRIPT (Continued)
Conversation 3
HUSBAND: Hello?
ANGRY WIFE: I still cant believe it. I just cant believe it.
HUSBAND: [surprised] What?
ANGRY WIFE: What do you mean, what? You dont know why Im angry?
HUSBAND: No! What did I do?
ANGRY WIFE: You dont remember? I told you this morning!
HUSBAND: You did?
ANGRY WIFE: Why do I even try to talk to you! You dont listen!
HUSBAND: Wait! Dont hang up on me!
CLICKDIAL TONE
Conversation 4
MAN: Hello?
MICHAEL: Hello. May I please speak to Elizabeth?
MAN : Just hang on a sec. Shes coming.
ELIZABETH: Hello?
MICHAEL: Hi. Its Michael. I think you left your gloves on the table this afternoon. Ive got them.
ELIZABETH: Oh, do you? Thank goodness! I couldnt remember where Id put them.
MICHAEL: Well, Ive got them. Ill give them to you in class tomorrow.
ELIZABETH: Okay, great. Thanks for calling.
MICHAEL: No problem.
ELIZABETH: Bye.
EXPRESSIONS THAT PEOPLE OFTEN USE ON THE PHONE
From the list on the bottom of the page, find and copy expressions that mean
1. this will be a short conversation _________________________________________________
2. wait on the phone
_________________________________ _____________________________________
3. phone me
_________________________________ _____________________________________
_________________________________ _____________________________________
4. lets end this conversation
_________________________________ _____________________________________
_________________________________ _____________________________________
_________________________________ _____________________________________
5. to end a phone call without saying good-bye (impolite)
_________________________________
6. to lose a telephone connection
_________________________________ _____________________________________
Activity:Gimme A Ring
WORD LIST
break up
cut out
get back to me
gimme [give me] a buzz
gimme a ring
gimme a shout
hang on a sec [second]
hang up on somebody
hold on [a minute]
Ill let you go now
I wont keep you
it was nice talking to you
thanks for calling
Id better let you get back to it [your work]
Im looking forward to seeing you soon
50 Level 4 R W L S
LISTENING WORKSHEET
Underline the expressions that you hear in the telephone conversations.
Conversations 1 & 2
break up
cut out
get back to me
gimme a ring
gimme a shout
hang up on somebody
hold on [a minute]
Ill let you go now
I wont keep you
thanks for calling
Conversations 3 & 4
break up
cut out
get back to me
gimme a ring
gimme a shout
hang up on somebody
hold on [a minute]
Ill let you go now
I wont keep you
thanks for calling
Student Performances
break up
cut out
get back to me
gimme a ring
gimme a shout
hang up on somebody
hold on [a minute]
Ill let you go now
I wont keep you
thanks for calling
SPEAKING PRACTICE
Work with a partner. Together, write a short telephone conversation. Use some of the expressions on
your list. Practice saying the conversation three times, or, if it is short, memorize it. Your teacher may ask
you to perform it for your classmates.
52 Level 4 W L
Activity:
Whats The Message?
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners listen to two voice mail messages, take notes, and write personal messages.
Timing: 20 minutes
WARM-UP Explain to the class that they are going to listen to a phone message and then write
a note.
Encourage learners to:
~ distinguish between essential and non-essential information
~ jot down essential information like phone numbers
~ compose the message in its final form only after they have listened carefully to
the phone message twice.
ACTIVITY Play the first message twice (Track 6).
Give learners time to complete their messages, and then play the audio a third
time for a final check.
Follow the same procedure for the second message.
FOLLOW-UP Collect the messages and provide each learner with feedback.
VARIATION Two worksheets have been provided for this activity. The first is for all classes.
The second worksheet is for learners who need additional guidance in taking
notes. First, learners listen and make entries [warn classes that they will not hear
information for all of the entries (who, what, where, etc)]. Instructors provide
individual feedback to each learner on his/her notes, and then hand out the first
worksheet. Learners write their messages in full sentences.
ASSESSMENT Instructors may want to use the first message for practice and the second one for
listening and writing assessment.
~ identifies specific factual details and inferred meanings in audio-mediated
listening texts as required
~ conveys the message: reader can follow
~ uses language and content that are appropriate
~ uses simple grammar structures, punctuation and spelling with few errors
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY get off work; stuff
Activity:
Whats The Message?
Message 1
Rana: Hi there Omar, its Rana calling. Sorry Ive missed you, but Im phoning about our class party next
Tuesday afternoon. You said that you would bring a cake, but I just want to let you know that you
dont need to. Jing told me yesterday that she can bring the cake. She said shes working at a bakery
and they let her bring stuff home, so she is going to bring a cake from her bakery and you dont
have to bake one. OK, bye.
Message 2
Josh: Hi, Michael, its Josh speaking. Just want to let you know that there have been some changes in our
plans for Saturday night. We were going to meet at the West Town Cinema at 7:00 on Saturday
night, but that has changed and now were meeting later, at 8:20, because Sam isnt going to get off
work until later. So well see you at 8:20 on Saturday at West Town Cinema. See you.
54 Level 4 W L
Activity: Whats The Message?
TELEPHONE MESSAGES
Listen to the telephone messages carefully. Write down important information on the back of this
worksheet or on the Notes page. Then, write the messages below.
Message 1
Message 2
WHILE YOU WERE OUT
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
MESSAGE __________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Activity: Whats The Message?
NOTES FOR TELEPHONE MESSAGES
Listen to the telephone messages carefully. Some of the information you hear is important, but some isnt.
While you are listening, write down what is important in the boxes below.
Notes for Message 1:
Notes for Message 2:
Who:
What:
Where:
When:
Why:
How:
Who:
What:
Where:
When:
Why:
How:
56 Level 4 S
Activity:
Cell Phone Manners
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A group discussion on cell phone etiquette can be used to practice continuous verb tenses, and review prepositions.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Ask how many in the class carry cell phones, and how often they use them.
Ask if they have ever been annoyed or bothered by someone using a cell phone, and
encourage a few learners to share their stories.
ACTIVITY Hand out Cell Phone Manners and instruct learners (working alone) to think
about each situation and then check either the OK or NOT OK column.
When they have finished, hand out the Group Discussion Worksheet. Go over
the expressions in the first chart.
Divide the class into odd-numbered groups; five is optimal. Explain the meaning of
majority on the second chart and tell learners to discuss each situation first and then
vote on it when they are ready. Learners must record the majority vote in the
right-hand column by writing OK or NOT OK.
FOLLOW-UP The whole class compares results.
Invite learners to suggets other situations for class discussion.
VARIATION Prior to discussion, review the continuous tenses and teach usage patterns for
during and while: during + noun (eg, during class, during a movie)
while + verb (eg, while they are watching a movie, while they were driving)
ASSESSMENT Instructors circulate during conversation to assess learners speaking.
~ expresses opinion
~ agrees and disagrees
~ expresses necessity and reason
~ expresses worry/concern
~ uses simple grammar structures, with clear present, past and future time
reference
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY nowadays; situation; play (noun); synagogue; mosque; temple; majority; face-to-face
Activity:
Cell Phone Manners
Many people carry cell phones, but they dont always use them wisely. It is not appropriate to use a cell
phone if it is dangerous or if it is impolite to other people. Think about using a cell phone in the places or
situations listed below. Decide if it is acceptable or unacceptable, and put a check mark () in the
column.
PLACE OR SITUATION OK NOT OK
~ in a grocery store
~ visiting a friends house
~ during a serious face-to-face conversation
~ during a movie, play or concert
~ in a park
~ while driving
~ in an elevator
~ at an expensive restaurant
~ at a fast food restaurant
~ during family dinner at home
~ during a sports game
~ at the gym
~ in the doctors/dentists office
~ in a shopping mall
~ during a class
~ during a meeting
~ on a bus, train or subway
~ in a hospital
~ in the bathtub
~ in a library
~ in a church/synagogue/mosque/temple
~ on an airplane
58 Level 4 S
Activity: Cell Phone Manners
GROUP DISCUSSION WORKSHEET
Practice using some of these words during your conversation:
PLACE OR SITUATION MAJORITY VOTE:
(write OK or NOT OK)
~ in a grocery store
~ visiting a friends house
~ during a serious face-to-face conversation
~ during a movie, play or concert
~ in a park
~ while driving
~ in an elevator
~ at an expensive restaurant
~ at a fast food restaurant
~ during family dinner at home
~ during a sports game
~ at the gym
~ in the doctors/dentists office
~ in a shopping mall
~ during a class
~ during a meeting
~ on a bus, train or subway
~ in a hospital
~ in the bathtub
~ in a library
~ in a church/synagogue/mosque/temple
~ on an airplane
OK NOT OK
acceptable unacceptable
appropriate inappropriate
polite impolite/rude
safe unsafe/dangerous
Activity:
Stop Bugging Me!
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A dialogue about telemarketer harassment is followed by comprehension and vocabulary exercises.
This activity introduces the National Do Not Call List activities, but it can also be used independently.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Questions for class discussion:
~ Have you ever been telephoned by someone selling or promoting something?
~ What were they selling?
~ Do you always understand what someone is selling?
~ When do telemarketers usually call?
~ How do you respond?
~ How do you feel about people selling or promoting things over the phone?
Explain any unfamiliar vocabulary.
Hand out Exercise 1 and replay the audio as necessary.
Learners work on Exercise 2 in pairs. Encourage them to consult Exercise 1 for
context clues before resorting to a dictionary.
FOLLOW-UP Take up Exercise 2.
Pairs listen to and repeat sections of the dialogue to practice stress and intonation.
National Do Not Call List FAQs
National Do Not Call List Filing A Complaint On The Internet
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1:
Marla: Gosh, its so annoying! Thats the fifth time theyve called this week.
Tom: Who?
Marla: I dont know -- some telemarketing firm telling me Ive won a trip to Florida.
Tom: Have you entered any contests recently?
Marla: No, and when I ask them where they got my phone number, they just mumble
something incoherent and hang up on me.
Tom: Well, there are various ways to deal with nuisance calls. You could just blow a
whistle really loudly into the speaker, or put the phone down and walk away.
Activity:
Stop Bugging Me!
Marla: No, you dont understand. I dont want to run for the phone only to find out
its someone bugging me again. I dont want anyone calling me, selling or
promoting anything.
Tom: Well, I heard theres a new number you can call to permanently avoid being
harassed by all telemarketers. Lets look into it.
Marla: Good idea.
Exercise 2:
1. deal with 2. incoherent 3. mumbling 4. bug 5. hang up 6. harassing
ASSESSMENT Instructors collect Exercise 1 and return the corrected worksheets to the class
before continuing with Exercise 2.
~ listener identifies specific factual detailsin an audio-mediated listening text
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY telemarketing; gosh; annoying; mumble; incoherent; nuisance; to hang up; to bug;
to deal with; promote; permanently; harass; avoid; various; whistle
60 Level 4 L W R
Activity: Stop Bugging Me!
Marla: Gosh, its so annoying! Thats the fifth time theyve called this week.
Tom: Who?
Marla: I dont know-- some telemarketing firm telling me Ive won a trip to Florida.
Marla: No, and when I ask them where they got my phone number, they just mumble something
incoherent and hang up on me.
Tom: Well, there are various ways to deal with nuisance calls. You could just blow a whistle
really loudly into the speaker, or put the phone down and walk away.
Marla: No, you dont understand. I dont want to run for the phone only to find out its someone
bugging me again. I dont want anyone calling me, selling or promoting anything.
Tom: Well, I heard theres a new number you can call to permanently avoid being harassed by all
telemarketers. Lets look into it.
Marla: Good idea.
62 Level 4 L W R
Activity:
Stop Bugging Me!
Exercise 1
Listen, and complete the conversation by filling in the blanks.
Marla: Gosh, its so annoying! Thats the _____________________ time theyve called this week.
Tom: _______________?
Marla: I dont know -- some telemarketing firm telling me Ive won a _____________ to Florida.
Marla: No, and when I ask them where they got my phone number, they just mumble something
incoherent and ___________________ up on me.
Tom: Well, there are various ways to deal with nuisance calls. You could just blow a whistle really
loudly into the speaker, or put the phone down and walk _______________.
Marla: No, you dont _______________. I dont want to run for the phone only to find out its
someone ________________ me again. I dont want anyone calling me, _____________
or promoting anything.
Tom: Well, I heard theres a new _______________ you can call to permanently avoid being
harassed by all telemarketers. Lets look into it.
Marla: Good __________.
Activity: Stop Bugging Me!
Exercise 2
You have just heard these words and expressions in the conversation between Marla and Tom. With a
partner, use them to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.
mumble(ing) incoherent hang up
bug harass(ing) deal with
1. Since she immigrated to Canada, Mary has had to ___________________ many problems.
2. Simon was so tired that when he spoke his words were almost __________________.
3. Can you stop ____________________ please? I cant hear you!
4. Please, dont ____________ me about taking out the garbage again; Ill do it in a minute.
5. The next time that credit company calls, Im just going to ___________. I dont want to
talk to them.
6. Stop ______________ me! Im going to call the police if you continue.
64 Level 4 R W
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A reading about the National Do Not Call List is followed by comprehension questions.
Timing: 20 minutes
WARM-UP Stop Bugging Me! introduces the problem of unwanted telemarketing phone calls.
Introduce the acronym FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).
ACTIVITY Learners read the passage and then complete the comprehension questions that
follow. Full-sentence answers are not necessary.
FOLLOW-UP Further information about the National DNCL can be accessed at:
http://www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca The website includes a brochure entitled
Its Your Choice as well as links to register or file a complaint.
It is very quick and easy to register for the National DNCL online. Instructors who
have access to a class computer can demonstrate how to do it.
Alternatively, challenge learners to practice speaking on the phone by calling to
register themselves: 1-866-580-DNCL (866-580-3625 )
National Do Not Call List Filing a Complaint
ANSWER KEY 1. Do Not Call List 2. Canadians were complaining about receiving unwanted calls
from telemarketers 3. telephone or online 4. any three of: charities; newspapers;
political parties; companies doing research; any company that has done business with
you in the past eighteen months 5. file a formal complaint 6. no 7. unsolicited
ASSESSMENT Answers to the comprehension questions can be collected for formal reading
assessment.
~ predicts, guesses meaning
SOURCE Information in this reading is from National Do Not Call List Information for
Consumers on the website of the Canadian Radio, Television and
Telecommunication Commission (www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca).
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY telemarketer; unsolicited; charities; fraud; break the law
Activity:
What is the National Do Not Call List?
For many years, Canadians have been complaining about receiving unwanted calls from telemarketers.
Now the government has passed laws to set up a national list for people who do not want to be
contacted by telemarketers. Telemarketing companies must not phone numbers that are on the list.
How do I register to be entered on the list?
Its easy. If you do not want to receive calls from telemarketers, you can register for the National DNCL
either by phone or online. It is a very simple process.
After I register, will I never receive any unsolicited phone calls from any telemarketer?
No. The new laws still allow some groups to phone: charities, newspapers, political parties, companies
doing research, and any company that has done business with you in the past eighteen months. If you dont
want these special groups to call you, you can tell them when they phone. Then, they must put your
number on their own company DNCL.
What happens if I receive an unsolicited call from a telemarketer after I am on the National
DNCL?
You can make a formal complaint by phone or by email. Its quick and easy to do this. Companies or
individuals that break the law will have to pay a fine.
Will the National DNCL protect me from fraud (dishonesty)?
Dont think that you are safe and that everyone who calls you is honest just because your number is on
the National DNCL. Dishonest people will not respect the National DNCL. Always be careful.
Information in this reading is from National Do Not Call List Information for Consumers on the website of the Canadian Radio, Television
and Telecommunication Commission (www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca).
66 Level 4 R W
Activity: National Do Not Call List FAQs
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. What do the letters DNCL mean in this reading?
_____________________________________
2. Why was the National DNCL created?
_________________________________________________________________________
3. How can somebody register for the National DNCL?
___________________________________ or ___________________________________
4. What are some special groups that can continue to call after somebody has registered?
i. __________________________________ ii. ___________________________________
iii. __________________________________
5. What can somebody do if they continue to receive calls after they have registered?
_________________________________________________________________________
6. Does the National DNCL protect citizens from fraud?
Yes _____ No _____
7. Find a word in the text that means not asked for or unwanted.
____________________________
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners use information in a telephone dialogue to file a mock complaint with the CRTC.
Timing: 20 minutes
WARM-UP National Do Not Call List -- FAQs
ACTIVITY Hand out National Do Not Call List Filing A Complaint On The Internet. The
reading can be done as a whole class or in small groups. Begin by clarifying the verb
filing in the title.
Distribute Information About Your Complaint. [Someone who is filing a complaint
online will see the questions over several web pages; they have been compiled onto
a single page for this activity.] Depending upon the composition of the LINC class,
instruct learners to work individually, in pairs, or in small groups; weaker classes
may need their instructors to lead them through every step of the form.
FOLLOW-UP Refer to the What is the Nature of Your Complaint? section, and invite learners
to recount their personal experiences receiving any of these kinds of calls.
VARIATION Instructors with e-classrooms can connect to the CRTC website to provide a
more authentic demonstration of how to file a complaint. If this is done after the
class has completed their paper version of the forms, then learners can correct
their work while they watch the demonstration.
SOURCE National Do Not Call List Information for Consumers on the website of the
Canadian Radio, Television and Telecommunication Commission
(www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca).
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY file; unsolicited; pesticides; field; residence; fax; applicable; agent; inappropriate;
announcement
Yesterday Susan Brown received an unsolicited phone call from a telemarketer on her home phone
(number 905-555-8952). Read their conversation:
Susan: Hello?
Telemarketer: Hello, am I speaking to S. Brown?
Susan: Yes.
Telemarketer: Hello Ms. Brown. I am Brian from Go Green, your local lawn care company. Did you
know that there is a way to keep your grass looking nice and healthy without using bad
chemicals and pesticides? We provide service that is environmentally friendly and you
might be surprised at the low cost.
Susan: I dont even have a lawn. I live in an apartment. Last week I told you never to call again.
Why are you still calling me?
Telemarketer: Sorry, Maam, and thank you for your time.
Susan decided to file an online complaint against Go Green, and so she connected to the National Do
Not Call List: File A Complaint website.
Use the print-out of the website forms to file Susan Browns complaint. In places where you must make a
choice, underline it.
Example:
This complaint is about: an unwanted phone call
bad telephone service
68 Level 4 R W
Activity:
National Do Not Call List
Filing A Complaint On The Internet
Information About Your Complaint
___________________________________________________________________
Please provide details about the telemarketing call you received by completing the following fields.
Note: (*) indicates required information.
Complaint Information *The telemarketer called me on:
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
*The telemarketer called me at this number:
Example: 819-555-1234
*This number is used for my: Residence
Business
*My complaint is about a fax I received:
______________________________________________________________________________
*Telemarketer's telephone number:
Example:: 800-999-9999
OR
*Name of telemarketing company:
(if applicable, please enter all names used):
______________________________________________________________________________
Description of product/service offered:
Name of telemarketer agent: Example: John Smith or Agent #25
______________________________________________________________________________________________
What is the nature of your complaint?
I am registered on the National Do Not Call List and I received an unsolicited telemarketing call.
I asked the company to stop calling me and they called me again.
I received an unsolicited telemarketing call at a time I felt was inappropriate.
My phone rang and when I picked up there was no one at the other end of the line.
I received an unsolicited telemarketing call that was a recorded announcement.
None of the above.
Activity:
No
Yes
70 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Application Form
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read about the pre-authorized payment plan for Ontario Gas, and then
follow instructions to complete the application.
Timing: 25 minutes
WARM-UP Ask learners what monthly bills they pay and how they pay them. Ask what happens
if a bill is paid late.
Introduce the pre-authorized payment plan by saying that some people use it to
avoid late payment charges.
ACTIVITY Hand out the Ontario Gas Pre-Authorized Payment Plan brochure and agreement
form. After the reading (first section) is completed, distribute Notes For Filling In
The Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Agreement as well as the sample bill and cheque.
Learners may require assistance in order to complete the procedure successfully.
Learners should use their personal information where possible (for example, name &
address), but other information such as gas account number or bank transit number
can be copied from the Notes. [The bank transit number on the sample cheque is
85432.]
FOLLOW-UP Ask class members to give their opinion of this type of plan; write a list of
advantages and disadvantages on the board.
VARIATION Cut out the sample cheque and provide each learner with an envelope; instruct the
class to complete the entire application process.
The first learner sheet is an adaptation of an information page and an application
page from the Enbridge website [www.egd.enbridge.com/]. Download the
authentic documents for advanced classes.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY pre-authorized payment plan; convenient; automatically; Canadian currency; voided
cheque; financial institution; bank transit number; authorized signature
Activity:
Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Application Form
Save Time and Money
No more cheques to write
No waiting in line to pay your bill
No postage costs
No late payment charges
Your bill will be paid when youre busy,
ill or away
How the Plan Works
Once you join the pre-authorized payment plan, we
will withdraw the amount on your bill automatically
from your bank account every month.
There will be a message on your bill to tell you
when your account is set up on the plan. Continue
to pay normally until you receive this message.
How to Join
You must use a chequing or chequing//savings
account in Canadian currency in a Canadian bank.
Complete and mail in the Pre-Authorized
Payment Plan Agreement (below)
Attach an unsigned cheque for your bank
account marked void
Mail or fax the completed agreement and the
voided cheque to:
Ontario Gas, Market Services Department,
P.O. Box 999,
Mississauga, ON L5R 4A2
Fax: 1-800-555-9989
PRE-AUTHORIZED PAYMENT PLAN
A Convenient Way To Pay Your Gas Bill Ontario Gas
,
You must complete the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan agreement below..
PLEASE PRINT
Name: _______________________________________ Ontario Gas Account number: _______________
Address: _____________________________________ Other Ontario Gas Account number: ___________
City/Town: __________________________________ Province: _________ Postal code:_______________
Phone number: (Bus.) ___________________________ (Res.) __________________________________
Financial Institution: ____________________________________________________________________
Bank Account number: ________________________ Bank Transit number: _________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
City/Town: ___________________________ Province: _____________ Postal code: _________________
Authorized signature(s):_________________________________________________________________
72 Level 4 R W
Activity: Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Application Form
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Activity: Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Application Form
,
Ontario Gas
74 Level 4 R W S
Activity:
Monthly Budgets
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners brainstorm the vocabulary terms for typical Canadian household expenses,
and then discuss a case study and prepare a monthly budget.
Timing: 45 minutes+
WARM-UP Learners work individually on the brainstorming activity:
~ Hand out the Monthly Expenses Chart and instruct the class to consider
types of household expenses, and then itemize and enter them into the
relevant section of the chart. For example, learners would write rent or
mortgage payment in the Housing Expenses section.
~ It may be necessary to clarify the meaning of paycheque deductions.
~ In the right-hand column, learners estimate the monthly cost of each
expenditure for a family of 2 adults and 2 children ages 3 and 6 [modify this
according to class composition].
~ Emphasize these points:
The purpose of this activity is to learn vocabulary and discuss the
cost of living in Canada.
The $ amount is only an estimate, an approximate value. There is no
right or wrong answer.
After learners have completed their charts to the best of their abilities, divide the
class into small groups to compare their work. They should cross-check their
spelling and lexicon (electricity, payments etc.) and compare which items they
included and which ones they overlooked.
When their comparison is complete, hand out Typical Household Expenses in
Canada, and instruct the groups to read through the list together, discussing the
meaning of each item and seeking clarification from their instructor where necessary.
They can use the list to correct or modify entries in their charts. (Weaker classes
should be given this sheet earlier on.)
ACTIVITY Distribute the reading Svetlana and Ali, and make sure that everyone understands
their financial situation clearly.
Learners do the Writing Activity individually.
Divide the class into groups of three, and give each learner a copy of Monthly
Budget For Ali And Svetlana. The group must agree on entries into the chart, but
they should all fill in their own charts so they can all benefit from writing practice.
FOLLOW-UP Each group copies its budget for Ali and Svetlana onto a poster board or the
blackboard, and then presents it to the class.
An additional case study involving maternity leave is available online at:
www.settlement.org/downloads/linc.LCG/budget.htm
Instruct groups to discuss differences in the cost of living between Canada and their
countries of origin.
Activity:
Monthly Budgets
VARIATION Alter the dollars figures in the reading to reflect the current local cost of living.
After groups are about half-way through their budgets, use the Optional Wild
Cards. Give one group member a die to toss, and then read aloud the
corresponding paragraph number from the sheet. The group must listen and then
revise their budget to reflect Svetlana and Alis new financial situation.
ASSESSMENT Instructors circulate during conversation to assess learners speaking.
~ expresses opinion
~ expresses worry/concern
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY income; expenses; paycheque deductions; approximate; item; sponsor; budget; in
(somebodys) field; goals
See also the list of Typical Household Expenses in Canada.
76 Level 4 R W S
Activity: Monthly Budgets
Monthly Expenses Chart
Where Does Our Money Go Every Month?
ITEM APPROXIMATE AMOUNT ($)
PAYCHEQUE DEDUCTIONS
HOUSING EXPENSES
TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES
FOOD
OTHER
Typical Household Expenses In Canada
Discuss the meaning of these items. Which of them did you include in your Monthly Expenses Chart?
mortgage/rent
property taxes
home repairs
household insurance
heating gas or oil
electricity
water and sewer
phone
cell phone
internet
cable TV/satellite
car payments
car insurance
gas
parking
public transportation
taxi rides
auto maintenance/repairs
health insurance
medicine
life/disability insurance
clothing
school supplies
childrens lessons & sports
(hockey, ballet, etc)
entertainment
(charitable donations)
78 Level 4 R W S
Svetlana and Ali
Twenty-four year old Ali and twenty-five year old Svetlana met in a LINC 2 class three years ago. Although
they came from different cultures and they couldnt communicate easily, it was love at first sight. Eight
months ago they got married, and now they are living in Ontario.
Ali has a college diploma in business studies. He wants to find a marketing position in Canada, but right
now he is working at a restaurant. He is a waiter, and he earns approximately $2500 per month after
paycheque deductions. He works in the evenings. During the day, he is a volunteer doing marketing for the
Cancer Society. It pays nothing, but it is exactly the kind of job he wants in the future, so he is
volunteering to get Canadian experience. He feels that it is important for him to continue with it until
he finds a paying job in his field.
Svetlana was a nurse in Russia, and she was disappointed to learn that she cant work as a nurse here in
Canada until she passes some nursing exams. She feels that she will be able to pass them in the future, but
right now her English is not good enough. She works in a nursing home, feeding and bathing elderly
people. This part-time position pays $275 per week after deductions. She also works 16 hours a week at
the restaurant with Ali, which pays $200 per week after deductions. She is taking an English course and
studying for her exams.
Goals
There are many things this couple would like, but of course they cannot do everything. Here are some of
their dreams:
have at least 2 children
buy a car
buy a house
save money for a rainy day (= for emergencies)
save money to travel to Morocco and Russia
sponsor family members to immigrate to Canada
travel
buy a piano for Ali
give money to charities to help the poor and needy
Ali might want to go to university for an MBA (Masters in Business Administration)
in the future
Svetlana loves fashion and would like to buy a lot of new clothing
Writing Activity
Write 5 conditional sentences about Svetlana and Alis financial situation.
Example:
If Ali and Svetlana save enough money, they will buy a house.
1. _____________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________________________________
Discussion:
Discuss Ali and Svetlanas financial situation in a small group. They have a lot of dreams. Decide which goals
they should be working towards now, and use the chart to prepare a monthly budget that will help them
meet these goals.
80 Level 4 R W S
TOTAL EXPENSES:
SAVINGS:
Monthly Budget For Ali And Svetlana
ITEM AMOUNT ($)
INCOME
EXPENSES
HOUSING AND UTILITIES
TRANSPORTATION
FOOD
OTHER
Optional Wild Cards
1. Svetlana has become pregnant! She doesnt feel well.
2. Ali has found a good job in marketing. It pays $3500 per month after deductions.
3. Ali has a family problem. He needs to return to Morocco for a month. This will cost $1500 in
air fare, plus he will lose a months income. The couple is going to borrow money for these
expenses from their family, but they must pay it back within a year.
4. Svetlana has started a full-time position at the nursing home. It pays $2800 per month after
deductions.
5. Svetlana has dental problems that are causing her a lot of pain. The dentist must do some
expensive work that will cost $1700. The dentist will accept a monthly payment of $100 for
18 months.
6. Ali has been hired part-time by the Cancer Society. He now gets paid to work in marketing on
Mondays. He only earns $75 per week, but he thinks it might turn into a full-time job in the future.
Canada
LINC
4
CANADA
Activity:
Library of Parliament
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners listen to a narrative about the burning of Parliament in 1916 and then read about
modern renovations to the Parliamentary Library. A writing assignment follows.
Timing: 1 hour +
WARM-UP Read the Warm-Up handout with the class and ensure that everyone understands
the word hero. Invite learners to speculate about what Connolly MacCormac possibly
did.
ACTIVITY Play the audio (Track 8) one time and solicit answers to the General
Comprehension Questions. This can be done orally.
Give the learners time to read and begin to answer Exercise 2 before re-playing
the audio. Collect the answer sheets for assessment or else take up the correct
responses in class.
Explain the concept of an unsung hero. Hand out the My Heroes worksheet and
allow learners time to read, reflect and write their responses before dividing the
class into conversation groups to discuss their personal heroes.
Hand out Canadas Most Beautiful Room. Much of the unfamiliar vocabulary in this
reading is illustrated in the visuals, and, with the instructors help, other terms such
as survived, worn, and renovation can be understood from context.
Learners complete Exercise 4 with short answers.
After learners have completed Exercise 5, divide them into groups to read their
paragraphs to one another, answer any questions, and discuss the buildings they have
described.
A further possible topic for discussion is whether governments are wise to spend huge
sums of public money on renovating historic architecture, in Canada or any other
country.
FOLLOW-UP The Rehabilitation Work video is a highly-recommended ten-minute video with
music and captions that provide an overview of the Library of Parliament, its
history, and the modern renovation project. The video is slow-paced and the visuals
clearly illustrate the vocabulary in the captions:
http://www.collineduparlement-parliamenthill.gc.ca/video/biblio-library-eng.html
Instructors can also use the video to review the past perfect and passive forms.
An interesting, but more challenging, 5-minute audio clip is available online in the
On This Day February 3, 1916 CBC Archives:http://archives.cbc.ca/on_this_day/02/03/
An excerpt from a 1966 CBC Radio broadcast, it provides a detailed account of the
beginning of the fire as well as eye-witness interviews.
VARIATION Instructors may wish to assign these alternative writing tasks:
~ Write about a personal hero/ine
~ Describe a favourite room (eg, kitchen, childhood bedroom)
Learners read along with the audio version of Canadas Most Beautiful Room.
CANADA
86 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
Library of Parliament
CROSS- The story behind another famous Canadian landmark is found in Travel &
REFERENCE Transportation Confederation Bridge
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: First Listening
General Comprehension Questions
1. There was a fire in the (Centre Block of the) Parliament Buildings.
2. The strong metal doors were closed to prevent the fire from spreading into the
Parliamentary Library.
Exercise 2: Second Listening
Listening For Detail
1. the Reading Room 2. around 8:30 pm 3. the Prime Minister/Robert Borden
4. water from firefighters hoses froze 5. Canada was at war with Germany
6. the Peace Tower
Exercise 3: answers will vary
Exercise 4. 1. $301,000 2. $136 million 3. 2006 4. to keep light in areas near the books
5. Canada became a country 6. Queen Victoria 7. Smoke, water 8. 2
ASSESSMENT Exercise 2 can be used for listening assessment.
~ responds to requests for facts relating to text
SOURCES Library of Parliament, Wikipedia, http://en.wokipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Parliament
Patricia Williams, Canadas heritage top of mind in library restoration, Daily
Commercial News and Construction Record, www.dcnonl.com.article/20060630100
Treasure to Explore, Public Works and Government Services Canada
www.collineduparlement_parliamenthill.gc.ca
Virtual Exhibit: Ottawa Becomes the Capital, City of Ottawa,
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/heritage/archives/virtual_exhibit/building_en.html
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY Library of Parliament: burn; smoke; escape; remains; spy; cigar; waste paper basket
My Heroes: hero; heroine; unsung hero
Canadas Most Beautiful Room: worn; renovation; paneling; statue; grout
CANADA
Activity: Library of Parliament
It was a cold winter night in Canadas capital, Ottawa, on February 3, 1916. At 9:00 pm the Members of
Parliament were still working in the House of Commons, in the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings. They were
discussing a law about fishing, when a clerk suddenly entered the room and shouted, Fire!!! Everybody get out!!!
The fire had started in a nearby room called the Reading Room around 8:30 pm, but it spread quickly to other
parts of the building. Smoke was everywhere. The Prime Minister of Canada, Robert Borden, was upstairs in his
office when the fire began. He escaped from the Parliament Building by crawling down the stairs through the
smoke on his hands and knees.
The Parliamentary Library was at the back of the Centre Block. It was separated from the rest of the building by a
narrow hall. While people were escaping as fast as they could, an assistant librarian named Connolly MacCormac
remembered that there were strong metal doors between the library and the hall, and he made sure they were
closed. Because of his quick thinking, the smoke and fire did not spread into the library, and so it was the only part
of the building that did not burn down. This saved a very beautiful room, and also many important and priceless
books that were inside the library.
The Parliament Building burnt very quickly because it was full of paper and wood. The fire started around 8:30
pm. At 9:30, the roof of the House of Commons fell in. By 11:00, the Tower had caught fire and it fell at 1:30 am.
By 3:00 am the fire was mostly under control. The next morning, the remains of the building were still smoking, and
they were covered with ice. The water from the firefighters hoses had frozen during the cold winter night. The
building was destroyed, except for the beautiful library at the back. The library had been saved by the quick
thinking of Connolly MacCormac, one of Canadas unsung heroes.
When Parliament burnt down in 1916, Canada was at war, in World War I. Many people thought the fire had been
started by an enemy German spy, so the government held an investigation, or a study, to find out how the fire had
started. Their conclusion was that it was an accident. They believed that someone had been smoking a cigar, and
when he finished, he threw his cigar into the waste paper basket in the Reading Room. This was how the fire
started.
Construction on a new Parliament Building began right away. By 1920, the government was able to move back into
a new Centre Block Building, which is what we see today when we visit Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The Peace Tower
was finished in 1927. The only part of Canadas first Parliament Building that is still standing is the library, saved by
Assistant Librarian Connolly MacCormac.
CANADA
88 Level 4 R W L S
Warm-up
You are going to learn about one of Canadas heroes, an assistant librarian named Connolly MacCormac.
On the night of February 3, 1916, he was just an ordinary man working at his unimportant job in a library.
The next morning he was a national hero, because during an emergency he had remembered something
important. Connolly MacCormacs quick thinking saved what is sometimes called Canadas most beautiful
room.
Listen to find out more about Connolly MacCormacs place in Canadian history.
CANADA
Exercise 1
First Listening: General Comprehension Questions
1. What happened on the night of February 3, 1916?
_________________________________________________________________________
2. Why didnt the Parliamentary Library burn down with the rest of the building?
_________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 2
Second Listening: Listening For Detail
1. In what room did the fire start? _________________________________________________
2. When did the fire start (what time)? ______________________
3. Who crawled down the stairs on his hands and knees?
___________________________________________
4. Why was there a lot of ice on the remains of the building the next morning?
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Why did some people think the fire had been started by a German?
_________________________________________________________________________
6. What was finished in 1927?
___________________________________________________
This photograph of Parliament after the fire
was published in the New York Times in 1916.
CANADA
90 Level 4 R W L S
My Heroes
When we watch movies and read books, we learn about heroes and heroines who have done great things
to change history. In our personal lives we meet special people who may be unsung heroes. They are great
people, but they are not famous.
Exercise 3
Write about four of your personal heroes or heroines. They could be famous leaders like Nelson Mandela
or Mahatma Gandhi, or they could be ordinary people like your mother or father.
Be prepared to discuss your choices in a small conversation group.
Name Reason Why This Person
is a Hero/Heroine
Photographers took many pictures during the fire of 1916, but
we have no photograph of Connolly MacCormac.
CANADA
Canadas Most Beautiful Room
Many people say that the Library of Parliament in Ottawa is Canadas most beautiful room. It took
seventeen years to build (1859-1876), and it cost $301,000, which was a great amount of money at the
time. One reason why it was so expensive is that the builders found they could not construct the roof
here in Canada. It was quickly made in England and then shipped all the way to Ottawa. Another reason
for the high cost is that the Library is beautifully decorated, both inside and outside. The main floor is
made up of three different kinds of wood. Some of the floors are made of glass to keep light in areas near
the books. The wood-paneled walls and bookcases are decorated with flowers and faces. In the centre is a
large statue of Queen Victoria, who was the Queen when Canada became a country in 1867.
The builders did not have the
technology to build the dome roof
here in Canada.
The wood-paneled walls and
bookcases are decorated with
flowers and faces.
In the centre is a large statue of
Queen Victoria.
CANADA
92 Level 4 R W L S
The Library survived the great fire of 1916 that burnt the rest of the Centre Block. In 1952, another fire
started in the top of the roof. This one was not serious, but it caused a lot of smoke and water damage to
the building and the books. By the 1980s, the library was in such bad condition that the librarians had to
cover the books with plastic when it rained. The walls were falling down and the beautiful floor was so old
and worn it could not be repaired any more.
A renovation project began in 2002. 147 windows were fixed, three new roofs were built, and three new
basement levels were added underneath the building to hold the growing number of books. The electrical
and heating systems were modernized. 213 metric tonnes of grout were added to the walls to keep them
strong. It took four years and $136 million to make the Library look as beautiful as it did in 1876. $136
million? No wonder the Library of Parliament is a beautiful room!!
Grout was added to the walls to keep them strong.
CANADA
Exercise 4
Comprehension Questions
1. How much did it cost to build the Library of Parliament? ______________________________
2. How much did it cost to renovate the Library of Parliament? ___________________________
3. When was the renovation completed? _____________________________________________
4. Why are there glass floors in parts of the library? ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
5. Why is 1867 an important year in Canadas history? __________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. Who was Queen of England (and Canada) in 1867? __________________________________
7. What two things damaged the building and the books in 1952?
________________________________ and _________________________________________
8. How many fires have there been in the Library of Parliament? __________________________
CANADA
94 Level 4 R W L S
Exercise 5
Write a paragraph about a famous building or room. Describe how it looks, and add other information
such as
Where is it? When was it built?
What is it made of? Why was it built?
What is it used for now?
OR
Tell the story of a building that was damaged or destroyed by age or by flooding, fire or another disaster.
Was the building renovated or rebuilt? What is the condition of the building now?
Photo Credit: Alejandro Erickson
CANADA
Activity:
The Amazing Rattenbury Story, Part 1
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read Part One of the story of Francis Rattenbury, architect of the B.C. Parliament Buildings, and then
answer comprehension questions and participate in a small group discussion.
Timing: 35 minutes
WARM-UP Hand out Getting Started, and invite learners to speculate about the character of
Francis Rattenbury.
Introduce some of the adjectives used in the reading passage to describe
Rattenburys architecture: grand, impressive, respectable, traditional, solid, stone.
Inform the class they are going to read more about the architect and his amazing
life; clarify the meaning of amazing.
ACTIVITY Explain that this is a reading fluency activity, and that learners should not use their
dictionaries the first time they read the passage. If they want to, they can underline
new words and then look them up later if they still find it necessary.
FOLLOW-UP The Amazing Rattenbury Story, Parts 2, 3 and 4
VARIATION Getting Started can be converted to a paperless whole class discussion by
showing the same photographs on the B.C. Architects webpage:
http://www.islandnet.com/~hsbc/kids/bc_architects_rat2.htm
The Amazing Rattenbury Story -- Extensions for Group Discussions enriches
Discussion 1.
CROSS The story behind another famous Canadian landmark is found in
REFERENCE Travel & Transportation - Confederation Bridge.
ANSWER KEY 1. 1891 2. England 3. a. no 3. b. Shortly after he came to Canada, he learned z
about a competition for the design of new provincial parliament buildings in
Victoria. 4. a. Any two of: grand, impressive, stone, British, traditional, solid,
respectable 4. b. Answers will vary 5. Any 2 of: walk in the downtown area;
visit the port, park and two buildings; take photographs.
CANADA
96 Level 4 S R
Activity:
ASSESSMENT Instructors mark individual learner responses.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY amazing; architect; tourist destination; port; grand; impressive; respectable;
traditional; solid; competition; earnings
CANADA
Activity: The Amazing Rattenbury Story, Part 1
Getting Started
Look at these old photographs and think about the architect who designed them. His name was Francis
Rattenbury.
What kind of man do you think Francis Rattenbury was?
Vancouver Courthouse
Nelson Courthouse
The Bank of Montreal
The Victoria Empress Hotel
Photographs Courtesy of British Columbia Provincial Archives
CANADA
98 Level 4 S R
Francis Rattenbury, Architect Of British Columbias Parliament Buildings
Part 1 Success In Architecture
Victoria is the provincial capital of British Columbia. It is a small, pretty city and also a popular tourist
destination. Visitors enjoy walking in the downtown area and visiting the port, parks, and two grand old
buildings the Provincial Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress Hotel. These impressive stone
buildings were designed by the architect Francis Rattenbury. They look very British, traditional, solid, and
respectable. Every year thousands of tourists take photographs of them, but the story of the architect
who designed these buildings is not grand at all.
Francis Rattenbury was born in England in 1867, and he moved to Vancouver when he was 24 years old.
Soon after he came to Canada, he learned about a competition for the design of new provincial
parliament buildings in Victoria. He surprised everyone, including himself, when he won the contest.
Construction was completed in 1898. The project was a great success, and it led him to more work on
more public buildings in western Canada. Rattenbury used some of his earnings to start other businesses,
and the tall red-haired architect was a rich and successful man before he was thirty.
Provincial Parliament Buildings, Victoria, British Columbia
Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia
CANADA
Check Your Understanding
1. In what year did Rattenbury come to Canada? __________________________
2. Where did he come from? _________________________________________
3. a. Did Rattenbury know he would become the architect of British Columbias Parliament Buildings
before he came to Canada? Write yes or no on the line.
__________
b. Copy words from the reading to explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
4. a. Look at the pictures of the B.C. Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel. Find two words in
Part 1 that describe the buildings.
______________________________________________
b. Write two words of your own (not from the reading passage) that describe the buildings.
______________________________________________
5. Name two things that visitors to Victoria like to do.
______________________________________________
CANADA
100 Level 4 S R
Discussion 1
Answer these questions with a partner or in a small group.
Why do you think Rattenbury was surprised that he won the competition?
Find the part of the reading that says the story of the architect who designed these buildings is
not grand at all. What do you think could happen to Rattenbury in the future? In your group, make
3 guesses about how an architect and businessman living in British Columbia 100 years ago could
come to a bad end.
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
CANADA
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Part Two of the story of Francis Rattenbury is followed by activities that include expressing opinions,
writing a note, and working with sequencing transitions.
Timing: 60 minutes+
new words and then look them up after they have finished reading.
The Conversation Worksheet teaches learners new ways to express their opinions.
These should be modeled and practiced briefly before the class is divided into
groups to answer the questions in Discussion 2. Instructors should circulate
between discussion groups to ensure that learners are using the new expressions
naturally and correctly.
For Writing a Message, learners must imagine they are either Francis or Florence,
and then write a message to their spouse. Some learners may require more detailed
prompting (for example, You want your spouse to hire somebody to fix the roof ).
For the second part of the activity, learners must respond appropriately to the
message that a classmate has written.
Learners follow the instructions in Reading Skills to learn about and practice using
sequencing transitions.
FOLLOW-UP The Amazing Rattenbury Story, Parts 3 and 4 .
VARIATION The Amazing Rattenbury Story -- Extensions for Group Discussions enriches Discussion 2.
Writing a Message: Read through the first part of the instructions (to the end of
the first task) with the class. Ask, What information might you want from your
spouse? List responses on the board. Learners choose one response and compose
a message.
CROSS- The story behind another famous Canadian landmark is found in
REFERENCE Travel & Transportation - Confederation Bridge.
ANSWER KEY Sequencing transitions and other general time order expressions in Part 2 include:
in 1898; shortly after; over the years; eventually; then; on the evening they met;
before long; second; next; finally; while; in the end; soon
CANADA
102 Level 4 S R W
Activity:
ASSESSMENT Instructors circulate and listen to group conversations for informal speaking
assessment.
~ expresses opinion
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY eventually; reception; pianist; adventurous; bravery; hopelessly in love; nasty;
ostracized
CANADA
Failure In Marriage
In addition to being rich and successful, Rattenbury was also single. Naturally, plenty of young women were
interested in marrying him, and many were surprised when he married Florence Nunn in 1898.
They were surprised because Florence was quiet and not very attractive, but then she gave birth to a
child shortly after they married.
The couple had two children and lived in a beautiful house that Rattenbury had designed, but their
marriage was not happy. Florence rarely left home, and over the years she became heavy. Husband and
wife eventually stopped speaking to each other, and they lived in separate sections of their large house.
Their daughter Mary had to carry messages between them.
Francis Rattenbury
Home of Florence and Francis Rattenbury
CANADA
104 Level 4 S R W
Failure In Marriage (Continued)
Then, one evening in 1923, Francis met Alma Pakenham at a party in the Empress Hotel. Alma was a
beautiful and talented singer, pianist and songwriter. She was in her twenties, and she was very fun-loving
and adventurous. She had won medals for bravery during World War I, but in the 1920s she was
considered a wild woman because she was divorced and she smoked cigarettes in public. On the evening
they met, Alma looked at Rattenbury and said Do you know that you have a lovely face? Francis fell
hopelessly in love.
Before long, Rattenbury wanted to divorce his wife and marry Alma, but Florence refused. He argued. She
refused. He promised her lots of money. She refused. He promised to build her a grand house or anything
she wanted. Still she refused. So Francis decided to get nasty.
He moved out of their big family house and then had the heat and lights turned off. Florence didnt change
her mind. Next, he started to go out publicly with Alma, in order to embarrass his wife into a divorce.
That didnt work. Thirdly, he tried removing the furniture from the house. That didnt work either. Finally,
he moved back into the house and brought Alma with him. They lived on the bottom floor (with furniture,
lights and heat) while Florence lived upstairs in the cold and dark. Francis and Alma drank lots of alcohol,
took cocaine (a drug), played piano, laughed and sang songs.
In the end, Florence agreed to the divorce. This made it possible for Francis and Alma to marry in 1925,
and soon they had a son. But they were not happy. Nobody in Victoria would speak to them because
everyone felt badly for Florence. Nobody invited them out, nobody hired Francis to design buildings any
more, and his businesses started to fail. The couple was completely ostracized.
Alma Pakenham
CANADA
Conversation Worksheet
Discuss the Rattenbury story in small groups. Most of the conversation questions have no right or wrong
answers you will simply share your ideas and feelings about Francis, Florence and Alma. Here are some
expressions to help you give your opinion and also agree or disagree with the opinions of your
classmates. Practice using these expressions while you are talking.
To express your opinion:
I think that
It is possible that
I feel that
To agree with another persons opinion:
I agree with you.
Yes, youre right.
I think so too.
To disagree with another persons opinion:
Im sorry, but I disagree.
I dont agree.
Im not sure about that. I think that
Hmmm. Are you sure about that?
CANADA
106 Level 4 S R W
Discussion 2
Remember to practice using the expressions from the Conversation Worksheet while you talk.
Why did Rattenbury marry Florence?
Why wouldnt Florence agree to divorce Francis for such a long time?
Discuss your feelings about Alma. Do you think you would like her if you met her?
Why or why not?
Discuss your feelings about Florence. Would you like her if you met her? Why or why not?
If you were a man, would you rather be married to an exciting woman like Alma, or a quiet woman
like Florence?
Comment on Almas question to Francis the night they met, Do you know that you have a lovely
face?
Guess what the word ostracized means in the last sentence of Part 2. If people dont agree on its
meaning, then look it up in the dictionary.
CANADA
Writing A Message
You read in Part 2 that daughter Mary had to carry messages between a husband and wife who refused to
speak to one another. Imagine that you are either Florence or Francis (before 1923 when he met Alma).
You want some information from your spouse,
or
you want your spouse to give you something,
or
you want your spouse to do something,
or
there is a problem with the children.
1. Write a short message to either Francis or Florence in one of the notes below.
2. Next, give your message to a classmate.
3. Your classmate will imagine he or she is the spouse, and will reply to your message on the other side.
Remember: you and your spouse are not friendly, so your messages should be short and they dont have
to be very polite!
M
adam
:
Sir:
CANADA
108 Level 4 S R W
Reading Skills
Many transition words and phrases are used in written English. Here are some examples:
Ontario contains a third of Canadas population. In addition, it contains the countrys largest city.
Northern Canada is very cold; therefore, most people live in the south.
These transitions are organization expressions that help the reader connect ideas and understand the
writers purpose. Imagine that reading is like traveling to another city by car. Transition words and phrases
are the signs on the highway that tell the passengers which direction they are going, so they dont get lost.
Sequencing transitions put actions in time order:
First, boil some water in a large pot.
After that, add the spaghetti.
Reading Activity
Re-read Part 2 Failure in Marriage. Find and underline the sequencing transitions and other
expressions that help organize time order.
Example:
The couple had two children and lived in a beautiful house that Rattenbury had designed, but their
marriage was not happy. Florence rarely left home, and over the years she became heavy. Husband and
wife eventually stopped speaking to each other, and they lived in separate sections of their large home.
Their daughter had to carry messages between them.
Then, one evening
CANADA
Activity:
Writing Activity
Choose any five of the expressions you underlined in Part 2 Failure in Marriage and use them in your
own sentences. Write one sentence for each of the five expressions.
Example:
Cars eventually replaced horses.
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
CANADA
110 Level 4 S R
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Part Three of the story of Francis Rattenbury is followed by reading comprehension questions
and a small group conversation.
Timing: 35 minutes
ACTIVITY Legal Vocabulary (Canadian Law) is an optional reading, writing and listening activity
that teaches the legal terms found in The Amazing Rattenbury Story Parts 3 and 4.
new words and then look them up after they have finished reading.
Learners may need to refer back to earlier sections of the Rattenbury Story in order
to answer questions in Check Your Understanding. Learners can work in pairs to
add a speaking component if instructors are not formally assessing reading
comprehension.
Learners continue to practice ways of expressing their opinion [from the
Conversation Worksheet in The Amazing Rattenbury Story, Part 2] during
Discussion 3.
FOLLOW-UP The Amazing Rattenbury Story, Part 4
VARIATION The Amazing Rattenbury Story -- Extensions for Group Discussions
enriches Discussion 3.
CROSS- Canadian Law - Legal Vocabulary
REFERENCE The story behind another famous Canadian landmark is found in
Travel & Transportation Confederation Bridge.
ANSWER KEY 1. T 2. F no other children one other child 3. T 4. F Florence Francis
5. T 6. F family member handyman-chauffeur 7. F smart unintelligent
8. T 9. T 10. F axe mallet
CANADA
Activity:
ASSESSMENT Instructors circulate and listen to discussion groups for informal speaking assessment.
~ identifies important details/specific information as required
~ expresses opinion
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY broken heart; alcoholic; handyman; chauffer; whisky; suicide; passionate; jealousy;
mallet; charged; trial; judged; guilty
CANADA
112 Level 4 S R
Activity: The Amazing Rattenbury Story, Part Three
Back In England
Francis and Alma decided to go to England. They left Victoria in 1929, the same year Florence died (of a
broken heart, some said). Things were no better for the couple in England. Francis was an alcoholic, he
was too old to satisfy Alma, and he was extremely depressed.
They didnt have much money, and they couldnt enjoy the rich lifestyle that they were used to, but Alma
continued to work on her career in music and they did have a few helpers and servants working for them.
In 1935 they hired George Stoner to be their handyman-chauffeur. He was handsome, unintelligent, and
only eighteen years old. Within a few weeks, he became Almas lover. They slept together upstairs every
night, while sixty-seven year old Francis put himself to sleep with a bottle of whisky downstairs. He didnt
really care what his wife was doing. He was depressed, and talked of suicide.
Passionate and simple-minded George fell deeply in love with Alma. One evening he couldnt stand his
jealousy any longer, and he went into the living room where Francis was sitting in an armchair and hit him
on the head many times with a wooden mallet. Rattenbury, who had designed some of Canadas most
famous buildings, died soon after. George told the police that he had killed him, but Alma wanted to
protect George, so she privately told the police that she had killed him. Both were charged with murder.
CANADA
If the sentence is true, write T in the blank. If the sentence is false, correct it to make it a true sentence.
Examples:
__________ Francis and Alma moved to England.
__________ Francis and Florence moved to England.
1. ____________ Francis Rattenbury designed many important buildings in Western Canada.
2. ____________ Francis and Florence had a daughter named Mary, and no other children.
3. ____________ Florence died after Francis and Alma married.
4. ____________ People in Victoria thought Florence had been a bad spouse.
5. ____________ Alma was a singer, pianist and songwriter.
6. ____________ George was Francis family member.
7. ____________ George was very smart.
8. ____________ Francis was an alcoholic.
9. ____________ George Stoner killed Francis because he was jealous of him.
10. ____________ George killed Francis with an axe.
T
Alma
CANADA
114 Level 4 S R
Discussion 3
You will be giving your own opinion as well as agreeing and disagreeing with the opinions of others during
your conversation. Remember to use the expressions from the Conversation Worksheet while you talk.
Francis was about thirty years older than Alma. Is this too much of an age gap* for a successful
marriage?
What about eighteen and thirty-five was there too much of an age gap between Alma and
George?
Do you think Alma really loved George? Why or why not?
Think about the legal trial that will take place. Both Alma and George told the police that they had
killed Francis, but will they both be judged guilty? George used a mallet to kill Francis, but do you
think Alma is indirectly guilty too? What do you think their punishments will be, if any? Do you
think they will get the same punishment?
Who is the worst person in this story George, Francis or Alma?
Who is the best person in this story George, Francis or Alma?
What will Georges future be (what will he be doing twenty years after the trial)?
What will Almas future be (what will she be doing twenty years after the trial)?
* age gap = difference in ages
CANADA
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
The conclusion of the Francis Rattenbury story is followed by sentence- and paragraph-writing.
Timing: 45 minutes +
WARM-UP Canadian Law Legal Vocabulary is an optional reading, writing and listening activity
that teaches the legal terms found in The Amazing Rattenbury Story Parts 3 and 4.
new words and then look them up after they have finished reading (if they still find
it necessary).
Learners may need to refer back to Parts 1 to 3 in order to complete the
writing activities. Some classes may need to review adjective clauses.
FOLLOW-UP Inform the learners that all the people involved in this story are now dead, with
the exception of Alma and Francis son John. He grew up to become a successful
architect as well, and in 2006 he was living in the USA (age 77).
This (challenging) Telegraph.co.uk newspaper article tells the story of a headstone
for Rattenburys grave: Headstone at Last for Victim of 1930s Murder
[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1569803/Headstone-at-last-for-victim-of-
1930s-murder.html]
VARIATION The Amazing Rattenbury Story -- Extensions for Group Discussions enriches
Discussion Four and provides more information on the life of George Stoner.
Instruct learners to include a sentence from the Sentence Practice exercise in their
biographical paragraph.
CROSS - Canadian Law Legal Vocabulary
REFERENCE The story behind another famous Canadian landmark is found in
Travel & Transportation Confederation Bridge.
CANADA
116 Level 4 R W S
Activity:
ASSESSMENT Instructors mark individual learner responses.
~ uses basic paragraph structure
~ conveys main ideas, supporting detail
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY trial; fascinated; murder case; gossip; souvenir hunters; innocent; onlookers; boo (v.);
seduce; stab; drown; suicide; guilt; petition; mercy; pressure; admire; scandalous;
grand
CANADA
Activity: The Amazing Rattenbury Story, Part Four
The Legal Trial
The trial of George Stoner and Alma Pakenham Rattenbury was one of Canadas biggest news stories in
the 1930s. People on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean were fascinated by all the facts in the murder case,
and the radio and newspapers were full of gossip about the eighteen year old servant, the sixty-seven year
old husband, and the wife of around thirty-three (her exact age was unknown). The British police even had
to protect the Rattenbury home from souvenir hunters!
During the trial, George and Alma changed their stories, and both said that they were innocent. Alma
spoke to the court in her own defense, but George was not good with words, and so he remained silent.
Alma was set free, but George was sentenced to death.
The public was very angry!! When Alma walked out of the courtroom as a free woman, crowds of
onlookers were waiting to boo her and shout insults. People believed that Alma was responsible for the
killing. They knew that George wasnt very smart and that Alma took drugs, smoked, and had been married
three times. They believed Alma had seduced George and then encouraged him to kill the old and useless
husband she no longer loved.
In fact, Alma felt terrible that George was going to die. Shortly after the trial, she wrote a final love song,
walked to a river, and stabbed herself many times with a knife. She fell into the river and drowned.
The public saw Almas suicide as a sign of her guilt. Over 350,000 people signed a petition to the
government asking for mercy for George. The petition said that Alma had used George "for her own
pleasure and entertainment," and that "He might have been the son of any of us." As a result of public
pressure, his death sentence was changed to life in prison.
George was a very well-behaved prisoner. During World War II, he was freed from jail so he could join the
British army. He returned home from the war, married, had children, and lived to be an old man. He never
spoke in public about the murder, except shortly before he died in 1999, when he said The whole crime
was committed on an emotional basis. Both I and the lady involved were in a highly emotional state.
Do you remember the buildings that Rattenbury designed? Tourists love
to admire his architecture, but they have no idea of the story behind the
buildings they are photographing in the tidy and beautiful provincial
capital of British Columbia.
CANADA
118 Level 4 R W S
Activity:
Discussion 4
Are you satisfied with the end of this story? Did Alma, Francis and George each get what they deserved?
Sentence Practice
Finish these sentences in your own words. Example:
The B.C. Parliament buildings are buildings that look very beautiful.
1. Francis Rattenbury was a man who_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. Florence Rattenbury was a woman who ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. Alma Pakenham Rattenbury was a woman who _____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. George Stoner was a man who _________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. Florence Rattenbury lived in a house that _________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
6. Mary Rattenbury was a child who _______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
7. When Francis Rattenbury was old, he was a man who ________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
8. People said that Alma was a woman who __________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
9. George was a prisoner who ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
10. Victoria is a city that ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
CANADA
Writing Assignment:
Using information from the readings, write a paragraph about the life of Francis Rattenbury.
Use the past tense.
Francis Rattenbury
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
CANADA
120 Level 4 S R
Activity:
The Amazing Rattenbury Story
Extensions For Group Discussions
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
An optional enrichment activity for strong classes enhances group discussions of the
Amazing Rattenbury story.
ACTIVITY While learners are participating in Discussion 1 (Amazing Rattenbury Story,
Part 1), give one group member a copy of Information for Discussion 1.
This group member silently reads the sheet and follows the instructions in order
to provide extra information about the Rattenbury story to classmates during the
course of the conversation.
Note that only one learner receives the extra information sheet. The facts on these
sheets are interesting, but they are unnecessary for the overall success of the
group discussion.
Follow the same procedure for Discussions 2 4.
Groups of four are optimal, as each learner will receive a turn.
REFERENCE
CANADA
Activity: The Amazing Rattenbury Story Extensions For Group Discussions
THE AMAZING RATTENBURY STORY
Information for Discussion 1
(For one member of the group only)
You have some extra information about the story, and your job is to share this information with the other
members of your group. DO NOT READ this information you must TELL it, and you should not look at
this sheet while you are talking. You can give the information all at one time, or you can divide it into
smaller parts. If there is something you dont understand, ask your teacher before you begin.
Here is the information:
Rattenbury did not expect to win the competition for the design of the BC Parliament Buildings
because he had just come to Canada and had no Canadian experience.
He had no formal education or degrees in architecture.
When he entered his design into the competition, he did not sign his name. Instead, he signed his
design A B.C. Architect.
Many other architects were jealous of him.
CANADA
122 Level 4 S R
smaller parts. If there is something you dont understand, ask your instructor before you begin.
Alma was born in British Columbia.
Her first husband was a soldier in World War I. Alma followed him to England. After he was killed
in the war, she decided to help other soldiers by going to France and becoming an ambulance
driver for soldiers who were hurt during the fighting. This is how she won her medals for bravery.
She was a serious and successful musician. For example, her music was played on the radio in
England (by the BBC).
CANADA
George Stoner was a very quiet young man. He sometimes lived with his parents, and sometimes
with his grandparents.
He became angry and jealous every time Alma spent time with her husband.
He borrowed the mallet from his grandparents house one afternoon.
That same evening, Alma found Francis seriously injured. She didnt know that George had done it.
Francis was still alive, so she called the doctor.
George told her what he had done late that same night, when they were in bed.
After he told her, she took some drugs and drank some alcohol.
When the police came to the house, she told them she had tried to kill her husband.
CANADA
124 Level 4 S R
Alma died 3 days after the trial was over.
When George returned to England after the war, he returned to his community and lived in the
house where he had grown up.
The hospital where he died in 2000 is only about 1 kilometer away from where
Alma died.
George died on exactly the 65th anniversary of the murder.
CANADA
Activity:
Canadian Trivia Question Formation Review
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
This speaking activity is a group grammar game that provides practice in forming information questions.
Timing: 45 minutes
WARM-UP Some classes may require a review of information question formation before
beginning the game. Many of these questions also require the passive form.
Divide the class into groups of 3-5.
Each group will need
~ the two Referees Sheets (with 56 numbered questions)
~ the 56 statements (phrases underlined) cut into strips and put into an envelope
ACTIVITY One person in each group will be the referee, who is given the Referees Sheets.
Learners should take turns with this role.
The remaining group members take turns pulling a slip out of the envelope. The
player shows the slip to the others and tells the referee the statement number. The
player than formulates the appropriate information question. The underlined part of
the sentence must be the answer to the question.
~ For example, for the sentence The cat is black, the appropriate question
would be What colour is the cat?
The referee checks the response against the master sheets and tells the learner if s/he
is correct. If the attempt was incorrect, the referee should try to give a hint or explain
what part is wrong so that the learner gets a second chance. If the learner was
correct, then the next group member draws a slip and proceeds in the same manner.
VARIATION For classes that thrive on competition, instruct players to retain the slips for which
they formulated the question correctly; the individual with the most slips at the
end is the winner.
ASSESSMENT Circulate among the groups for informal speaking assessment.
~ uses simple grammar structures
SOURCE This is an adaptation from M. Tiittanen, Brain Waves, Oxford University Press.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY Please refer to Referees Sheets.
CANADA
126 Level 4 S
Activity:
Canadian Trivia Question Formation Review
Referees Sheets
1. When did Newfoundland join Confederation?
2. What (kind of) leaf is on the Canadian flag?
3. In which/what province is Dinosaur Provincial Park? OR What/Which province is Dinosaur
Provincial Park in?
4. What is Canadas biggest city? or Which city is .
5. Where is the CN Tower?
6. What/Which (province) is the most western prairie province?
7. Who was the first British explorer to land on the Pacific Coast of Canada?
8. How many pennies are there in a quarter?
9. Which/What (disease) killed about 50,000 Canadians in 1918 - 19?
10. What/Which game was invented by the Aboriginal people of Canada?
11. Which/What river flows through Montreal?
12. When did all Aboriginal people gain the right to vote?
13. How much did it cost to build the CN Tower?
14. What do beavers eat?
15. Who is the Canadian head of state and the personal representative of the Queen?
16. Why did early Canadians prefer wool clothing to cotton?
17. What/Which country has the longest ocean coastline in the world?
18. What was Toronto originally named?
19. Why is Yonge Street famous?
20. Why is the Confederation Bridge famous?
21 What is Canadas largest English-language university? What is the name of
22. What province is the city of Montreal in?
23. Who was Canadas first female prime minister?
24. What is the area of Canada?
25. Who is your favourite Canadian singer?
26. What (animal) is the largest member of the dog family?
27. What is the name of Canadas oldest bank? Which/What (bank)./What is Canadas oldest bank?
28. What colour do maple leaves turn in autumn?
29. How did the Northwest Coast Aboriginals catch salmon?
30. Why is it expensive to buy fresh food in Nunavut?
CANADA
Activity: Canadian Trivia Question Formation Review
Referees Sheets (Continued)
31. What is a first-year hockey player called?
32. What colour is a blue jay?
33. What are members of the Senate called?
34. How many Aboriginal languages are spoken in Canada?
35. (From) Which city did the bear known as Winnie the Pooh come (from)? Where did.
36. What/Which citys canal is used for skating in the winter?
37. Who was Canadas most successful racing car driver?
38. Where is James Bay?
39. What is a kayak?
40. What/Which province is directly to the east of Alberta?
41. When was Pierre Trudeau Prime Minister? In what/which years was.
42. What is Canadas tallest mountain? What is the name of
43. What does (the word) saskatchewan mean in Cree?
44. When did Canada issue its first postage stamps?
45. Which/What province grows the most potatoes?
46. What was the coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada? (Yukon, Feb. 1947)
47. What does the acronym CBC mean?
48. When was the CBC formed?
49. What is Canadas national sport?
50. What did Canadian Graeme Ferguson and his team of film-makers invent?
51. Who designed British Columbias Parliament Buildings?
52. How old/What age are many Canadians when they retire?
53. What is the name of the waterfall that separates Ontario, Canada and New York State, USA?
54. What does the acronym RCMP mean?
55. Who is known as Canadas songbird?
56. What are the 3Rs of the environment?
CANADA
128 Level 4 S
1. Newfoundland joined Confederation in 1949.
2. The maple leaf is on the Canadian flag.
3. Dinosaur Provincial Park is in the Province of Alberta.
4. Toronto is Canadas biggest city.
5. The CN Tower is in Toronto.
6. Alberta is the most western prairie province.
7. Captain James Cook was the first British explorer to land on the
Pacific Coast of Canada.
8. There are 25 pennies in a quarter.
9. Influenza [the flu] killed about 50,000 Canadians in 1918-19.
10. The game lacrosse was invented by the Aboriginal
people of Canada.
CANADA
11. The St. Lawrence River flows through Montreal.
12. All aboriginal people gained the right to vote in 1960.
13. It cost $52 million to build the CN Tower.
14. Beavers eat tree bark.
15. The Governor General is the Canadian head of state and the personal
representative of the Queen.
16. Early Canadians preferred wool clothing to cotton because it was warmer.
17. Canada has the longest ocean coastline in the world.
18. Toronto was originally named York.
19. Yonge Street is famous because it is the longest street in the world.
CANADA
130 Level 4 S
20. The Confederation Bridge is famous because it is the longest
bridge in Canada. (It links PEI to New Brunswick.)
21. The University of Toronto is Canadas largest English-language university.
22. The city of Montreal is in Qubec.
23. Kim Campbell was Canadas first female prime minister.
24. The area of Canada is 9,900,000 square kilometers. [area=size]
25. My favourite Canadian singer is Celine Dion.
26. The wolf is the largest member of the dog family.
27. The Bank of Montreal [BMO] is Canadas oldest bank.
28. Maple leaves turn red in autumn.
29. The Northwest Coast Aboriginals caught salmon
by using nets in the rivers.
CANADA
30. It is expensive to buy fresh food in Nunavut because it has to be flown
in from southern Canada.
31. A first-year hockey player is called a rookie.
32. A blue jay is blue.
33. Members of the Senate are called Senators.
34. About 50 Aboriginal languages are spoken in Canada.
35. The bear known as Winnie the Pooh came from Winnipeg.
36. Ottawas canal is used for skating in the winter.
37. Gilles Villeneuve was Canadas most successful racing car driver.
38. James Bay is the body of water between Northern
Quebec and Northern Ontario.
James Bay
CANADA
132 Level 4 S
39. A kayak is a one-person boat.
40. The Province of Saskatchewan is directly to the east of Alberta.
41. Pierre Trudeau was Prime Minister from 1968-79 and 1980-84.
42. Canadas tallest mountain is Mount Logan. Its in the Yukon.
43. Saskatchewan means fast-flowing river in Cree [an Aboriginal language].
44. Canada issued its first postage stamps in 1851.
45. The Province of Prince Edward Island grows the most potatoes.
46. -63 degrees C was the coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada.
47. The acronym CBC means Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
48. The CBC was formed in 1936.
CANADA
49. Canadas national sport is lacrosse.
50. Canadian Graeme Ferguson and his team of film-makers invented
the IMAX film system.
51. Francis Rattenbury designed British Columbias Parliament Buildings.
52. Many Canadians are 65 when they retire.
53. The name of the waterfall that separates Ontario, Canada and New York
State, USA is Niagara Falls.
54. The acronym RCMP means Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
55. Anne Murray is known as Canadas songbird.
56. The 3Rs of the environment are reduce, reuse and recycle.
CANADA
134 Leveel 4 L R
Activity:
Did You Say Saskatchewan?
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
This is a listening activity about the First Nations origin of the names for many Canadian cities and towns.
Timing: 30 minutes
MATERIALS Classes may wish to refer to a map of Canada.
~ Who are the First Nations people?
~ Who are the Inuit people?
~ How many languages did they speak?
~ Is [name of your community] a First Nations name?
~ Does anyone have trouble pronouncing the name of any place in Canada?
What place? Is this a First Nations word?
ACTIVITY Play the audio (Track 9).
Distribute Exercise 1 and allow learners time to begin to answer the questions.
Replay the audio as necessary.
FOLLOW-UP Together, the class compiles a list of other prominent (or local) names of Canadian
places that are from First Nations languages.
For regional tribe names in Ontario see the website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Nations#Language_diversity
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: 1. c 2. b 3. a 4. b 5. c 6. b 7. b 8. a 9. b 10. c
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual responses to listening comprehension exercise.
~ listener can identify specific factual details in audio-mediated listening text
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY First Nations; stumble; incredible; diverse; crude representations; unfamiliar;
ecological; descriptive; sparkling; alder; honour
CANADA
Activity:
Did You Say Saskatchewan?
When you first came to Canada, did you stumble over how to say the word Saskatchewan or have a hard time
spelling it? Well, dont feel too badly; many Canadians born here still have difficulty spelling Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan is a First Nations word meaning fast flowing river. Saskatoon, a city in Saskatchewan, is a First
Nations word meaning a red berry.
All over Canada, its incredible how many places have First Nations names. Take a look at a map of Canada today,
and youll find provinces, cities, towns, villages, rivers and lakes, all having First Nations word names. Take the name
Canada itself. Canada was taken from a First Nations language, Huron, and means village or settlement.
First Nations people are Canadas first peoples. First Nations people live in diverse parts of Canada, and speak a
rich variety of languages. Depending on who you ask, there are at least fifty languages, many being as different as
Chinese and English. Aboriginal languages are considered more descriptive than European languages, as the
Aboriginal words often describe either the function of something or how it looks. Often, our English or French
spellings are crude representations of the sound and meaning in the original languages.
First Nations People have named places very descriptively. Many of the names describe landmarks or special
features. For example, Oshawa means crossing to the other side of a river or lake.
Sometimes the name is a descriptive way to warn people. The name Aklavik in the Northwest Territories means
a place where the grizzly bears are.
Many place names mark sources of food. Iqaluit, a town in the Territory of Nunavut, is the Inuktitut word for place
of fish. Inuktitut is the language of Canadas Inuit.
The city name Coquitlam, in British Columbia, comes from the Salish language and means little red salmon.
Ontario originally described just the lake by that name, and probably meant beautiful lake or beautiful
sparkling water.
Toronto, now Canadas largest city, was first thought to mean plenty of people in the Huron language. Translators
also suggest it could have originally meant fish trap or trees standing in the water.
The name of Canadas capital, Ottawa, comes from the Algonquin language and its word for to buy.
Etobicoke, an area on the west side of Toronto, means a place where the alder trees grow in the Ojibwa
language.
CANADA
136 Level 4 L R
Activity: Did You Say Saskatchewan?
No matter how theyre pronounced or what they mean, places with First Nations names have one thing in
common. They have been borrowed from languages and cultures which have been here since the beginning of time.
Many place names were first written down at a time before Canada existed, a time when Natives welcomed
Europeans in friendship, and guided them through their traditional lands, pointing out and naming features
wherever they went. The Europeans wrote down the sounds they heard, but they often did not hear them correctly,
nor do Aboriginal languages follow the sound rules of English or French, so their spellings of the words may not
have been accurate. But the English or French records of those Native names have become Canadian names and
places. Many of those Native names honour nature and all that nature provides. The names honour ecological
values that Native cultures continue to share across their cultures and languages.
CANADA
Exercise 1
Listen again to Did You Say Saskatchewan? and complete the sentence by writing the correct letter in
the blank space.
1. Saskatchewan means ___________________.
a. red berry
b. lots of flat land
c. fast flowing river
2. The First Nations meaning for Canada is ________________.
a. land of the free and the brave
b. village or settlement
c. large area of land
3. First Nations means Canadas first __________________.
a. people
b. names of places
c. visitors from Europe
4. All over Canada, the First Nations people spoke _____________.
a. the same language
b. many different languages
c. a few different languages
5. What word means place of fish in Inuktitut? _____________
a. Aklavik
b. Coquitlam
c. Iqaluit
CANADA
138 Level 4 L R
Exercise 1 (Continued)
6. Where is Iqaluit? _______________
a. in British Columbia
b. in Nunavut
c. in the Northwest Territories
7. What place means little red salmon? _______________
a. Aklavik
b. Coquitlam
c. Oshawa
8. The First Nations meaning of Ontario describes _____________.
a. trees
b. water
c. land
9. Translators say the Huron meaning of Toronto was ____ ________.
a. fish trap or trees in the water
b. plenty of bears
c. large trees in the forest
10. Ottawa was a place where First Nations people went to ________ things.
a. hide or store
b. talk about
c. trade or buy
4
LINC
Canadian Culture
CANADIAN CULTURE
Activity:
Lovely Winter
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A reading on the beauty of winter is followed by reading comprehension, narrative writing, and discussion activities.
Timing: 1 hour
WARM-UP Class members share their experiences and perception of the Canadian winter.
Review the difference between facts and opinions.
ACTIVITY Learners read Lovely Winter without consulting their dictionaries, and then
complete the Check Your Understanding exercises on the learner sheets. If the
activity is not intended for assessment, correct the answers with the class.
Learners continue with the narrative writing assignment, and then answer the
discussion questions in small groups.
ANSWER KEY 1 miserable -- unhappy or causing unhappiness; woods -- forest;
open to -- willing to think about or consider something; notice -- see;
appreciate -- understand and feel thankful for
2 Answers will vary.
3 Any two of: leave the city; go into the woods; be open to it; dress warmly
ASSESSMENT This unit can be used for reading and writing assessment.
~ gets key information/main idea from texts
~ distinguishes fact from opinion
~ describes a situation: reader can follow
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY miserable; open to, woods, appreciate; notice; lovely; moonlit
CANADIAN CULTURE
CANADIAN CULTURE
142 Level 4 R W S
Activity:
Lovely Winter
Lovely Winter
I know that most newcomers to Canada dont like winter, but its my favourite
season. It is a beautiful and peaceful time of year, and people who live in warmer
climates are missing something special.
If you dont believe me, its probably because you live in a city, and I agree that
winter in the city can be a miserable experience. The wind blows across the street
and down your neck, the snow turns ugly brown or black, and every floor in every
building is covered in dirt, salt and water. But remember that most of Canada is
covered in forest, and there is nothing in the world as peaceful and lovely as
walking through the woods on a moonlit winter night.
Of course, you must wear the right clothing. Nobody enjoys the beach when
they are wearing a hot coat. If your body feels uncomfortable, you cannot be open
to the beauty around you. But if you are warm enough, you cant walk very far on
the soft white snow without feeling peaceful. All your problems will fall away from
you like leaves falling off a tree. You will forget all your stress as you feel the calm;
the coolness on your face; the air that is so fresh and pure it tastes like mountain
water. For the first time, you will open your eyes to the quiet beauty of winter. See
the light on the snow like a million diamonds, and look up at the cold, cold stars.
The winter sky is as beautiful and changing as a southern sea but we dont
notice that in the city.
So, please, try to grow fond of a season that lasts nearly half the year. Winter is
a gift of nature, and you will learn to appreciate it if you dress warmly, go deep
into the woods, and open your heart to the loveliness of winter.
CANADIAN CULTURE
Activity: Lovely Winter
1. Read Lovely Winter again and find these words and expressions:
miserable woods open to notice appreciate
When you find an expression, read the sentence it is in, plus the one before and the one after it. Then,
without using a dictionary, guess what the expression means, and underline the correct choice below.
Example: lovely
beautiful and enjoyable
full of energy
miserable
unhappy or causing unhappiness
unhealthy or dangerous
woods
hills
forest
open to
willing to think about or consider something
sure or certain
notice
see
laugh at
appreciate
believe
understand and feel thankful for
FACTS OPINIONS
2. Copy three statements of fact and three statements of opinion from the reading.
3. How does the writer say we can best appreciate winter?
Write two ways.
a. ______________________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________________
Write About Winter
Write one paragraph about a winter experience that you had in Canada. Where did you go?
What did you do? How did you feel? You can write about a positive or a negative experience.
144 Level 4 R W S
CANADIAN CULTURE
SPEAKING
Practice using the new expressions as you answer these questions in small discussion groups.
1. Winter can be miserable. For example, it is miserable to step into a cold pool of water on the
floor when you take off your boots. List 5 more things about winter that are miserable.
2. Walking in the snow on a winter evening helps the writer forget about stress. What helps you
forget your worries, stress and problems?
3. Name 3 of the things you appreciate the most in your life.
4. Name 2 things you appreciate the most about living in Canada.
5. Do you agree with the writer that people who live in warm climates are missing something special?
6. Do you think the reason why many newcomers hate winter is because they are not dressed
warmly?
7. Have you noticed anything nice about winter? Are you open to the idea that winter is lovely?
CANADIAN CULTURE
Learners practice offering, accepting and declining invitations in a 4-skills unit.
Timing: 2 hours
WARM-UP The Warm-Up activity is a matching exercise that will provide some background
vocabulary.
MATERIALS This activity is long, and instructors will select and reproduce the exercises they deem
appropriate for their classes. Worksheets that will be distributed to the entire class
are grouped together at the beginning of this unit. Jigsaws, role play scenarios and
optional exercises that require special preparation are grouped together at the end.
ACTIVITY Play Listening 1 (Track 10) for the class as many times as necessary for learners to
answer the comprehension questions and check their answers.
Divide the class into groups of three for Entertaining at Home: Reading and Speaking,
and give each group member a part of the Entertaining at Home: Reading and Speaking
Jigsaw.
Play Listening 2 for the class as many times as necessary for learners to answer the
comprehension questions and check their answers. (See also Variation below.)
Hand out and go over the Table Of Common Expressions For Extending, Accepting
And Declining Invitations. Learners will need to refer to this table for subsequent
speaking and writing activities.
Play Listening 3. Learners focus on the words Dan uses to decline the invitation.
In the Writing Exercise, learners practice the common expressions for extending,
accepting and refusing invitations (from the Table). It may be necessary to review
rules for using quotation marks first.
Cut Scenarios For Paired Role-Play into strips, and give four strips to each pair of
learners.
Learners follow the instructions on learner sheets for the email message and
narrative paragraph assignments.
VARIATION These activities can be used in conjunction with a review of future tenses, including
using the present continuous tense for future plans.
Option Listening 2 for CLB Assessment:
Use the Listening Assessment Exercise for CLB listening assessment before
learners complete the Comprehension Questions with a partner. Reiterate that
learners may need to underline more than one thing on each list.
ANSWER KEY Warm-up Activity
1. We have a bon voyage party when someone is leaving for a long or important trip.
2. We have a retirement party when someone is going to quit working.
3. We hold a barbeque when we want to enjoy a summer evening outdoors.
4. We hold a farewell party when someone is going or moving away.
5. If the party is pot luck, everyone brings food.
6. The host or hostess is someone who holds a party at his or her home.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
Would You Like To Come Over?
146 Level 4 R W L S
CANADIAN CULTURE
ANSWER KEY 7. To entertain means to invite people to be your guests.
Continued 8. To accept means to say yes.
9. To decline means to say no.
Listening 1 Comprehension Questions
1. A barbeque. 2. She checked her calendar to make sure she was free.
3. 6:00 4. 6 5. dessert
Listening 2 Comprehension Questions
1. Its Sams birthday. 2. Sam is new to Toronto and doesnt know anyone. 3. 3 (if
theres anything I can bring refers to food) 4. You dont need to bring anything/
Maybe you could bring a salad 5. No
Listening Assessment Exercise 1. salad 2. Todd, Sam 3. new to Toronto, going to
have a birthday party, a nice guy 4. celebrate Sams birthday, eat cake
ASSESSMENT Instructors circulate during the paired role-play to assess learners speaking
performance. For listening assessment, use the Listening 2 and the Listening
Assessment Exercise and play the audio up to three times.
For writing assessment, the email message is evaluated according to Social
Interaction performance indicators, and the narrative paragraph is evaluated
according to Presenting Information performance indicators in the CLB 2000
document.
The Writing Exercise can be used to assess learners ability to follow punctuation
conventions.
~ Speaking extends, accepts or declines an invitation or offer
~ Listening identifies specific factual details and inferred meanings in
audio-mediated listening texts as required identifies situation and relationship
between speakers
~ Writing Social Interaction conveys the message: reader can follow
uses language and content that are appropriate to the occasion, intent and
social context
uses simple grammar structures, punctuation and spelling with few errors
~ Presenting Information
describes a situation: reader can follow
uses basic paragraph structure
uses simple structures; few errors
uses adequate vocabulary for the topic
spells correctly; follows punctuation conventions
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY bon voyage; retirement and farewell parties; extend, accept and decline invitations;
pot luck; barbeque (BBQ); host/ess; entertain; get-together; free; look forward to;
tradition; hospitality; occasion; popular; neighbourhood; wonder
Activity: Would You Like To Come Over?
CANADIAN CULTURE
Listening 1
Anne: Hello?
Emily: Hi Anne, its Emily. How are you?
Anne: Oh, hi Emily. Im fine. How are you?
Emily: Busy, but good. The reason Im calling is that were having a few people over two weeks
from Saturday, and wed like you to join us.
Anne: Id love to, but just let me check the calendar. . Saturday the 9th?
Oh, no.., good, were free. Wed love to come. Whats the occasion?
Emily: Nothing special. We just wanted to have an outdoor barbeque while the weather is still good.
Anne: Great. What can I bring?
Emily: Michaels going to barbeque some chicken and some hamburgers - maybe you could bring a
salad or a dessert.
Anne: Sure. Ill bring a dessert. What time?
Emily: Can you come around 6:00, and then we can have a drink before we eat. Its just going to be
you two, plus Fiona and Josh. And maybe Pat and Kevin, but theyre not sure.
Anne: Sounds good. Well see you then. Thanks for the invitation.
Emily: Youre welcome. Bye.
Listening 2
Lindsay: Hello?
Briana: Hi. Is this Lindsay?
Lindsay: Yes.
Briana: Hi, Lindsay, its Briana Morrison speaking. I work with your husband Todd.
Lindsay: Oh, hi Briana. Ive heard about you.
Briana: My husband Ian and I were wondering if you and Todd would like to come over next
Saturday. Were having a few people over to celebrate Sams birthday. Do you know Sam
Rogers? He works with us.
Lindsay: No, I dont.
Briana: Well, hes a really nice guy. He has just moved to Toronto and he doesnt know anyone here,
so I was thinking it would be nice for a few people from the office to get together on Saturday
to celebrate his birthday. Ian and I were wondering if you and Todd could come.
Lindsay: Thats really nice. Im sure Sam would like that. Todd and I would love to come. What can
we bring?
Activity:
148 Level 4 R W L S
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LISTENING TRANSCRIPT (continued)
Listening 2 (Continued)
Briana: Oh, you dont need to bring anything. Were just going to keep it simple. After dinner well
have a cake, but were not going to give Sam any presents. Im sure it would embarrass
him too much.
Lindsay: Well, it sounds really nice and it will be nice for me to get to know some of you. Todd is
always telling me funny stories from the office. Are you sure I cant bring anything?
Briana: Well, maybe you could bring a salad.
Lindsay: Id love to. What time?
Briana: What about 7:00?
Lindsay: Great. Well see you then. If theres anything else I can bring, just let me know.
Briana: Thanks. Im looking forward to meeting you and Todd.
Lindsay: Me too. Bye.
Listening 3
Matthew: Hi, Dan, hows it going?
Dan: Im fine thanks. How are you?
Matthew: Im fine. Listen, I was wondering if youd like to come over on Friday the 21st. Were
holding a small get-together before Ryan goes away.
Dan: The 21st?
Matthew: Yep.
Dan: Sorry. Id love to come, but Im busy. Vicki and I have tickets for the hockey game.
Matthew: Thats too bad.
Dan: Yeah, it is. Sorry. But thanks for thinking of us. Maybe next time.
Matthew: Yeah, maybe. Bye.
CANADIAN CULTURE
Warm-up Activity
Work with a partner to match the correct endings.
We have a bon voyage party when
to say no.
We have a retirement party when
someone is going or moving away.
We hold a barbeque* when
everyone brings food.
We hold a farewell party when
someone is going to quit working.
If the party is pot luck,
holds a party at his or her home.
The host or hostess is someone who
to say yes.
To entertain means
to invite people to be your guests.
To accept means
someone is leaving for a long or
important trip.
To decline means
we want to enjoy a summer evening
outdoors.
* barbeque is often written as BBQ
Listening 1
Listen to this conversation. Emily is calling her close friend Anne. Their conversation begins like this:
Anne: Hello?
Emily: Hi Anne, its Emily. How are you?
150 Level 4 R W L S
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Activity:
With a partner, discuss your answers to these questions, and then listen again to make sure your answers
are right.
1. What is the invitation for? __________________________________________________________
2. What did Anne do before she accepted the invitation?
_________________________________________________________________________
3. What time should the guests arrive? __________________________________________________
4. How many people have been invited? _________________________________________________
5. What will Anne bring? _____________________________________________________________
ENTERTAINING AT HOME
Reading And Speaking
Work in a group of three. Each of you has different information about how Canadians entertain at home,
and you will read this information to your group. After each reading, stop to make sure everybody
understands. Then, discuss what you have read. In what ways are Canadian customs the same and in what
ways are they different from your culture?
CANADIAN CULTURE
Listening 2
Listen to this telephone conversation between Lindsay and Briana. They have never met, but Briana works
with Lindsays husband Todd. Briana wants to invite Lindsay and Todd to her house. Their conversation
begins like this:
Lindsay: Hello?
Briana: Hi. Is this Lindsay?
With a partner, discuss your answers to these questions, and then listen again to make sure your answers
are right.
1. Why are Briana and Ian inviting people to their home?
_________________________________________________________________________
2. It isnt common for office workers to celebrate birthdays in one anothers houses.
Why are they doing it this time?
_________________________________________________________________________
3. How many times did Lindsay offer to bring something? ________________________________
4. What was Brianas answer the first time? What was her answer the second time?
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Is Lindsay going to bring a birthday present? ________________________________________
Listening 3
Listen to this telephone conversation between Matthew and Dan. Their conversation begins like this:
Matthew: Hi, Dan, hows it going?
Dan: Im fine, thanks. How are you?
152 Level 4 R W L S
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TABLE OF COMMON EXPRESSIONS FOR EXTENDING*,
ACCEPTING AND DECLINING INVITATIONS
NOTE: have a party/get-together
hold a party/get-together
NOT: make a party/get-together
EXPRESSION
I was wondering if you would like to
come.
Were having a few people over.
or
Were holding a get-together.
come over
Im free.
That sounds great. Id love to!
Im sorry. Id love to come, but Im busy.
Thats too bad. Id love to come, but I cant.
Can I bring anything?
Whats the occasion?
What time should I come?
Im looking forward to it.
See you there!
It should be fun!
Thanks for the invitation.
Thanks for thinking of me.
WHAT IT MEANS/OTHER NOTES
This is a more polite, indirect way of saying
Do you want to come?
We are having a small, informal party at our
house.
come to my house
I can come.
It is polite to give a reason. For example: Id
love to come, but I cant. Ill be out of the city.
Guests commonly bring wine, salad or
dessert.
Is there a special occasion like a birthday or
an anniversary [and do I need to bring a
present]?
When does the party start?
I expect it will be fun and Im happy to know I
will be going.
* extend an invitation = give an invitation
CANADIAN CULTURE
Writing Exercise
Practice the common expressions for extending, accepting and refusing invitations (on the Table) by
completing the five conversations below. Use quotation marks to show someone is speaking. Note that the
end punctuation (question mark, period, exclamation mark) goes INSIDE the quotation mark, not after it.
Example: A. Are you free on November 27th? Were having a few people over.
B. Yes, Im free and Id love to come.
1. A.Would you like to come over next Sunday afternoon? Were having a little get-together.
B. (Accept) _________________________________________________________________
B. (Decline) _________________________________________________________________
2. A. ________________________________________________________________________
B. Well, if you would like to bring a salad, that would be nice.
3. A. __________________________________________________ to our house next Saturday?
B. Id love to! That sounds great!
4. A. ________________________________________________________________________
B. Its Johns birthday.
5. A. ________________________________________________________________________
B. Around 6:00.
154 Level 4 R W L S
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Paired Speaking Role Play
With a partner, practice extending, accepting and declining invitations. Follow the example conversations
from the listening activities, and use the Table.
Step 1
Partner A: Take a slip of paper, read the situation, and extend an invitation.
Partner B: Accept the invitation.
Step 2
Change roles. Partner B takes a slip and extends the invitation, and Partner A accepts.
Step 3
Partner A: Take a slip of paper, read the situation, and extend an invitation.
Partner B: Decline the invitation.
Step 4
Change roles. Partner B takes a slip and extends the invitation, and Partner A declines.
Final Step
Choose ONE of the four conversations you just practiced in Steps 1-4. Practice it a few more times, and
then perform it for your classmates.
CANADIAN CULTURE
Writing Invitation Messages
1
Here is an email from your friend:
Reply to your friend below.
Hi _________
Im holding a little get-together at my house on Saturday 2 June, and was wondering if
you would like to come. There will be 5 of us, and were just going to eat some
Chinese food or pizza and then watch a movie.
I hope you can come because I havent seen you for a few weeks.
_____________
Invitation for the 2nd
Hi _________
Re: Invitation for the 2nd
156 Level 4 R W L S
CANADIAN CULTURE
2
You want to invite your friend to come to your house for a get-together next Saturday night.
Your friend has lost his or her cell phone, so you need to send an email. Complete the message below.
Write About It
Write a paragraph about a time when you were the host/hostess of a party, or a time when you were a
guest. Describe what the occasion was, where the party was held, what you did, and who you were with.
Example 1: Last year I held a birthday party for my mother. I invited twelve people for supper
Example 2: Two years ago, I went to my sisters wedding celebration. It was held in a beautiful restaurant
in China
Hi _________
CANADIAN CULTURE
ENTERTAINING AT HOME
Reading and Speaking Jigsaw
Learner 1
Read this information to the other learners in your group. Read slowly and pronounce the words clearly
so that your classmates will understand you.
Canadians are very busy. Invitations are often one month before the party.
Canadians with young children dont entertain frequently. They are simply too busy. Single people,
couples without children, older couples and people who have paid help (for example, paid cleaners)
entertain at home more often.
Learner 2
If the party is pot luck, the guests will bring most of the food. The reason for the pot luck custom is
that the host may not have enough time to prepare the home and cook a lot of food. Most
Canadians have enough money to buy food, but they dont have enough time to prepare it.
When a party isnt called pot luck, it is still common for guests to offer to bring food. Usually the
guest offers immediately after accepting the invitation. Sometimes the hostess accepts the offer of
food, and sometimes she declines it.
Learner 3
It is common for men to help with cooking, cleaning and serving drinks to guests, but organizing
the entertaining is usually the wifes work. It is fine for married people to invite singles and for
singles to invite married people, but the single should usually invite both the husband and the wife.
Canadians do not have a strong tradition of hospitality compared to some other cultures. Do not
be surprised if you are rarely invited into Canadian homes.
158 Level 4 R W L S
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Listening Assessment Exercise
Underline the answers that are correct.
You may need to underline more than one thing on each list.
1. Lindsay is going to bring
salad
a cake
nothing
a birthday present
2. Briana works with
Lindsay
Todd
Sam
Morrison
Ian
3. Sam is
new to Toronto
going to have a birthday party
a nice guy
embarrassed
Brianas husband
4. Next Saturday, they are going to
work with Todd
celebrate Sams birthday
eat dinner
tell funny stories about Ian
eat cake
CANADIAN CULTURE
Scenarios For Paired Role-Play
You are organizing a get-together at your house to say farewell to a friend who is moving to Calgary.
You are hosting a small birthday party for your spouse (husband/wife).
You are inviting some neighbours to your home for an afternoon get-together.
You are inviting some friends to your home for a backyard BBQ.
You work for a small company, and a popular co-worker is going to retire. You want to invite all your co-
workers to your home for a small retirement party.
You have some relatives visiting from another country. You want to invite your friend over to meet them.
You want to invite some close friends/a close friend to come to your house to eat supper and watch
a movie.
Your friend is going to take a long holiday. You are having a few people over for a bon voyage get-together.
Someone/A new family has just moved into your neighbourhood. You want to invite him/her/them over for
coffee.
You are holding a New Years party.
160 Level 4 R W L S
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Women learn to give and receive social compliments appropriately in this 4-skills unit.
Timing: 90 minutes
WARM-UP In front of the class, give a few compliments to individual learners. After they have
been modeled, introduce the word compliment and inform the class that they are
going to learn to give and receive compliments in English.
ACTIVITY Learners follow the instructions on the worksheets.
The audio (Track 11) should be repeated as necessary for learners to understand
the speakers and to answer the comprehension questions.
Learners answer the questions in Giving and Receiving Compliments by referring
to the three excerpts in Listen Again.
Instructors should clarify this complex point about receiving compliments:
~ The person receiving the compliment often says Do you like it? but this
isnt really a question, and it would be rude to pause. If the speaker pauses, it
forces the compliment-giver to answer yes and thus repeat the
compliment.
The role-play Practice Using Compliments In Small Talk is a speaking activity, and
it is unnecessary for learners to write out their dialogues. Many learners will need
to learn the idiom run into.
Learners can practice additional role-plays as necessary.
FOLLOW-UP I Like Your Dress! Giving And Receiving Compliments II
VARIATION Giving And Receiving Compliments can be used to teach or review reported
speech.
Learners perform their role plays for their classmates.
ANSWER KEY Listening 1
1. casual 2. female 3. sweater
Listening 2
1. casual 2. female 3. hair style
Listening 3
1. at home 2. casual 3. female 4. pants
Giving And Receiving Compliments
1. I like your . 2. Thanks 3. She said it was cheap/she got it on sale
4. She said she didnt like it at first/she cried when she saw it
5. She said she was pleased with them.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
I Like Your Dress! Giving And Receiving Compliments I
CANADIAN CULTURE
ASSESSMENT Instructors circulate during the role play for speaking assessment.
~ responds to small talk comments
~ expresses and responds to compliments
FURTHER See LINC Curriculum Guidelines, pp 262-267.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY compliment; run into; casual; formal; gender; Do I ever like your ; small talk
Activity:
162 Level 4 R W L S
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Listening 1
Ashley: Oh, hi Jennifer. How are you?
Jennifer: Oh, hi Ashley! Its nice to see you. Are you here for the end of season sale, like me?
Ashley: Yes, Im looking for a new sweater.
Jennifer: Gee, I really like the sweater you have on right now. Its really nice! Where did you get it?
Ashley: You like it? Thanks! I got it at, um Old Navy last year. It was really cheap because I got it
on sale. Im always looking for sales.
Jennifer: Well, its really nice. I like the colour. Im looking for something blue like that, but just a little
darker, to go with jeans.
Ashley: Why dont you try The Bay? I was just there, and they still had a lot of sweaters.
Jennifer: OK, I will. Thanks.
Ashley: See you.
Jennifer: See you.
Listening 2
First Woman: Hi, how are you?
Second Woman: Oh, good morning. Im really sleepy. I need a big cup of coffee. How much longer
until break time?
First Woman: Well, at least you look good. I like your new hair style!
Second Woman: Oh, thanks! I got it done last night, and when I got home and stood in front of the
mirror I cried. But Im getting used to it already.
First Woman: I think it looks really nice. Is it hard to take care of?
Second Woman: No, thats what I really like about it. The stylist said you just wash it and comb it
while its still wet.
First Woman: Well, it looks really great.
Second Woman: Thanks.
First Woman: Well, Id better get back to work. Big meeting tomorrow
Listening 3
Sister One: Hi, come on in.
Sister Two: Thanks. It sure is cold out there.
Sister One: Well, come on in and sit down. Ill make you a nice cup of hot tea. Here, let me take
your coat. [PAUSE] Hey, do I ever like your pants! They look great!
Sister Two: Do you? Thanks. Im really pleased with them.
Sister One: Yeah, they look great.
Sister Two: Thanks. I got them at Sears. How are the kids?
Activity:
CANADIAN CULTURE
Listen Again
Conversation 1 At The Mall
Jennifer: Gee, I really like the sweater you have on right now. Its really nice!
Where did you get it?
Ashley: You like it? Thanks! I got it at, um Old Navy last year. It was really cheap because
I got it on sale. Im always looking for sales.
Conversation 2 At Work
First Woman: Hi, how are you?
Second Woman: Oh, good morning. Im really sleepy. I need a big cup of coffee. How much longer
until break time?
First Woman: Well, at least you look good. I like your new hair style!
Second Woman: Oh, thanks! I got it done last night, and when I got home and stood in front of the
mirror I cried. But Im getting used to it already.
Conversation 3 At Home
Sister 1: Hi, come on in.
Sister 2: Thanks. It sure is cold out there.
Sister 1: Well, come on in and sit down. Ill make you a nice cup of hot tea. Here, let me take
your coat. [Pause] Hey, do I ever like your pants! They look great!
Sister 2: Do you? Thanks. Im really pleased with them.
Sister 1: Yeah, they look great.
Sister 2: Thanks. I got them at Sears. How are the kids?
Activity: I Like Your Dress! Giving And Receiving Compliments I
164 Level 4 R W L S
CANADIAN CULTURE
Listening 1
Listen to this conversation. Ashley is at the shopping mall, and she runs into her friend Jennifer
outside of a store.
1. Is this a casual or a formal conversation? ___________________________________________
2. What is the gender (sex) of the two speakers? ______________________________________
3. What item was complimented? ___________________________________________________
Listening 2
Listen to this conversation between two co-workers at an office.
2. What is the gender of the two speakers? ___________________________________________
Listening 3
Listen to this conversation between two relatives.
1. Where are the speakers? ________________________________________________________
3. What is the gender of the two speakers? ___________________________________________
Activity:
CANADIAN CULTURE
GIVING COMPLIMENTS
Compliments are often a form of small talk, like the weather. They get a conversation started, or
they fill in time.
It is unusual [but not bad] to give a compliment to a stranger. Usually the people know each other,
even if they are not close friends (for example, they could be classmates).
Compliments are most common between females.
The things that are complimented are often personal items like clothing, hair styles, and jewellery.
Listen Again
Listen to the conversations again, and fill in the missing words. You may need to write more than one
word on a line, and you may need to hear the conversation more than once.
Conversation 1 At The Mall
Jennifer: Gee, ____________________________ the sweater you have on right now. Its really nice!
Where did you get it?
Ashley: ____________________________________! I got it at, um Old Navy last year. It was really
_______________________________________________________. Im always looking
for sales.
166 Level 4 R W L S
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Conversation 2 At Work
First Woman: Hi! How are you?
Second Woman: Oh, good morning. Im really sleepy. I need a big cup of coffee.
How much longer until break time?
First Woman: Well, at least you look good. ____________________________________________!
Second Woman: Oh, _________________! I got it done last night, and when I got home and stood in
front of the mirror ________________________. But Im getting used to it already.
Conversation 3 At Home
Sister 1: Hi, come on in.
Sister 2: Thanks. It sure is cold out there.
Sister 1: Well, come on in and sit down. Ill make you a nice cup of hot tea. Here, let me take
your coat. Hey, do I ever _____________________________________________!
They ____________________________________________________________.
Sister 2: ________________? ___________________________! Im really pleased with them.
Sister 1: Yeah, they look ___________________________.
Sister 2: Thanks. I got them at Sears. How are the kids?
CANADIAN CULTURE
GIVING AND RECEIVING COMPLIMENTS
1. What words does the speaker use to give the compliment?
_____________________________________________
2. What word does the receiver of the compliment always use in reply?
_____________________________________________
3. What did Ashley say about her sweater in the first conversation?
___________________________________________________________________________
4. What did the second woman say about her hair in the second conversation?
___________________________________________________________________________
5. What did the second sister say about her pants in the third conversation?
___________________________________________________________________________
The receiver of the compliment often says something slightly negative about the thing that was
complimented. Here are some examples:
Ive had it for years.
I got it on sale.
Yes, its really old, but I still like it.
Its easy to take care of.
It was cheap.
However, the receiver must not be too negative, or else she might communicate this idea:
Do you like this? Are you crazy? Its ugly!
The receiver of the compliment sometimes just says thanks, especially with a close friend or
relative (Conversation 3).
168 Level 4 R W L S
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Practice Using Compliments In Small Talk
Work with a partner. You will practice two conversations similar to the ones you listened to. (In these
conversations, two people met and began their conversation with a bit of small talk, and then one gave the
other a compliment.)
Choose any two of the situations below, and practice two short conversations. Take one turn being the
compliment-giver, and one turn being the compliment-receiver.
2 friends have gone out to see a movie; they have just met at the cinema and now they are sitting
down together and waiting for the movie to start
2 friends have gone out to a restaurant for dinner; they have just met and they are sitting down
at their table
2 friends have gone to the gym; they have just met and now they are in the change room
a woman is at a friends party and is talking to her friends aunt
a woman is at home talking to her sister
a woman is at home talking to her friend
2 friends run into each other at a fast food restaurant; they are in the same lineup
2 friends run into each other at a bus stop
2 friends run into each other at the hair stylist
2 friends run into each other at a library
2 friends run into each other at a grocery store
CANADIAN CULTURE
This follow-up to I Like Your Dress! Giving and Receiving Compliments I contains
a community-based listening task and an exercise on reported speech.
Timing: 15 minutes (writing)
ACTIVITY Review reported speech with the class before handing out Practice With
Reported Speech. Read the dialogue one line at a time and elicit reported speech
from the class.
Learners follow the instructions on Practice With Reported Speech to complete
the writing exercise.
The community-based task involves eavesdropping. Instructors should prepare
learners by overviewing culturally appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.
FOLLOW-UP Solicit feedback from the class about what they heard and how much they
understood. Encourage them to feel positive about their experience even if they
did not manage to overhear any compliments.
VARIATION Questions for class discussion:
~ In your culture, can a man compliment a woman who is not his wife?
~ In your culture, can a woman compliment a man who is not her husband?
~ In your culture, do you compliment
food?
clothing?
someones home?
personal appearance?
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY dialogue; spring colours; gender
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
I Like Your Dress! Giving And Receiving Compliments II
170 Level 4 W L
CANADIAN CULTURE
PRACTICE WITH REPORTED SPEECH
Choose one of these short dialogues (conversations between 2 people) and rewrite it in reported speech.
Example Dialogue
Tina: I like your scarf.
Alia: Thanks. I bought it when I was on holiday.
Tina: Where did you go?
Alia: I went to Cairo for three weeks.
Reported Speech
Tina told Alia that she liked her scarf. Alia thanked Tina and told her she had bought it when
she was on holiday. Tina asked where she had gone, and Alia answered that she had gone to
Cairo for three weeks.
Dialogue 1
Jun: I like your shirt!
Amanda: Thanks. Its very old, but Im still wearing it.
Jun: It looks nice. I like the colour.
Amanda: Thanks. Its nice to wear spring colours again after the long winter.
Dialogue 2
Jessica: I like your new purse!
Silvia: Thanks. Ive only had it three days, and already I cant find anything inside it.
Jessica: I know. Its hard to keep a purse organized.
Silvia: I have a bigger problem. My purses always eat my money!
Reported Speech
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Activity:
I Like Your Dress! Giving And Receiving Compliments II
CANADIAN CULTURE
CANADIAN CULTURE
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Activity: I Like Your Dress! Giving And Receiving Compliments II
172 Level 4 W L
CANADIAN CULTURE
Learners review the concept of cultural icons, and then identify and describe Canadian ones.
Timing: 60 minutes
WARM-UP Review the Warm-Up page and ensure all learners understand symbol,
represent and icon.
ACTIVITY Learners continue with the page on world religions. They can work alone or with a
partner. After they have finished, take up the correct answers. If desired, discuss the
name/cultural significance of the pictures.
There are individual pages illustrating cultural icons from China, Egypt, Cuba,
France and India, plus a common Word Bank for all 5 countries. Instructors choose
how many sheets to distribute to their classes, and whether learners will work
individually or in groups. Emphasise the importance of recognizing the country
from the icons; the labeling activity is secondary.
Proceed with the activities for Canadian icons. Learners work individually on the
first sheet Canadian Icons and when they have finished, divide the class into
groups of four for the discussion.
Cut the sheets for the final descriptive paragraph into half before distributing them.
FOLLOW-UP When learners have completed their final writing assignment, mount each groups
work together on a poster board titled Canadian Icons. Hang the posters around
the classroom, and allow learners time to circulate and read what their classmates
have created.
VARIATION The international icons segment (China, Egypt, etc) can be done as a paper-free
oral activity in e-classrooms.
Provide the learners with markers and coloured pencils.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
Canadian Icons
CANADIAN CULTURE
174 Level 4 R W S
Activity:
Canadian Icons
ANSWER KEY Warm-Up
The symbol represents medicine or a medical condition.
World Religions: Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Muslim religion (Islam)
China: dragon, Mao Tse-tung, china, marital arts, panda bear,
Great Wall of China, calligraphy, tea, Chinese food
Egypt: ancient gods, Cleopatra, mosque, date palm tree, Sphinx,
Tutankhamen, camel, Nile River
Cuba: cigar, samba, rum, Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, maracas,
sugar cane, beach
France: croissant, Napoleon, Eiffel Tower, fleur de lis, French bread,
Arch of Triumph (Arc de Triomphe)
India (in random order): monkey, cart, sari, Sikh, Indian dancer, temple, meditation,
goddess, Gandhi
ASSESSMENT The descriptive paragraph can be collected for writing assessment.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY symbol; represent; icon
For other vocabulary, refer to the Word Bank
CANADIAN CULTURE
Activity:
Canadian Icons
WARM-UP
This is the symbol for dollars.
These are symbols for poison.
This is a symbol for love. The heart represents love.
This symbol represents peace.
A dove also represents peace.
What does this symbol represent? ________________________
The modern word for a symbol is an icon. Icons represent an idea or a way of life. Icons can be people or
things. For example, Nelson Mandela is a modern icon. He represents racial equality (the idea that all
races and colours of people are equal). Another icon of racial equality is Martin Luther King. Cell phones
and laptop computers are icons that represent modern culture and the modern way of doing business.
Nelson Mandela Martin Luther King Cell Phone Laptop Computer
$
Activity: Canadian Icons
Here are some icons that represent 4 world religions --Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism and the Muslim
religion. Match the name of the religion to the icons below.
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
4. _____________________________
176 Level 4 R W S
CANADIAN CULTURE
Name the country or culture these icons represent, and label each one.
Use the Word Bank if you need help with vocabulary.
COUNTRY: ________________________________________
CANADIAN CULTURE
COUNTRY: ________________________________________
178 Level 4 R W S
CANADIAN CULTURE
COUNTRY: ________________________________________
CANADIAN CULTURE
COUNTRY: ________________________________________
180 Level 4 R W S
CANADIAN CULTURE
COUNTRY: ________________________________________
CANADIAN CULTURE
WORD BANK
ancient gods
Arch of Triumph
(Arc de Triomphe)
beach
calligraphy
camel
cart
Che Guevara
china
Chinese food
cigar
croissant
date palm tree
dragon
Eiffel Tower
Fidel Castro
fleur de lis
French bread
Gandhi
goddess
Great Wall of China
Indian dancer
Mao Tse-tung
maracas
martial arts
meditation
monkey
mosque
Napoleon
Nile River
panda bear
Queen Cleopatra
rum
samba
sari
Sikh
Sphinx
sugar cane
tea
temple
Tutankhamen
182 Level 4 R W S
CANADIAN CULTURE
The maple leaf is an icon that represents Canada. It is on the Canadian flag, and maple trees are common
in most parts of the country. What are some other Canadian icons?
Draw and label eight more icons. Remember, an icon can be a person or a thing.
CANADIAN CULTURE
Maple Leaf
Group Discussion
In your discussion group, take turns showing your icons to your classmates. You can joke about your
artwork, if you like, and you can even name the best artist! When you show your icons, explain why you
chose them -- explain why they are an important or common part of Canadian culture and life in Canada.
After everyone has had a turn showing their work, the group must decide on the final four. Choose the
four you think are the most important or common in Canada. Then, each member of the group must take
one of the finalists and draw and describe it on the sheet your instructor gives you. Draw the icon in the
box, and then write a short paragraph about it. After you write your paragraph, read it one more time to
find and correct spelling and grammar mistakes.
Here is an example:
CANADIAN CULTURE
184 Level 4 R W S
The Maple Leaf
The maple leaf is a Canadian
icon. There is a red one on the
Canadian flag. Maple trees are
common in Ontario and Quebec,
and in the fall maple trees turn
beautiful colours. There are
yellow, orange and red maple
trees in the fall.
CANADIAN CULTURE
__________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
__________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
A variety of exercises follow an extended listening passage about Tommy Douglas.
Instructors choose the activities they deem appropriate for their classes.
Timing: varies
WARM-UP Inform the class that in 2004, Canadians were invited by the CBC to vote for the
greatest Canadian. Ask the class to guess who the winner was, and list responses on
the blackboard. Then, inform them that the winner was Tommy Douglas.
Prompt learners to share as much as they know about Tommy Douglas, and note this
information on the board. Include a reference to the Canadian health care system
and medicare.
Inform the class that they are going to listen to a passage about Tommy Douglas.
Warn the learners that the passage is long and vocabulary-rich, and encourage them
to focus on global comprehension rather than individual words.
ACTIVITY Play the audio (Track 12) once or twice. Learners listen for the gist.
There are four possible exercises for learner response. Instructors choose among
them.
Learners listen for specific factual detail in Exercise 1.
The focus of Exercise 2 is the expressions inspired, number one issue, grateful, father
of and universal.
In Exercise 3, learners are required to write the answers they would give to the
two surgeons if they were Tommys parents. It may be helpful to provide a copy of
the transcript. After learners have finished writing, divide the class into pairs or
small groups to share their responses.
Divide the class into small conversation groups for Exercise 4. Clarify advantages and
disadvantages, and compile a master list on the board to conclude the discussion.
FOLLOW-UP Questions for class discussion:
~ How does the Canadian health care system compare to the one in your
country of origin? Which system do you think is better?
See the companion website for a listening activity on another Canadian hero
named Wop May.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
The Greatest Canadian Hero
186 Level 4 R W L S
CANADIAN CULTURE
VARIATION For advanced classes, present Tommy Douglas own words to the class and have them
comment: "I felt that no boy should have to depend either for his leg or his life upon the
ability of his parents to raise enough money to bring a first-class surgeon to his bedside.
And I think it was out of this experience, not at the moment consciously, but through
the years, I came to believe that health services ought not to have a price tag on them,
and that people should be able to get whatever health services they require irrespective
of their individual capacity to pay."
SOURCE http://truenorthandme.blogspot.com/2006/09/tommy-douglas-greatest-canadian-of-all.html
For more information on the CBC Greatest Canadian contest:
http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/
1. b 2. a 3. a 4. a 5. b 6. b 7. a
Exercise 2: Examples include Fathers of Confederation, Fathers of the church,
Fathers of the nation, Father of (name of an invention).
FURTHER See LINC Curriculum Guidelines, pp. 262-267
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY medicare; infection; amputate; approach; condition; surgeon; inspired; MP; cherished;
monetary; profits; universal health care; strike; resist; convinced; worthwhile; flawed
Activity:
CANADIAN CULTURE
Every once in a while, a remarkable person comes along and helps to make life better for everyone. One
such person in Canadas history was Tommy Douglas who, because of his efforts, improved the well-being
of all Canadians. Today, many people are still grateful for his contribution and consider him to be a
Canadian hero.
Listen To His Story
Tommy Douglas was born in Scotland and, at an early age, immigrated to Canada with his parents. Tommy
was just 10 years old when something happened to him that would change his life. He was in hospital
again because he had a bone infection in his knee. Previously, he had had several operations to help him,
but the operations were not successful. In the hospital, two different surgeons approached his parents to
talk about his condition.
Listen To What Each Surgeon Said
First Surgeon:
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas, Im afraid I have some bad news for you; Tommys knee is still infected.
I know you said you cant pay for a specialist to see him. Now, I believe it might be better to just
amputate his leg before the infection spreads to the rest of his body. If you dont mind, Ill schedule
the operation for two days from now.
Second Surgeon:
Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas. You dont know me, but Im a visiting surgeon here at the hospital.
I have an offer for you that I hope you will accept. Id like to operate on Tommy for free if you allow
my students to attend the operation.
Activity:
188 Level 4 R W L S
CANADIAN CULTURE
Of course, Tommy Douglas parents accepted this surgeons offer and his leg and life were saved. For the
rest of his life, he was inspired by what the surgeon had done for him. He felt that ordinary Canadians
should have the benefit of free health care. He became a Member of the Canadian Parliament in 1935 and
spent his whole political life fighting for his cherished dream. As an MP from Saskatchewan, he worked
hard to establish his dream of universal health care in this country.
Tommy Douglas also fought for the issue of human rights. He considered the rights of the ordinary
individual to be more important than monetary profits, and he never stopped fighting for those beliefs. As
a result of his efforts, Canadians today receive old age pensions, social welfare, mothers allowance and
universal medicare.
But free health care was the number one issue for Mr. Douglas. In parliament, he devoted his life to
arguing that every Canadian should have equal and free access to vital basic healthcare. Doctors held a
strike to protest his ideas and the government in power resisted them as well.
Eventually, in the 1960s, Douglas convinced the government that his health care plan was worthwhile.
Finally, in 1964, free health care was available across Canada and Tommy Douglas became known as the
father of medicare. Today, because of him, all Canadians still continue to receive free health care. Tommy
Douglas was awarded Canadas highest honour, the Order of Canada, for his remarkable contribution to
the well being of all Canadians. In 2004, Canadians voted and decided that Tommy Douglas was Canadas
greatest hero.
Activity: The Greatest Canadian Hero
CANADIAN CULTURE
Exercise 1
Listen again. Circle the correct answer for each question.
1. Tommy Douglas immigrated to Canada from what country?
a. England
b. Scotland
2. Where did Tommy Douglas have an infection?
a. in his knee
b. in his arm
3. The first surgeon suggested amputating (cutting off) Tommys leg because his parents didnt have
enough money to pay for a specialist to see him.
a. True
b. False
4. The second surgeon said he would operate for free if
a. his students could attend the operation
b. Tommy would fight for universal health care
5. When did Tommy Douglas become a Member of Parliament (MP)?
a. 1936
b. 1935
6. Tommy Douglas was an MP for what province?
a. Manitoba
b. Saskatchewan
7. When did free health care become available in Canada?
a. in the 1960s
b. in 1984
190 Level 4 R W L S
CANADIAN CULTURE
Exercise 2
The word inspire:
For the rest of his life, he was inspired by what the surgeon had done for him.
The surgeons actions inspired Tommy Douglas to enter politics and fight for free health care
for all Canadians.
Discuss the meaning of inspire.
Describe to your classmates a time when you were inspired to do something:
_______________________ inspired me to _______________________.
The word issue:
But free health care was the number one issue for Mr. Douglas.
Discuss the meaning of issue as well as number one issue.
What are important issues in your life right now?
What is the number one issue in the world right now?
The word grateful:
Today, many people are still grateful for his contribution and consider him to be a Canadian hero.
Discuss the meaning of grateful.
Name one small thing and one important thing that you are grateful for.
The word universal:
As an MP from Saskatchewan, he worked hard to establish his dream of universal health care in
this country.
Discuss the meaning of universe. Canada is only one country. It is not the universe.
So, what does the word universal mean in the sentence above?
CANADIAN CULTURE
CANADIAN CULTURE
192 Level 4 R W L S
Exercise 3
Imagine that you are one of Tommy Douglas parents. You are at the hospital. Two surgeons have given you
their opinions, and now you must respond to (answer) them.
What will you say to the first one? (Write your exact words.)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What will you say to the second one? (Write your exact words.)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 4
In small groups, discuss the following:
1. Tell your classmates about your experience(s) with the Canadian health care system.
Are you satisfied with the health care system in Canada?
2. List the advantages and disadvantages of a free health care system.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
CANADIAN CULTURE
4
LINC
Canadian Law
CANADIAN LAW
Activity:
Legal Vocabulary
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A listening passage that teaches legal vocabulary is followed by a newspaper story that uses
the words in context. This unit covers the legal vocabulary used in
The Amazing Rattenbury Story, Parts Three and Four - Canada.
Timing: 35 minutes
WARM-UP Give each class member copies of the Legal Vocabulary chart and
Legal Vocabulary Definitions. Allow the learners a few minutes to look at
their two pages.
ACTIVITY Play Part 1 of the Listening (Track 13) and then check to ensure that everyone
has the correct definition number for the first seven terms (commit a crime,
charge, arrest, guilty, innocent, legal case).
Encourage learners to guess the definitions of the final four words, and then play
Part 2. Learners should be able to self-correct.
Give the class time to copy the definitions onto their charts for future use.
Learners may refer to their charts for the reading comprehension activity (Robber
Helps Police).
VARIATION Teach additional word forms, for example, imprison; judgment; .
If the reading comprehension activity is not intended for assessment, then learners
can work together in pairs and answer the questions orally.
Instruct learners to isolate the verbs in Robber Helps Police and then state if
they are in the passive or active voice.
FOLLOW-UP Assign the task of reading a crime story in the newspaper. Learners in advanced
classes can work on separate stories, while classes that need more support should
work on the same article. Tell learners to find and highlight the words in their
news story that are on their Legal Vocabulary charts.
For information on the Canadian legal systems, The Ontario Justice Education
Network has developed a number of resources for ESL learners. The ESL Student
Justice Education Series includes units on human rights law, immigration law,
employment law and resources for holding a mock trial. Although the linguistic
level is too high for LINC 4, the resources can be adapted for low intermediate
learners. See: http://www.ojen.ca/eng/resources
The Ontario Justice Education Network will also assist instructors who want to
bring their classes to court for a field trip. Instructors can follow the Courthouse
Visitors link [http://www.ojen.ca/eng/programs/] to arrange for a courthouse employee
FOLLOW-UP to receive and orient their classes at a local Ontario courthouse. Instructors are
(Continued) advised to time their visit so that their class will have an opportunity to watch a trial
in progress. Although they will not be able to understand everything that is going
on, the experience teaches newcomers about both the transparency and the slow
pace of the Canadian justice system.
CROSS- The Amazing Rattenbury Story Parts 3 and 4 Canada
REFERENCE
ANSWER KEY Legal Vocabulary:
judge 11 someone who makes legal decisions
legal case 3 legal problem that will be judged in a law court
trial 4 legal process held in court to decide on a legal case
court 7 place for trials and legal cases
commit a crime 1 do something illegal
arrest 8 [police] take someone away to question them about a crime
charge with 2 formally or officially accuse someone of committing a crime
innocent 6 not responsible for breaking a law
guilty 9 responsible for breaking a law
sentence 5 legal punishment
prisoner 10 someone who is in jail
Reading Comprehension:
1. armed robbery 2. left his wallet behind, left his cell phone behind, left fingerprints
on the beer can 3. 1 day 4. armed robbery 5. guilty 6.Graham Boal
7. no 8. later Thursday
ASSESSMENT Instructor corrects individual responses for listening asessment.
SOURCE The news story is an adaptation of Bumbling Burglar Leaves Behind Cell Phone and
Wallet from Dumbcrooks.com
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY Refer to Legal Vocabulary chart.
Other expressions: armed robbery; liquor store; fingerprint
Activity:
Legal Vocabulary
198 Level 4 R W L
CANADIAN LAW
CANADIAN LAW
Part 1
Im going to be talking to you about some words that relate to law and the legal system. You will need a chart
called Legal Vocabulary. Do you see all the words listed in the left hand column? Judge, legal case, and so on?
These are the words Im going to be talking about, but they arent in the right order, so you are going to have to
listen carefully. You should also have a paper called Legal Vocabulary Definitions. Do you have it? Each definition is
numbered, and there are numbers 1 to 11. Look back at your Legal Vocabulary chart. Do you see the second
column? It says Definition Number. While I am talking, your job will be to fill in the correct definition number for
each of the words. Dont try to copy out the definition while Im talking because you probably wont have enough
time. Your teacher will give you time to copy out the definitions later. Right now, all you have to do is listen and then
write the correct definition number for each of the words in the first column.
Are you ready?
When somebody does something illegal, they commit a crime. So, if someone robs money from a bank, they have
committed a crime. If they plan to steal credit card numbers, they are planning to commit a crime.
When someone has committed a crime, its the job of the police to find who did it. When they find the person, they
charge him or her with a crime; for example, they charge him with murder or they charge her with theft. To charge
someone with a crime is to formally or officially accuse them of committing a crime.
The police must take the person away. The police arrest the man. They want to ask the man questions to find out if
he really committed the crime, so they arrest him and take him away.
Once the police have arrested the person and charged him with a crime, their job is basically over and the legal
system continues from there. It is the job of the legal system, also called the justice system, to decide whether the
person really did commit the crime, or whether the police have arrested and charged the wrong man. If he did it,
he is guilty. A guilty person is someone who is responsible for breaking a law. If he didnt break the law, then he is
innocent. Guilty and innocent are opposites. Guilty means he did it, and innocent means he didnt.
I said it was the job of the justice system to decide whether the person really did commit the crime, or whether the
police arrested and charged the wrong man. This is a legal problem, and its called a legal case. When something
has to be decided or judged in the legal system, its a legal case.
Activity:
Legal Vocabulary
CANADIAN LAW
Activity: Legal Vocabulary
Part 2
The person who is responsible for making legal decisions is called a judge, and the judges decisions are called
judgments. The judge doesnt just decide by himself or herself there is a process or procedure for listening to
the reasons why the charged person is guilty or innocent. This process or procedure is called a trial, and the trial
takes place in a court. A court is the place for trials and other legal cases.
If the man is judged to be guilty, then he will be punished. The judge will decide on a punishment, which is called a
sentence. The judge may sentence a guilty criminal to 5 years in jail, or another person may be sentenced to 10
years in jail, and so on. The sentences are different because they depend on what crime was committed. In some
countries a judge can say that a guilty person must die, and this is called a death sentence, but in Canada there
is never a death sentence. Most criminals are sent to jail, where they are prisoners.
200 Level 4 R W L
CANADIAN LAW
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Activity: Legal Vocabulary
Legal Vocabulary Definitions
1. do something illegal
2. formally or officially accuse someone of committing a crime
3. legal problem that will be judged in a law court
4. legal process held in court to decide on a legal case
5. legal punishment
6. not responsible for breaking a law
7. place for trials and legal cases
8. [police] take someone away to question them about a crime
9. responsible for breaking a law
10. someone who is in jail
11. someone who makes legal decisions
judge arrest
courtroom
prisoner
CANADIAN LAW
202 Level 4 R W L
CANADIAN LAW
Activity:
Legal Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension
Answer the questions below. You do not need to write complete sentences.
1. What crime did Junior Adeoye commit? ______________________________________________
2. What 3 mistakes did he make? _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3. How long did it take the police to find, arrest and charge Adeoye? _________________________
4. What was he charged with? ________________________________________________________
5. Did Adeoye tell the court he was guilty or innocent? ____________________________________
6. What is the name of the judge? _____________________________________________________
7. Was this a difficult legal case for the judge? ____________________________________________
8. When will Adeoye be sentenced? ____________________________________________________
CANADIAN LAW
Learners listen to an informal narrative about a legal case, and then complete a summary of the
story by filling in blanks. This activity is intended as a follow-up to Legal Vocabulary,
but it can also be used independently.
Timing: 20 minutes
WARM-UP Legal Vocabulary
ACTIVITY Ensure that everyone understands the meaning of these key words: cigar, insurance.
Play the audio twice (Track 14).
Hand out His Plan Went Up in Smoke. Learners complete the summary.
Replay the audio as necessary.
FOLLOW-UP Take up the answers in class or else collect and correct the summaries. Explain the
idiom up in smoke. Ask learners to recount stories from their own lives about
plans and projects that went up in smoke.
VARIATIONS Speaking Activity:
~ Provide transcripts of the listening passage.
~ Draw attention to the words and expressions the woman uses to show
interest and provide encouragement to the story-teller.
~ Divide the class into groups. Each person takes a turn telling a story of
his/her choice, while the remaining group-members practice using similar
expressions of interest and encouragement.
Listening Activity:
~ This urban legend has inspired The Cigar Song by country singer Brad
Paisley. The lyrics are available at:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bradpaisley/thecigarsong.html
Paisleys performance of the song is available at:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=BoBmCl-q_54&feature=related
ANSWER KEY A man bought a box of 24 expensive cigars. He also bought insurance for
them. Then, he smoked them. At the end of the month, he told the insurance
company that he wanted to make a claim, because hiscigars had burnt . The
insurance company refused to pay, so the man wentto court. There, the judge
decided that the insurance company must pay, because they had insured the cigars
against fire.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
The Cigar Story
204 Level 4 L
ANSWER KEY The company didnt want to continue with the legal case in court because
(Continued) of expensive lawyers bills, so it paid the man $15,000. However, after he had
cashed his cheque, the company reported him to the police, and he was arrested .
The police charged him with arson . He was charged with arson because he had
burnt his insured cigars. The judge decided that the man was guilty and
sentenced him to two years in jail. He also had to pay $24,000.
SOURCE Top Ten Dumbest Criminals
http://www.funlol.com/659/Top_10_Dumb_Criminals!.html
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY up in smoke; cigar; insurance; rare; claim; series; arson; hilarious;
Youve got to be kidding!; uh huh; hmmmm
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
The Cigar Story
CANADIAN LAW
Woman: What are you laughing about?
Man: Ive just finished reading about a very funny legal case. (laughing)
Woman: Oh yeah? What about?
Man: Well, there was a man who bought a box of 24 really rare and expensive cigars.
They were worth, like, thousands of dollars. So he decided that he should buy
some insurance. So he bought some insurance to insure the cigars against fire, theft,
and so on.
Woman: Uh huh.
Man: But the man started to smoke them. He lit the first cigar, and it was so good he
smoked another one a few days later, and then another one a few days later.
Within a month, he had smoked all 24 of his expensive cigars, and he hadnt even
paid his insurance bill yet.
Woman: Hmmmm.
Man: He phoned the insurance company and said that he wanted to make a claim.
He said he wanted a payment from them.
Woman: A payment? Why?
Man: He said that he had insured his cigars against fire, and all his cigars had burned in
a series of several small fires.
Woman: I cant believe it! Surely the insurance company didnt have to pay!
Man: Well, of course they said no, but the man took them to court. The judge said the
legal case was foolish, but in fact the insurance company had made a mistake by
insuring the cigars against fire, and, so, legally, they had to pay. The judge ordered
the company to pay the man $15,000.
Woman: Youve got to be kidding!
Activity:
The Cigar Story
CANADIAN LAW
206 Level 4 L
Man: No. Anyway, the insurance company decided it would be cheaper to pay him than
to keep fighting in court with all the lawyers bills and so on. So they sent the man
a cheque for $15,000 for the rare cigars he had lost in the series of fires.
Woman: Thats terrible! It just makes me mad!
Man: Well, the storys not over. The insurance company waited for the man to cash the
cheque, which he did.
Woman: And then?
Man: And then they reported him to the police. And then the police arrested him.
Woman: Arrested him? For what? What crime did he commit?
Man: He was charged with starting an illegal fire. Arson. He was charged with 24
counts of arson.
Woman: Arson? For setting his cigars on fire?
Man: Yes. The company said that he illegally started 24 fires to burn his 24 insured cigars,
so that he could make an insurance claim. Thats arson, and its against the law.
Woman: Thats hilarious!
Man: Yes. The guy was found guilty. He was sentenced to 2 years in jail and had to
pay $24,000.
Woman: Oh my gosh, that is a funny story. That mans great
plan sure went up in smoke!
Activity: The Cigar Story
CANADIAN LAW
CANADIAN LAW
HIS PLANS WENT UP IN SMOKE
Use each of the expressions below to complete this summary of the story you just heard.
You will need to use some words more than once.
arrested arson burnt charged
cigars court guilty in jail
insurance judge lawyers bills legal case
police sentenced
A man bought a box of twenty-four expensive _________________. He also bought ______________ for
them. Then, he smoked them. At the end of the month, he told the insurance company that he wanted to
make a claim because his _________________ had _________________. The insurance company refused
to pay, so the man went to _________________. There, the _________________ decided that the
insurance company must pay because they had insured the cigars against fire.
The company didnt want to continue with the _________________ in court because of expensive
_________________, so it paid the man $15,000. However, after he had cashed his cheque, the company
reported him to the _________________, and he was _________________. The police
_________________ him with _________________. He was charged with arson because he had
_________________ his insured cigars. The judge decided that the man was _________________
and _________________ him to two years _________________. He also had to pay $24,000.
Activity: The Cigar Story
208 Level 4 L
Learners study a landmark legal case related to using corporal punishment on children in Canada.
Timing: 1 hours +
WARM-UP The whole class reads the first two paragraphs of the warm-up page and the
vocabulary chart together. Review the four vocabulary expressions to ensure that
everyone understands the differences between spank, slap and beat, and then ask
learners to provide example sentences. Write these examples on the board, so the
class can copy them onto their sheets.
Next, learners read and discuss Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3. When they have
finished, inform the class that all three paragraphs are false and that they will learn
more about Canadian law in the upcoming listening activities.
ACTIVITY Continue with Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Listening (Track 15), repeating the
audio as necessary for the class to complete the comprehension checks successfully.
Learners must completely understand the answers to Check Your Understanding
Part 3 before doing Speaking Activity 1, as they need full comprehension
of the five guidelines in order to discuss the scenarios.
Refer to the Listening Transcript for the writing dictation.
There are nine scenarios for Speaking Activity 1. Instructors can use them all
or else choose the ones they deem most appropriate for their classes. The pages
should be cut to separate the scenarios, and the slips placed face down in a pile
between the participants.
Discussion groups composed of people of differing ages and cultural backgrounds is
optimal for Speaking Activity 2.
VARIATION The activities can be done incrementally over several days.
ANSWER KEY Warm-up All three paragraphs are false.
Listening
Check Your Understanding Part 1
What it means in simple English is that parents, teachers and other caregivers
are allowed to use force to correct children and students, but they cannot use
too much force.
Check Your Understanding Part 2
Researchers believe that using a bit of force to correct children does not
harm their long-term development.
Researchers also believe that using force to correct children does not work
effectively.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
The Spanking Case
CANADIAN LAW
ANSWER KEY Check Your Understanding Part 3
(Continued) 1. The punishment must teach the child something.
2. The child must be able to learn from the experience.
3. Corporal punishment is suitable for children ages 2-12.
4. An adult cannot use an object to hit a child.
5. An adult cannot hit a child on the head.
ASSESSMENT The writing dictation can be collected for assessment.
~ makes only a few errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling
~ spells and follows punctuation conventions, with few errors
SOURCE Ontario Justice Education Network, The Spanking Case: Testing The Validity Of
Section 43
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY spank; slap; beat; corporal punishment; electrical socket; bruise; legal case; injure;
guidelines; suitable; situation; frustrated; out of control; sneak; lose ones cool;
cool down; spit out; kids; take somebody to court
Activity:
The Spanking Case
CANADIAN LAW
210 Level 4 R W L S
LISTENING
Part 1
In Canada there is a group called CFCYL, which is short for Canadian Foundation of Children, Youth and the
Law. The work of the CFCYL is to protect children and to protect the legal rights of all Canadian children. The
CFCYL is against corporal punishment for children. They dont think adults should use physical force against
children hitting, slapping, spanking and so on. They say if it isnt OK for an adult to hit another adult, then it
shouldnt be OK for an adult to hit a child. In 1998 they took the Government of Canada to court over a part of
Canadian law about using force on children. This small part of the law is called Section 43 and this is what
Section 43 says:
Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force
by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the
force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances.
Of course, this is legal English, but what it means in simple English is that parents, teachers and other caregivers
are allowed to use force to correct children and students, but they cannot use too much force. Let me repeat this:
parents, teachers and other caregivers are allowed to use force to correct children and students, but they cannot
use too much force.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Part 1
Of course, this is legal English, but what it means in simple English is that parents, teachers and other caregivers are
allowed to use force to correct children and students, but they cannot use too much force.
Activity:
The Spanking Case
CANADIAN LAW
LISTENING
Part 2
So, the CFCYL said that Section 43 is unfair and must be changed. They said you cannot treat people differently
because of their age. The laws of Canada protect people from being treated differently because of their skin colour,
language, culture, or religion so people shouldnt be treated differently because of their age, either. In 1998 they
went to court to force the government to change the law.
Now, in Canada the legal process is very slow, and this was a very complicated case that took years for final
judgment. In fact, the case went to three different courts and there wasnt a final judgment by the Supreme Court
of Canada, Canadas highest court, until 2004. Ill tell you what the final judgment was in a minute, but first I want
to talk about some interesting research that the CFCYL talked about in court.
The lawyers for CFCYL talked about studies that researchers have done to measure the effects of using force on
children. When parents or caregivers hit children, does this affect their development? Does it cause problems for
children? The research results showed two things that are interesting. The first thing is that using a bit of force to
correct children does not cause any long-term damage to children. Researchers say that children who are spanked
by their parents turn out to be just as happy and just as good as children who arent spanked. Were not talking
here about beating children or hurting children badly, just a normal spanking by mom or dad to teach a kid a
lesson. Studies show this doesnt hurt childrens development.
But the second interesting thing the studies showed is that using this kind of force also doesnt work very well to
correct children. In other words, spanking doesnt hurt childrens development,t but it doesnt really teach them or
help them very much either. The researchers said that parents who want to correct their children, who want their
children to learn good behaviour, should look for better ways because spanking isnt the best teacher. It simply isnt
very effective. There are better ways to teach children what is right and what is wrong.
Part 2
The research results showed 2 things which are interesting. The first thing is that using a bit of force to correct
children does not cause any long-term damage to children.
The researchers said that parents who want to correct their children, who want their children to learn good
behaviour, should look for better ways because spanking isnt the best teacher. It simply isnt very effective. There
are better ways to teach children what is right and what is wrong.
Activity: The Spanking Case
CANADIAN LAW
212 Level 4 R W L S
LISTENING
Part 3
After six years, the final decision of the Supreme Court was to uphold Section 43, which means the court said Section
43 is fine and that its OK for teachers, caregivers and parents to use a bit of force to teach and correct children. The
court also said that Canadians are very confused about this area of the law, and that people need guidance and advice
on when its OK by law to use corporal punishment. So the judges also gave some guidelines about when spanking is ok
by law. We arent talking about beating or injuring children, because that is never legal. Were talking about a normal
spanking where the child may cry but is not seriously hurt. Here are the five main guidelines:
1. The law protects parents who are using corporal punishment to teach children something. The
spanking is supposed to help the child learn. It does not protect parents who use corporal
punishment because they are angry or frustrated. If you are angry at your kid and spank him out
of anger, the law doesnt protect you.
2. The law does not protect an adult who uses corporal punishment on a child who is not able to
learn. Lets look at an easy example. If a 6-month baby is crying at a restaurant, the adult wants
the baby to stop. But the baby is too young to learn. Spanking will not correct that babys
behaviour the baby is not able to learn. So someone who spanks or uses corporal punishment
on a child who cannot learn from the experience is breaking the law, not protected by it.
3. Thirdly, the guidelines say corporal punishment is suitable only for children ages 2-12.
4. Next, the guidelines say an adult cannot use an object to hit a child, for example, a belt, a shoe
or a spoon. Only the hand.
5. Finally, number 5, it is against the law to hit a child on the head.
So, although corporal punishment of children is legal in Canada, it is legal only when it is used to
teach a child and when it does not injure or damage the child.
Part 3
Replay entire Listening - Part 3
WRITING
Teachers Dictation:
Corporal punishment of children is legal in Canada. However, it is legal only when it is used to teach a
child and when it does not injure or damage the child.
CANADIAN LAW
corporal punishment
punishment of people (usually children)
by hitting them
spank
hit a child with the hand on the bottom
several times as a punishment
slap
hit with something flat, especially
the flat part of the hand
beat
hit hard many times
WARM-UP
Reading and Speaking
When I came to Canada, someone told me that I cannot touch my children. If my child does something bad I
cannot touch him or even say anything to him to punish him, and if I do, the police can take my child from me.
Many newcomers hear stories like this. In fact, it is not only newcomers who are confused and unsure
about what Canadian law says about hitting children. Many people born in Canada arent clear about the
law either. You are going to learn more about family law by studying an important legal case in Canada.
Here are four expressions that you will need:
Use each of the four expressions in an example sentence.
1. _________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________
With a partner, read these three short paragraphs. Decide whether each one is true or false.
Make your best guess.
1. All forms of corporal punishment for children are illegal in Canada. A parent, teacher or caregiver
may never hit, slap, or spank a child for any reason.
2. In Canada, a parent, teacher or caregiver may hit, slap or spank a child in order to stop that child
from hurting other children. Any other form of corporal punishment is illegal.
3. Many people think that it is illegal to hit, slap or spank children in Canada, but thats not true. In
fact, the law says nothing about corporal punishment for children.
CANADIAN LAW
214 Level 4 R W L S
LISTENING
Part 1
You are going to listen to someone talking about a legal case in Canada. In this legal case, a group took the
government of Canada to court over a part of the law called Section 43.
This is what Section 43 says:
Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force
by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the
force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances.
The speaker will explain what Section 43 means in simple English.
Part 1
The speaker explained what Section 43 means in simple English. Listen again, and write down the missing
words:
what it [Section 43] means in simple English is that parents, _____________ and other
caregivers are allowed to use force to _____________ children and students, but they cannot
use _____________ force.
LISTENING
Part 2
Part 2
Read these sentences and fill in the missing words. If necessary, you can listen again.
Researchers believe that using a bit of force to correct children does not _______________________.
Researchers also believe that using force to correct children does not _________________________.
CANADIAN LAW
CANADIAN LAW
LISTENING
Part 3
Part 3
One
In their decision, the judges also wrote guidelines for Canadians about using corporal punishment.
What are the five guidelines?
1. The punishment must ________________________________________________________
2. The child must be ___________________________________________________________
3. Corporal punishment is suitable _________________________________________________
4. An adult cannot _____________________________________________________________
5. An adult cannot _____________________________________________________________
Two
Go back to the beginning of the Warm-Up and re-read what the newcomer said.
Was the newcomer right?
WRITING
Listen, and write what your instructor dictates:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SPEAKING
Activity 1
Work in a group of 3 or 4. Read the paragraph together, and then decide whether the parents,
caregivers or teachers acted legally or illegally. If they acted illegally, which part of the judges
guidelines didnt they follow?
Discuss a better way for the parents, caregivers or teachers in each situation. Was there something
different and better for the adults to do?
216 Level 4 R W L S
Discipline Scenarios For Speaking Activity 1
KEVIN
Eleven-year-old Kevin has caused trouble at school and at home for many years. He starts fights with his
classmates and with his brothers and sisters. His parents and teachers have tried many things to teach him
to control his anger, but nothing has worked completely. Last week he started to eat a chocolate bar while
he was at home watching TV. When the phone rang, he put his candy down on the coffee table and went
to the kitchen to answer it. While Kevin was talking, his 5-year old sister came into the living room and
finished the chocolate bar. He became very angry, and hit and kicked his sister many times. She had bruises
on her face and legs. Kevins father decided it was time to teach Kevin a hard lesson, so he beat Kevin the
same way Kevin had beaten his sister, and now two children in the family have bruises on their faces and
legs.
JUNG (A)
Seven-year-old Jung was very tired when she came home from a long and exciting birthday party on
Saturday evening. She was so tired that her parents decided to put her to bed immediately, without a bath
or supper. However, Jung was on medication (antibiotics) for an earache, so she needed to take her
medicine first. Jung often has earaches, so she is used to taking pills, and she usually takes them without
any problem. However, on Saturday she was so tired that she refused to take the pills and spit them out
every time her parents put them into her mouth. She was crying and out of control. Finally, her parents
warned her they would spank her if she continued to refuse to take her pills. Jung still refused, and so they
spanked her.
CANADIAN LAW
Discipline Scenarios For Speaking Activity 1 (Continued)
JUNG (B)
Seven-year-old Jung hates to take medicine, and she always spits out her pills or liquid medicine. This is a
problem because she often gets earaches and must take antibiotics. Her parents have talked to her about
it, but it hasnt helped. They tried to hide her pills in her food, and that didnt work either. They promised
Jung something sweet if she would take the pills, but she wouldnt. Her parents are getting frustrated
because she is making everyone unhappy. Her parents understand that if Jung learns to take her medicine
quickly and get it over, then everyones life will be better. They warned her they will spank her the next
time she refuses for more than 10 minutes to take the pills. Then, when this happened again yesterday,
they spanked her, after 10 minutes.
LUDMILLA
Four-year-old Ludmilla has been jealous of her baby sister since the day she was born. Her parents
understand her jealousy and they try to give Ludmilla extra attention, but it hasnt solved the problem.
Ludmilla has started to sneak into the babys room and slap her while she is sleeping. She has done this
several times, and her parents have warned her that they will spank her if she does it again. Yesterday,
while her mother was cooking supper, Ludmilla snuck into the bedroom and hit her sleeping sister.
Mother heard the baby screaming, ran into the room, and saw what was happening. She calmed the baby
and then spanked Ludmilla on the bottom. She told her, You mustnt hit your sister because it hurts. Do
you feel how your bottom hurts now? Thats how the baby feels when you hit her.
LUCIA
Nine-year-old Lucia has a motor mouth she is always talking. She talks so much people become
frustrated and angry, and its very hard for the other children who are in her class. They cannot focus on
their studies because she is always talking. Mrs. Smith, her teacher, has moved Lucias desk to a separate
corner of the room, far from others, but now Lucia just talks louder. Yesterday the class was writing a test,
and Lucia wouldnt stop talking. She was asking questions, and telling other children some of the answers.
The teacher warned her several times, and finally she slapped her on the hand. Lucia started to cry quietly,
but she also stopped talking.
CANADIAN LAW
218 Level 4 R W L S
Discipline Scenarios For Speaking Activity 1 (Continued)
THABO
Five-year-old Thabo often loses his cool at school. He is an only child and his home is very quiet, so it is
difficult for him to keep calm in all the confusion and noise of a kindergarten class. Also, he is still learning
to share and take turns. Last week he was playing with a large puzzle. Amina
joined him and began to put some pieces into the puzzle too. Thabo shouted
Mine! Mine! Its mine! and he began to hit Amina. Amina pushed back, and an
angry fight began. The teacher picked Thabo up, held his arms and legs tightly,
and carried him to another part of the room where he could sit quietly until
he cooled down.
PIERRE
Justin and Annie are very worried because their three-year-old son Pierre is very interested
in the electrical sockets in their home. They have moved furniture in front of the sockets,
they have put in safety covers, and they have talked to Pierre about it, but of course he is
too young to understand the danger, and he is always trying to play with them. On Thursday,
while Justin and Annie were in the living room watching TV, Pierre went into his parents
bedroom to play with his trucks. After five minutes, he went under the bed to find the
socket he knew was on the wall behind the bed. Annie heard the noise and found Justin had
removed the safety cover and was putting a pen into the socket. Annie spanked him.
TRAN
Tran is 18 months old. He is very cute, but there is a problem he wont stay in bed in the evening. His
parents are going crazy because they are trying to study for important exams, and they need to focus on
their work in the evenings. They put him to bed, and he comes out within 10 minutes. They do it again. Ten
minutes later hes back out. They have warned him they will spank him if he keeps coming out of bed, and
last night they did.
HALIMA
Ali is a taxi driver, and he had a very bad day at work on Friday. There was a snowstorm and he saw many
accidents on the road. He worked for 13 hours, didnt earn very much money, and came home tired and
hungry. Ali warned everyone that he was in a bad mood, and that he needed some time to relax quietly in
front of the television. However, his eight-year-old daughter Halima was watching her favourite show,
American Fashion, and she didnt want to quit. Ali changed the channel to watch his program, but she kept
changing the channel back to American Fashion. After this happened three times, Ali was so angry he
spanked her on the bottom.
CANADIAN LAW
CANADIAN LAW
SPEAKING
Activity 2
Talk about your personal experiences.
People Who Dont Have Children
What kind of punishments were you given when you were a child? Your parents probably tried many
things. What worked for you, and what didnt work?
Parents
The researchers said that corporal punishment doesnt damage children, but it doesnt correct them
very well. Have you tried other ways of disciplining children? What has worked for your children,
and what hasnt worked?
Seniors and Middle-Aged People
Compare how children are treated and disciplined now to how they were treated when you were
young. Are the changes for the better or for the worse?
220 Level 4 R W L S
Learners gain knowledge of the Canadian legal system in a four-skills unit that follows a landmark compensation
case about impaired driving. This activity is more challenging than The Spanking Case,
and may not be suitable for classes that are not already familiar with basic legal terminology.
It is recommended that learners complete Legal Vocabulary in advance.
Timing: 1 hour+
WARM-UP Hand out the one-page introduction to the class. Following the instructions on their
page, the learners go over the vocabulary together and then make their predictions
about the legal case.
Hand out the second page and allow groups a few minutes to talk about the Group
Discussion Question. Then, tell the class that the answer to the question is maybe,
under certain conditions, and explain that they are going to learn more about
these conditions.
ACTIVITY The reading can be done individually, in groups, or as a class. Clarify the meaning of
a history of drinking and driving. Allow learners time to think about and answer the
reading response questions You Be the Judge before dividing the class into groups
of four.
Repeat Listenings 1 and 2 (Track 16) until the learners are able to complete the
comprehension activities. The class should listen first for overall meaning before
attempting the exercises.
The writing activity is challenging, and may not be appropriate for all classes.
Encourage learners to practice using the phrases (for expressing opinions) that are
provided in the Wrap-up.
FOLLOW-UP Play the CBC News clip from 2006 that reports on the Supreme Court decision:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/01/18/supreme-drink060118.html
The clip is about two minutes long. Lower intermediate level learners will not be
able to follow it all, as the newscasters delve into the home insurance implications
of the case, but they should be able to understand a significant amount.
VARIATION The Wrap-Up can be used to review or reinforce usage of the apostrophe for
possessives.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
Drinking And Driving
CANADIAN LAW
ANSWER KEY Group Discussion Question
The host may be responsible under certain conditions.
LISTENING 1
1. T 2. T 3. T 4. not enough 5. T 6. didnt ask
LISTENING 2
1. Desormeaux had drunk 12 bottles of beer in 2 1/2 hours.
2. Desormeaux was sentenced to 10 years in jail.
3. He was let out of jail in 2003, and lived in a half-way house while he
was on parole.
ASSESSMENT Instructors circulate and listen to learners conversations during the discussion
activities.
~ indicates incomprehension
~ uses vocabulary adequately
~ expresses opinion
~ expresses concern
SOURCE The Top Five: Annual Summaries of Compelling Cases 2006 Ontario Justice
Education Network www.ojen.ca
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY BYOB; hosts; intoxicated; drinking and driving; impaired driving; paraplegic; sue;
parole; half-way house; third party; legal case; judgment; sentence; judge; court;
responsible; champagne; compensation; risk; beer; predict; blood; alcoholic;
behaviour; a history of doing something
Activity:
CANADIAN LAW
222 Level 4 R W L S
Listening 1
Listen to the courts judgment and for the reasons.
The accident happened on December 31, 1999, but a final decision was not made until May 2006. The case went to 3
different levels of court, and finally ended up at the countrys highest court, the Supreme Court of Canada. The judges in
the Supreme Court decided that the hosts of the party were not legally responsible for Childs injury. They gave several
reasons.
First of all, the hosts did not control the supply of alcohol that Desormeaux drank. It was a BYOB party, and the guests
served themselves, so the hosts did not know how much he had had to drink.
Secondly, there was no way for the hosts to know that Desormeaux was intoxicated. He did not seem to be drunk.
Thirdly, although the hosts knew that Desormeaux had a history of drinking and driving, they did not know that he was
drunk on December 31, 1999. Because they didnt know he was intoxicated, they were not responsible for allowing him
to drink and drive.
Next, its true that they gave Desormeaux a small amount of champagne, but it was only very little and when they gave
it to him, they didnt know how much he had already drunk. So the small amount of champagne that Zimmerman and
Courrier gave Desormeaux did not make them responsible for the accident.
So, the judges felt that none of Zimmerman and Courriers actions increased the risk that Desormeaux would drink and
drive. Let me repeat this. None of Zimmerman and Courriers actions encouraged or increased the risk that
Desormeaux would drink and drive.
And finally, none of the party guests asked Zimmerman and Courrier to make sure that they didnt drink and drive. The
guests never asked the hosts to be responsible.
For these reasons, the judges decided that every person at the party was responsible for his or her own behaviour.
Zimmerman and Courrier were not responsible for any of their guests actions, including Desormeauxs, so they did not
have to pay compensation to Zoe Childs.
Activity:
CANADIAN LAW
CANADIAN LAW
Activity: Drinking And Driving
Listening 2
After the accident, the police tested the amount of alcohol in Desormeaux blood and then they arrested him. At
the party, he had drunk about 12 bottles of beer in 2 hours.
Desormeaux had been arrested before for impaired driving, and he admitted to the court that he was an alcoholic,
so the judge sentenced him to 10 years in jail.
While he was in jail, Desormeaux felt very bad about what he had done and he stopped drinking. He joined
support groups that would help him stay off booze. In 2003, he was let out of jail, but he was not completely free
either. He stayed in a special place called a half-way house and his behaviour was watched. As long as he was
good, he could stay free, but if he did anything illegal, he would have to go back to jail. This is called parole. In
Canada, most prisoners are given parole before they complete all the years of their jail sentences. Desormeaux
moved to Edmonton to start a new life, and has been alcohol-free until now.
224 Level 4 R W L S
CANADIAN LAW
DRINKING AND DRIVING
Introduction
You are going to study an interesting legal case that will teach you about Canadian law. Here are some
expressions you will need to know to understand the case:
1. Talk to a partner about the meaning of the expressions, to make sure you both understand them.
2. You may be able to guess what the legal case was about from this vocabulary chart. Talk about
what probably happened. Then, join another pair to form a group of four, and share your
predictions.
BYOB bring your own booze (alcohol) or
bring your own bottle
a type of party where guests bring
their own alcoholic drinks
hosts people who invite guests to their home
for a party or social event
intoxicated drunk
drinking and driving driving when drunk; this is illegal
in Canada
impaired driving
paraplegic paraplegic people cannot move and feel
their legs and the lower part of their
bodies
sue take legal action to get compensation
(usually money) for harm or injury
CANADIAN LAW
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTION
A friend or relative drives to your home for a New Years party. He drinks too much alcohol. On his way
home, he causes a car accident and someone is injured or killed. Under Canadian law, are you responsible
for your guests actions?
Read About the Legal Case
Julie Zimmerman and Dwight Courrier invited some friends to their home in Ottawa for a BYOB party
on December 31, 1999. At midnight, they served small glasses of champagne to their friends, but that was
the only alcohol they provided. The guests had brought their own alcohol, and they served themselves
drinks when they wanted more.
When the party was over, Courrier walked one of his guests, Desmond Desormeaux, to his car and asked
him Are you okay, brother?
Desormeaux answered No problem, and then drove away. He was driving two of the other party guests.
Everyone at the party knew that Desormeaux had a history of drinking and driving, but he did not seem
to be intoxicated.
On his way home, though, Desormeaux caused a serious car accident because he was driving on the
wrong side of the road. The accident killed one person in the other car and injured three. One of the
injured passengers was a teenager who became paraplegic. Her name was Zoe Childs.
The Childs family decided to sue Desormeaux, Zimmerman and Courrier for 2.3 million dollars. Part of
their reason for suing Zimmerman and Courrier was that Desormeaux had very little money and no
insurance.
226 Level 4 R W L S
CANADIAN LAW
YOU BE THE JUDGE
1. If you were a judge, would these facts be important to you?
a. The accident happened after Desormeaux left the party Zimmerman and Courrier were
hosting.
Yes____ No_____
b. Zimmerman and Courrier served only a small amount of alcohol to their guests not
enough to intoxicate Desormeaux.
Yes____ No_____
c. Zimmerman and Courrier knew Desormeaux had a history of impaired driving.
Yes____ No_____
d. Courrier walked Desormeaux to his car and asked if he was OK before he began driving,
and Desormeaux answered no problem.
Yes____ No_____
e. Desormeaux didnt look or act drunk.
Yes____ No_____
2. Do you agree that Childs should receive compensation from Desormeaux?
Yes____ No_____
3. Do you agree that Childs should receive compensation from Zimmerman and Courrier?
Yes____ No_____
In your group of four, compare your answers and discuss the case.
Practice using these new expressions:
~ be responsible (for) somebody/something
~ host
~ drinking and driving/impaired driving
~ drunk/intoxicated
CANADIAN LAW
LISTENING 1
Listen to the courts judgment and for the reasons.
Listen again, and write T or F beside the statements below. If the sentence is false, correct it.
Example
_____ The party was hosted by Zimmerman and Courrier.
_____ The party was hosted by Zimmerman and Desormeaux.
_____ 1. The fact that it was a BYOB party helped Zimmerman and Courrier.
_____ 2. The judges believed that Zimmerman and Courrier did not know that Desormeaux
was drunk.
_____ 3. Desormeaux had a history of drinking and driving.
_____ 4. The amount of champagne Zimmerman and Courrier gave Desormeaux was enough to
make him drunk.
_____ 5. The judges decided that Zimmermans and Courriers actions did not increase the risk
that Desormeaux would drink and drive.
_____ 6. The guests asked Zimmerman and Courrier to make sure they didnt drink and drive.
Courrier
T
F
228 Level 4 R W L S
CANADIAN LAW
LISTENING 2
Listen to what happened to Desormeaux.
Listen again, and fill in the dates and numbers.
1. Desormeaux had drunk _______ bottles of beer in _______ hours.
2. Desormeaux was sentenced to _______ years in jail.
3. He was let out of jail in _______, and lived in a half-way house while he was on parole.
WRITING
Conditional Sentences
The Supreme Court judges decided that Zimmerman and Courrier were not responsible for their guests
behaviour this time. However, the judges also said that in different situations, hosts might in fact be legally
responsible, "when it is shown that a social host knew that an intoxicated guest was going to drive a car
and did nothing to protect innocent third parties." (Third parties are other people, like Zoe Childs, who
had no relationship to the hosts or the drunk driver.)
Use the facts of this case to write conditional sentences.
Follow this example:
Hosts might be legally responsible if _________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.
Hosts might be legally responsible if ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.
Hosts might be legally responsible if ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.
they serve their guests a lot of alcohol
WRAP-UP
Return to your conversation group and give your opinion about these things:
the Supreme Courts decision that Zimmerman and Courrier were not responsible for
Desormeaux actions
Desormeaux punishment
the judges statement that in future legal cases hosts could be responsible for their guests drinking
and driving in certain conditions
During your discussion, practice using some of these expressions:
~ I agree with (something or somebody)
~ I disagree with (something or somebody)
~ I think that
~ Im sorry, but I cant agree with you. I think that
CANADIAN LAW
230 Level 4 R W L S
A listening passage on a police public relations event is preceded by a vocabulary exercise and followed by
comprehension and discussion questions.
Timing: 60 minutes+
WARM-UP Hand out The CopShop Event reading. After the class has looked at the picture,
invite individuals to express their feelings about police officers. Then, the whole class
reads the two paragraphs together.
Divide the class into pairs. Give one partner an envelope containing the vocabulary
words cut into eight individual slips (from Vocabulary Cutouts). Give the second
partner an envelope containing the meanings cut into eight slips (from the same
page). Instruct the pairs to match the words with their meanings, and then copy the
information into the chart on The CopShop Event.
ACTIVITY Read through the introductory passage (in First Listening) with the class and
ensure that everyone understands it. Then, play the audio (Track 17).
Give the learners time to read and begin to answer the Listening Comprehension
Questions before re-playing the audio. Re-iterate that more than one answer is
correct for some questions.
FOLLOW-UP There are two sets of group discussion questions for optional follow-up. The first
set elicits a general response to the listening text, while the second set helps
learners practice the new vocabulary.
Twelve images from CopShop events held across Canada in 2008 can be viewed at the
Canoe holiday website
http://holidays.canoe.ca/Photos/2008/12/18/7795281.html?&pic=0
CopShop Thrills 60 Kids is a 2-minute video about the CopShop Event in
Winnipeg, Manitoba in December, 2008. It can be downloaded at:
autorontosun.feedroom.com/?fr_story=a83be7756ee3c0d73971d1eadc
6822460c7f16e4&rf=rss-
or: http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/2008/12/17/7785271.html
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
The CopShop Event
CANADIAN LAW
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: Vocabulary
trust - believe
shopping spree - buying many things in a short time
donate - give something to help others
positive - good, hopeful
pair - group of two
cop - police officer (slang)
gift certificate - something you can use like cash in a store
uniform - special clothing worn by people in the same group
Exercise 2: Listening Comprehension Questions
1. to improve relations between the public and the police to give children a positive
experience with the police
2. yes
3. schools
4. $200
5. toys
gifts for their families
things for their homes
they could choose whatever they wanted
6. store owners
mall owners
ASSESSMENT Answers to the Listening Comprehension Questions can be collected for formal
assessment.
SOURCES Winnipeg Sun 18 December 2008
Ottawa Citizen 18 December 2008
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY needy; hand in hand; once-in-a-lifetime experience; paired up; cop; donate; gift
certificate; pair; positive; shopping spree; trust; uniform
Activity:
The CopShop Event
CANADIAN LAW
232 Level 4 R L S
If anyone wanted to rob a store in Billings Bridge Shopping Centre in Ottawa yesterday afternoon, they probably
changed their minds when they entered the mall. It was a bad day for robbery because there were 30 police
officers in the shopping mall all afternoon. They were all wearing their uniforms, but they werent arresting
anyonethey were carrying shopping bags. Each of the 30 officers was paired with a child, and they were all out
on a shopping spree just in time for Christmas.
What was happening? They were participating in the CopShop Event, a new way of improving relations between
the public and the police.
The 30 children were from poor and needy families. When they came to the mall, each one was paired up with a
police officer. The children were given $200 gift certificates to buy anything they wanted in any store, and their
officer took them shopping. The officers helped them find and buy all the things they wanted. They also stopped for
a snack or lunch together.
Across Canada, 400 children and 400 police officers participated in CopShop events in December 2008. Which
children went on the shopping sprees? Most of them were chosen by their schools. The children came from poor
families and were from communities that see a lot of the police in their area, but not for shopping. Organizers
hope the Cop Shop Event will help children feel more comfortable with the police.
At the Billings Bridge Shopping Centre yesterday, you could see that everyone was feeling more than just
comfortable they were having a wonderful time. Everywhere you looked, you could see police officers and
children walking together hand in hand, and all their fun put the rest of the Christmas shoppers in a good mood,
too. For the children, $200 is a lot of money, and so this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them. The children
chose toys for themselves, of course, but they also wanted to get things for their family members. Some even
bought things for their homes like sheets and towels.
Who paid for it all? The gift certificates were donated by the owners of the stores and malls. These businesspeople
think CopShop is a great idea. They want the children to remember their good and positive experience of being
with a police officer. If the children remember the wonderful day they had shopping with a cop, then maybe they
will have more trust and more positive feelings towards the police when they are adults.
Activity:
The CopShop Event
CANADIAN LAW
CANADIAN LAW
Activity: The CopShop Event
THE COPSHOP EVENT
Look at the picture on your left. How do you feel when
you see a police officer? Some people have positive feelings.
They trust police officers. Others have negative feelings.
They are afraid of police officers. Sadly, many of the
people who are most in need of police protection are
also the people who are the most afraid.
Police forces across Canada are working to improve
their relations with their communities. They want the
public to work with them. They have many outreach
programs that will help people learn to trust them.
One new program is called The CopShop Event.
You are going to learn some new vocabulary and
then listen to hear more about CopShop.
Exercise 1: Vocabulary
Creative Commons CC-BY-SA-2.5
Word Meaning
234 Level 4 R L S
VOCABULARY CUTOUTS
cop (slang)
donate
gift certificate
pair
positive
shopping spree
trust
uniform
believe
buying many things in a short time
give something to help others
good, hopeful
group of two
police officer
something you can use like cash in a store
special clothing worn by people in the same group
CANADIAN LAW
CANADIAN LAW
FIRST LISTENING
Read the sentences below, and then listen to learn more about CopShop.
If anyone wanted to rob a store in Billings Bridge Shopping Centre in Ottawa yesterday afternoon, they
probably changed their minds very quickly when they entered the mall. It was a bad day for robbery
because there were thirty police officers in the shopping mall all afternoon.
SECOND LISTENING
Exercise 2
Listening Comprehension Questions
Underline the correct answer(s). For some questions, more than one answer is correct, so you will need
to underline two or more items.
1. What is the purpose of the CopShop event?
to give toys to children
to teach children how to shop
to improve relations between the public and the police
to give children a positive experience with the police
2. Were the police officers wearing their uniforms?
yes
no
3. Who chose which children would go?
schools
police forces
mall and store owners
4. What was the value of the gift certificates?
$30
$200
$230
$400
236 Level 4 R L S
SECOND LISTENING (Continued)
Exercise 2
Listening Comprehension Questions (Continued)
5. What did the children buy?
toys
gifts for the police
gifts for their families
things for their homes
they could choose whatever they wanted
6. Who paid for the gift certificates?
police officers
store owners
mall owners
the public
the government
CANADIAN LAW
Creative Commons GFDL,CC-BY-SA
Exercise 3
Discussion The CopShop Event
1. Do you think that CopShop is a good idea or a waste of money?
2. Read this sentence from the listening:
Most of the children come from poor families and are from communities that see a
lot of the police in their area, but not for shopping.
What is meant (but not said clearly) in the underlined words?
3. Are there policewomen in the country you lived in before you came to Canada?
4. Do you have any suggestions for how police forces can improve their relations with the
community?
5. Talk about the job of law enforcement (being a police officer). What are some advantages and
disadvantages of this job? Would you like to be a police officer? Would you want your spouse to be
a police officer?
CANADIAN LAW
238 Level 4 R L S
Exercise 4
Vocabulary Practice Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever gone on a shopping spree? Tell everyone about it. If you won a one-hour shopping
spree in a local mall, what would you buy?
2. List 4 occupations that require the workers to wear uniforms. Have you ever had a job that
required a uniform? Did you like wearing it? Did you wear a school uniform?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
4. ______________________________________
3. Have you ever given or received a gift certificate? Tell your classmates about it. Are gift
certificates common in the country you were living in before you came to Canada?
4. You have $200 to donate to one of the groups listed below.
Which group would you choose, and why?
cancer research group
group to help feed hungry people in poor countries
Red Cross/Red Crescent
a political party
a group that helps poor children play organized sports like soccer or hockey
CopShop
5. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you had.
CANADIAN LAW
Learners read and discuss a multiple choice test about personal safety in the city.
Timing: 40 minutes
WARM-UP Dont Be A Victim! Canadian Law introduces the topic of personal safety in LINC 3.
The speaking activity is recommended for warm-up.
ACTIVITY There is challenging vocabulary in this test, but most of it is found in the first two
questions. Teachers might wish to go over these ones with their classes before
instructing learners to complete the remainder on their own.
Divide the class into small groups of 3 or 4. Allow 10 minutes for learners to
compare and discuss their responses.
Cut one answer sheet into strips for each group. Distribute the answers randomly
but evenly amongst the group members.
Groups look over the test again. This time, the person who has the answer reads it
to the others.
FOLLOW-UP After a few hours/days have elapsed, review the personal safety tips provided in this
exercise by instructing learners to write sentences (with modals) about how to
keep safe.
VARIATION The multiple choice format of this test places a considerable reading burden on the
learner. It may be appropriate to divide the test into two. Alternatively, allow the
groups to read and talk about each question separately rather than reading the
entire test prior to discussion.
REFERENCE
SOURCE The test and answers are an adapted and condensed version of The Suzy Lamplugh
Trust Personal Safety MOT found online at: http://www.suzylamplugh.org
ANSWER KEY See Answer Sheet
VOCABULARY at risk; assault; attack; violently; situation; well-lit; aggressive; calm down
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
Personal Safety Test
CANADIAN LAW
240 Level 4 R S
Circle the correct answer.
Who Is Most At Risk?
Number 1 Who do you think is most likely to be assaulted (attacked violently)?
a. A female over 45
b. A female aged 1624
c. A male aged 1624
Number 2 Which of these sentences is NOT true?
a. 40-65 year olds are most at risk from violent crime.
b. 23% of victims of violent crime were under 24.
c. Only 2% of victims of violent crime were over 65.
Going Out
Number 3 You are most likely to be in a dangerous situation or to have unwanted sex because:
a. Someone has put a drug into your drink.
b. Someone has put extra alcohol into your drink.
c. You have drunk too much alcohol yourself.
Number 4 You went out for the night, and now its late. You are going home alone.
You just got off your bus, and now you must walk to your home. You should:
a. Take the shortest way home, because the sooner you are home, the sooner
you will be safe.
b. Take the quietest way home. You will be safer if there are fewer people around
to cause trouble.
c. Take the busiest way home. You will be safer if there are more people around.
Number 5 True or False?
If you are walking home alone at night, its a good idea to use your cell phone to
talk to someone at home until you get there. That will make you feel more
comfortable, and your family or roommates will know you are safe.
Activity:
Personal Safety Test
CANADIAN LAW
CANADIAN LAW
Activity: Personal Safety Test
Going Out (Continued)
Number 6 If you are in danger and you need someone to help you immediately, the
best thing to shout is:
a. Help!
b. Fire!
c. Call the police!
Transportation
Number 7 Where is the best place to wait for your bus, train or ride?
a. In a well-lit area, near other people.
b. In a dark doorway. No one can see you, so no one can trouble you.
c. In a quiet area away from other people. You are safer alone.
Number 8 On an empty bus, you should sit _____________________________________
a. at the back, away from any trouble-maker who might get on the bus.
b. at the front, near the driver.
c. near the exit.
At Work
Number 9 You are often the only person in your office/building late at night.
Which of this advice is BAD advice?
a. Make sure all the outside doors are locked while you are inside the building.
b. Make sure you leave the building at the same time every night, so you dont
miss your bus and have to wait on the street.
c. If a person (eg, a delivery man) arrives when you dont expect him, do not
open the door.
When Someone Is Aggressive
Number 10 You are in a situation where someone is becoming aggressive.
Which of this advice is BAD advice?
a. Stay away from the person (more than 2 meters).
b. Put your hand on the person to try to calm them down.
c. Talk to the person. Ask open questions (questions that cant be answered
yes or no).
This test is an adapted and condensed version of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust Personal Safety MOT found online at:
http://www.suzylamplugh.org
242 Level 4 R S
CANADIAN LAW
ANSWER SHEET
Number 1 The correct answer is c. Males between the ages of 16 and 24 are the group most at risk
of being assaulted.
Number 2 a. is not true. Males between the ages of 16 and 24 are the group most at risk of violent crime.
Number 3 The correct answer is c. Far more people put themselves into dangerous situations by
drinking too much. It is rare for somebody to put drugs into another persons drinks (but it
does occasionally happen, so you should be careful of it). If you suddenly feel very drunk,
stay with someone you trust until you sober up (return to normal) or until they can take
you home safely.
Number 4 The correct answer is c. Always try to stay on busy, well-lit roads, even if the walk is longer.
Try not to walk through parks, empty fields or dark empty streets.
Number 5 False. It is not a good idea to chat on the phone while you are walking home. It may make
you feel more comfortable, but it does not make you safer. Chatting on the phone will make
you less likely to see or hear any danger because you will not be focused on where you are.
Also, if you were attacked, the person on the other end of the phone could do nothing to
help you.
Number 6 The correct answer is c. When shouting for help, try to tell people exactly what to do.
People are more likely to believe and act when they hear something specific, but if they just
hear Help, they may not take it seriously.
Number 7 The correct answer is a. Try to be where there are lots of other people.
There is safety in numbers.
CANADIAN LAW
244 Level 4 R
ANSWER SHEET (Continued)
Number 8 The correct answer is b. If the bus is empty, sit near the driver so that help is near
if you need it.
Number 9 The bad advice is b. Its not a good idea to leave at the same time every day. If you dont
have a habit of leaving the same time every day, then nobody will make a plan to attack you.
Number 10 The bad advice is b. If you are in a situation that could become violent, dont touch the
other person. This could make them more aggressive. Instead, give the other person lots of
space, and try to get them to start talking. Getting someone involved in conversation is a
good way to calm them down.
Clue 1: 17 18 19 20
Gray
Add Clue 4: 17 18 19 20
Brown Gray
glasses
Add Clue 3: (There are two possibilities, but only one works)
17 18 19 20
Black Brown Gray
belt running shoes glasses
Add Clue 2 17 18 19 20
Black Brown Gray
hat belt running shoes glasses
Add Clue 5 17 - murderer 18 19 20
Black Green Brown Gray
hat belt running shoes glasses
This is a traditional logic problem written in simple English, recommended for learners who
enjoy Sudoku puzzles or similar analytical challenges.
Timing: 5 minutes+
ACTIVITY This logic problem is not intended as a class activity. It is recommended for
individuals who enjoy puzzles.
The problem can be handed out to a learner who has finished a class activity long
before the others, or it can be given as homework.
FOLLOW-UP Guidelines for instructors who wish to create their own logic problems can be
found on this website: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/4484/lpconst.htm
ANSWER KEY Mr. Black killed Mr. Green
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
Who Killed Mr. Green?
CANADIAN LAW
CANADIAN LAW
246 Level 4 R
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY detective; investigate; solve; mystery
Activity:
Activity:
AN ESL LOGIC PROBLEM
One night last year, during a storm, Mr. Green went out to the movies with his friends Mr. Black, Mr.
Brown and Mr. Gray. They sat together in a row, in seats 17, 18, 19 and 20. No one else was in the cinema
because the weather was so bad. While they were watching the film, the electricity went out. The film
stopped and the cinema went black and dark for 5 minutes. When the lights came back on, Mr. Green was
dead. He had been murdered.
Police detectives were called in to investigate the crime. There were many clues. The detectives learned
that one of the men was wearing a hat, another one was wearing glasses, the third was wearing running
shoes and the last one was wearing a belt.
Unfortunately, the police havent been able to solve the mystery yet. They need help from the worlds
greatest detective: you. Read the clues below and decide who killed Mr. Green. There is only one
correct answer.
1. Mr. Gray sat in seat 20.
2. The man wearing a hat sat next to the man wearing a belt.
3. The man wearing a belt sat between Mr. Black and the man wearing running shoes.
The fourth man sat on the end.
4. Mr. Gray wore glasses. He sat beside Mr. Brown.
5. The murderer did not wear running shoes. He sat in seat 17.
18 17 19 20
CANADIAN LAW
Commercial
Services
and Business
LINC
4
COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND BUSINESS
Learners read nutritional information found on product packaging, answer questions based
on the reading, and complete a chart with details of nutritional information.
Timing: 50-60 minutes
WARM-UP Distribute several product packages among learners and have them look at the
charts which contain the nutritional information.
Ask these questions: Are products labeled where you come from? Are people told
to check labels?
ACTIVITY Review Exercise 1 Vocabulary - Product Nutritional Information with the
learners.
Distribute Nutritional Labels And What They Tell Us and review it with the
learners. Learners work on Exercise 2 alone or in pairs.
Hand out the two-page Nutritional Information Chart and the exercises, and
then have learners complete the chart.
CROSS- Nutrition Tables - Health & Safety
REFERENCE The activity Lifestyle: Healthy Eating, LINC 4 Classroom Activities, CLB
Projects Office, Edmonton is an excellent companion exercise.
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct answers to Exercises 3 and 4.
~ gets key information and specific details from graphics
~ compares facts to make choices
~ competently copies information
~ has legible handwriting or printing. Makes no major omissions in
copying information.
ANSWER KEY Exercise 2
a. 7 crackers b. 90 c. 15 mg d. 0% e. low in fat, cholesterol free, source
of fibre f. no
Exercise 3
1. a. 45 g b. 39 g c. 2%
2. a. Shellys Soup b. Shellys Soup c. 4%, 8% d. Shellys Soup, 8%
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
Product Nutritional Information
252 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Exercise 4
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY carbohydrates; calcium; cholesterol; fibre; ingredients; iron; nutrition; nutrient;
nutritional; per; protein; sodium; specific; sugar; Vitamin A, B12, C, E
Crispy Crackers
Per 7 crackers (20g)
Amount %daily value
Calories __90__
Fat 2.0 g 3%
Saturated 0.5 g 3%
Trans 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 140 mg 6%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Fibre 1 g
Sugars 0g
Protein 2 g
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 0%
Iron _6%__
All Right Cereal
Per __1/2 cup___ (46g)
Amount per serving %daily value
with c. milk
Fat 1 g 6%
Saturated 0.2 g 9%
Trans 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 250 mg __13%__
Fibre 2 g
Sugars 10g
Protein 4 g
Vitamin A 8%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 15%
Iron 45%
Snack Crackers
Amount %daily value
Calories 70
Fat 1.5 g 2%
Saturated 0.5 g 2%
Trans 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium ___100mg____ 4%
Fibre 1 g
Sugars 0g
Protein 2 g
_Vitamin A___ 0%
_Vitamin C___ 0%
Calcium 0%
Iron 0%
Cereal Flakes
Per cup (36g)
Amount per serving %daily value
with c. milk
Calories 140
Fat 1 g 4%
Saturated __ 0.2 g __ 5%
Trans __ 0 g __
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 310 mg 16%
Carbohydrates __ 27 g ___ 11%
Fibre 12 g
Sugars 7g
Protein 4 g
Vitamin A 8%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 15%
Iron 35%
Activity:
VOCABULARY
Exercise 1
Read this vocabulary and the sample sentences. You will use some of the vocabulary in the exercises.
carbohydrates give the body energy
We ate foods with carbohydrates when we were preparing for our race.
calcium builds strong bones and teeth
My children know its good to eat lots of foods with calcium.
cholesterol a bad form of fat that stays inside our blood vessels and may lead to heart
disease
My doctor checked my cholesterol level yesterday.
fibre helps digestion, so food moves through the body quickly; lowers blood cholesterol
I eat fibre every day in my cereal.
ingredients foods that are combined to make a certain dish
We used five ingredients to make our special chicken and rice.
iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body
There is a lot of iron in blueberries.
nutrition the way we use food to keep our bodies healthy
Elena studied nutrition in high school. She knows the nutritional value of many foods.
She also knows that nutrients are especially important for growing babies.
per each
Joseph bought 2 kilos of nuts. They cost $6 per kilo.
254 Level 4 R W
Activity: Product Nutritional Information
VOCABULARY (Continued)
protein builds muscle
She plays on the soccer team, so she needs protein to make her muscles strong.
sodium salt
Everyone needs sodium, but be careful how much you use.
specific exact
The specific weight of the nuts was 137 grams.
Vitamin A helps eyesight, bones, teeth and skin
Vitamin B12 helps keep nerve and blood cells healthy
Vitamin C builds healthy teeth, gums and blood vessels; increases ability to fight
disease and infection
Vitamin E an antioxidant that protects against cell damage
Eat food with lots of vitamins, or take a vitamin pill every day.
NUTRITIONAL LABELS AND WHAT THEY TELL US
Read this nutritional label. You will see many labels like this on many products in the grocery store. Read
the label on the left hand side of the chart and then look on the right hand side of the chart and see what
the terms mean.
Nutritional Labels
Crispy Crackers
Amount %daily value
Calories 90
Fat 2.0 g 3%
Saturated 0.5 g %
Trans 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 140 mg 6%
Carbohydrates 15 g 5%
Fibre 1 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 2 g
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 0%
Iron 6%
Low in fat, cholesterol free,
source of fibre
Ingredients: whole wheat,
vegetable oil, shortening, salt
What They Tell Us
- tells the specific amount of
food
- lists the nutritional value that
you get each day
- lists the nutrients in the food
- lists why its a good product
- lists ingredients in the
product
Exercise 2
Read these questions and find the information in the Crispy Crackers label above.
a. What is the specific amount of food on the Crispy Crackers label? _____________________
b. I want to learn about the nutrients in Crispy Crackers. How many calories are in 7 crackers?
________________________
c. How many carbohydrates? ___________________
d. How much calcium? _____________________
e. Give one reason why its a good product. ___________________________________
f. I like sugar in my crackers. Is sugar one of the ingredients in Crispy Crackers? _____________
Exercise 3
Read these questions and find the answers on the two-page Nutritional Information Chart.
1. Rice Blend and Bettys Rice Page 1
a. One-third cup of Rice Blend equals how many grams? ____________
b. How many grams of carbohydrates are in cup of Bettys Rice? _________
c. What is the % daily value of iron in Rice Blend? ___________
2. Garden Soup and Shellys Soup Page 2
a. Which soup has fewer calories from fat? ___________________
b. Which one has less sodium? _____________________
c. What is the % daily value of iron in 250 ml of Garden Soup? ______ of Shellys Soup? _______
d. Which soup has more carbohydrates? ____________________ What is the % daily value of
carbohydrates in this soup? ______________
256 Level 4 R W
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258 Level 4 R W
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2
Crispy Crackers
There are 90 calories per 7 crackers.
You will get 6% of the daily value of iron per
7 crackers.
Snack Crackers
There are 100 mg of sodium in 5 crackers.
You will get 0% of the daily value of
Vitamin A and Vitamin C per 5 crackers.
All Right Cereal
1/2 cup is equal to 46g
A serving contains 250 mg of sodium,
which is 13% of the daily value.
Cereal Flakes
There is 0.2 g of saturated fat and
0 g of trans fat.
There are 27 g of carbohydrates.
Exercise 4
Now complete the two-page Nutritional Information Chart by filling in the blank spaces on the chart with
the information you read here.
260 Level 4 L R W
Activity:
It Tastes Good
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners listen to a conversation about the nutritional value of fast food.
Timing: 45 minutes
WARM-UP Ask the class if or how often they eat at fast food restaurants.
Talk about what their favourite places are and what foods they order.
Find out if they are aware of the nutritional value of the food they eat.
Discuss what it means to order food out of habit, and ask if anyone does this.
ACTIVITY Play the audio [Track 18]. Learners listen for the gist.
Clarify any unfamiliar vocabulary, including hold the lettuce and tomato.
Hand out Exercise 1. Learners read the chart and answer the questions in pairs.
Hand out Exercise 2. Allow time for learners to read and begin to answer the
questions.
Replay the audio.
FOLLOW-UP The book (and subsequent movie) Fast Food Nation deals with the nutritional value
of fast food. Also see the 2004 documentary Super Size Me. Further information is
available online.
The performance of a rapper ordering a double cheeseburger at a fast food drive-in
window is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLn45-7Pn2Y
CROSS- Health & Safety - Nutrition Tables
REFERENCE
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: 1. Yes 2. 15 grams of protein 3. Answers will vary, but should
include obesity and heart disease 4. & 5. Answers will vary.
Exercise 2: 1.T 2.T 3.F 4.T 5.F
ASSESSMENT Instructors assess individual learner responses.
CLB Performance Indicator:
~ listener identifies specific factual details and inferred meanings in an audio-
mediated listening text
SOURCE http://www.fastfoodnutrition.org/nutrition-facts/McDonalds/Cheeseburger
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY nutritional; fast food; to hold (back) something; breakdown; garbage (slang)
Activity:
It Tastes Good
262 Level 4 L R W
Activity:
It Tastes Good
Jennifer and Jason are two students in their second year of university. Every day at noon, Jennifer meets
Jason for lunch and he always eats a double cheeseburger, French fries and a milkshake. Today, she feels she
has to say something about his eating habits. Listen to their conversation.
Jennifer: Jason, how can you put that garbage into your body day after day?
Jason: Very easily. It tastes good.
Jennifer: Have you ever checked to see if it has any nutritional value at all?
Jason: No. What for?
Jennifer: Just to make sure youre treating your body right. What food value are you getting
from that double cheeseburger, fries, and milkshake?
Jason: I dont know. I never looked.
Jennifer: I bet its mostly fat and probably a lot of salt. Since you asked them to hold the
lettuce and tomato, I wonder what benefits youre actually getting. Lets check it out
on my laptop. I bet we can find a breakdown of everything youre eating right now.
Jason: Does this mean you want me to change?
Activity: It Tastes Good
Exercise 1
This is the chart that Jennifer found when she checked online.
Read it with a partner, and then answer the questions.
Nutrition Chart For Cheeseburger
Serving Size 119 grams
Calories 310 calories
Calories from Fat 110 calories
Total Fat 12 grams
Cholesterol 40 mg
Sodium/Salt 740 mg
Carbohydrates 35 grams
Fibre 1 gram
Sugars 7 grams
Protein 15 grams
1. In their conversation, Jennifer told Jason, I bet its mostly fat and probably a lot of salt.
Was she right?
________________________________________________________________________
2. Is Jason getting any nutritional benefit from the cheeseburger?
_________________________________________________________________________
3. If Jason continues to eat in the same way, how might it be harmful to his health in the future?
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you know people whose eating habits are similar to Jasons?
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Why do people regularly eat at fast food restaurants?
________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 2
Listen to the conversation again. Write T (for True) or F (for False) beside these statements.
_____ 1. Every day at noon Jason eats a double cheeseburger and French fries.
_____ 2. Jennifer thinks that Jason does not have a healthy diet.
_____ 3. Jason always thinks about what he eats at lunch.
_____ 4. Jason enjoys his lunch.
_____ 5. Jason eats lettuce and tomato on his cheeseburger.
Activity: It Tastes Good
264 Level 4 L R W
Learners read and interpret two tables of statistics related to Canadian internet shopping, and then answer
questions. This activity can be used as skimming and scanning exercise.
WARM-UP Ask learners what kinds of products they would feel comfortable ordering online
and/or what products they do order online.
List responses on the board.
Talk about any that are unusual or less common.
ACTIVITY Give learners the handouts. Review Vocabulary in Section 1 and answer any questions.
Look at the survey together. Ask the class what years are being compared, and
refer them to the Notes (i.e., what the E means, what the numbers (1-8) represent).
In pairs or small groups, learners talk about their own internet shopping experiences.
Learners complete Section 3 individually or with partners.
FOLLOW-UP Assign learners one item and have them browse the internet for it.
Ask them to bring some information about it to the class, for example:
~ what it is
~ name of the internet site where it was found, or
~ why that particular item was chosen.
Shop Online
Internet Shopping Role Play
ANSWER KEY 3. a. Table 1 b. Table 2 c. 20.2, 19.7 d. 19.8, 20.5 e. any two of compact
discs, tapes, audio files f. T g. individuals 18 years and older, individuals 16 years
and older h. travel arrangements i. consumer electronics j. one of cameras,
stereos, televisions k. On-line consumers ordering: 16.4; 10.8; 13.2; 1.1, 1.3
Window shoppers browsing for: 30.6; 43.7; 15.7; 18.3, 21.2
SOURCE More information on Summary Tables may be found at: www.statcan.gc.ca
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY survey; consumers; condiments; window shop; browse; target; caution
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
Internet Shopping Survey
266 Level 4 R W S
Activity:
Internet Shopping Survey
1. VOCABULARY
Read these words and example sentences. If you have any questions, ask your partners or your instructor.
browse (v.) to look for something without a specific idea
of what you are looking for
Ravi browsed the internet for his new music.
caution (n.) pay attention to something, be careful
Use caution when you are on the internet.
Dont give away personal information.
condiments (n.) spices that give foods more flavour
Ketchup is one of the most common
condiments in North America.
consumer (n.) person who buys and uses a product
Many consumers use ketchup on their food.
survey (n.) a report about something
We will read a survey about some ways
Canadians use the internet.
target (n.) a person or group that is being looked at
The target population for one internet survey is
Canadians who are 16 years of age and older.
window shop (v.) look at items in a store window or
online, usually without buying
Lots of internet users window shop for items.
Activity: Internet Shopping Survey
2. CANADIAN INTERNET USE SURVEY
1. Read this survey with your group. Have you ordered any of these products online? Have you browsed
for any of them? Which ones?
Canadian internet use survey, internet shopping,
by type of product and service
2005 2007
TABLE 1 %
On-line consumers
1
ordering
Computer software 20.2 19.7
Computer hardware 12.1 13.4
Music
3
16.4 22.1
Books, magazines and online newspapers 35.4 36.8
Videocassettes and digital videodiscs (DVD) 13.5 13.8
Other entertainment products
4
25.0 32.5
Food, condiments and beverages 3.4 4.5
Prescription drugs 1.3
E
1.0
Other health products, beauty and vitamins 8.1 8.6
Clothing, jewellery and accessories 24.8 29.5
Housewares
5
8.3 10.8
Consumer electronics
6
15.9 19.6
Automotive products
7
5.6 8.2
Travel arrangements
8
36.4 44.5
Flowers -- gifts 13.2 15.9
Sports equipment 6.6 9.2
Toys and games 11.7 14.6
Real estate 1.1
E
1.3
E
E
: use with caution.
Notes:
- The target population for the Canadian Internet use survey has changed from individuals 18 years of age and older in
2005 to individuals 16 years of age and older in 2007.
- Internet shopping refers to the activities of window shopping and/or ordering and/or paying for products and services
on-line, for personal or household consumption.
- Respondents were asked to indicate all categories that applied to them.
1. On-line consumers: Refers to individuals who reported to having ordered at least one product or service using the
Internet, for personal or household consumption, during the preceeding twelve months, whether or not the payment
was made on-line.
2. Window shoppers: Refers to Internet users who reported, during the preceeding twelve months, having used the
Internet to browse for goods or services without placing an order directly over the Internet for that product.
3. Music (such as compact discs, tapes and audio files (MP3s, etc.)).
4. Other entertainment products (such as concert or theatre tickets).
5. Housewares (such as large appliances or furniture).
6. Consumer electronics (such as cameras, stereos, televisions).
7. Automotive (such as cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, car parts).
8. Travel arrangements (such as hotel reservations, plane tickets, rental cars).
TABLE 2 %
Window shoppers
2
browsing for
Computer software 18.6 18.5
Computer hardware 19.8 20.5
Music
3
21.5 23.7
Books, magazines and online newspapers 28.3 30.6
Videocassettes and digital videodiscs (DVD) 17.7 18.8
Other entertainment products
4
22.5 26.4
Food, condiments and beverages 7.5 8.2
Prescription drugs 2.4 2.7
Other health products, beauty and vitamins 11.0 12.8
Clothing, jewellery and accessories 36.9 40.6
Housewares
5
39.0 42.8
Consumer electronics
6
42.4 43.7
Automotive products
7
25.8 28.0
Travel arrangements
8
36.7 41.5
Flowers -- gifts 11.9 13.4
Sports equipment 15.7 16.6
Toys and games 18.3 21.2
Real estate 16.2 18.7
268 Level 4 R W S
2. Read the Internet Use Survey and answer the questions below.
a. Which table contains information about on-line consumers ordering products and services?
___________________________
b. Which table contains information about window shoppers browsing for products and services?
___________________________
c. What percent (%) of Canadians ordered computer software online
in 2005 __________ in 2007___________?
d. What percent (%) of Canadians browsed for computer hardware
in 2005 __________ in 2007___________?
e. Name two products listed in the category Music. (See Notes at the bottom of Table 2.)
___________________________ ___________________________
f. More Canadians ordered Flowers - gifts on-line than browsed for them in 2007.
________ T ________ F
g. What was the target population for this survey (See Notes at the bottom of Table 2.)
in 2005? _____________________________________
in 2007? _____________________________________
h. The product or service that most consumers ordered on-line in 2005 was
___________________________.
i. The product or service that most window shoppers browsed for in 2007 was
___________________________.
j. One example of this product is (See Notes at the bottom of Table 2.)
___________________________.
2. Read the Internet Use Survey and answer the questions below. (continued)
k. Fill in the blanks with information from the chart.
%
On-line consumers ordering 2005 2007
music _____ 22.1
housewares 8.3 _____
flowers -- gifts _____ 15.9
real estate _____ _____
%
Window shoppers browsing 2005 2007
books, magazines, on-line newspapers 28.3 _____
consumer electronics 42.4 _____
sports equipment _____ 16.6
toys and games _____ _____
270 Level 4 R W S
Learners read and talk about on-line shopping and then write an e-mail message to a friend.
Timing: 5060 minutes
WARM-UP Ask learners what kinds of products they would feel comfortable ordering on-line
and/or what products they do order on-line.
Make a list and write it on the board.
Talk about any that are unusual or less common.
ACTIVITY Give learners the handouts and divide the class into small groups.
Learners discuss the questions and the sample e-mail messages in Exercise 1.
Next, learners read and discuss each of the callouts in Exercise 2, clarifying any
questions with a partner or the instructor.
Learners write an e-mail message telling a friend if they are going to shop on-line.
FOLLOW-UP Assign learners one item and have them browse the internet for it. Bring some
information about it to the class, for example:
~ what it is
~ name of the internet site where it was found
~ why that particular item was chosen
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY on-line; benefit; convenient; persuade; padlock; callouts; https (hypertext
transfer protocol over secure socket layer --indicates a secure communication
such as payment transactions)
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
Shop On-line
272 Level 4 R W S
Activity:
Shop On-line
Exercise 1
Discuss in your small group:
a. Have you ever ordered something on-line? What was it? Tell your partners about your experience.
b. If you havent ordered anything on-line yet, do you think you might do it? Why would you?
Why wouldnt you?
c. Now read and discuss these sample e-mail messages.
Why does Aisha shop on-line?
John is 70 years old. Why do you think he shopped on-line?
Hi Naja,
How are you? Were fine here. Our family has just received our books from Pages Bookstore.
They arrived at the door this morning. My husband ordered them on-line two days ago. On-line
shopping is really fast, isnt it? And its convenient, too. We didnt have to leave the house. Now
we all have a new book to read on this cold evening. We hope you and Azad are fine. Well see
you soon.
Aisha
On-line Shopping
Hello Michael,
How are you and Ruth? I was watching a story on the television news last week about shopping
on-line. I guess more seniors are shopping on-line now because its convenient for us. I thought I
would try it. On Monday I ordered a gift for Susans birthday and today it arrived. Im happy
because it was very easy. How about you, Michael? Do you think you will try it?
John
On-line Shopping
Activity: Shop On-line
Exercise 2
Read each of the callouts to see what these people say about on-line shopping.
Talk about them in your small group.
These people enjoy shopping on-line.
Its fast. I can order
something and often
have it delivered the
next day.
Its easy to compare
products and services. I can
see many products on one
page on-line instead of
walking through the mall.
If you shop on-line, its
possible to get cheap
or discount prices.
Sometimes special offers
are only available to
on-line customers.
Its convenient. I can
shop at my own desk
24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
There is a lot of
variety. Many of my
favourite stores offer
on-line products.
Its safe. Look for the
symbols that show you this is
a safe site. Youll see a
padlock and the letters
https: in the web address.
The s stands for secure.
274 Level 4 R W S
These people dont shop on-line.
Sometimes I need to
talk to a salesperson
after I buy something.
Its not easy to do
that on-line.
When I am shopping,
I really like to talk to
someone face to face.
Sometimes there isnt
enough information
about the product on
the site.
Actually, I like to be
able to see and touch
the product I buy. I
cant do that on-line.
Im still afraid
to give my credit card
information on-line.
There are too
many steps for me
to follow on-line. Its
easier to talk to
someone in person.
Exercise 3
Choose an idea from one of the callouts and use it to write an e-mail message to your friend.
Tell him whether or not you are going to shop on-line. Explain why. Follow the examples in the
two e-mail messages you have already read.
Learners read role plays about purchasing items on the internet, and then create and present
similar role plays with a partner.
WARM-UP Internet Use Survey
Shop Online
Read and review Internet Vocabulary with the class.
ACTIVITY Learners choose a partner and read the sample role plays together.
Partners write their own role play and practice it aloud before presenting it
to the whole class.
FOLLOW-UP Learners practice the Internet Vocabulary by creating their own sentences.
ASSESSMENT Instructor uses role play to evaluate speaking.
~ presents information in a coherent connected discourse
~ uses simple grammar structures, with clear present, past and future time
reference; and personal and textual reference
~ uses vocabulary adequately
~ provides accurate, detailed descriptions
~ speaks with appropriate eye contact, body language, voice volume, rate,
fluency and intelligibility
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY click; download; point; site
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
276 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
1. INTERNET VOCABULARY
1. Read this vocabulary together with your partner. If you dont understand something, ask another
classmate or your instructor.
point use a mouse or pen to move a cursor on a computer screen
First, I pointed at the website address, then I clicked on it to open it.
click touch a button on a mouse
I clicked the mouse to download the data I needed.
download copy or transfer computer software or data
I found an internet site where I can download free music.
site source for files and services on the internet
I found a great site for used books on the internet.
278 Level 4 R W L S
Activity: Internet Shopping Role Play
2. BUYING ON THE INTERNET ROLE PLAYS
Practice reading these two role plays aloud with a partner.
Freda and Jenny are talking about buying music on the internet.
Freda: Hi Jenny.
Jenny: Hi. Whats new?
Freda Im really enjoying the music that I bought on the internet.
Jenny: Oh, how do you do buy music on the internet?
Freda: Its easy to buy music on-line. There is a lot of choice. I found a site that sells music
I like. Then I chose what I wanted, downloaded it and paid for it with a credit card.
Jenny: That does sound easy. Will you come over tonight and show me? Id like to try it,
but Id want you to help me.
Freda: Ill be glad to. Why dont you think of some music youd like to buy and then we
can point and click together?
Jenny: Sounds like fun. See you tonight. Bye.
Freda: Bye!
Azad and Khalid are talking about buying books on the internet.
Khalid: Hello Azad. I havent seen you for a while.
Azad: Hello Khalid. I have been really busy studying for my Masters Degree.
Khalid: How is that going?
Azad: Oh, its going really well. I just bought some books on-line that have been
very helpful.
Khalid: You bought books on-line? What did you buy?
Azad: I found a site that sells books I need for my thesis. I bought three great ones that
have helped me a lot. I couldnt find them in any bookstore. They were cheap, too.
And I didnt even have to leave the house to buy them.
Khalid: I know what you mean. I love internet shopping. Its so convenient.
_____________________:
(Partner 1)
_____________________:
(Partner 2)
3. WRITING YOUR OWN ROLE PLAY
You and your partner are going to write a role play about something you bought on the internet.
You should talk about what you bought and some reasons why you decided to buy it on-line. Try to use
some of the vocabulary from the list.
point --- click --- download --- site
Write your role play in the box. Practice it aloud when you have finished. When your instructor tells you,
you will present it to your classmates.
Activity: Internet Shopping Role Play
Learners write a postcard to thank a friend or relative for sending an on-line gift certificate.
WARM-UP Ask learners to brainstorm ideas for some gifts that could be given through a gift
certificate.
Find out if any learners have received a gift certificate and, if so, what it was for.
If possible, bring in a gift certificate to show the class.
Copy as many blank postcard forms as needed.
ACTIVITY Give learners the handouts. Read the sample postcard and the on-line store
advertisements with the class and be sure learners understand the vocabulary.
Learners use the blank postcard and write to a friend or relative to thank them for
the certificate from one of these stores.
FOLLOW-UP For more writing practice, learners choose another on-line store and write a
second postcard.
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual postcards.
~ uses language and content that are appropriate to the occasion, intent
and social context
~ conveys main ideas and supports them with detail in a basic paragraph
structure
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY gemstones; biography
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Activity:
Gifts On-line
280 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Gifts On-line
Your friend or relative sent you a gift certificate for your birthday. Write a postcard and thank him or
her for being so generous. Talk about what you chose and why you like it.
Sample Postcard
Read this sample postcard before you begin.
June 23, 20
Hi Mia,
I just wanted to write to you and thank you very
much for the gift certificate. You know I love
The Jewel Box. Im really glad they have on-line
products because I cant get to their store very
often.
I bought a gold chain with the gift certificate.
Ill think of you when I wear it.
Thanks again.
Trish
Mia Jacobs
2323 Main Street
Hometown, Ontario
K4R R4S
282 Level 4 R W
Activity: Gifts On-line
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Activity: Gifts On-line
284 Level 4 L S
Activity:
Internet Shopping Cards
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
This is a small group speaking, listening and reading activity in which learners use
a game format to ask and answer questions about internet shopping.
Timing: varies
WARM-UP Tell learners they are going to play a card game to facilitate a discussion about
browsing or shopping for items on-line.
Ask learners to list some items that people browse or shop for on-line and write
them on the board.
ACTIVITY Game rules for two different games are provided. Decide which game is most
appropriate for your class.
Explain that the games are for conversation practice, and learners may not have
actually browsed for any of the items on-line. For Game 2, instructors may wish to
review articles: the truth, a lie.
Divide the class into groups of three. Give each group the Game Rules, a set of
the Internet Shopping Cards and a set of the Adjective Cards in piles face down on
a desk.
Learners read the Game Rules in their groups. Allow the groups time to understand
and follow the Game Rules on their own; however, some groups may require
assistance from their instructor. If necessary, model the first turn
FOLLOW-UP If it is possible to keep the learners warm-up list on the board, refer to it when
the activity has ended and see how many items were found on the cards.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY browse; premium; specialty
INTERNET SHOPPING
Game 1
Object of the game: to use adjectives correctly
Game Rules:
1. Work in a group of three.
2. Decide who will pick a card first.
~ initial of your first name?
~ age?
~ how many children you have?
~ who lives farthest from school?
~ whose home country starts with the letter closest to A?
3. Player 1 picks an Internet Shopping Card from the top of the pile and reads it. Player 2 picks an
Adjective Card from the top of the pile and reads it.
4. Player 1 asks Player 2 these questions:
~ Why you are browsing for [this item] on the internet?
~ Who are you buying it for?
~ Is it for a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, new home, new baby, new job, )?
5. Player 2 uses the word on the Adjective Card in one of the answers. Player 3 judges if the
adjective was used correctly. If Player 2 used the adjective correctly, he or she keeps the card.
If the player did not use it correctly, then the card is returned to the bottom of the pile.
6. Play continues with the next person.
7. Continue playing until all the Shopping Cards and Adjective Cards have been used.
8. The person who has the most Adjective Cards at the end of the game is the winner.
Activity:
Internet Shopping Cards
286 Level 4 L S
Activity: Internet Shopping Cards
INTERNET SHOPPING
Game 2
Object of the game: to convince a teammate you shopped for an item (the truth) or you didnt (a lie)
Game Rules
1. Work in a group of three.
2. Decide who will pick a card first.
~ initial of your first name?
~ age?
~ how many children you have?
~ who lives farthest from school?
~ whose home country starts with the letter closest to A?
3. Player 1 picks an Internet Shopping Card and an Adjective Card from the top of the pile and reads
them.
4. Players 2 and 3 ask Player 1 these questions:
~ Why you are browsing for [this item] on the internet?
~ Who are you buying it for?
~ Is it for a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, new home, new baby, new job, )?
5. Player 1- talk about the item on the shopping card and use the adjective to describe it, trying to
make your partners believe you have actually shopped for it on-line. Respond to your partners
questions until they decide they have enough information to know whether you are telling the
truth or a lie.
6. If your partners guess correctly whether you are telling the truth or a lie, they score a point.
7. You score a point for each partner you are able to fool.
8. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.
INTERNET SHOPPING CARDS
airplane
tickets
hotel accommodations
car
rental
flowers
ice
skates
living room
furniture
big screen television
microwave oven
mp3
player
diamond
ring
288 Level 4 L S
INTERNET SHOPPING CARDS (Continued)
childrens
books
fitness
equipment
wine
glasses
pots and
pans
computer
software
clothing
music
teen
music
DVDs
premium
chocolate
INTERNET SHOPPING CARDS (Continued)
floor
lamp
office desk
vitamins
childrens
toys
video
games
coffee
beans
specialty
tea
prescription
drugs
computer
hardware
290 Level 4 L S
INTERNET ADJECTIVE CARDS
delicious designer
difficult excellent
excited expensive
fantastic helpful
hungry lovely
nutritious old
ordinary painful
perfect sleepy
wonderful worried
yummy
INTERNET ADJECTIVE CARDS (Continued)
292 Level 4 L S
Activity:
The Electronic Grandmother
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A conversation between a store clerk and a customer buying a computer video-conferencing
system teaches computer terminology.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Ask how many learners use computers each day and what they use them for.
Ask if their parents or grandparents are computer-literate.
Hand out the exercises, and divide the class into small groups. Try to include
someone who is computer-literate in each group.
After Exercise 1 has been completed, play the audio again so learners can listen for
the new vocabulary.
Continue with the discussion questions.
FOLLOW-UP Further activities are available on-line.
ANSWER KEY Note for instructor on Exercise 1:
to connect to join one piece of software to another
software programs that tell a computer what to do
to download to send a file or program from one computer to another
(often smaller or remote one)
to load to transfer information from a disk or other outside device into the
memory of a computer
to plug [something] into to connect a secondary program into a main program
video conferencing system the use of video cameras and computer networking to
allow people to talk to and see each other
webcam a camera attached to a computer that sends a live image to the
world wide web
installation taking software and placing it into a permanent location
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY electronics; electronically; to plug in; to load; to connect; to download; installation;
webcam; video calling; software
Mrs. Harazin is eager to see and communicate with her three-year-old granddaughter, Yasmin, but she is not about
to travel to Lebanon to see her in person. Instead, Mrs. Harazins son has advised her to go to an electronics store
and buy a webcam. Then, even though she and her granddaughter are thousands of miles apart, they can visit each
other electronically each week. Today, Mrs. Harazin goes to a computer store to buy a webcam but, when she gets
there, she doesnt remember the name of what it is she wants to buy. Listen to the conversation she has with the
store clerk.
Salesman: Hello. May I help you?
Mrs. Harazin: Yes. I am here to buy something for my computer, but I dont remember the name.
Salesman: Okay. Maybe if you tell me more about it I can help you.
Mrs. Harazin: Well, Ill tell you what its used for and maybe then you will know what Im
looking for.
Salesman: Sounds good to me. Go ahead.
Mrs. Harazin: My son says I have to buy it, plug it in to my computer, and load the software.
Then I can see my granddaughter in Lebanon talking to me and she can see me
talking to her.
Salesman: Oh! You want a webcam to connect to your computer. Ill show you where they are.
Mrs. Harazin: Thank you. I also need something called Scape, I think, so we can talk for free.
Salesman: Oh, you mean Skype. Well, you dont have to buy that. You download it for free.
Mrs. Harazin: Thank you. Youve been very helpful.
Salesman: No problem. Good luck with your installation.
Activity:
to connect software
to download to load
to plug [something] into installation
webcam video conferencing system
Exercise 1
Discuss the meanings of these words. If there are any that your group does not know, ask someone in
another group or your instructor.
Exercise 2
Discuss these questions with your group:
1. Do you use a computer to communicate with your family? What system do you use?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using computer technology for conversations?
3. How do you think that computer technology will continue to improve in the future?
Activity:
294 Level 4 L S
Community
and Government
Services
LINC
4
COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES
Activity:
Volunteer Applications
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners review vocabulary and fill out typical volunteer application forms.
Next, they read a chart listing volunteer opportunities,
choose one position, and write a friendly e-mail message.
Timing: 60+minutes
WARM-UP Ask learners if they have filled out application forms for part-time or full-time
employment positions in Canada.
Ask if they have filled out volunteer application forms.
Make a list on the board of the general types of information they were required to
include in each form. (If desired, talk about the requirement for a police check,
i.e., what it is, why it is necessary, where to get it, cost [volunteer agencies often
pay for a police check]).
If learners have not had experience filling out application forms for paid or volunteer
work, this information will be directed by the instructor.
ACTIVITY Review Vocabulary Warm-up.
Students fill in the information on both application forms. Learners can use either
their own personal information or imaginary information that makes sense.
Learners read the Request For Volunteers table and the Sample E-mail.
Learners write their own friendly e-mail based on information from the table and
including the points listed in the instructions.
Instructors may wish to complete Application Form A as a practice exercise, and
Application Form B as assessment.
FOLLOW-UP Volunteer Ottawa
Volunteer Experiences
CROSS- Employment - Volunteer Heroes
REFERENCE
298 Level 4 R W
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual learner responses for reading and writing assessment.
~ fills out form with required information. Spells and follows punctuation
conventions.
~ has legible handwriting or printing. Makes no major omissions.
~ gets key information and specific details from a simple [table]
and social context
structure
REFERENCE:
VOCABULARY employment history; educational background; reference; skill; special interests; valid;
volunteer experience; fundraiser; squares (baked goods)
Activity:
VOCABULARY WARM-UP
Application forms usually ask for similar information although every form looks different.
Here are some common words and phrases found on many volunteer application forms.
EDUCATIONAL Are you a high school, college, or
BACKGROUND university graduate?
EMPLOYMENT Where have you worked? What have your
HISTORY jobs been?
REFERENCES Names of people who know you well and
who will be able to give information
about you.
SKILL What are you able to do very well?
Do you have specific training?
SPECIAL INTERESTS What is important to you? What do you
spend time doing when you are not working?
VALID (drivers license) Drivers license that has not expired.
VOLUNTEER What non-paid experience do you have?
EXPERIENCE
300 Level 4 R W
Activity: Volunteer Applications
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORMS
You will usually be required to fill out an application form before you are accepted for volunteer work.
Here are two sample volunteer application forms. Fill out each one but you do not have to use personal
information. Form A and Form B are each two pages long.
A VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
FORM
For office use:
File #: ___________________
Name: __________________________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________________
E-mail: ______________________________________ Tel: ___________________________
Educational Background:
__________________________________________________________________________
Employment History:
__________________________________________________________________________
Volunteer Experience:
TYPE LOCATION
A
Kinds of volunteer work you would like to do: ________________________________________
__________________________, ___________________________, ____________________
Circle all days and times you are available for work:
Monday morning afternoon evening
Tuesday morning afternoon evening
Wednesday morning afternoon evening
Thursday morning afternoon evening
Friday morning afternoon evening
Saturday morning afternoon evening
Sunday morning afternoon evening
Special Interests and Skills: _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Do you have a valid drivers license? _______________________________________________
Do you have a car? ____________________________________________________________
List two personal references, including name and telephone/e-mail
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________ Signature: _____________________________________________
302 Level 4 R W
B VOLUNTEER
APPLICATION FORM
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________________ Prov: ____________________
Postal Code: ___________________ Tel: ___________________________________________
E-mail: ______________________________________________________________________
Age: Child (up to 11 years): _____ Youth (12-17 years): _____ Adult: _____ Senior: _____
How did you hear about us?
_____ on-line _______ newspaper/newsletter
_____ friend/neighbour _______ another volunteer
_____ other (please indicate) ____________________________________________________
For office use:
File #: _____
For office use:
Date: _______________
Current or past paid work: ______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Current or past volunteer work: __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Monday morning afternoon evening
Tuesday morning afternoon evening
Wednesday morning afternoon evening
Thursday morning afternoon evening
Friday morning afternoon evening
Saturday morning afternoon evening
Sunday morning afternoon evening
Availability: circle all available times
List two personal references, including name and telephone/e-mail
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________ Signature: _________________________________________
B
304 Level 4 R W
REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS
Read the information in the table below. These organizations all need volunteer help.
Some need help all year around, while others only need help for a specific project.
WHEN WHAT WHERE
Tuesday Greeter at hospital Pine Hills
afternoons Duties: give information and directions, Hospital
take visitors to various departments
Weekends, Gardening at seniors centre Goldenrod
afternoons Duties: help seniors plant, water and Seniors
weed flowers, rake leaves, etc. Home
Monday / Driver Various locations
Wednesday Duties: pick up, drop off and return books in the
evenings to the library for people who cant neighbourhood
easily get out of their homes
Days, Visitors assistant Pine Hills
weekends Duties: greet people, direct them Art Gallery
to exhibits, provide gallery information and Museum
Weekend of Baker Westwood
Sept. 3rd only Duties: bake cookies, muffins and Public Library
squares for fundraiser to buy new books
Friday / Support Person Active Teens
Saturday Duties: meet with and listen to teens, Support Group
evenings, play video games, play outdoor sports
weekends
SAMPLE E-MAIL
You are going to write an e-mail message to a friend and say that you have decided to volunteer in
one of the places above. First, read the sample e-mail. Look at the underlined words; they will tell
you what information you need to include in your e-mail message.
WHEN WHAT WHERE
Tuesday Greeter at hospital Pine Hills
afternoons Duties: give information and directions, Hospital
take visitors to various departments
Hi Suri,
How are you? Im great.
I just wanted to tell you that I decided to become a volunteer in the community.
Do you remember that we talked about volunteering when you visited me last month?
Well, I thought about it and now I have a volunteer job Tuesday afternoons.
I work at Pine Hills Hospital. I am a greeter and I have to give people information and
directions. Sometimes I take them to the department they are looking for. Its fun and its a
great way for me to practice my English.
When are you and Dan coming to visit?
Don
306 Level 4 R W
WRITE AN E-MAIL
Write an e-mail message to a friend and say that you have decided to volunteer in one of the places on
the Request For Volunteers table.
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
This 4-skills unit provides information about volunteering. Learners will read some reasons why people volunteer;
find out if their classmates volunteer, and learn reasons why; read a chart offering volunteer opportunities;
and respond to one of these opportunities by writing an e-mail message.
Timing: 60+minutes
WARM-UP Volunteer Applications - or -
Write the word volunteer on the board.
Ask learners some words to describe who volunteers are and what they do.
Make a list on the board.
ACTIVITY Learners follow the instructions on the handouts to complete the exercises.
Instructors circulate to assist learners as required.
REFERENCE
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY mentor; mobile library; nursery; shelving books; tutor; win-win
308 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
1. WHY VOLUNTEER?
volunteer (n.) = a person who works for an organization without pay
volunteer (v.) = to offer to work for an organization without pay
Do you know someone who is a volunteer? Approximately 27% of Canadians who are over the age of
fifteen are volunteers. They volunteer more than one billion hours each year. Are you one of these
volunteers? Would you like to get involved in volunteering? There are many reasons why people volunteer.
Read what these volunteers say:
I volunteer because
its a good way to
improve my
English.
I volunteer because
its a great way to
meet people.
I volunteer because
it might help
me get a job in
my field.
I volunteer
because it makes
me feel more
confident.
Activity: Volunteer Experiences
I volunteer because I
have learned a lot of
skills in my life and I
want to keep using them.
I can do that by sharing
them with others.
I love to volunteer
because it makes me
keep growing and
learning.
I volunteer because Im a
newcomer to Canada and
everyone says its a great way to
make contact with people. Its
called networking. I can help
people who need my skills and
meet others who may be able to
help me find a job. And thats
called a win win situation!
I love to volunteer
because my community
has helped me so much
and I want to give
something good back to
my community.
Volunteering is a
fantastic way to meet
people and grow in my
personal life AND it looks
great on my resume!
Who wouldn t love that?
Why do I volunteer?
Its simple. I volunteer
because its F-U-N!
310 Level 4 R W L S
2. WHO VOLUNTEERS?
a. Are you a volunteer? If you are, write the main reason why you volunteer in this space. If you
arent, write the main reason that you might like to volunteer in the future.
b. Talk to 3 classmates. Ask them if they volunteer. If they do, write the main reason they volunteer in
one of the spaces below. If they dont volunteer, ask them the main reason why they might like to
volunteer in the future.
Classmate #1
Classmate #2
Classmate #3
312 Level 4 R W L S
3. VOCABULARY LIST
You are going to read about the volunteer opportunities that are available at Applegate Volunteer Centre.
Here is a list of some vocabulary that may be new to you.
mentor A mentor is an advisor who has experience and who you
can trust.
mobile A mobile is something that can be moved. The Applegate Hospital
(library) mobile library is a cart filled with books that can be brought to
patients.
nursery A nursery is a room especially for a baby.
shelving( v.) Shelving books means putting books back on a shelf after they
books have been taken down and looked at or read.
tutor A tutor is a private teacher.
APPLEGATE VOLUNTEER CENTRE
Now read the list of volunteer opportunities at Applegate Volunteer Centre. If there are any
words you do not know, check in the vocabulary list again or ask a classmate or your instructor.
Applegate Volunteer Centre
Volunteer Opportunities
Children First Sunset Seniors Baby and Me Used Computer
Fun Day Home Store
set up tables visit residents be a mentor put items on shelves
organize games make crafts for a new mom price items for sale
sell tickets play music answer phones
help in nursery sing
Meals-to-Go Read to Me Applegate Applegate
Public Library Hospital
drivers tutor volunteer reader information desk
meal preparation (training provided) shelving books gift shop
book sales flower delivery
mobile library
Can you help? Wed love to hear from you. For more information
about these volunteer opportunities, including times and dates,
and a volunteer application form,
call or e-mail:
555-5567
[email protected]
314 Level 4 R W L S
4. SAMPLE E-MAIL
a. Imagine that you are going to write an e-mail message to one of these places and offer to volunteer
with them. Before you begin, read this sample e-mail to help you.
Hello,
My name is Jon Jacobs and I am a retired chef. I moved to Applegate six months ago.
I read about some of the volunteer opportunities at the Applegate Volunteer Centre. I have
free time now and Id like to volunteer in the community. I would like to volunteer with
Meals-to-Go twice a week.
Please send me more information and the volunteer application form.
Thank you.
Jon Jacobs
4. SAMPLE E-MAIL (Continued)
b. Look at the information in Mr. Jacobs e-mail. Include the same kinds of information
in your own e-mail.
WHO: WHAT he would like to do:
Jon Jacobs volunteer with Meals-to-Go
WHERE he would like to volunteer: HOW OFTEN he would like
in the community to volunteer:
twice a week
WHY he would like to volunteer:
he is retired and he has some free time
Your E-mail
c. Now its your turn. Write an e-mail message and offer to volunteer for one of the places in the
Applegate Volunteer chart. Remember to use the kinds of information that is in the box.
316 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
Volunteer Ottawa
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read the story of Krista in these paired four-skills exercises. This activity prepares classes
for two guest speakers or presentations on the subject of volunteering.
Timing: 60 minutes
WARM-UP Volunteer Applications, Volunteer Experiences -or-
Ask learners if they have volunteer experience in Canada or in their countries
of origin.
Ask the class to name some reasons why people volunteer and list their responses
on the board.
ACTIVITY Learners work in pairs to read Kristas Story. Clarify the expression social issue.
Provide each partner with a different version of the Reasons To Volunteer jigsaw
and then list these prompts on the board:
~ Can you tell me what . says?
~ Im sorry, did you say..?
~ How do you spell that word?
~ Can you pronounce that word, please?
~ What is in the blank space on the 1st3rd5throw?
~ What should I write on the 2nd4thlast line?
Partners continue with Exercises 2 to 4, following instructions on the handouts.
FOLLOW-UP Learners find information (on-line, community newsletter, word of mouth) about
one volunteer opportunity in their area that is suitable for them.
Ask them to share the information with the whole class.
For more information on volunteering, see the website: www.volunteer.ca
REFERENCE
Activity:
Volunteer Ottawa
ANSWER KEY 1. Master chart (relevant text in bold)
REASONS TO VOLUNTEER (M A S T E R)
2. answers will vary 3. answers will vary
4. B. She wants to work with other people because she loves being with people.
C. She would like to share her computer skills and her interest in drawing.
D. She could spend two hours a week volunteering.
E. She wants to volunteer close to her home or school so she wont have to
spend a lot of time on the bus.
F. The issue that is important to her is helping other new Canadians.
G. She is looking for a short-term volunteer opportunity.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY self-esteem; real-world experience; social issue; cause
8 Reasons to Volunteer 8 Reasons Why Its Good For Me
get job experience I could find paid employment with experience I get volunteering.
get new skills I could develop computer skills or learn a new language.
help with community I could help someone learn to read, or clean up a park, or be
needs a friend.
meet new people I can get to know people of all ages and professions.
improve health I can feel better about myself, get rid of stress and be healthier.
and self-esteem
get real-world experience I can put my volunteer experience on a resume employers love that!
have fun I can learn to enjoy my world more by getting to know more
people.
make the world I can fix a problem and make a difference in someones life.
a better place
318 Level 4 R W L S
Activity: Volunteer Ottawa
KRISTAS STORY
With a partner, read Kristas story and discuss the questions.
Krista is a twenty-three year old college student. She moved to Canada with her family five years ago. She
volunteered in her home country, and she thinks it would be good to get some Canadian volunteer
experience. She loves being with people, so she wants to find a volunteer position helping others.
Krista is studying graphic design at Algonquin College, so she would love to get volunteer experience in
this area. If she can, she will be able to include it on her resum when she begins to look for paid
employment. She has good computer skills and she is interested in drawing, so she could share these skills
and interests with other people. Even though she is very busy at school, she could spend two hours a
week volunteering. She really wants to find a volunteer position close to her home or school so she wont
have to spend a lot of time on the bus.
When people ask her what social issue is important to her, she always says it is helping other new
Canadians. Krista hopes that she can find a short-term volunteer opportunity that will help a new
Canadian feel more at home.
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2. REASONS TO VOLUNTEER
1. Ask your partner this question:
What is the main reason you are (or would be) a volunteer in Canada?
2. Write your partners answer here.
__________________________________________________________________________
Write your own answer here.
__________________________________________________________________________
3. Here are some reasons why people volunteer. Read them aloud with your partner.
Ravi volunteers to get job experience.
Lara volunteers to get new skills.
Raymonde volunteers to help with the needs in his community.
Pieter volunteers to meet new people.
Josie volunteers to improve her health and self-esteem.
Martine volunteers to get real-world experience.
Ahmed volunteers to have fun.
Fatima volunteers to make the world a better place.
322 Level 4 R W L S
3. VOLUNTEER OTTAWA
Krista looked on the internet and found a volunteer organization called Volunteer Ottawa. She called
and spoke with Ryan Jones. Ryan told her that she should think about the kind of volunteer position she
wanted. That was very good advice. Krista wrote down the questions that Ryan talked about. Read the
questions below with your partner.
QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING
A. What experience do I want to get from volunteering?
B. Do I want to work on my own or with other people? Why?
C. What are the skills, interests and experiences that I could share?
D. How much time do I have to volunteer?
E. Do I want to volunteer close to school? Near my home? In the
community? Why?
F. What social issue (or cause) is important to me?
G. Am I looking for a short-term or a long-term volunteer opportunity?
4. FINDING A VOLUNTEER POSITION FOR KRISTA
With your partner, look back at Kristas Story to find the answers to these questions.
Question A has been done for you.
A. What experience does Krista want to get from volunteering?
She wants some experience in graphic design so she can use it on her resum when she
begins to look for paid employment.
B. Does she want to work on her own or with other people? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
C. What are the skills, interests or experiences that Krista would like to share?
_________________________________________________________________________
D. How much time does she have to volunteer?
_________________________________________________________________________
E. Does she want to volunteer close to school? Near her home? In the community? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
F. What social issue or cause is important to her?
_________________________________________________________________________
G. Is she looking for a short-term or a long-term volunteer opportunity?
_________________________________________________________________________
H. If you were considering volunteering, how would you answer questions A-G? Discuss your
answers with a partner.
324 Level 4 R W
Activity:
2-1-1 Community Services Information
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read about the 2-1-1 community access service and find information to answer
a variety of questions on what is provided by the service.
Timing: 60+ minutes
WARM-UP Write the number 9-1-1 on the board and ask learners what this number means.
Ask the class to list reasons for calling 9-1-1.
Find out if anyone has had to call 9-1-1.
Write the number 2-1-1 on the board and ask learners if they recognize this
number and what it means.
Explain that 2-1-1 is a free, non-emergency telephone number used to access
community services.
ACTIVITY Go through the Vocabulary Warm-up with the class to ensure everybody
understands the new information, words and concepts.
Learners work individually on the 2-1-1 Community Services reading and
comprehension questions. Collect the answer sheets or else take up the answers
in class.
Hand out Exercises 3, 4 and 5. Read through the five benefits with the class.
Pairs work together to complete Exercises 4 and 5.
FOLLOW-UP Instruct learners to:
~ check online to see when the 2-1-1 services became operational in their area
~ check if there are plans underway in your area to provide the service if it is
not operational
~ search www.211ontario.ca for more information
2-1-1 Quick Facts
2-1-1 Role Play
VARIATION Learners may work collaboratively if the activity is not intended as an
assessment tool.
ANSWER KEY 1 1. d 2. g 3. h 4. i 5. j 6. f 7. b 8. e 9. a 10. c
2 1. emergency assistance 2. non-emergency assistance 3. people facing
barriers of language, poverty or personal difficulties; professionals in government,
business or commercial agencies 4. yes 5. yes 6. 24 hours a day in some
areas 7. False 8. False
3 3, 1, 4, 5, 2
4 children, youth and family supports; employment supports; support for seniors and
persons with disabilities; physical and mental health resources; basic human needs
Activity:
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual worksheets.
~ gets key information and specific details fromtext
~ competently copies information, including capitalization, lower case,
punctuation
~ has legible handwriting or printing. Makes no major omissions in copying
information
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY 2-1-1; access; abbreviated; barrier; benefit; visible; respite; tutor; intervention;
operator
326 Level 4 R W
Activity:
VOCABULARY WARM-UP
1. You will read these words in the text and the exercises below. Some of them may be new for you.
Match the words and the meanings that you already know. Use the example sentences to help you.
1. _____ 2-1-1 a. working with people to try to help a situation
2. _____ abbreviated b. relief from pain
3. _____ access (v.) c. easily seen
4. _____ barrier d. special telephone number
5. _____ benefit (n.) e. teacher or helper
6. _____ confidential f. private
7. _____ respite g. short, shortened, shorter
8. _____ tutor h. to get in
9. _____ intervention (n.) i. something that keeps people or things apart
10. _____ visible j. something helpful to someone or something
Activity: 2-1-1 Community Services Information
Example Sentences
2-1-1 is the telephone number Svetlana used to find information
about getting a health card.
ON is the abbreviated name for Ontario, isnt it?
Maria accessed the community service by dialing 2-1-1.
Poor language skills are a barrier to higher education.
Sasha helped Mia by babysitting the children. It was a benefit to Mia.
All the information you provide to 2-1-1 is confidential.
Elena got some respite from the pain after she took a pill for her headache.
Ingrid worked with a tutor to help improve her language skills.
The problem of gangs was so bad in our neighbourhood that we needed
police intervention to protect us.
Put on an outside light at night. If you do, your walkway will be more visible.
328 Level 4 R W
2-1-1 COMMUNITY SERVICES
2-1-1 is a telephone number to access community resources. It is an abbreviated number,
similar to 9-1-1, but the services are very different. The number 9-1-1 is used to call
emergency services. The number 2-1-1 is used by people looking for non-emergency
services.
People who live in a community with 2-1-1 service can call the number and ask for help. It
is free and confidential and it is offered 24 hours a day in some areas. Many people have
questions about community services, social services, health services or government
services. They can dial 2-1-1 and get information they need, including phone numbers,
names of programs, location or hours of operation. Each call is answered by an operator
who connects the caller to the place which offers the community information that he or
she is looking for.
The 2-1-1 service is useful for new immigrants, refugees and people facing barriers because
of language, poverty or personal difficulties. It is also available to professionals in
government, business or the community. Call 2-1-1 if you have a question. It is an excellent
community resource.
Understanding The Reading
2. Look back in the reading you have just finished and complete these sentences.
1. 9-1-1 is a telephone number that is used to ______________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. 2-1-1 is a telephone number that provides _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. 2-1-1 service can be used by _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
4. Is the 2-1-1 service always free? ______________________________________
5. Is it always confidential? ____________________________________________
6. When is it available? _______________________________________________
7. 2-1-1 is available to Canadian citizens only. True or False?
________________________
8. 2-1-1 is available to professionals in business or the community only.
True or False? ___________________
330 Level 4 R W
3. There are many benefits of the 2-1-1 telephone access service.
Read the benefits that are listed.
BENEFITS OF 2-1-1
1. A visible number that is easy to remember.
2. One number is used to access community, health,
government, and social services.
3. Simple for everyone; especially useful for people facing barriers.
4. Reduces confusion and frustration
by directing people to appropriate services quickly.
4. Read these situations where 2-1-1 could be used. Then look at Benefits of 2-1-1. Decide which benefit
isthe best match for the situation.
One has already been completed for you.
SITUATIONS WHERE 2-1-1 COULD BE USED
________ Ying is from China. She is a grandmother. Her language skills are
still very weak.
________ Jen called Social Services in her area to ask about an after-school
program for her daughter. Unfortunately, she had to call from a pay
phone and when she hung up, she couldnt remember the 7-digit
telephone number.
________ Svetlana and Igor are trying to get information about their health
cards. They are frustrated because they had to call several different
people today. They still havent found the department they need,
so they are confused about what to do next.
________ Ming is a newcomer to Vancouver. She needs to call several
government departments and community agencies today. Its going
to be difficult for her just to find all the telephone numbers for
those places.
3
332 Level 4 R W
5. 2-1-1 provides callers with information about human services. 2-1-1 also connects callers to the best
service available.
a. Look at the list of services provided by 2-1-1.
Services Provided:
children, youth and family supports
physical and mental health resources
basic human needs
support for seniors and persons with disabilities
employment supports
b. Read the information in each of these 5 boxes. They all list needs that people have. Match the
peoples needs with the services provided and copy them into the correct box.
Need: child care, after-school programs, family resource centres, summer camps
and recreation programs, tutoring
Service provided: _______________________________________________
Need: job training, transportation assistance, financial assistance
Need: adult day care, meals on wheels, respite care, home health homemaker
services
Need: health insurance programs, maternal health, well-baby programs,
medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups,
counseling, drug and alcohol intervention
Need: food, clothing, shelter, rent assistance
334 Level 4 R W
Activity:
2-1-1 Quick Facts
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read information and answer questions about 2-1-1 services in Canadian cities. The Willow Park
Neighbourhood Services text that follows can be used both as a scanning exercise and also as a tool to educate
learners about a typical community service.
Timing: 60+ minutes
WARM-UP 2-1-1 Community Services Information -or-
2-1-1 Community Services --
~ free call, easy 3-digit dialing
~ non-emergency service calls
~ provides answers to questions about
community services
social services
health services
government services
~ only available in some provinces in Canada to date
~ useful to new Canadians; immigrants; professionals
~ confidential service
ACTIVITY Give each learner a copy of 2-1-1 Quick Facts and the questions sheet.
Review the information together and be sure learners understand the difference
between these symbols: # = numbers % = percentages
Learners read the questions and refer to the fact sheet for answers.
Next, distribute 2-1-1 Services Willow Park. Learners follow the instructions in
the handouts to complete the vocabulary warm-up, reading and reading
comprehension exercises.
ANSWER KEY 1 1. 1 million
2. It is the number of languages that can be served by 2-1-1.
3. 4,000
4. They say they would use the service again.
5. 91%
6. They said they learned something new from contacting 2-1-1.
7. Quebec City
8. They would recommend 2-1-1 to family and friends.
9. They called 2-1-1 in the first six months of operation.
2 1. programs; resume help; homework club
2. Safe-At-Home Project
3. support; service for women in abusive relationships
4. free
5. yes
Activity:
2-1-1 Quick Facts
6. yes; clinic provided
7. maybe (other languages may be available)
8. yes; wheelchair accessible building; barrier free washrooms
9. yes; nominal cost
10. no
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual responses.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY 2-1-1; accurate; assist; recommend; database; abusive; advocacy; barrier;
multi-service; nominal; refer, referral
336 Level 4 R W
Activity:
2-1-1 Quick Facts
2-1-1 FACTS CALGARY
# of residents who called 2-1-1 in the first 6 months of operation: 20,000
% of callers who report that they receive accurate information: 91%
% of callers who said they learned something new from contacting 2-1-1: 97%
2-1-1 FACTS EDMONTON
% of callers who say they would use the 2-1-1 service again: 98%
2-1-1 FACTS OTTAWA
# of languages that can be served by 2-1-1: 150
2-1-1 FACTS QUEBEC CITY
# of French-language 2-1-1 services in North America: 1
2-1-1 FACTS TORONTO
# of residents assisted since June 2002: 1 million
% of clients who would recommend 2-1-1 to family and friends: almost 100%
2-1-1 FACTS WINDSOR + ESSEX COUNTY, ON.
# of services in database that can be accessed by 2-1-1: 4,000
Activity: 2-1-1 Quick Facts
QUESTIONS
Fill in the blanks with information from 2-1-1 Quick Facts.
1. How many Toronto residents have been assisted by 2-1-1 since June 2002? _________________
2. How many languages can be served by 2-1-1 Ottawa? ________________________________
3. How many services in the Windsor + Essex database can be accessed by 2-1-1? _____________
4. What do 98% of Edmonton callers say? ___________________________________________
5. What percentage of Calgary callers report that they receive accurate information from 2-1-1?
___________________________
6. What did 97% of Calgary customers say about 2-1-1? _________________________________
7. Where is the only French-language 2-1-1 service in North America? ______________________
8. What would almost 100% of Toronto 2-1-1 clients do? ________________________________
9. What did 20,000 Calgary residents do? ___________________________________________
338 Level 4 R W
2-1-1 SERVICES: WILLOW PARK
You are going to read about Willow Park Neighbourhood Services. This is one of the organizations that is
on the 2-1-1 database. If you call 2-1-1 for non-emergency services, and you live in the Willow Park area,
the 2-1-1 operator will tell you about one of their programs.
Vocabulary Warm-Up
Look at these words and their meanings. You will read the words in the Willow Park Neighbourhood
Services information in the next exercise.
abusive treat someone badly
(physically, psychologically, mentally)
Shelley ended her relationship with her boyfriend because it was abusive.
advocacy verbal support (support by words),
work on someones behalf
Tim is an advocacy worker for newcomers to Canada.
multi-service provides several services in one place
Willow Park is a multi-service organization. It provides 6 different services.
referral, refer direct someone, or give them information
Mr. King gave me a referral for a conversation group on Tuesdays.
WILLOW PARK
NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES
multi-service neighbourhood agency information and referral support group for
women services for women in abusive relationships drop-in homework club
youth and children's programs access to computers, fax, photocopier and telephone
free internet access filling out forms income tax clinic employment assistance
for newcomers resum help for youth and immigrants settlement services and
advocacy for immigrants and newcomers volunteer and outreach programs
Safe-At-Home Project (support to maintain housing) community development
workshops
PHYSICAL ACCESS
wheelchair accessible building street parking close to entrance
LANGUAGES OF SERVICE
English; other languages may be available interpreters available for women in abusive
relationships (call ahead to arrange)
HOW TO APPLY
call or drop in
FEES
free nominal photocopying and printing costs
HOURS
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday 12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday closed
340 Level 4 R W
Fill in the blanks with information from Willow Park Neighbourhood Services.
1. Find two services that are offered for youth.
________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the name of the program that offers support to maintain housing?
______________________________________
3. What services are available for women?
________________________________________________________________________
4. How much does it cost to use the internet? ______________________________________
5. Can I participate in a workshop? ______________________
6. How can I get help to fill out my income tax return? _________________________________
7. Can I get help if I speak Mandarin or Cantonese? ___________________________________
8. I am in a wheelchair. Can I get into the building? ____________________________________
9. Do I have to pay for photocopying or printing? ______________________
How much? ____________________________
10. Can I use Willow Park Neighbourhood Services on Sunday morning? _____________________
Activity:
2-1-1 Role Play
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners create a dialogue between a 2-1-1 community services provider and a client requesting
non-emergency social services.
Timing: 60+ minutes
WARM-UP 2-1-1 Community Services Information
Review what service the 2-1-1 telephone number provides and how it is different
from 9-1-1.
Ask if learners are familiar with role plays.
ACTIVITY Review the Reading with the class.
Divide the class into pairs and have partners read Sample Role Play.
Pairs read the 2-1-1 Role Play Instructions, creating their own role play with
information from the scenario they choose.
Pairs present their role plays to the whole class.
FOLLOW-UP Learners may complete the second role play situation at another time.
ASSESSMENT Instructors listen to the learners conversations and to their role-play presentations
for informal speaking assessment.
~ explains the nature of inquiry, provides necessary details
~ asks relevant questions
~ summarizes and repeats back
~ gives thanks for the help and information
~ speaks intelligibly; listener can follow all details
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY 2-1-1; access; abbreviated; barrier; benefit; visible; access; respite; tutor; intervention
342 Level 4 R L S
Activity:
2-1-1 Role Play
READING
2-1-1 is a telephone number that provides access* to community information services in
many provinces in Canada. Everyone needs help in order to make decisions about their
lives. This simple three-digit number can be called by anyone in Canada. The 2-1-1 operator
gives important information to the callers who are not familiar with the social services
they need. 2-1-1 provides non-emergency assistance. A caller who needs emergency
assistance should call 9-1-1.
* a way of entering
Activity: 2-1-1 Role Play
SAMPLE ROLE PLAY
Maria is single and she just had a baby. She doesnt know how to take care of him. She phones 2-1-1 for
help. Read the telephone conversation.
2-1-1 Service Provider: Hello, this is 2-1-1.
Maria: Hello, my name is Maria.
2-1-1: Hi Maria. How can I help you today?
Maria: I just had a baby. I became a mother for the first time.
2-1-1: Congratulations Maria. How can I help?
Maria: Well, I have a problem. I dont have a partner to help me and I dont know
how to take care of my baby.
2-1-1: Dont worry Maria. Im here to help you. Now, where do you live?
Maria: I live in the West End.
2-1-1: OK Maria lets see. Yes, there's a program in your area called Baby and
Me. Its for first time mothers. It meets Monday and Wednesday mornings
at Lakeside Shopping Centre. Can you get there on your own?
Maria: Oh, thats good news. I can take my baby on the bus with me. Thank you so
much.
2-1-1: Youre welcome Maria. Best of luck to you and your little one.
344 Level 4 R L S
Activity: 2-1-1 Role Play
2-1-1 ROLE PLAY
Instructions
With your partner, read Situation 1 and Situation 2, and choose one of them to write about.
Create a telephone conversation between the 2-1-1 service provider and the client who is calling
for help. Write the conversation on paper first, and then practice it aloud. You can follow the
example in the Sample Role Play.
When you are ready, you and your partner will role play the conversation in front of your classmates.
SITUATION 1:
Caller to 2-1-1 is Konrad,
newcomer to Canada
needs help with English
needs to fill out forms, but cant
read them very well
lives in the North End
can take a bus or walk
is available every day
2-1-1 Services Available for Konrad
English language volunteers are available
There is a program in the North End called Writing for
Newcomers
Bus 65 stops at the building where service is provided
35 Green Street
Volunteers work Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1 3 pm
SITUATION 2:
Caller to 2-1-1 is
Mrs. Ortega
79 years old
lives alone
doesnt drive
needs to get to medical
appointments
wants someone to drive her
lives in the South End
2-1-1 Services Available for Mrs. Ortega
volunteer drivers available
service available in the South End
can call 333-5555 to contact a driver in her neighbourhood
driver will pick her up at home and take her back when her
appointment is finished
Activity:
Hey Dude
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A listening activity about a teenager volunteering for the Phones For Food program
provides a model for relaxed pronunciation.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Volunteer Experiences
Volunteer Ottawa
Employment Volunteer Heroes
Introduce the term food bank.
Explain the expressions hunt around and Hey dude, and clarify other vocabulary as
necessary.
Hand out Exercise 1 and allow learners time to read and begin to answer the
questions before replaying the audio.
FOLLOW-UP Replay the audio, focussing on the conversation between Ambrozy and his friend.
Have learners listen for reductions and unstressed words and syllables:
~ What did you? Whatd you?
~ I dont know I dunno
The Phones for Food program won a Canadian Environment Award for Living in
2005 and an Ontario Waste Minimization Award in 2002/03. For more information
Google: Phones-For-Food Program.
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: 1.T 2.T 3.F 4.F 5.F 6.T 7.F 8.T
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual responses.
~ listener identifies factual details and inferred meanings in a listening text
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY to pick up; pamphlet; model; offering; to recycle; refurbished; resold; bonus; landfill
sites; donation; cages; to toss; drawer; minimization; snowball effect
346 Level 4 L S
Activity:
Hey Dude
Last week at Ambrozys high school, some students were collecting food and money for the local food
bank. When Ambrozy brought in his cans of food, he picked up a pamphlet about the food bank and was
surprised to read that the food bank also collects used cell phones. Ambrozy thought of all his friends
who were always changing their phones for newer models. He decided to phone the food bank and get
more information.
Listen to his call.
Ambrozy: Hi. I think Im interested in offering my services to your phone recycling program.
Can you tell me more about it?
Spokesperson: Sure. For every cell phone thats donated we receive up to four dollars from the
Phones For Food program. The phones are refurbished and resold around the
world. Theres a double bonus to this program because it keeps harmful chemicals
from landfill sites and raises money for food banks across Canada.
Ambrozy: Well, Id like to volunteer. What do I do?
Spokesperson: Just start collecting phones and bring them in. You can bring them right here to the food
bank or just drop them off at our red donation cages in your local grocery store.
Ambrozy: Thanks. Ill get started on it today.
That day, Ambrozy gets on the phone and starts to call his friends, one by one. Listen to what he says.
Ambrozy: Hey dude. Im volunteering for the food bank and they raise money through the
Phones for Food program. Whatd you do with your old cell phone after you got
that new one?
Friend: I dont knowtossed it into the drawer or something.
Ambrozy: Well, can you hunt around for it and bring it to me tomorrow?
Friend: Yeah, sure. Why not?
Ambrozy: Thanks.
Activity:
Hey Dude
Exercise 1
Listen again and write T (for True) or F (for False) beside these statements.
_____ 1. Ambrozy called the food bank because he wanted to learn more about
the Phones For Food program.
_____ 2. Ambrozys friends change their cell phones quite often.
_____ 3. Anyone who brings in an old phone will receive $4 from the local food bank.
_____ 4. The Phones For Food program is good for the environment.
_____ 5. To volunteer, Ambrozy just has to start collecting and bringing in cell phones.
_____ 6. Ambrozy plans to call his friends.
_____ 7. Ambrozy called his friend to ask him to volunteer at the local grocery store.
_____ 8. Ambrozys friend will look for his old phone and give it to Ambrozy.
348 Level 4 L S
Activity: Hey Dude
Exercise 2
Pronunciation Practice
Listen again to the conversation between Ambrozy and his friend. Then, practice it with a partner.
Ambrozy: Hey dude. Im volunteering for the food bank and they raise money through the
Phones for Food program. Whatd you do with your old cell phone after you got
that new one?
Friend: I dont knowtossed it into the drawer or something.
Ambrozy: Well, can you hunt around for it and bring it to me tomorrow?
Friend: Yeah, sure. Why not?
Ambrozy: Thanks.
Education
LINC
4
EDUCATION
Activity:
Jasons E-mail
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read a friendly email message and answer comprehension questions.
Timing: 50 minutes
WARM-UP Ask if anyone has had to change schools during their school term. Invite learners
to share their experiences.
Talk about ways in which this can be a positive experience.
ACTIVITY Learners read the text and answer the comprehension questions that follow.
Collect the completed exercises for assessment, if desired.
If the activity is not intended for assessment, learners work in pairs to add a
listening and speaking component to the activity.
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: Grade 11; Nova Scotia; Ottawa; Sir Winston Churchill High School;
University of Ottawa; 5; 0
Exercise 2: Mr. Tyler, Physical Education, 59%; Mr. Michaels, Math, 92%; Ms. Trenton,
Band, 91%; Mr. Gillis, History, 80%; Mr. Hill, Social Studies, 85%; Mrs. Spears,
English, 88%
Exercise 3: a. lets begin b. Im not sure yet c. Opposite to
d. understand e. missed, not available for
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual handouts.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY gifted student; stuff; here goes; well see about that; at the other end of the scale;
get(v); lost(v); get back to the books; awesome
EDUCATION
352 Level 4 R
Activity:
Jasons E-mail
Jason Henry is a Grade 11 student in Ottawa. His home is in Ontario now, but he used to live in Nova
Scotia. He goes to a local high school but he is also a gifted pianist, so he is taking private lessons at the
University of Ottawa. He has written an e-mail message to his Uncle Bill, who lives in Nova Scotia, to tell
him how his classes are going at his new school.
Read the e-mail message and complete the exercises that follow.
Hey Uncle Bill,
Hows it going? Things are good here, I guess. Its a little different from home, and Im missing some
stuff there. Anyway, you asked for ALL the news about my new classes, so here goes.
I guess I should start with music. Of course, Professor Willis is my piano teacher at the University
of Ottawa, and thats great. The music program here at Sir Winston Churchill High School is
awesome too, and the music teacher, Ms. Trenton, does a great job.
Im taking the usual courses here. Math has always been pretty easy for me. My mark this term was
92%. Mr. Michaels wondered if I would consider helping some grade 10 students if I have time, but
well see about that.
At the other end of the scale, my Physical Education mark is pretty low. Funny how I can get
music so easily, but have such a big problem trying to move a ball with my feet! Mr. Tyler says I
should just keep trying though. So, from 59% in my worst subject to 92% in my best subject!
Lets see. What else? Oh, History, Social Studies and English are all ok. I have grades of 80%, 85% and
88% in these subjects with Mr. Gillis, Mr. Hill and Mrs. Spears. Oh yeah, music. No, its not my best
mark this term. My Math grade was better by one whole percent!
I think I already told you that I had a serious flu in October. I lost a week of school, but Im fine
now. You know me; unless Im sick, Im always on time.
I should get back to the books now, Uncle Bill. Send me an e-mail when you get a chance, ok?
Jason
EDUCATION
Activity: Jasons E-mail
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with information about Jason.
Students name _______________________________________________________
Grade _______________________________________________________
Home province _______________________________________________________
Now living in _______________________________________________________
Current high school _______________________________________________________
Private piano lessons at _______________________________________________________
School days missed _______________________________________________________
School days late _______________________________________________________
Jason Henry
EDUCATION
354 Level 4 R
Exercise 2
From the information in the e-mail message, match Jasons teachers at Sir Winston Churchill High School
with the subjects they teach and the grade Jason received.
Teacher Subject Grade
EDUCATION
Exercise 3
You will find these words and expressions in bold type in Jasons e-mail message.
Look back in the e-mail now and underline each one.
a. here goes ____________________________
b. well see about that _____________________________
c. at the other end of the scale _____________________________
d. get _____________________________
e. lost _____________________________
Read the the sentence before and the sentence after each expression to help you understand what it
means. Then, choose the correct meaning from the list below and copy it onto the blank line.
opposite to (something)
Im not sure yet
missed, not available for
lets begin
understand
EDUCATION
356 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
Parent-Teacher Interviews
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read 3 scenarios and then discuss appropriate questions that the
parents might ask at a parent-teacher interview.
Timing: 1520 minutes per story
WARM-UP Ask learners who are parents if their childrens schools have staff to help
newcomers with the school system.
Hold a discussion on parent-teacher interviews. Discussion questions could include:
~ What is discussed at a parent-teacher interview?
~ Do teachers only see the parents of students who are doing poorly in class?
~ If you are not asked to go to a meeting, can you request one?
~ What if your English is not good enough?
Review question formation.
Review modal could (suggestion).
ACTIVITY Divide the class into pairs.
Include at least one parent with school age children in each pair, if possible.
After pairs have read and understood the scenario, they discuss some options
for appropriate questions to ask the teacher.
Learners write out their questions.
FOLLOW-UP Learners select and role-play one parent-teacher interview.
Invite a settlement worker guest speaker to discuss parent-teacher interviews.
ASSESSMENT The instructor circulates and monitors pairs conversations.
~ indicates incomprehension
~ takes turns by giving non-verbal and verbal signals
~ encourages conversation
~ speaks intelligibly; listener can follow all details
~ expresses opinion
EDUCATION
Activity:
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY parent-teacher interview; single-parent home/family; brainstorm (v);
try out for (an activity); marks/grades
EDUCATION
358 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
All of the children you will read about live in single-parent homes with their mother.
Some of them have brothers and sisters and some do not. You should:
read their situations with your partner
brainstorm ideas for questions their mothers could ask at the parent-teacher interview
write the questions in the spaces below
TRANS STORY
Tran moved to Winnipeg from Korea in the summer with his mother and little sister. He started Grade 5
at Maple Lawn Elementary School in September. Its now the second week in October and his mother has
a parent-teacher interview scheduled for Thursday evening. What are two questions Trans mother could
ask the teacher?
Question 1:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Question 2:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
Activity: Parent-Teacher Interviews
MIAS STORY
Mia is in Grade 4. She has been living in Montreal with her mother and her brother for two years. They
moved from Venezuela when Mia was in Grade 2. When Mias mother had her parent-teacher interview in
October, everything seemed to be OK. When Mia was happy and she was doing well at school. Its
February and now her mother is having another interview. For the last couple of months, Mia has been
having headaches. She complains that she does not feel well enough to go to school. However, if she stays
home, her headache disappears. Her grades are not as good as they were earlier in the year. What could
be wrong? Write two questions Mias mother could ask the teacher.
Question 1:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Question 2:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
360 Level 4 R W L S
Activity: Parent-Teacher Interviews
LINS STORY
Lin came from China with her mother three years ago. She was in Grade 8 when they moved to
Fredericton. She had excellent marks in Grades 9 and 10. She has just started Grade 11, and next week
her mother will attend her first parent-teacher meeting of the school year. Lins mom is proud of her
daughters high grades, but she worries that Lin is spending all her time studying. She thinks Lin should join
some clubs or try out for a sports team. What could Lins mom ask the teacher?
Question 1:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Question 2:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
Activity:
Here Is My Opinion
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners reflect on education practices in a sentence-completion activity that can be used for writing assessment.
Timing: varies
WARM-UP Ask learners to think about some of their own school experiences.
Find out if they studied at small or large schools.
Ask if they believe educational practices have changed much since they were in
school. (Are they better, worse or just different?)
Tell them they are going to write some sentences to express their opinions about
childrens education.
ACTIVITY Learners read each opinion box containing a partial sentence and complete it
with a personal opinion.
Tell learners how many cards they should complete.
ASSESSMENT Learner responses on opinion cards are marked according to individual
instructor guidelines.
punctuation, and phonetic and other notations
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY one-room school; special learning needs; study habits; because
EDUCATION
362 Level 4 W
Activity:
Here Is My Opinion
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read the opinion in each box.
2. Finish the sentence by writing your opinion.
Example:
HERE IS MY OPINION
I believe that girls in secondary school should have separate classes
from boys because girls are often embarrassed to speak in class if
boys are listening.
HERE IS MY OPINION
Students should be given time in class to learn about their classmates culture
because _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________.
EDUCATION
Activity: Here Is My Opinion
HERE IS MY OPINION
Students should not be given time in class to learn about their classmates
culture because ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________.
HERE IS MY OPINION
It is important to develop good study habits because ____________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________.
HERE IS MY OPINION
It is not important to develop good study habits because _________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________.
EDUCATION
364 Level 4 W
HERE IS MY OPINION
I believe that a teacher should be allowed to hit a student who wont stop
talking when he/she asks him/her because _____________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________.
HERE IS MY OPINION
I believe that a teacher should not be allowed to hit a student who wont stop
talking when he/she asks him/her because _____________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________.
HERE IS MY OPINION
Its a good idea to continue school throughout the summer months because
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.
EDUCATION
HERE IS MY OPINION
Its a bad idea to continue school throughout the summer months because
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.
HERE IS MY OPINION
Students should have permission to go to the washroom during class because
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.
HERE IS MY OPINION
Students should not have permission to go to the washroom during class because
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.
EDUCATION
366 Level 4 W
Activity:
Coping Strategies: My Experience
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners write a short text about a personal experience relating to being a newcomer to Canada.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Begin with an all class discussion on coping strategies:
~ what does it mean to cope with something?
~ list several things we must all cope with every day
~ list several things newcomers to a country must cope with (e.g. culture,
language, food, homesickness, social integration)
Use class input to outline a strategy for a common problem (e.g. you dont have
time for breakfast every morning: have ground coffee in the coffee pot the night
before, set the breakfast table the night before, collect your homework / briefcase /
laptop and set it at the door the night before).
ACTIVITY Have learners write a paragraph about a problem they had to cope with as a
newcomer to Canada. Have them describe the experience and the coping strategies
they used to work through it.
FOLLOW-UP Ask the learners to read their paragraphs aloud to the class.
ASSESSMENT Paragraphs are marked according to individual instructor guidelines.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY cope; strategy
EDUCATION
Activity:
Coping Strategies: My Experience
Everyone learns something new every day, and everyone has a story.
Sam was born in St. Johns and spent all of his life there. Whats his story?
Yira was born in Venezuela and moved to Canada when she was 14. Whats her story?
Newcomers to a country have a story to tell that is unlike any other. Whats your story?
Write about it:
Write a description of one thing that you had to cope with after you immigrated to Canada. Maybe it
was hard for you to cope with English, or winter, or local customs, or homesickness, or Canadian food.
How did you cope with your problem? Maybe you stayed home until you felt more comfortable; maybe
you joined a local organization; maybe you took language classes; or maybe you found a Canadian friend.
Use this checklist:
write one complete paragraph
your paragraph will describe
~ one thing you had to cope with
~ the way you coped with it
~ what you learned from this experience
the paragraph should have 58 sentences
check for correct spelling and punctuation
EDUCATION
368 Level 4 R S
Activity:
Family Coping Strategies
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A small group discussion addresses family coping strategies for language learning and social integration.
Learners read scenarios about four immigrant families and provide advice.
WARM-UP Review modals of advice.
Make a list on the board of some common problems that newcomers to Canada
face in these two areas:
~ language learning
~ social integration
Discuss possible coping strategies for each item listed on the board.
ACTIVITY Divide the class into small groups of students with different first languages.
Have a variety of first language speakers in each group, if possible.
Hand out the Family Stories worksheets to each learner in the group.
Learners read the scenarios, talk about them and discuss coping strategies for
each family.
FOLLOW-UP Ask if any learner is willing to share a success story about a language learning
problem or a social integration issue that they had to deal with as a newcomer.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY extracurricular; outgoing; homesick; shy; struggling
EDUCATION
Activity:
Family Coping Strategies
Instructions:
You are going to read brief stories about four families who moved to Canada from China, Russia,
Venezuela and Africa.
At the end of each family story, you will read a question that was asked by the wife or mother in
the family.
In your small group, answer this question by suggesting some things the wife or mother might do
to improve the situation in her family.
Think about local organizations that offer:
~ extra language training (tutoring, evening classes)
~ coffee time for socializing and practicing English
~ opportunities to volunteer and learn at the same time
For each family, note your suggestions on the lines.
EDUCATION
370 Level 4 R S
Activity: Family Coping Strategies
FAMILY STORY 1
Chen and her husband Hong came to Burlington from China ten months ago with their son Ping. Hong
could not find a job in Canada, but he found one in the United States. He drives back to Burlington once
every two months to see his wife and son. Ping is in high school now and is very busy with class and
extracurricular activities. Chen is studying ESL in a local college. Although she is a friendly person, she is
frustrated because English is very difficult for her. Her husband is too far away to help her very much and
her son says he is too busy.
Question:
Chen says: I really have two problems. My husband is not at home most nights and my son is very busy with
school, so Im lonely. Also, Im learning English much slower than I thought I would. What can I do?
Notes:
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EDUCATION
FAMILY STORY 2
Svetlana and Igor recently moved to Canada and are studying ESL at a local school. They have no children.
They were both professionals in Russia and they hope they can find employment in their new country.
Igor is doing very well in his ESL classes but Svetlana is homesick and is absent a lot. What advice could
you give her?
Question:
Svetlana says: My problem is simple. My husband says I must try not to think about Russia so much.
How can I follow this advice?
Notes:
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EDUCATION
372 Level 4 R S
FAMILY STORY 3
Rosalinda and Dan are from Venezuela. They are both computer engineers. Rosalindas English is good, and
she found employment quickly when she moved to Canada. She works very long hours and doesnt have
much time to spend at home. Dan is taking ESL classes, but he is having difficulty learning. He knows there
are volunteers at his school who could help him, but he is too proud to ask for help. Also, their children
are busy at school and dont have much time to help their father. How can Rosalinda encourage him?
Question:
Rosalinda says: I think my husband is a genius at his work and he can learn English quickly too, if he just stops
worrying about it. We have enough money to live comfortably. What can I suggest to him?
Notes:
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EDUCATION
FAMILY STORY 4
William and Bernadette came to Canada three months ago with their two children. In Africa, where they
lived, they had a lot of relatives to help with their children. William is a scientist and Bernadette is a stay-
at-home mother. William is very busy at work, but Bernadette is struggling at home because she is feeling
lonely. She goes out to ESL classes three mornings each week and leaves her children in the day care
which the community centre provides. Bernadette is very shy, but her daughters love being with the other
children. What changes can Bernadette make to help her situation?
Question:
Bernadette asks: Im happy that my husband has a good job and my children have found friends here. Now I
need to improve my own life. What can you suggest?
Notes:
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EDUCATION
374 Level 4 R L S
Activity:
How Would You Like To Volunteer?
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners listen to a dialogue between a teacher and a parent who comes to a Meet The Teacher evening and is
recruited as a classroom volunteer. Listening comprehension, reading and speaking activities follow.
Timing: 45 minutes
WARM-UP Ask learners with children if they have ever attended a Meet The Teacher evening
and, if so, whether they found it useful.
Ask learners if any of them have volunteered at their childrens schools. If so, ask
what their volunteer positions were and what their experiences were like.
ACTIVITY Play the audio (Track 21) once. Learners listen for the gist.
Hand out Exercise 1. Allow time for learners to read and begin to answer the
questions, and then replay the audio.
Collect the handouts (if used as an evaluation) or review the answers together.
Hand out Exercise 2. Learners read about the volunteer positions and answer the
discussion questions in pairs.
FOLLOW-UP Learners share their choices for volunteer positions with the whole class.
Have a class discussion on whether the requirement for a police check in some
volunteer positions is a benefit or a deterrent.
CROSS- Community & Government Services ~ Volunteer Applications
REFERENCE ~ Volunteer Experience
~ Volunteer Ottawa
~ Hey Dude
ANSWER KEY 1. a 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. b 6. a 7. a
SOURCE Volunteers in Schools, Ontario Ministry of Education http://www.schoolcouncils.net
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY Meet The Teacher; wizard; benefit; stretched to the limit; exceptional; spare;
knowledge; expertise; aboard; not-for-profit
EDUCATION
Activity:
Mrs. Guo is about to meet her sons Grade 5 teacher at a Meet The Teacher evening. Listen to what
happens.
Mrs. Guo: Hello. Is this the Grade 5 classroom?
Mrs. Novak: Yes, and Im the Grade 5 teacher, Mrs. Novak. Welcome to our
Meet The Teacher evening.
Mrs. Guo: Hello. Im pleased to meet you. Im Mrs. Guo, Vincents mother.
Mrs. Novak: Well, Im delighted to finally meet the parent of our mathematics wizard. You must
know from his first report card that your son is doing very well in all his subjects,
but he is exceptional in mathematics.
Mrs. Guo: Im not surprised. He has been interested in numbers since he was two and both
my husband and I were math teachers in China.
Mrs. Novak: Oh! So thats where his talent comes from. Mrs. Guo, I hope you dont mind my
asking, but are you working outside the home now?
Mrs. Guo: Not right now. Im happy staying at home looking after the needs of my family.
Mrs. Novak: Have you ever thought of using your skills and experience to volunteer in a
school classroom?
Mrs. Guo: No. I havent. What would I have to do?
Mrs. Novak: Hopefully help me because right now Im stretched to the limit just trying to meet
all the needs of the students. If you can spare two or three hours a week, it would
be so helpful for me because you could work with small groups of students who
need additional help with math. You dont have to prepare anything because I would
assign weekly tasks, like drills, for them to work on.
Mrs. Guo: Actually, it sounds interesting. What do I have to do to volunteer?
Mrs. Novak: All thats involved is filling out an application form and having an interview with
our school principal.
Mrs. Guo: Yes, I guess I can do it. It will be fun to be in a classroom again.
Mrs. Novak: Welcome aboard! Im certain the students will benefit from your knowledge
and expertise.
EDUCATION
376 Level 4 R L S
Activity:
Exercise 1
Listen to the conversation again and circle the best answer.
1. During the interview, Mrs. Novak decides that
a. Vincent is good at mathematics because both his parents are good at mathematics
b. Vincent is good at mathematics because she is a good teacher
2. When Mrs. Novak asks Mrs. Guo if shes working outside the home, she is asking if
a. Mrs. Guo has a paying job somewhere
b. Mrs. Guo works in her garden
3. What does Mrs. Novak ask Mrs. Guo to do?
a. volunteer to take her place as the mathematics teacher because Mrs. Guo is experienced
at teaching math
b. volunteer to help teach mathematics to students who are having trouble
4. What does Mrs. Novak mean when she says that shes stretched to the limit?
a. she is working as hard as she can
b. she is learning more and more every day
5. How often would Mrs. Novak like Mrs. Guo to volunteer?
a. two or three times a week
b. two to three hours a week
6. How many students would Mrs. Guo have to work with?
a. small groups of students
b. the entire class
7. How much preparation will Mrs. Guo have to do for the students?
a. none, because Mrs. Novak will do it
b. Mrs. Guo will have to prepare math drills for the students
EDUCATION
Activity: How Would You Like To Volunteer?
Exercise 2
With a partner, read about these volunteer positions. Then discuss the questions together.
Volunteer Positions:
A. We are looking for full- and part-time volunteers who are interested in joining the Afghan School
Project. The Afghan School Project is a Canadian not-for-profit organization. Please call us at
555-3232.
B. The Host Program is looking for volunteers to help newcomers in our area. We ask that you spend
two hours a week for six to eight months to be a friend to newcomers. Please call us at 555-2123.
C. Meals on Wheels is a volunteer service that delivers healthy meals to people in their own homes.
We are looking for drivers to deliver food. Please call us at 555-3434.
EDUCATION
378 Level 4 R L S
Activity: How Would You Like To Volunteer?
D. Main Street Preschool is holding a fundraising event on November 29th. We are looking for a
children's entertainer to perform for thirty children for approximately one hour. Your
transportation will be paid. Please call us at 555-4575.
Discussion Questions
1. Which of these volunteer positions would be most interesting for you?
If none of them interests you, what type of volunteering would interest you?
2. Which of the positions would require the shortest volunteer commitment?
3. You need a drivers license for one of these positions. Which one?
EDUCATION
Activity:
Learning Styles: Which Kind Of Learner Are You?
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read about visual, auditory and tactile learning styles and then answer comprehension questions.
Note: This activity is intended for classes of learners who are planning post-secondary study after LINC.
WARM-UP Point out several typical patterns that learners follow when studying (e.g., listen to
music as they do homework; orally review study notes; work with a partner).
Have several learners share their experiences.
ACTIVITY Learners read the text Learning Styles and try to guess the meaning of any difficult
words using context clues.
Then, they answer the questions without using a dictionary.
Learners can work in pairs to add a listening and speaking component.
FOLLOW-UP Pairs or small groups talk about:
~ what kind of learners they are
~ whether their school system made it easier or more difficult to learn, based
on the type of learner they are
~ their childrens learning styles
ANSWER KEY Exercise I: 1. c 2. g 3. h 4. e 5. j 6. i 7. a 8. d 9. b 10. f
Exercise II: 1. a visual 2. an auditory 3. a tactile 4. an auditory
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY visual; auditory; tactile; visualize; educators; lecture (n.); aids (n.); absorb; rather
than; interpreting; referred to; hands-on
EDUCATION
380 Level 4 R
Activity:
Learning Styles: Which Kind Of Learner Are You?
How do you learn best? Is it when you are in a quiet room with no-one around you? Do you need to
have your favourite music playing? Maybe you need to see images or pictures or visualize the information
you are reading. Or does it help if you can touch the item you are learning about?
Many educators believe that different people have different ways of learning. Not everyone learns using
the same style. How can people judge what their learning styles are?
You are going to read about three styles of learners. One is the visual learner, another is the auditory
learner, and the third is the tactile learner.
The visual learner learns best by seeing the teacher clearly. The visual learner needs to watch the
teachers face and body language. The visual learner also often writes down the important words or main
content of a lecture or draws pictures on her notepad. This learner uses aids such as teacher handouts,
PowerPoint presentations or photographs. These sources of information help the visual learner
understand the lesson or lecture.
Another learning style is auditory. Auditory learners understand material better when they hear it.
Rather than just reading from a book or written notes, auditory learners prefer to read aloud, listen to
on-line lectures, or play back notes recorded on CD or mp3 players.
Auditory learners do not just learn by listening, they need to respond to the teacher and other students
by asking questions and interpreting the way the responses are given.
Finally, some people are very active and they learn best by doing. They are referred to as tactile
learners. They may need to touch or move something in order to understand it. For example, in a
science lab, tactile learners want to do an experiment. Its not as clear to them if they just watch the
professor doing it. People who learn best using this style are active learners and need to explore their
subjects. They may get bored in a traditional classroom if they need to sit for a long period of time.
EDUCATION
Activity: Learning Styles: Which Kind Of Learner Are You?
Exercises
I. From your reading, match the best definition for these words and phrases:
1. ____ visualize a. instead of
2. ____ educator b. to be called by, or known as
3. ____ visual c. imagine, think about
4. ____ auditory d. figuring out the meaning of
5. ____ tactile e. concerned with hearing
6. ____ aids (n) f. to, so as to
7. ____ rather than g. teacher, instructor
8. ____ interpreting h. concerned with seeing
9. ____ referred to i. things that help
10. ____ in order to j. connected with the sense of touch
EDUCATION
382 Level 4 R
Activity: Learning Styles: Which Kind Of Learner Are You?
II. Read the details of how these university students prefer to learn. Then decide if they are auditory,
tactile or visual learners.
1. Gilda prefers to sit at the front of the class. She finds it easier to understand and remember what
Professor Whyte says if she writes down the information. Its also very helpful for her if the
professor prepares a hand-out for the class to take home.
Gilda is a(n) __________________________ learner.
2. Americo is always talking in class. He says he remembers the lecture better if he asks Professor
Chang a lot of questions. When he goes home, he often sits at his desk and reads the lecture notes
aloud. He says its the way he learns best.
Americo is a(n) __________________________ learner.
3. Isaac has always been a hands-on person. He gets bored during lectures, but he loves science labs.
Isaac is a(n) __________________________ learner.
4. Our friend Rhona used to make us a little nervous. She always recorded the class lecture. Oh,
dont worry, she always said. Im not trying to record your conversation. Its just that I understand
Professor Whytes lectures so much better if I can listen to them again.
Rhona is a(n) __________________________ learner.
Employment
LINC
4
EMPLOYMENT
Activity:
Canadian Employers: What Do They Expect?
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Read about what Canadian employers expect from their employees.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Ask learners to think about some expectations of employers in their countries
of origin.
List some of these expectations on the board.
Ask if any of your learners are working part-time in Canada.
If they are, find out what some of their Canadian employers expectations are.
List some of these expectations on the board.
The class looks at the lists: Are there similarities? differences?
ACTIVITY Write on the board the list of 6 expectations which Canadian employers have of
their employees.
Be sure learners understand the meaning of each expectation.
Hand out Exercise 1. Learners fill in the missing expectations.
Hand out Exercise 2. Learners can work independently or in pairs. If working in
pairs, one student can be A, the other B, reading out the workplace conversations
orally and discussing the answers.
Circulate and monitor learners pronunciation.
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: Punctual; Team Player; Hard Worker; Listens to Direction; Organized;
Problem Solver
Exercise 2: A: problem solver B: team player C: listens to direction
D: organized E: punctual F: hard worker
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY expect; expectation; punctual; fired (v); supervisor
EMPLOYMENT
386 Level 4 R
Activity:
Canadian Employers: What Do They Expect?
Exercise 1
The words below describe the kind of employees that Canadian employers are looking for. Match the
words with the correct meaning in the chart.
team player listens to direction organized
punctual problem solver hard worker
_________________ When an employee has agreed to work specific hours, his
employer expects him to be on time.
_________________ Teamwork is a very important part of the Canadian work
environment. Employees have to learn to be cooperative.
_________________ If an employer discovers that his employee is lazy, or doesnt try
hard to do a good job, the employee could be fired.
_________________ Sometimes an employee has to take direction from more than one
person. He might have several bosses who will give him
instructions.
_________________ An employee may be asked to have several tasks completed by
the end of the same day. He must learn to organize his work so
he can do everything he has been asked to do.
_________________ Employees are encouraged to develop good problem solving
skills.
punctual
EMPLOYMENT
Activity: Canadian Employers: What Do They Expect?
Exercise 2
Read these workplace conversations. Choose one quality from the list below that describes the employee
they are talking about.
problem solver organized punctual
team player listens to directions hard worker
A: High Tech Company
Manager A: I have asked James to work on that project.
Manager B: I think thats a good idea. James is a thinker.
Manager A: What do you mean?
Manager B: James will look at all parts of the puzzle, think about it carefully,
and suggest a good solution.
Which quality from the box describes James? ____________________
B: Financial Planning Organization
President: How is Sarah getting along in her new position?
Assistant: Shes great. Last week she was able to get Yira and Euri to work
together with her on the new project.
President: Wonderful! I thought she would be a good worker.
Assistant: Oh, yes. Shes very cooperative. She fits in very well.
Which quality from the box describes Sarah? ____________________
EMPLOYMENT
388 Level 4 R
C: Shipping Company
Manager A: Did Thomas work on the order for the Murphy Group yesterday?
Assistant: No, I asked him to fill all those boxes, but he was talking on the
phone when I asked him. He worked on another order instead.
Manager A: Then we need Aidens help. He always listens carefully when I give him instructions.
He will get the job done correctly.
Which quality from the box describes Aiden? ____________________
D: Grocery Store
Manager: I need someone to fill the deli counter salads, put out fresh
bread and slice the BBQ chicken this morning.
Assistant: Ill ask Robert. He knows how to arrange his work, so hell be
able to do everything that you ask him to do.
Which quality from the box describes Robert? ____________________
EMPLOYMENT
E: Call Centre
Director: Where is everyone? Its 9:15 and the only person at her desk is Marie.
Assistant: The rest of the team is still drinking their morning coffee.
Director: But work starts at 9:00 and they should be ready to work at 9:00.
Assistant: Yes, I know. It seems only Marie understands that she needs to be on time.
Which quality from the box describes Marie? ____________________
F: Department Store
Manager: We have a new shipment of winter boots that must go on the shelves today.
Supervisor: You can ask Sam to take care of that.
Manager: But Sam is already taking care of rain boots and winter hats.
Supervisor: I know, but remember that Sam is always the first employee to arrive and the
last employee to leave. He will get the job done.
Which quality from the box describes Sam? ____________________
EMPLOYMENT
390 Level 4 R S
Activity:
Vet Clinic Interview
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read the text of an interview between the human resources manager of a veterinary clinic
and a veterinary technician applying for a position in the clinic.
Timing: 50 minutes
WARM-UP Hold a class discussion about ways to prepare for an interview, for example:
~ find information about the company
~ ask a friend to practice a mock interview
~ organize clothing to wear to the interview
Write veterinarian, veterinary, and vet on the board and discuss what a
veterinarian does.
ACTIVITY Learners read the dialogue aloud in pairs, but they complete the exercises
individually if the instructor intends to use them for assessment.
An audio recording of the interview is available on the companion website.
FOLLOW-UP Follow-Up Letter: Central Veterinary Clinic
Mock Interview
Why Not? (see companion website)
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: a. 6 b. 1 c. 5 d. 2 e. 3 f. 4
Exercise 2: 1. long term 2. relate to 3. hands on 4. team player
5. cope with 6. short term
ASSESSMENT Learners work individually to answer questions on a text. Instructors correct
individual responses.
~ predicts, guesses new words in familiar context
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY veterinary; vet; veterinarian; technician; interviewer; interviewee;
how doesrelate to; cope (with); hands-on; short/long-term goals; team player;
seminar
EMPLOYMENT
Activity:
Work with a partner. One person will read the part of Marcus Cruz, who is the manager at the Central
Veterinary Clinic. The other person will read the part of Angel Dominguez, who is applying for a job.
This exercise will help you learn some of the vocabulary used in job interview situations.
Employment Interview: Central Veterinary Clinic
Position Applied for: Veterinary Technician
Interviewer: Marcus Cruz, Manager
Interviewee: Angel Dominguez, Veterinary Technician
Mr. Cruz: Why are you interested in this position?

Angel: Ive always loved animals. When I was little, I would try to help my dog, even
though there wasnt anything wrong with him.
Mr. Cruz: How does your education and experience relate to this position?
Angel: I studied in the Veterinarian Technician program at Forrester College. I have a
diploma from there. I also worked for two years at the Main Street Vet Hospital.
And Ive volunteered hundreds of hours at animal shelters.
Mr. Cruz: How do you cope with working under pressure?
Angel: I have had to prepare animals for surgery. If an animal comes in and it is hurt badly,
we dont have much time to clean it and make it comfortable before surgery.
Also, the owners are very stressed, so we often have to calm them down as well.
Mr. Cruz: Can you describe your ideal work environment?
Angel: My ideal environment is working with vets, helping to keep their schedule and being
hands-on with the animals.
Mr. Cruz: Can you describe a challenge you encountered at work and how you dealt with it?
EMPLOYMENT
392 Level 4 R S
Activity: Vet Clinic Interview
Angel: Usually it is one of the veterinarians who tells a family that their pet has died, but
one time, I had to do that. It was a huge challenge for me because the pet was a
young, healthy puppy that had been hit by a car. I was able to tell them clearly and
calmly, and they thanked me for being so professional.
Mr. Cruz: What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
Angel: Well, my short-term goal is to be employed here at the Central Veterinary Clinic.
I want to learn all I can about taking care of small animals. My long-term goal is to
work more closely with cats, so I hope to take some more courses in caring for
those animals.
Mr. Cruz: How would a friend or co-worker describe you?
Angel: Well, Ive always been an animal lover. My friends say I am quiet, that I have a lot of
energy, and that I am a team player.
Mr. Cruz: Thank you, Angel. Now, do you have any questions for me?
Angel: Yes, Id like to know if there will be any opportunity for training here at Central.
Mr. Cruz: Yes, there are training and development seminars regularly. Anything else?
Angel: I would just like to say that I have read a lot about Central and I know some of the
work that is done here. I would be very glad to work with such a great team.
Mr. Cruz: Thank you. It was a pleasure to talk with you. I can certainly see that you love
animals very much. We will be in touch.
Angel: Thank you for your time.
EMPLOYMENT
Exercise 1
Look at the underlined words in the dialogue. Match their meaning with the definitions below.
a. ______ relate to 1. deal with a situation or problem
b. ______ cope with 2. for a short period of time
c. ______ hands-on 3. for a long period of time
d. ______ short-term 4. one who works well with others
e. ______ long-term 5. actively participate
f. ______ team player 6. be connected with
EMPLOYMENT
394 Level 4 R S
Exercise 2
Use the vocabulary list to complete these sentences.
short-term hands-on team player
relate to long-term cope with
1. Im in my third year of university. My _____________________ goal is to finish another university
degree and work as a lawyer.
2. He works for a gardening company and I work for a flower shop. We always talk about our jobs.
We feel we can ___________________ each other.
3. I love working with horses. Every day I feed them, brush them and clean out their beds. Its a real
_________________________ job.
4. My friend is having a hard time at work. She told me she prefers to work by herself, but her boss
told her she has to work on a project with 6 others. She says shes just not a _______________
____________________________.
5. She asked me to volunteer at my sons school. I dont think I can _________________________
the extra work because Im already volunteering at my community centre.
6. Im in my third year of university. People ask me what my goals are. I tell them, Well, my
_______________________________________ goal is to graduate next year!
EMPLOYMENT
Activity:
Follow-up Letter: Central Veterinary Clinic
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners write a letter to thank a potential employer for granting an interview.
WARM-UP Find out if learners have ever sent a follow-up letter to thank a potential employer
for an interview.
Review vocabulary from Vet Clinic Interview.
ACTIVITY Review the sample follow-up letter with the class, pointing out the terms for parts
of a business letter (see Section 3).
Learners write a letter to Central Veterinary Clinic thanking the office manager
for the interview.
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual letters.
and social context
structure
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY interviewer; interviewee; (product) line (n.)
EMPLOYMENT
396 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Follow-up Letter: Central Veterinary Clinic
INTERVIEW FOLLOW-UP LETTER
1. Read this example of a follow-up letter.
123 Main Street
Cambridge, Ontario
N2N 0X0
December 9, 20
Healthy Eating Bread Company
321 Green Avenue
Cambridge, Ontario
N4N 0X0
Dear Ms. Young:
I am writing to follow up on the interview I had with you on Thursday, December 8th.
I want to thank you and your assistant, Paul Barnes, for meeting with me.
As I said in the interview, I believe I could be a benefit to your company. My education and
training with the Wop May School of Hospitality has prepared me very well.
I would love to have the opportunity to work with you. I am very interested in the line of
special breads that you bake. As I told you, I have extra training in traditional bread-making.
Thank you again for speaking with me. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Yours truly,
Brenda Jones
Brenda Jones
613-555-4567
EMPLOYMENT
Activity: Follow-up Letter: Central Veterinary Clinic
2. You had an interview with Central Veterinary Clinic for the position of Veterinary Technician.
The interview was held with the Office Manager, Marcus Cruz. Write a follow-up letter to thank him.
The address is:
Central Veterinary Clinic
21 Northgate Way
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 0X0
remind him when you met for your interview
re-state (repeat) your most important skills
tell him how much you would like the opportunity to work with the clinic
thank him for taking the time to interview you
3. Be sure your letter includes:
heading
inside address
greeting
body
closing
signature
correct spelling and punctuation
EMPLOYMENT
398 Level 4 R L S
Activity:
Mock Interview
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learner pairs practice asking and answering questions in a typical employment interview.
Timing: 30+ minutes
WARM-UP Canadian Employers: What Do They Expect?
Hold a class discussion about ways to prepare for an interview, for example:
~ find information on the company
~ do an internet search on interview questions
~ practice answering interview questions with a friend
~ do an internet search on what to wear to a job interview
ACTIVITY Learners work in pairs. Together, they read the Instructions and the Prepare
For Your Interview chart.
Partners discuss the Interview Questions and Ideas For Answers on the chart.
Together, they role-play the interview for the position of Veterinary Technician, taking
turns being the interviewer and the interviewee.
Have students refer back to Position Available to see how their answers relate to
the advertisement.
VARIATION Instructor brings in some Help Wanted ads for positions related to learners fields of
employment. Pairs read them together, decide who will be the interviewer and who
will be the interviewee, and then use the Prepare For Your Interview chart to
prepare a mock interview for one job position. Learners perform the mock
interview for the class.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY interviewer; interviewee; technician; flexible hours; long and short-term goals;
team player; field (area of work); on-the-job training; to specialize; a people person
EMPLOYMENT
Activity:
Mock Interview
INSTRUCTIONS
Work with a partner. Read this advertisement.
Now look at the Prepare For Your Interview chart on the next page.
Read the Interview Questions together and talk about the words in bold print. Why does an
interviewer ask these questions?
Read the Ideas For Answers together. Do you know what these all mean?
Prepare for the interview by asking and answering the questions. Partner A (Interviewer) asks
Question 1 and Partner B (Interviewee) responds. Partner B can add extra information to the
answers.
Look at this example:
Partner A: How did you learn about this position?
Partner B: I read about it on-line in your website. I visit the websites of local animal hospitals
because I am very interested in getting a position in a small animal clinic.
Continue by taking turns being the interviewer and the interviewee until all the questions have
been answered.
Position Available
Veterinary Technician for a small animal clinic.
Must have Veterinary Technician Certificate.
Minimum two years of experience in this field.
Ability to work independently and with others.
Flexible hours will be required. Central Animal
Clinic is a local, independently run hospital
specializing in treating dogs and cats.
Reply to www.CentralAnimalClinic.com and
follow the links.
EMPLOYMENT
400 Level 4 R L S
Activity: Mock Interview
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EMPLOYMENT
Activity:
Volunteer Heroes
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read about organizations that require volunteer assistance and then respond by composing
an e-mail message that describes their skills and abilities.
WARM-UP Ask learners if they have ever done volunteer work.
Write on the board several places where they have volunteered.
If learners have not been volunteers, write the names of some places that might
need volunteer services.
ACTIVITY Learners read Volunteer Heroes and the 4 scenarios.
They choose one organization and follow the example to write a one-paragraph
e-mail message describing why they would be a good fit for that volunteer position.
Instructors should copy extra e-mail forms if requiring learners to respond to more
than one volunteer organization.
CROSS- Community & Government Services ~ Volunteer Applications
REFERENCE ~ Volunteer Experience
~ Volunteer Ottawa
Education ~ How Would You Like To Volunteer?
ASSESSMENT Paragraphs are marked according to individual instructor guidelines.
~ spells correctly; follows punctuation convention
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY hero; advertisement; volunteer experience; team player; to fit an organization;
from time to time; stroke (an animal)
EMPLOYMENT
402 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Volunteer Heroes
Everyone who has ever written a resum knows that it is important to have volunteer experience. Why?
It shows an employer that we are interested in our community and the world around us. It might also
show that we are team players. Often, volunteer experiences will help us get the job we are hoping for.
Read these newspaper advertisements. Each organization is looking for volunteer help.
Centre Town Animal Shelter
We are a small animal shelter located in the West End of Ottawa. Our main goal is to provide food and
shelter to homeless cats and dogs. Yes, we even have some other furry (ferrets and rabbits) or feathered
(birds) friends from time to time. We are always looking for people to walk the dogs, play with the cats,
stroke the rabbits or talk to the birds. Do you love animals? Do you have some free time? If you can help
us, wed love to hear from you.
Please write to us on-line at [email protected] and tell us why you would like to be a part of our
volunteer team. Thank you for caring.
EMPLOYMENT
Activity: Volunteer Heroes
Majors Park Senior Citizens Club
Majors Park Senior Citizens Club has been a part of our community for ten years. Our volunteers offer to
spend time with the seniors in a number of ways. Can you sing or play an instrument? Then you would be
welcome to help with our Friday afternoon music program. Do you enjoy knitting? Are you a great card
player? If you have these skills or any other, maybe you would like to share them with our active seniors.
Please write to us on-line at [email protected] and tell us why you would like to be a part of our
volunteer team.
Atlantic Newcomers Club
The Atlantic Newcomers Club has been making newcomers to our community feel welcome for more
than 20 years. We have shared a lot of smiles during that time. Now we are asking for your help. Do you
have some free time? If you like to volunteer by helping adults learn basic English or helping children with
basic soccer skills, we would love to hear from you. Please write to us on-line at [email protected] and tell
us why you would like to be a part of our volunteer team.
EMPLOYMENT
404 Level 4 R W
Senior Mens Chess Club
We are a group of men who have been playing chess in our club since 1995. We love the game. Its a great
way to meet other senior men and to keep our minds active. Would you be interested in having a game in
your free time? You can be young or old, male or female. You dont even have to know the game very well
because we will be happy to teach you. We will show you that volunteering really is fun! Please write to us
on-line at SeniorMensChess.ca and tell us why you would like to be a part of our volunteer team.
EMPLOYMENT
Exercise
Choose an organization and reply to their advertisement. Tell what you will do, where you saw the ad,
why you are interested, when you are available and how the organization can reach you.
Example
Sabrina Barnes read an advertisement from a knitting club in her community. She would like to volunteer
there. Read her email to the club.
Dear Knitting Club,
I read your advertisement for volunteer knitters in my community newsletter yesterday.
I used to knit when I was a teenager. I would love to make baby mittens. I believe that is
a great idea. I am usually free on Saturday mornings. Actually, I am a newcomer to
Canada, so maybe I can learn more English, too. You can call me at 555-6789.
Thank you,
Sabrina Barnes
EMPLOYMENT
406 Level 4 R W
EMPLOYMENT
Activity:
Be Positive I
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners discuss ways to maintain positive attitudes while searching for employment.
WARM-UP Talk about the challenges of keeping a positive attitude while searching for
employment.
Ask the class if they know what a pep talk is and if anyone has received a pep talk
from someone.
Ask if anyone wants to share advice on keeping a positive attitude while searching
for employment.
Share an experience of your own.
Give each group the Be Positive Instructions and a stack of BE POSITIVE cards.
(The cards should be laminated and cut for easy use.)
Groups read and follow the instructions for their discussion.
Remind learners to keep referring to their list of questions to help their discussion.
Make sure that the groups know there is no incorrect answer; these cards are a
forum for open discussion.
Circulate among the groups and guide any discussion as needed.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY positive attitude; pep talk; network (v.); rejection; reward
EMPLOYMENT
408 Level 4 S R
Activity: Be Positive I
BE POSITIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Sit in a small group. Put your pile of BE POSITIVE cards in the middle of the table. Turn over the first one
and read it. Take turns as you express your opinion, agree or disagree, or ask for meaning about the advice
or comment on each card. Think about these questions as you discuss the comments.
What does this mean?
How can this help?
Has anyone tried this?
Id like to tell you my experience about this.
Im not sure this will work.
May I ask a question about that?
How can I do this?
For example, if you have this card, here are some expressions you could use about yourself.
I am well qualified in my field.
I know there is a job out there for me if I just keep looking.
I am very proud of my employment record.
I have always had good employment references.
My employers have always said I am a hard-working person.
BE POSITIVE
TALK POSITIVELY
ABOUT YOURSELF
EMPLOYMENT
BE POSITIVE
ATTITUDE IS
EVERYTHING
BE POSITIVE
NETWORK
BE POSITIVE
FEEL GOOD
ABOUT YOURSELF
BE POSITIVE
STOP WORRYING
ABOUT THE FUTURE
BE POSITIVE
STOP WORRYING
ABOUT THE PAST
EMPLOYMENT
410 Level 4 S R
BE POSITIVE
CREATE A SCHEDULE
AND STICK TO IT
BE POSITIVE
ACCEPT YOUR
BAD DAYS, TOO!
BE POSITIVE
JOIN A
PROFESSIONAL GROUP
BE POSITIVE
KEEP GROWING
BE POSITIVE
DONT TAKE
REJECTIONS PERSONALLY
EMPLOYMENT
BE POSITIVE
TAKE A DAILY
BREAK
BE POSITIVE
REWARD YOURSELF
BE POSITIVE
TALK TO SOMEONE
BE POSITIVE
LEARN FROM
YOUR MISTAKES
BE POSITIVE
EAT PROPERLY AND
EXERCISE DAILY
EMPLOYMENT
412 Level 4 L S
Activity:
Be Positive II
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners listen to a telephone conversation about a job interview. The listening passage is followed by
comprehension and discussion questions. This activity is intended as a follow-up to Be Positive, but it can also be
used independently.
WARM-UP Play Part 1 of the audio (Track 22), and ask the class to identify the two speakers
names. Then, inquire about Charlottes mood How does she feel? How can we tell
she feels this way?
ACTIVITY Play Part 2 of the audio, and ask for the reason why Charlotte sounded sad or
disappointed at the beginning of the conversation.
Hand out Exercise 1 and allow learners time to read and complete as much as they
can before playing the audio a second time.
If the activity is intended for assessment, collect the answer sheets. Otherwise, take
up the answers before dividing the class into discussion groups.
Each discussion group will need the 15 BE POSITIVE cards from the Be Positive I
activity. Instruct the groups to consider each card in relation to Charlotte. How
many of the strategies and positive attitudes featured in the cards does she display
during her phone conversation? Learners put the cards that apply in one pile and
those that do not apply into another pile.
If necessary, play the audio again or provide groups with a transcript.
VARIATION Ask the class whether they think Charlotte will eventually find a job, and why.
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: 1. F 2. NEI 3. F 4. T 5. NEI 6. T 7. T
Exercise 2: Answers will vary
ASSESSMENT If the activity is intended for assessment, ensure that everyone understands the
words disappointed, qualifications, job opening and workplace prior to handing out
Exercise 1.
~ identifies specific factual details and inferred meanings in audio-mediated
listening texts as required
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY disappointed; qualifications; CV; job opening; workplace
EMPLOYMENT
Activity:
Be Positive II
Charlotte and her friend Samantha are having a telephone conversation.
Charlotte had been interviewed for a job, but she has just learned that she did not get it.
Part 1
Charlotte: Hello?
Samantha: Hi Charlotte; its Samantha. How are you?
Charlotte: Oh, pretty good, I guess. Well, actually, Im a little
Part 2
Charlotte: Hello?
Samantha: Hi Charlotte; its Samantha. How are you?
Charlotte: Oh, pretty good, I guess. Well, actually, Im a little disappointed. I just heard back
from my job interview, and I didnt get the job.
Samantha: Oh, gee, thats too bad. Im really sorry.
Charlotte: Yeah, Im a little disappointed because I had all the right qualifications for the job,
and the interview went really well. I thought I was going to get it.
Samantha: When did you hear?
Charlotte: About an hour ago. The guy was really nice about it, though. He told me my
interview was great and my CV was great and they would have hired me. But it
turned out there was somebody else who had better qualifications and more
experience than I did, so they got the job instead of me.
Samantha: Thats too bad.
Charlotte: Well, yeah, but Im okay with it. It wasnt that I did anything wrong to lose the job,
its just that someone else was a better match, so they got it. I cant take it
personally. It wasnt that they didnt like me; its just that somebody else was better.
Samantha: Thats a good way of looking at it.
EMPLOYMENT
414 Level 4 L S
Activity: Be Positive II
Charlotte: Well, its important to be positive. I did do a good job on my CV and my interview,
and if the person who they hired doesnt work out well, they can always come back
and hire me instead. Also, I learned a lot from the interview. Ill know what
questions to expect and my answers will be even better next time.
Samantha: Im always really nervous at job interviews. I hate them.
Charlotte: Me too. But I wont be as nervous next time because of my experience this time.
Ill feel more comfortable.
Samantha: Well, good, because the reason Im phoning you is that Ive heard about another job
opening that might interest you. You know the company that Kim works for?
Well, theyre looking for someone to
EMPLOYMENT
Activity:
Be Positive II
Exercise 1
Circle T (for True) or F (for False) or NEI (for Not Enough Information).
Examples:
a. T F NEI Charlotte was disappointed because she wasnt hired for the job.
b. T F NEI Charlotte got the job.
c. T F NEI Charlotte has been Samanthas friend for a long time.
1. T F NEI Charlotte did poorly at her interview.
2. T F NEI Charlotte has been looking for a job for a long time.
3. T F NEI Charlotte felt the man at the workplace didnt like her.
4. T F NEI Charlotte feels it is important to be positive.
5. T F NEI Charlotte tried to get a job working for the government.
6. T F NEI Samantha doesnt like job interviews.
7. T F NEI Samantha has information about another job opening at another company.
EMPLOYMENT
416 Level 4 L S
Activity: Be Positive II
Exercise 2
Work in a group. Your group will need the 15 BE POSITIVE cards from the Be Positive I activity. Your
instructor will play the audio again or give you a written copy of the conversation.
Think about Charlotte as you read each card.
During her conversation with Samantha, does she show the strategy or positive attitude that is
written on the card? If yes, put that card in one pile. If no, put that card in another pile.
BE POSITIVE
Family and
Relationships
LINC
4
FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS AT HOME IN OUR COMMUNITY & THE WORLD
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada 419 Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada 419
Activity:
Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party I
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
These reading, writing and speaking exercises teach six idiomatic expressions and prepare
learners for the listening activities that follow.
Timing: 45 minutes
WARM-UP Divide the class into small conversation groups for the Discussion Questions.
ACTIVITY Guide the class through the Vocabulary Focus exercises.
Learners must use all six new expressions in Exercise 3.
FOLLOW-UP Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party II & III
VARIATION To assist with Exercise 3
~ pair learners up
~ if necessary, provide the appropriate idiom for each conversation
ANSWER KEY Exercise 2
put up with something = accept something you dont like
its like talking to a brick wall = s/he doesnt listen
Get real! = Stop dreaming and accept the facts
booze = alcohol
driving somebody crazy = frustrating or annoying
cool = nice, good, fashionable
ASSESSMENT To evaluate learners ability to infer meaning of new vocabulary, instructors
circulate and listen to learner pairs as they discuss their answers to Exercise One.
Instructors check answers to Exercise Three for correct punctuation (quotation
marks) and for socio-linguistic appropriateness.
~ uses language and content that are appropriate to the occasion,
intent and social context
~ spells and follows punctuation conventions
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY cool; get real; drive somebody crazy; booze; its like talking to a brick wall; put up
with; idiom; slang; phrasal verb; snoring
FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS
420 Level 4 R W S
Activity:
Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party I
WARM-UP
Discussion Questions
Talk about these things in a small group:
1. How do people celebrate birthdays in your culture? Are there certain years that are special, for
example, age 15, 18 or 21?
2. We have a birthday every year, but some years the celebration is especially joyful or memorable.
Tell your classmates about one of your favourite birthdays.
3. Canadian children and teenagers often celebrate their birthdays with their friends by holding a
sleepover party.
What is a sleepover party?
Have you ever been to one?
If you were a parent, would you allow your child to attend a sleepover party? Would
you allow your child to attend if you didnt know the friend and the friends parents well?
VOCABULARY FOCUS
Exercise 1
Work with a partner. Together, read these six sentences and discuss what the words and expressions in
italics might mean. Do not use a dictionary.
1. I love your new cell phone. Its really cool.
2. Do you seriously think you can win the lottery? Get real!
3. Our neighbours have loud fights late at night. Its driving us crazy.
4. On Saturday night we usually go to the bar and drink some booze.
5. My mother never listens to me when I try to explain my feelings. Its like talking to a brick wall.
6. If you move to Canada, you have to put up with the long, cold winter. You dont have a choice.
Activity: Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party I
Exercise 2
Draw lines to match the expression on the left to the definition on the right.
Slang/Idiomatic expression Definition
put up with (something) she or he doesnt listen
its like talking to a brick wall nice, good, fashionable
Get real! frustrating or annoying
boze alcohol
driving (somebody) crazy accept something you dont like
cool Stop dreaming and accept the facts
These six new slang expressions are commonly used by adults of all ages when they are talking informally.
The only one that is also used in more formal writing is put up with, which is a phrasal verb.
Exercise 3
Practice using the expressions by finishing the six conversations below. Use quotation marks to show
someone is speaking. Note that the end punctuation (question mark, period, exclamation mark) goes
INSIDE the quotation mark, not after it.
Example: Did you enjoy the movie?
Yes, it was really cool.
1. Im going to register for a course that will teach me to speak English in three weeks.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
422 Level 4 R W S
Activity: Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party I
2. I know your co-worker is giving you problems, but you should try talking to him before you complain
to your boss.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Are you enjoying your mother-in-laws visit?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. I love my wife, but I hate her snoring!
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What did they do last night?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. I bought new running shoes yesterday.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Listening 1
You will hear these six new expressions as you listen to a family argument. Samira, a fifteen-year-old girl,
wants to become a typical Canadian teenager as soon as possible. Her parents dont want her to be in
such a hurry to forget her culture and the customs they have taught her. An invitation to a sleepover
party causes open conflict between Samira and her parents.
Activity:
Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party II
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A listening passage about a conflict between a teenager and her parents is followed by
comprehension questions and a cloze passage.
Timing: 40 minutes
WARM-UP The Sleepover Party I
Learners answer the comprehension questions (Exercise 1) orally, in pairs.
Replay the audio and clarify as necessary.
Replay the audio for Exercise 2. Refer the class to the word list (2b), so learners
can correct their own responses. Point out that the answers are not in correct
order and that put up with is used twice.
FOLLOW-UP Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party III
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: 1. She wants to attend a sleepover party. 2. She expects they will talk,
watch videos, eat junk food and birthday cake, and sleep. 3. Samiras mother is
unsure about what will happen at the party and she cannot trust a family she doesnt
know. 4. Her mother says she will talk to Samiras father about it when he comes
home from work. 5. The parents decide Samira can stay until midnight, but she will
sleep at home. 6. Samira doesnt like the decision, but she accepts it.
Exercise 2: Refer to Exercise 2 b. and to the Listening Transcript.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY sleepover; verdict; to drive someone crazy; to get real; to put up with something; to
give in to; to work out; talking to a brick wall
424 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
The Sleepover
When immigrants first arrive in a new country, there will be times when their values and beliefs will be
challenged by the standards faced in the new culture. In the story that follows, just such a situation occurs.
Samira, a 15-year-old girl, wants to become a typical Canadian teenager as soon as possible. Her parents,
on the other hand, don't want her to be in such a hurry to forget her culture and the customs they have
taught her. A simple invitation that Samira receives illustrates how dealing with these matters can bring
conflict to a family.
Samira: Hi Mom, guess what? The coolest thing happened to me today. Jennifer, one of the
girls I really want for a friend, invited me for her birthday sleepover on Friday night.
Isn't that great?
Mom: I'm happy you're so well liked by others, Samira, but what exactly is a sleepover?
Samira: Mom, it's just like it sounds. A bunch of us girls will get together, eat junk food and
birthday cake, watch videos, and talk about nearly everything. Then, when
everybodys exhausted, we'll go to sleep.
Mom: You mean the invitation is for you to sleep at this girl's house Friday night?
Samira: Oh, Mom, get real. Of course it is. That's why it's called a sleepover.
Mom: Samira, I'm not so sure that we can allow that. We know nothing about this girl or
her family and, in our culture, girls don't go out at night so freely.
Samira: Ma, youre driving me crazy. Nothing is going to happen. There arent going be any
wild parties, no drugs, no booze and no boys.
Mom: How do you know this for sure?
Samira: Honestly, its like talking to a brick wall. Jennifer said her parents will be home the
whole time. Ah, please, please let me go. Its going to be so much fun. I just want to
be like everybody else.
Mom: But you're not like everybody else.
Samira: Ahhh, but I'm trying to be, Ma. Remember, we live in Canada now.
Activity: Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party II
Mom: When your father comes homes from work, we will talk more about it.
Samira: ohh, the things I have to put up with in this family.
Later that evening, Samira's father knocks on her bedroom door.
Samira: Hi Dad. Well, what's the verdict? Can I go or not?
Dad: You know, Samira, it's hard for us too. We have come to a new country where
nothing is the same as we knew before, and now our little bird wants to fly away
and leave the nest.
Samira: Dad, I just want to go to a sleepover. I'm not leaving home yet.
Dad: Samira, we understand that you want to be with your friends now, but we're not
ready to give in to you yet. You are not staying away from home all night. We
decided that you can go to the sleepover, but I will pick you up at 12:00.
Samira: But Dad, you have to get up at five in the morning to go to work. Won't you
be tired?
Dad: Yes, probably, but will you accept what I am offering you?
Samira: Yes, thanks Dad. I accept your offer. I don't like it, but I'll have to put up with it.
Anyway, its better than not going at all.
426 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
Exercise 1
With a partner, discuss the answers to these questions.
1. What does Samira want to do?
2. What does Samira expect the girls will do at the party?
3. Why doesnt Samiras mother want her to go?
4. How does the mother end her argument with Samira?
5. What do the parents decide?
6. Does Samira agree with her parents decision?
Exercise 2
a. Listen to the conversation again, and fill in the blanks.
Samira: Hi Mom, guess what? The _____________ thing happened to me today. Jennifer,
one of the girls I really want for a friend, invited me for her birthday sleepover on
Friday night. Isn't that great?
Mom: I'm happy you're so well liked by others, Samira, but what ______________is a
sleepover?
Samira: Mom, it's just like it sounds. A bunch of us girls will get together, eat ___________
food and birthday cake, watch videos, and talk about nearly everything. Then, when
everybodys exhausted, well go to sleep.
Mom: You mean the invitation is for you to sleep at this girl's house Friday night?
Samira: Oh, Mom, ______ _______. Of course it is. That's why it's called a sleepover.
Mom: Samira, I'm not so sure that we can allow that. We know nothing about this girl or
her ___________ and, in our culture, girls don't go out at night so freely.
Samira: Ma, youre driving me crazy. Nothing is going to happen. There arent going to be
any wild parties, no drugs, no __________, and no boys.
Mom: How do you know this for sure?
Samira: Honestly, its like talking to a _______________ wall. Jennifer said her parents will
be home the whole time. Ah, please, please let me go. Its going to be so much fun.
I just want to be like everybody else.
Mom: But you're not like everybody else.
Samira: Ahhh, but I'm trying to be, Ma. _____________, we live in Canada now.
Mom: When your father comes homes from work, we will talk more about it.
Samira: Oooh, the things I have to ________ _________ ________ in this family.
428 Level 4 R W L S
Later that evening, Samira's father knocks on her bedroom door.
Samira: Hi Dad. Well, what's the verdict? Can I go or not?
Dad: You know, Samira, it's hard for us too. We have come to a new __________ where
nothing is the same as we knew before, and now our little bird wants to fly away
and leave the nest.
Samira: Dad, I just want to go to a sleepover. I'm not leaving home yet.
Dad: Samira, we understand that you want to be with your friends now, but we're not
ready to give in to you yet. You are not ____________ away from home all night.
We decided that you can go to the sleepover, but I will pick you up at 12:00.
Samira: But Dad, you have to get up at _________ in the morning to go to work.
Won't you be tired?
Dad: Yes, probably, but will you __________ what I'm offering you?
Samira: Yes, thanks Dad. I accept your offer. I don't like it, but I'll have to _________
__________ _________ it. Anyway, its better than not going at all.
b. The words and expressions in this box are the answers to Exercise 2 (but not in the right order).
Check and correct your spelling.
accept
booze
brick
coolest
country
exactly
family
five (5)
get real
junk
put up with
Remember
staying
430 Level 4 W L S
Activity:
Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party III
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners listen to three people talking about the family conflict. In a group conversation, they respond to the
speakers and then express their own opinions. A narrative writing assignment follows.
Timing: 50 minutes
WARM-UP Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party I & II
ACTIVITY Play the audio (Track 24). Divide the class into small groups and hand out
Respond to the Speakers. For Question 1, learners summarize and clarify what
the three speakers have said; for Question 2 they express their personal opinion
about the conflict.
Writing Point out to learners that they will need to use the past tense in most of
their story, but then change to the present tense to talk about how they feel about
it now.
FOLLOW-UP Learners read their narratives to one another in small groups.
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct the narrative paragraphs.
~ uses simple sentences; few errors
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY frustration; suspicious; conflict
Activity:
Exercise 2
Listen to three people as they give their opinion about the family conflict you just heard.
Share your own opinions in a small group.
Speaker 1:
I completely understand how Samira feels. She just wants to be like all her friends, but her parents are limiting her
with all their rules and old customs. Why did they leave their country if they don't want her to be like the rest of
the kids?
Speaker 2:
I sympathize with the poor father. He's doing his best to be fair to his daughter, but he still has standards he wants
her to live by.
Speaker 3:
Adjusting to life in a new country creates many new problems for an immigrant family. One of the problems that
occur in a family is that children adjust and accept a new culture much faster than their parents do. Because
parents feel they are losing control of their children, anger and disagreements often occur. This is the exact
situation that Samira and her parents are facing.
432 Level 4 W L S
Activity:
RESPOND TO THE SPEAKERS
Conversation Questions
1. You just heard three speakers talking about Samiras family problem. What did each of the three
speakers say? (Listen to the audio again if you need to.)
2. Which of the three speakers do you agree with, or do you have a different opinion about the
conflict? Share your feelings with your classmates.
3. The children of immigrants have a number of special problems and frustrations. Their parents grew
up in another culture, so they sometimes dont trust or understand Canadian culture. This created
difficulties for Samira because she wanted to be like her Canadian friends and attend a sleepover
party, but her parents were suspicious. Another common area of conflict between teenagers and
their immigrant parents is conflict over clothing choices.
Discuss these and other problems that the children of newcomers experience when their two
cultures conflict. You can talk about the different problems of young children, teenagers and adult
children. Do you have any personal experiences of misunderstanding with your parents over
cultural differences?
Activity: Family Conflict: The Sleepover Party III
WRITING
Do you remember a time when you wanted to do something, but your parents wouldnt allow it?
Write a paragraph explaining what you wanted to do and why your parents wouldnt give you permission.
How did you feel at the time? How do you feel about it now? Give your paragraph a title.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
434 Level 4 R
Activity:
Childfree By Choice I
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A reading activity explores childlessness in Canadian society.
Timing: 30 minutes
~ Who in this class has children, and how many?
~ Does anyone here plan to have more children or to start a family in the
future?
~ In your culture, would it be unusual or strange not to want children?
~ Why do some people want to have large families while other people dont
have any children?
~ Do you think that family size is related to income or education level
(in Canada or in other countries)?
Clarify the difference between a fact and an opinion.
ACTIVITY Learners read the article and answer the questions that follow.
Instructors may want to use the graphs to refer back to the Warm-up question
on income and education level.
FOLLOW-UP Childfree by Choice II
Its Our Choice
ANSWER KEY 1. F 2. O 3. F 4. O 5. F 6. F 7. O 8. O 9. O 10. F
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct learner responses.
~ distinguishes facts from opinions
SOURCE Adapted from: Stobert, Susan and Anna Kemeny Childfree by Choice,
Statistics Canada: www.statcan.ca/English/kits/social/childfree.htm, 2008-09-05
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY assume; raise (v); kids; intend; religious affiliation; constant
Activity:
Childfree By Choice I
CANADIANS WHO DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN
Have you ever really thought about whether or not you want to have children, or have you always just
assumed that you would become a parent some day? In 2001, social researchers asked thousands of
Canadians aged 20 to 34 whether they planned to have children, and about 8% answered No.
Why dont these people plan to have kids? Only about 2% of young Canadians reported they couldnt
have babies for medical reasons. Most people are childless because they choose it. Some are in a situation
that is not good for raising a family: they havent met the right partner, their partner doesnt want children,
or they are too busy with their education and career. Others simply dont want kids they dont want to
be parents, they dont like children, or they have other reasons. In the past, young people simply did what
their families and society expected of them, and this included getting married and starting a family. In
modern times, however, people ask themselves the question Do I really want to have kids? and many are
finding that their answer is No.
Adapted from: Stobert, Susan and Anna Kemeny Childfree by Choice, Statistics Canada.
436 Level 4 R
Activity: Childfree By Choice I
Read these two charts to find out more about childlessness in Canadian society.
Chart One
Source: Statistics Canada, General Social Survey, 2001
Chart Two
438 Level 4 R
Exercise 1
Write F on the line if the sentence is a fact that is found in the article
or the two charts. Write O on the line if the sentence is an opinion.
1. _____ About 8% of Canadians aged 20-34 report that they do not intend to have children.
2. _____ People who dont want children are irresponsible.
3. _____ Only 8% of Canadian men aged 20-24 are fathers.
4. _____ Being busy with education and career is a good reason not to have children.
5. _____ The study was done in 2001.
6. _____ The decision whether or not to have children does not seem to be affected by education.
7. _____ The fact that many people dont want children is a problem for Canadian society.
8. _____ Its better to have only a few children because its very expensive to raise them.
9. _____ 74% of men aged 30-34 should feel embarrassed about not having children.
10. ____ Only a few people who dont expect to have children have a medical problem that prevents
them from having babies; the rest have other reasons.
Activity:
Childfree By Choice II
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
This reading and group discussion follows Childfree By Choice I,
but the conversation activity can also be used independently.
Timing: 40 minutes
WARM-UP Childfree By Choice I
ACTIVITY The class reads through Childfree By Choice II, either independently or as a group.
Learners underline any problematic vocabulary.
Clarify the vocabulary, and then the class reads the text again.
Give learners time to prepare for their discussion by reflecting on the questions and
beginning to list reasons individually.
Divide the class into small conversation groups. They should collaborate to produce
one master list for Discussion Question 3.
FOLLOW-UP Use responses to Discussion Question 2 to compile a list of adjectives on the board.
Hold a whole-class discussion on the pros and cons of having children.
Mention to the class that financial planners estimate it costs an average of $150,000
to raise a child in Canada.
Direct learners to the internet site mentioned in the reading: childfree.net The site
contains many links, including a link to a questionnaire for couples on their
motivation for having children.
Its Our Choice
SOURCE childfree.net
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY frown upon; characteristics; break news; support group; network; imply
440 Level 4 R S
Activity:
Childfree By Choice II
In 2001, social researchers in Canada asked thousands of young people whether they planned to have
children, and about 8% answered No. Most of these young people would agree that it was easy to
inform social researchers about their choice, but much more difficult to tell the same news to their own
parents and families.
The decision not to have children is often frowned upon by society, and childless couples may be criticized
for their choice. It isnt always socially acceptable for someone to say I dont like kids. Some childless
people join support groups so they can network with others who are like them. This is the introductory
paragraph of childfree.net, an internet site for people who have decided against having children:
We are a group of adults who all share at least one common desire: we do not wish to have
children of our own. We are teachers, doctors, business owners, authors, computer experts -
you name it. We choose to call ourselves "childfree" rather than "childless" because we feel
the term "childless" implies that we're missing something we want - and we aren't. We consider
ourselves childFREE - free of the loss of personal freedom, money, time and energy that having
children requires.
Activity: Childfree By Choice II
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Why do you think society often frowns upon people who do not have children?
2. What are some characteristics of good parents (eg, patient, energetic)?
3. Make a list of reasons for and against having children:
REASONS TO HAVE CHILDREN REASONS NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN
- children are fun - raising children is expensive
442 Level 4 L S
Activity:
Its Our Choice
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
In this listening activity, a young couple breaks the news to their parents that they do not intend to have children.
Timing: 45 minutes
WARM-UP Childfree By Choice I & II, or:
Ask the class if they know any couples who are childless by choice.
Ask about ways in which these couples lives are different from the lives of
couples with children.
Ask learners if they might think of making the choice to be in a childless relationship.
Ask about who is affected in a couples decision to remain childless.
Replay the audio for Exercise 1, and then take up the correct answers.
Divide the class into small groups for the discussion questions.
FOLLOW-UP Provide the class with feedback on their answers to Discussion Questions A, B
and C.
ANSWER KEY 1. F 2. T 3. T 4. F 5. T 6. T 7. F
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY pitter-patter; I beg your pardon; goody; whoa; calm down; parenting; selfish
Activity:
Its Our Choice
Donald and his wife Susan are visiting Donalds parents for a Friday night supper. After supper, Donald and
his father watch TV in the living room while Susan and her mother-in-law are in the kitchen cleaning up
the supper dishes. Listen to the conversation between the two women.
Mother: Susan, you and Don have been married for three years now, and Im wondering,
will we be hearing the pitter-patter of little feet soon?
Susan: I beg your pardon?
Mother: Susan, you know what I mean, when are you and Don planning on starting a family?
Susan: Yes, well Im going to let Don answer that question. Don, can you come in here
for a minute?
Mother: Oh goody, Ill bet hes going to tell me Im going to be a grandmother soon!
Donald: Hey, whats going on here?
Susan: Hi, hon. Your mom wants to know when she is going to hear the pitter patter of
little feet and I thought you should tell her.
Mother: Oh, Im so excited!
Donald: Whoa, mom, calm down. Nobodys pregnant here.
Mother: You mean Im not going to be a grandmother soon? Why, is something wrong?
Donald: No, ma, nothings wrong. Weve just decided we dont want to have kids.
Mother: Not ever?
Donald: Yeah, thats right. Susan had to practically raise her brothers and sisters by herself
and shes had enough parenting. And, to be honest, I like my life just exactly the
way it is so, no kids.
Mother: But Im ready to be a grandmother right now.
444 Level 4 L S
Activity: Its Our Choice
Donalds father comes into the kitchen.
Father: Hey, am I missing out on something?
Mother: Oh Harold, were never going to be grandparents because these two dont want to
have children!
Donald: Dad, mom, its not about you. Its our decision, really.
Mother: Oh yeah, then whos going to carry on our family name, and what should we tell all
the relatives? You both are so selfish!
Donald: It is our choice, ma.
Activity:
Its Our Choice
Exercise 1
Listen to the dialogue again, and circle T (forTrue) or F (for False) for each statement.
T F 1. Everyone is in the kitchen.
T F 2. Donalds mother wants Donald and Susan to have children.
T F 3. Susan decides that Donald should answer his mothers question.
T F 4. Susan wants to be a mother.
T F 5. Donald really likes his life the way it is now.
T F 6. Donald feels that he and Susan should be the ones to decide whether they
are going to have children.
T F 7. Donalds mother finally agrees that they shouldnt have children.
Exercise 2
In small groups, discuss the following questions:
A. Susan, you and Don have been married for three years now, and Im wondering, will we be
hearing the pitter-patter of little feet soon?
What does the idiom the pitter-patter of little feet mean?
B. Why does Susan say, I beg your pardon? to her mother-in-law when in fact she did hear the
question?
C. What does the mother mean when she says then whos going to carry on our family name.?
D. Do you think that Donald and Susan have a right to make their own choice to remain childless,
without considering the feelings of Donalds parents?
446 Level 4 R L S
Activity:
If I Were In Your Shoes
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
This advice game is a group listening and speaking activity that can be used to practice
or assess proficiency with modals and the unreal conditional.
Timing: 45 minutes
WARM-UP Prepare the game in advance by cutting out the slips of paper on the problem sheets
and placing them in an envelope. One envelope is required for each group of 4 or 5.
There are 10 generic family problems as well as separate sets of problems specific to
the concerns of seniors, women and young adults. Choose whatever combination of
problems is most suitable for your learners. You may wish to print the different
categories of problems onto different colours of paper.
Present the class with a real or imaginary family problem, and solicit advice.
Write their ideas on the blackboard, and underline any modals they may have used.
Focus attention onto these modals and compile a list of ones that are used for
advice-giving (should, shouldnt, ought to, had better, must, must not, etc). Tell the
class that they are going to participate in an advice-giving activity and that they
should practice using these expressions.
If desired, also review the unreal conditional for the first person (If I were you)
and explain the idiom If I were in your shoes.
ACTIVITY Divide the class into groups of four and give each group How to Play the Game
and an envelope of problems. Allow all the groups some time to figure out the rules
on their own, but expect some groups to require further explanation before they
understand what to do.
FOLLOW-UP At the conclusion, ask each group to identify its wisest member.
VARIATION Add a competitive element to the game with this extra rule: the reader gives the
slip of paper to the group member whose advice he deems best. At the end of
the game, everyone counts up their slips and whoever has the most is proclaimed
village elder.
Most of the problems can double as role-play scenarios.
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
ASSESSMENT Instructors circulate and listen to learners as they discuss their answers.
~ speaks with appropriate eye contact, body language, voice volume, rate, fluency
and intelligibility
~ gives thanks for the help and information
~ expresses opinion
~ gives simple advice
~ states the reason
~ responds to requests for facts and opinions relating to text
SOURCE This is an adaptation of an activity from Jill Hadfield, Advanced Communication Games
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY From the generic family problems: If I were in your shoes; spouse; insist; offend; an
only child
From family problems for seniors: shocked (adj); antique; bossy (adj); bite ones
tongue; old fashioned; reunion; alcoholic; quarrel
From family problems for women: mind ones own business; picky eater; disgusting;
bicker; misbehave; spoiled (adj); respectful; miserable
From family problems for youth: life style; respected (adj); attraction; faithful; brag;
bossy; affectionate; reliable; sensible; overweight
448 Level 4 R L S
Activity:
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
1. Play this game in groups of four.
2. One person takes a slip of paper out of the envelope and reads it to the group
members slowly and clearly. The reading begins with I have a problem and
explains a family problem. Group members must ask the reader to repeat and
explain sentences that they dont understand.
3. After they have finished listening to the problem, the 3 group members take turns
giving advice to the reader, going in a clockwise direction. They may not repeat the
advice already given by another learner; they must give different advice even if it is
not as good.
4. The reader listens to everyone in the group carefully, and asks questions where
necessary. When all three have finished, the reader announces whose advice she or
he would take (and possibly gives reasons).
5. A second person removes a slip from the envelope, reads, and play continues in this
manner until all the slips have been used.
10 GENERIC FAMILY PROBLEMS
Activity: If I Were In Your Shoes
I have a problem. I have been offered a really good job, but if I take it, our family will have to
move. My husband likes his job here in this city, and doesnt want to move. But if I dont take
the job, I may never get another chance to find a position in my career, because Im a chemist
and there are very few jobs in chemistry. We have two teenage children. One is willing to
move and the other isnt. I think it would be very bad for our family to separate, because
teenagers need to live with both parents so they stay in control. What should we do?
I have a problem. I have two lovely and healthy children, ages 1 and 3. My wife wants another,
but I dont. She really, really, really wants another, and I really, really, really dont. Im already
finding it difficult to raise two children because its expensive and it takes so much energy
that I cant focus on my professional career. I spent many years training for my job, and I want
to have kids and advance far in my career. I cant do that if we have a big family. But I also
want my spouse to be happy. What do you think I should do?
My family is very happy, but we have one small problem. I am happily married to a wonderful
person, and we have two very nice kids. My father-in-law is coming to stay with us for 2
months over the winter. He is a nice man, very funny, very interesting, and we like each other
very much. The problem is that he is a heavy smoker. He smokes about one pack of cigarettes
each day, and he smokes them indoors. I cant open the windows and air out the house here
in Canada in winter. I dont want to live with the smell, and Im also concerned about my
children and the second-hand smoke. But he is my guest and I dont want to offend my
father-in-law. Where we come from, people smoke wherever they want to its not like
Canada where you have to go outside to smoke, so he doesnt understand. Do you have any
advice for me?
450 Level 4 R L S
Heres my big problem. My family and I immigrated to Canada two years ago. I love it here,
but my spouse hates it. I want to stay, and she wants to go back. She says well never find
good jobs here, and she misses friends and family too much. I think we should wait longer, be
patient, and think about our childrens future too. But my spouse is miserable and very
homesick. What should we do?
Please tell me what you think about this problem. Every time we have a holiday, my wife
wants to go visit her parents. I like my in-laws, but I want to spend time with my own family
too. My parents ask why we spend so much time with my in-laws and so little time with
them. My wife says that its because her mother helps out with our young kids, and that my
mother is too old to help. Thats true. My parents are old and they are not active, so when
we are at my mothers house, we are always worrying that our children will do something
wrong. We are more comfortable at my mother-in-laws house. But still, I love my parents and
I want to see them, and I dont want them to feel hurt. What should I do?
I have a difficult problem. I am an only child, and my mother is too old to look after herself.
She needs help to eat and help to use the toilet, so she needs someone to be with her all the
time. The problem is that I cant quit my job because we need the money. My spouse works
full-time but he doesnt make very much money, and I earn twice as much. If I quit work to
look after my mother, we wont have enough income. My spouse doesnt want to quit
working to stay home with my mother. She is living in another city, but she cannot continue
to live alone. What do you advise?
10 GENERIC FAMILY PROBLEMS (Continued)
Heres my problem. My brother loves my children (ages 3 and 4) but he doesnt have any
children of his own, and he doesnt know how to talk to them. He speaks to them in a loud
voice that frightens them, and he yells things like No, be careful when we are crossing the
street. He means well, but he scares them. He keeps telling me that my spouse and I should go
away on a short holiday and he will take care of our kids, and I always thank him and tell him
later. Now, however, my spouses mother is very sick and we need to go back to our home
country next week to see her and maybe say goodbye to her. Her house is very small and it
would be a bad situation for young children, so I dont want to take them. My brother insists
that he will look after them. I dont want to leave them with a man who frightens them, but if I
leave them with a friend my brother will be terribly upset and hurt. What should I do?
I have a problem. I live with my spouse and two grown-up children (ages 19 and 23). We are all
very busy because my spouse and I have demanding jobs and our kids are full-time university
students. We have bought a house and we all like to play sports. The problem is our home. It is
always very dirty and messy, and nobody wants to cook and wash dishes. We all say we are too
tired!! I feel that we should try to have a clean and comfortable home, so we are always arguing
about who is going to do the housework. Do you have any advice for me?
Heres my problem. My family is always complaining about my cooking. I try to do my best, but
nobody taught me how to cook when I was young, and now its difficult for me to learn to cook
when I am trying to learn English, work, look after kids and do so many other things. Its true that
I sometimes burn the food, but usually its ok, and my spouse and kids are always complaining,
complaining, complaining about it. They never like what I have prepared for them. My kids are 7
and 9 years old, and my spouse is always very busy. Its getting depressing. We dont have enough
money to go out to restaurants all the time. Do you have any ideas for me?
I have two problems because I have two teenagers. One is 15 and the other is 17. They are
both in high school. They both think they should be allowed to stay out as long as they like on
weekends. I want them to come home by 11:00, and they tell me Im crazy. They never listen to
me. My spouse doesnt help me control them. What should I do?
10 GENERIC FAMILY PROBLEMS (Continued)
452 Level 4 R L S
FAMILY PROBLEMS FOR SENIORS
I have an unusual problem. My adult daughter has been a single woman for many years. She
never showed much interest in men, and she never found one to start a family with. Thats
why I was so pleased when she told me she has met a man at work whom she really likes,
and she is thinking of marrying him. Of course, I wanted to meet him, and so last week she
brought him home. I was so shocked!!! My daughter is 38, and her boyfriend is only 23!
He seems to love her but what should I do? Should I say anything?
Here is my problem. For years I have loved antiques, but I am not rich. Three months ago I
saw a beautiful antique artwork for sale, but it is extremely expensive thousands of dollars.
It is exactly what I have always wanted, and it is so beautiful that I cannot stop thinking about
it. I know it is expensive, but I have enough money to buy it. If I were rich, I would buy it
immediately. The problem is that I have two adult children, and they dont have much money.
They are good people, and they have both chosen careers that help others. Unfortunately,
their jobs do not pay well. I want to buy this artwork, but I also feel I should save my money
for my children. What do you advise me to do?
I need your advice. My son and daughter-in-law have invited me to stay with them from June
to September. It will be during the school holiday, and the plan is that I will look after my
grandchildren because both parents are working. They will take 2 weeks of vacation, and we
will all go away on a holiday to the Rocky Mountains together. It sounds like a very nice idea
except for one thing: I dont like my daughter-in-law. She is very bossy and I dont like the way
she talks to my son. I must always bite my tongue when I am around her. If I suggest
something she doesnt like, she calls me old-fashioned. I want to visit them and go on holiday
with them, but would it be a disaster?
FAMILY PROBLEMS FOR SENIORS (Continued)
I have a problem. My son wants to marry a young woman who is extremely beautiful. Im
worried about it, though. He is very intelligent, and he has a high-paying job in computers, but
he is not very wise and he doesnt understand women. I have met this girlfriend and shes ok,
but I dont think she is in love with him. I think she is more interested in his money. My son
has never asked me directly for advice, but he keeps mentioning to me that hes thinking of
marrying her. Should I say something to him? Hes 28.
My brother and brother-in-law had a big fight a long time ago, and they havent spoken to
each other for 25 years. I think its time for them to stop fighting. We are all getting old, and
its time to make peace in our family. I want to invite all my relatives to come to a big family
reunion, with all our spouses and all our children and grandchildren. My spouse thinks its a
bad idea and that it could cause trouble. I say its time to forgive and forget, and I think my
brother and brother-in-law just need somebody like me to bring them together. What do you
think?
I have a very sad problem. My adult son is an alcoholic. Its a terrible thing, and he is very sick.
He was living in another city, but he has lost his job and now he wants to come back home.
The problem is that he is still drinking, and when he is drunk he gets violent. The last time he
lived with us, he broke furniture and even stole some money. We had to tell him to leave.
Now, my spouse has a heart condition and Im afraid of what might happen if my son returns
home. But he is our child so I dont know what to do. Do you have any advice for me?
Heres my life: Im getting old, Im alone, and Im bored. Im still healthy, but Im lonely. I dont
want to be a burden for my children. What should I do?
My spouse and I have been happily married for 35 years, but when we retired, we started to
have problems. The problem is that we are home all day together, and we dont get a break.
Were always together, and its too much. We are driving each other crazy. We quarrel all the
time over unimportant things, like little children. What should we do?
454 Level 4 R L S
FAMILY PROBLEMS FOR WOMEN
I need some advice. I am good friends with my neighbour. I have noticed that she and her husband
dont have a happy marriage. He often comes home very late and she is often in a bad mood. One
night I was out with my husband celebrating our anniversary at a romantic restaurant. My
neighbour (the husband) entered the restaurant with another woman. He sat holding this womans
hand and it was clear that they are romantically involved. I was very embarrassed, and my husband
and I quickly left the restaurant before our neighbour saw us. Now, Im wondering what I should
do. I am friends with my neighbour, but we are not close, close friends. Should I tell her? Keep the
secret and mind my own business? Do something else?
Heres my problem. My 13-year old boy is a picky eater. He hates meat and he says it is
disgusting to eat dead animals. He refuses to eat many good foods, but his body is growing
quickly and he needs very nutritious food. What should I do?
I have 3 problems because I have 3 girls, ages 11, 13 and 15. God help me! Their bodies are
changing and they get into terrible moods. They sometimes argue and fight with me and my
husband, but they are always fighting with each other. They bicker about what television program
to watch, about who took whose clothes, about what radio station to listen to in the car they
bicker all the time about every small thing. They get madder and madder, and louder and louder.
My husband and I are going crazy. How can we bring peace back into our home?
Heres a problem, ladies. My husband doesnt help with the housework. He says housework
is for women, not for men. He says that if Canadian men want to do housework, thats their
business, but he wasnt born in Canada so he isnt going to do it. We always had servants
before, but here in Canada I have become the servant. I do all of the cooking and dishes at
night while he sits in front of the TV. Im so tired, and Im getting depressed because I dont
have time to study English. I know I will always be an outsider here in Canada if I dont speak
the language. Do you have any advice for me?
FAMILY PROBLEMS FOR WOMEN (Continued)
I need some advice. My husband and I have been married for 15 years, and we have 4 lovely
children. I was beautiful when we got married, but that was 15 years ago. Now Im tired all the
time, have a headache every night by 8:00 pm, and I dont have time or money to make myself
look nice. The problem is that I have noticed that my husband has started looking at other women.
I dont think hes misbehaving yet but Im getting a little worried. What should I do?
Heres my problem. My husband is a very nice man and he loves our two children dearly, but he is
not soft and gentle with them. He is especially hard on our son. To be honest, I dont think our son
is as smart as our daughter. She does very well in school without trying. Our son studies very, very
hard but his marks arent good. My husband says angry things to him like Whats the matter with
you? and You should stop dreaming and start trying. I feel so sorry for our son. He is a very nice
boy, a very good boy, and its not his fault if he isnt smart. It breaks my heart. What should I do?
I have a problem. My husband and I both work full time, and my parents look after our
children, who are ages 5 and 7. We asked my parents to look after them because we want
them to learn our native language and because its important for children to be close to their
relatives. Also, my parents love to be with their grandchildren. The problem is that my
parents have spoiled the kids, and they cant control them. My parents always give them
whatever they want and they never force them to behave well or to be respectful. When our
kids do something bad, my parents just laugh and say Dont worry about it. Kids grow up
quickly. It wasnt a problem when the children were younger, but now they have started
school and they are getting into trouble with their teachers. What should I do?
My daughter has a problem. We came to Canada 4 months ago, and my husband and I like it very
much. But our 14-year old daughter is having a lot of trouble learning English, and we didnt expect
that. She isnt happy at school because she cant speak English, so shes alone -- the other girls
dont talk to her. She cries every morning at breakfast, and at night she has nightmares (bad
dreams). She is miserable, and it is making us miserable too. Every day she says Can we go
back? We are beginning to wonder if we should leave Canada. What do you think we should do?
456 Level 4 R L S
FAMILY PROBLEMS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
My spouse and I have been married for two years, and we are beginning to have some
problems. We want different life styles. My spouse wants to save money and doesnt like to
go out very often. I dont like staying in our apartment and watching television on Saturday
nights. I say that is for old people, and my spouse says I am like a child. I want to spend
some money and enjoy life, but the only thing my spouse wants to do is save money for a
house. We are beginning to fight a lot about this. What should we do?
I have a problem. My parents expect me to graduate from university and become a respected
professional, like a doctor, lawyer or engineer. I have always done very well in my studies and I
always have good marks, but I have begun to hate my classes. I would like to quit studying
science and become an artist. I actually have a lot of artistic talent. The thing is, artists in
Canada dont make much money, and my father gave up a professional job in his first country
to immigrate to Canada and make a better life for me. Now hes a taxi driver, and he expects
me to complete my education and get a good job. What should I do?
Heres my problem. I am in love with a wonderful woman, and I want to get married. I have
known my sweetheart for a long time, and she is very nice, good-looking, and has a good job,
but there is one thing that worries me. I dont like her family. I dont think they are good
people. Should I go ahead and get married to the person I love even if her family isnt good?
I have a problem. I have been happily married for 5 years. I enjoy being with my spouse, but
the romance and attraction have already gone out of our relationship. There is no fire
between us. We are more like friends. I want to be faithful to my spouse and I want my
spouse to stay faithful to me. Im worried about what the future will bring, since we have only
been married for 5 years and it seems like 50. Do you have some advice?
FAMILY PROBLEMS FOR YOUNG ADULTS (Continued)
Heres my problem -- I dont know what to do with my life. For years, I studied very, very
hard to get into medical school. Now I am in the second year of the program, and I dont like
it. I had to watch some surgery yesterday and it made me feel sick. My parents are very
proud of me, and when I was accepted into medical school they phoned everyone to brag
about it.Theyre always telling me how proud they are. I dont want to break their hearts, but
Im sure I dont want to be a doctor, nurse, medical researcher, or to do anything that relates
to health and bodies. To be honest, I dont know what I want. What should I do?
Friends, heres my problem. I was madly in love with my spouse when we got married, but my
eyes are slowly opening. I am beginning to see that my spouse isnt always a good and kind
person. For example, sometimes I want to give money to poor people, but my spouse just
says, Why waste our money? That money will never reach the poor anyway. My spouse
loves our two families very much, but doesnt seem to care about anyone else. We dont have
kids yet, but I want them to grow up to become good citizens, and good members of society.
I dont think my spouse will be a good example for them. What should I do?
I have a problem. I love my spouse and my father-in-law, but I dont like my mother-in-law. She
is too bossy and she is always telling us what to do. I think she knows that I dont like her,
and I have a feeling that she doesnt like me either. It doesnt matter because we live far apart.
We have always been polite to each other and my spouse doesnt know how I feel. But now,
we are expecting our first child and my spouse invited my mother-in-law to come and stay
with us for 3 months. She immediately said she will come, but Im afraid that if she stays for 3
months, we will end up having a big fight. What should I do?
FAMILY PROBLEMS FOR YOUNG ADULTS (Continued)
458 Level 4 R L S
Heres my problem. There are 2 special people in my life, and both want to marry me.
I love them both, but they are very different.
Here is how I would describe the first one:
very funny
interesting, not very affectionate, not very reliable
intelligent
enjoys restaurants, movies, casinos, having a good time
changes jobs a lot
very, very HOT!!!
Here is how I would describe the second one:
very loving
faithful, sensible, but boring
likes to be with family members, loves kids
has a good job
a little overweight
very, very nice !!
So you see, they are very different. One is exciting and dangerous, and the other is safe and
boring. Which one do you think I should marry?
Health
and Safety
LINC
4
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity:
Canadian Superfoods
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A reading on Canadian superfoods describes the health benefits of blueberries, cranberries and salmon.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Ask the class if they know of any foods that are native to Canada, and list their
responses on the board (for example, turkey, maple syrup).
Tell the class that they are going to read about some native Canadian foods, and
show them that the article has no title.
Explain that they will be expected to compose a suitable and appropriate title after
they have finished reading.
ACTIVITY The passage contains a lot of vocabulary related to health and nutrition, so it is best
if the class reads the article together; the instructor should stop to ensure
comprehension at the end of each paragraph.
Point out that a title relates to the main idea of a passage, and that it is possible to
understand the main idea without understanding each detail. (See also Variation
below.)
Learners must put away the reading before they begin the Fill in the Blanks activity.
FOLLOW-UP Instructors provide feedback to learners on titles for the reading passage.
Cranberries, A North American Superfruit
Steps For Buying And Freezing Blueberries
VARIATION Elicit possible titles for the text and list them on the board; include Canadian
Superfoods. Learners select the one they deem most appropriate.
ANSWER KEY Fill In The Blanks:
Fresh and frozen blueberries are available year-round in grocery stores. Canadians
enjoy blueberries fresh in fruit salad, but more often they eat the fruit cooked in
desserts and snacks like pies and muffins. The berries have a mild taste and a strong
purple-blue colour. The chemicals that give the blueberry this dark colour are also
very healthy: they protect the cells in our bodies against damage that comes with
age. These chemicals (called antioxidants) protect important organs like our hearts,
eyes and brains from aging, and they also fight cancer and other diseases. Blueberries
contain more antioxidants than most other fruits and vegetables.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
462 Level 4 R
Activity:
Canadian Superfoods
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY junk food; native; nutrition; mild; organs; bladder and urinary tract; sour; bitter;
stroke; poutine; antioxidants; omega-3 fatty acid
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity
Read this article, and then write a title on the line above.
Did you know that there are special foods that help keep your body young? Did you know that
many of these superfoods come from Canada? No, theyre not potato chips and soda pop
theyre blueberries, cranberries and salmon.
Fresh and frozen blueberries are available year-round in grocery stores. Canadians enjoy
blueberries fresh in fruit salad, but more often they eat the fruit cooked in desserts and snacks
like pies and muffins. The berries have a mild taste and a strong purple-blue colour. The chemicals
that give the blueberry this dark colour are also very healthy: they protect the cells in our bodies
against damage that comes with age. These chemicals (called antioxidants) protect important
organs like our hearts, eyes and brains from aging, and they also fight cancer and other diseases.
Blueberries contain more antioxidants than most other fruits and vegetables.
Another superfood, the cranberry, comes from the same plant family, but it has different health
benefits. In addition to being nutritious, cranberries protect the body against bladder and urinary
tract infection. Cranberries are dark red and they taste very sour and bitter, so most Canadians
drink their cranberries in sweetened juice.
Salmon are fish that live in the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Cold-water fish contain a
type of fat called omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 is not found in most foods, and it is very good for
the heart and blood system. It helps prevent heart attack and stroke. Salmon is sometimes called
brain food because the omega-3 fatty acids are also good for the fat in our brains. Red salmon
is slightly healthier than pink, but it is also more expensive.
The next time you want to try some Canadian foods, forget about the doughnuts and poutine! Try
blueberries, cranberries and salmon for delicious Canadian flavours that will make you strong and
healthy.
Blueberry Cranberry
HEALTH AND SAFETY
464 Level 4 R
Activity: Canadian Superfoods
Fill In The Blanks
Read this paragraph and write your best guess in the blanks. Your instructor will read the paragraph
aloud after you have finished writing, so you can fill in any missing words and correct your answers.
Fresh and frozen blueberries are available year-round ________
grocery stores. Canadians enjoy blueberries fresh ________ fruit salad,
but more often ________ eat the fruit cooked in desserts ________
snacks like pies and muffins. The berries have ________ mild taste
________ a strong purple-blue colour. The chemicals ________ give
the blueberry this dark colour are also very healthy: they protect the
cells in ________ bodies against damage that comes with age. These
chemicals (called antioxidants) protect important organs ________
our hearts, eyes and brains from aging, and they ________ fight cancer
and other diseases. Blueberries contain more antioxidants ________
most other fruits and vegetables.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
This sequencing activity can be used independently or as a follow-up to Canadian Superfoods.
WARM-UP Prepare one set of six cut-out and scrambled steps in an envelope for each learner.
Give each learner the introductory instructions page and read it to ensure learners
comprehend the task.
ACTIVITY Give the learners their own set of six steps, and instruct them to arrange the strips
in the correct order on their desks. Then, they number the strips from 1 (first step)
to 6 (final step) and hand them in for assessment.
VARIATION If the activity is not intended for assessment, it can be varied as follows:
~ Give each learner only one strip. They must find classmates with the
remaining strips and put themselves in the correct order, forming a
conga line.
ANSWER KEY 1. First, buy blueberries that are fresh and not over-ripe. At the store, shake the
blueberry container gently and watch the berries. If they move around separately,
they are good. If the berries stick together and do not move separately, they are
too old and soft.
2. When you bring your blueberries home, rinse them in cool water and remove
any bad berries. Then, dry them on towels.
3. Move the clean and dry berries onto cookie sheets or other shallow containers.
Freeze them in a single layer.
4. After the berries have frozen, transfer them into plastic bags or other frozen
food containers.
5. Seal the containers.
6. Now, you are ready to enjoy your frozen blueberries! Put them straight from the
freezer onto your morning cereal, or add them to cakes and muffins. You can use
your blueberries for up to a year after they were frozen.
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual learner responses.
~ follows 1 to 6 step instructions
~ numbers steps in sequence
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY ripe; shake; stick (v.); towel; cookie sheet; container; transfer; seal (v.)
HEALTH AND SAFETY
466 Level 4 R
Activity:
STEPS FOR BUYING AND FREEZING BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries are expensive, but they freeze well. Some people like to buy
fresh blueberries when they are on sale, and then freeze them for future
use. Your instructor is going to give you six-step instructions on how to
prepare frozen blueberries, but the steps are mixed up! Your job is to read
the steps and arrange them in the correct order.
Blueberries are expensive, but they freeze well. Some people like to buy
fresh blueberries when they are on sale, and then freeze them for future
use. Your instructor is going to give you six-step instructions on how to
prepare frozen blueberries, but the steps are mixed up! Your job is to read
the steps and arrange them in the correct order.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity: Steps For Buying And Freezing Blueberries
_____ First, buy blueberries that are fresh and not over-ripe. At the store, shake the
blueberry container gently and watch the berries. If they move around separately, they
are good. If the berries stick together and do not move separately, they are too old
and soft.
_____ When you bring your blueberries home, rinse them in cool water and remove
any bad berries. Then, dry them on towels.
_____ Move the clean and dry berries onto cookie sheets or other shallow
containers. Freeze them in a single layer.
_____ After the berries have frozen, transfer them into plastic bags or other frozen
food containers.
_____ Seal the containers.
_____ Now, you are ready to enjoy your frozen blueberries! Put them straight from
the freezer onto your morning cereal, or add them to cakes and muffins. You can use
your frozen blueberries for up to a year.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
468 Level 4 R L
Activity:
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners listen to information about cranberries and then complete comprehension exercises.
Timing: 45+ minutes
WARM-UP Canadian Superfoods
Ask the class if anyone has tasted cranberries, and whether they liked them.
Ask if anyone knows why the cranberry is considered a superfood.
Prepare Exercise 3 in advance. Provide one set of six cut-out strips in an
envelope for each class member.
Instruct learners to listen again for the four reasons why cranberries are called a
superfruit, and replay the first part of the audio. Elicit the four reasons and write
them on the blackboard along with any new vocabulary that arises during discussion.
Hand out Exercises 1 and 2. Learners work on the first one independently and
with a partner for the second. It may be necessary to re-play the audio. Take up the
correct answers.
Hand out one envelope of the Exercise 3 sequencing strips to each class member.
Instruct them to listen to the audio again, and then play the final section. While
learners listen, they place the strips in order on their desks. Afterwards, they number
the strips from 1 (first step) to 6 (final step) and hand them in for assessment.
FOLLOW-UP Direct learners to Lyle Slaters website for more information on cranberries and
how to grow them: http://www.uc-cranberries.com/
Honey: An Ontario Superfood (available on the companion website)
VARIATION Exercise 3 can also be done in conjunction with How To Prepare A Healthy Snack.
For writing practice, learners add a few connecting expressions such as after that
and then to the strips after they have been sequenced.
ANSWER KEY Exercise 1: 1. b 2. b 3. a 4. b 5. c 6. c
Exercise 2: C. 1 E. 2 A. 3 D. 4 F. 5 G. 6 H. 7 B. 8
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity:
ASSESSMENT Exercise 3 can be used for listening assessment.
~ follows instructions and directions relating to movement and position in
space, manner, frequency and duration
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY vital; advantageous; antioxidant; flavonoids; cardiovascular; urinary; bladder infections
HEALTH AND SAFETY
470 Level 4 R L
Activity:
Activity:
By now, you probably know how advantageous superfoods are to your health. But did you know that there is a
superfruit that grows only in North America? What do you think it is? Listen to this article and find out more!
Cranberries are one of the few fruits that are actually native to North America. Long before any immigrants arrived
here, Native Americans, who called cranberries sassamanash, ate and used them in food as a vital source of
Vitamin C. Today, scientists have discovered that cranberries have even more benefits than previously known.
Here are four reasons why scientists consider that cranberries are helpful for your health.
Reason # 1
Cranberries are packed full of antioxidants and other natural compounds that promote health and wellness.
Reason # 2
Cranberries contain flavonoids that have been effective in preventing certain types of cancers.
Reason #3
For years, North American women have been drinking cranberry juice as a remedy for bladder infections
and to maintain urinary tract health.
Reason # 4
Recent studies have shown that drinking cranberry juice is good for your cardiovascular health.
In Canada, cranberries, which are also called moss berries, are found in five provinces: British Columbia, New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. Now, where in Ontario can you find this marvelous berry grown?
Well, in all of Ontario, there are only three commercial cranberry growers.
Lyle Slater, who owns Upper Canada Cranberries, is a cranberry farmer in eastern Ontario. The other two
cranberry growers are located in the Muskoka area, north of Toronto. Lyles cranberry farm is located in the city of
Ottawa. He says he has done a lot of research and, as far as he knows, he is the only cranberry grower in the
entire world that is operating within the boundaries of a city. Lyle is very enthusiastic about the amazing benefits of
cranberries, and enjoys telling people how he became a cranberry farmer. To learn his story and other interesting
details about cranberries, visit his website at: http://www.uc-cranberries.com/ On his website, Lyle likes to
share cranberry recipes with the public.
His recipe for Canadian Cranberry Sauce is uniquely Canadian. Heres how you make it: You will need four major
ingredients. Naturally, the first ingredient is going to be cranberries. Youll need two cups of fresh or frozen
cranberries. Next, youll need a half cup of water and a half cup of brown sugar. Of course, the ingredient that
makes this recipe uniquely Canadian is a half cup of real maple syrup! If you want to, you can include a teaspoon
of shredded orange peel. Lets begin by putting the sugar, maple syrup, and water in a pot and heating everything
until it boils. Next, just add the cranberries, and keep stirring and cooking. When you hear the cranberries pop, stop
cooking. Thats it -- youve made cranberry sauce. Finish by adding the orange peel. This wonderful sauce can be
eaten hot or cold.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks to complete these sentences. Use words you heard in the audio.
1. Cranberries are one of the few fruits that are actually __________
to North America.
a. useful b. native c. advantageous
2. Native Americans ate cranberries because they contained Vitamin _______.
a. B b. C c. D
3. Cranberries are helpful to health because they are _________ full of antioxidants
and other natural compounds.
a. packed b. sometimes c. never
4. Another name for cranberries is ____________________.
a. blueberries b. moss berries c. loganberries
5. Cranberries are found in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario
and ______________________.
a. Manitoba b. Alberta c. Nova Scotia
6. Lyle Slater's research told him that he was the only cranberry farmer in the
___________ world that was operating within the boundaries of a city.
a. wide b. human c. entire
Activity:
HEALTH AND SAFETY
472 Level 4 R L
Activity: Cranberries, A North American Superfruit
Exercise 2
Work with a partner. Read these questions and write the letter of the correct answer in
the blank space.
Questions
_____ 1. What are two different names for cranberries?
_____ 2. What makes this cranberry sauce recipe Canadian?
_____ 3. Where are cranberries grown in Canada?
_____ 4. Why did Native Americans eat cranberries?
_____ 5. Why are cranberries helpful to health?
_____ 6. How many commercial cranberry farms are there in Ontario?
_____ 7. Where are these cranberry farms located?
_____ 8. How long must you cook cranberries to make cranberry sauce?
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Answers
A. Cranberries are grown in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec
and Ontario.
B. You must keep cooking the cranberries until they pop.
C. The Native American name for cranberries was sassamanash and another name is
moss berries.
D. Native Americans ate cranberries because they have a lot of Vitamin C.
E. Maple syrup added to the cranberries makes this sauce recipe uniquely Canadian.
F. Cranberries are helpful to health because they are packed full of antioxidants and
other natural compounds.
G. In all of Ontario, there are only three commercial cranberry growers.
H. In Ontario, two cranberry farms are found in the Muskoka area north of Toronto, and
one is located in the city of Ottawa.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
474 Level 4 R L
Exercise 3
_____ Add 2 cups of cranberries.
_____ Add a teaspoon of (shredded) orange peel, if you want it.
_____ Heat them until they boil.
_____ Keep cooking and stirring until the cranberries pop.
_____ Now, you are ready to eat your cranberry sauce either hot or cold.
_____ Put cup of water, cup of brown sugar, and cup of maple syrup
into a pot.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity:
How To Prepare A Healthy Snack
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
This is a writing and paired listening and speaking activity.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Canvas the class to find out who is hungry and what they would like to eat.
ACTIVITY Learners follow the directions on the sheets (Prepare to Speak and Prepare to
Listen). Once the writing component is complete, pair up learners who sit across
the room from one another for the speaking component. If the writing will be used
for assessment, reiterate that learners should compose complete sentences.
FOLLOW-UP Some classes may wish to follow this up with a recipe exchange or a pot luck meal.
VARIATION Before learners begin writing, give them a list of basic food preparation terms (cut,
slice, chop, spread, stir, drain, boil, simmer). Some of these are introduced in
Cranberries, A North American Superfruit.
Incorporate a review of the imperative form.
ASSESSMENT For writing assessment, collect and mark the preparation steps. Stress that learners
should compose complete sentences. For speaking assessment, instructors listen to
learners as they give instructions to their partners.
~ uses simple structures with few errors in grammar
~ uses adequate vocabulary for topic
~ give spoken directions (listener can follow the directions)
~ uses explicit markers/logical connectors
~ summarizes and repeats back
~ indicates non-comprehension
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY nutritious; simple; preparation steps; spread; catch (understand)
HEALTH AND SAFETY
476 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
PREPARE TO SPEAK
1. You are going to tell a classmate how to prepare a simple and nutritious snack or drink. Choose
something that you enjoy here in Canada, or else something that is traditional in your culture.
2. Think for a minute, and select your simple snack or drink.
What is it called? ____________________________________________________________
3. Now, you are going to explain the preparation steps clearly and in detail, so that your classmate
could go home and prepare it alone. Start by writing some notes. (See the Example below.) Write
as many sentences as you need. Use your dictionary or ask your instructor or another classmate
for help with vocabulary.
4. Later, when you are explaining the preparation steps to your partner, you can use your hands to
communicate ideas like cut, but DO NOT SHOW YOUR WRITING TO YOUR PARTNER.
First, _______________________________________________________________________
Second, _____________________________________________________________________
Third, _______________________________________________________________________
Next, _______________________________________________________________________
Then, _______________________________________________________________________
Finally, ______________________________________________________________________
Example:
What is it called? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
First, _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Second, _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Next, _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Then, _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Finally, _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
buy some peanut butter and some whole wheat bread.
take two slices of bread and put them on a plate.
spread peanut butter onto one slice of bread.
spread honey on top of the peanut butter.
put the other slice of bread on top and cut the sandwich with a knife.
Peanut butter and honey sandwich.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity:
PREPARE TO LISTEN
1. You are going to listen to your partner explain how to make a simple snack or drink. You want to
understand your partner very clearly, so that you could make it yourself when you get home.
2. Every time your partner explains a step in preparing the food, you will repeat what you hear back
to your partner, to make sure you understood correctly. If you didnt understand what your
partner said, you will need to ask for help.
3. Here are some polite ways to communicate that you didnt understand:
Im sorry. I didnt understand you.
Im sorry. I didnt understand that.
I didnt catch what you said.
What? (rising intonation)
Would you mind saying that again?
Could you please repeat that?
Correct: Can you repeat that again, please?
Incorrect: Repeat again, please.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
478 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Nutrition Tables
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners use the information on two nutrition tables and a glossary to
answer comprehension questions and to fill in a chart.
WARM-UP Canadian Superfoods introduces some of the nutrition terms used in these activities,
but it is not a requirement.
Introduce and explain the sayings You are what you eat and An apple a day keeps the
doctor away. Ask class members to introduce and explain other proverbs related to
health and nutrition in English or English translation.
Explain what a glossary is, and perhaps show examples of books that contain
glossaries.
ACTIVITY Hand out the Glossary and read through it with the class, clarifying and explaining
the nutrition terms as necessary.
Learners can complete the exercises individually or in pairs, depending upon whether
the tasks are intended for reading and writing assessment.
FOLLOW-UP Food And Health Myths
Additional nutrition charts can be accessed online for learners to research the
nutritional value of their favourite foods and snacks: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cnf
CROSS- These activities can be used in conjunction with the unit on Healthy Eating
REFERENCE from LINC 4 Classroom Activities (CLB/LINC Projects Office, Edmonton, Alberta).
How Do You Like Your Eggs? is an optional e-activity that contains listening, reading and
vocabulary exercises related to eggs and nutrition.
ANSWER KEY Comprehension Activities Table I
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity:
Nutrition Tables
ANSWER KEY 1. fruit salad canned in syrup
CONTINUED 2. watermelon
3. watermelon
Comprehension Activities Table II
1. chicken
2. 22 grams
3. salmon
4. least nutritious: hot dog
most nutritious: salmon
5. salmon
6. A wide variety of foods will provide a wide variety of nutrients.
Reading And Writing Activity
FOOD CONTAINS THE MOST EFFECTS
beef iron helps blood carry oxygen
throughout body
orange potassium balances chemicals in our
bodies; controls blood pressure
apple with skin fibre helps digestion, so food
moves through the body
quickly; lowers blood
cholesterol
HEALTH AND SAFETY
480 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Nutrition Tables
ASSESSMENT The Glossary terms should be explained to learners even if the tasks are intended
for assessment.
~ identifies layout of forms
~ finds specific information
~ finds information in complex directories
punctuation, and other notations
SOURCE Health Canada: Nutrient Value of Some Common Foods www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cnf
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY See Glossary
orange Vitamin C builds healthy gums, teeth and
blood vessels; helps body
fight illness
75 g lamb leg calories the body needs energy in order
to live
baked chicken cholesterol stays inside our blood vessels
and may lead to heart disease.
salmon Vitamin A helps eyesight, bones,
teeth and skin
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity:
Nutrition Tables
GLOSSARY
Beta-carotene changes to vitamin A in the body
Calcium builds strong bones and teeth
Carbohydrates give the body energy
Cholesterol a bad form of fat that stays inside our blood vessels and may lead to heart disease
Energy measured in kilocalories, usually called calories in everyday English; the body needs
energy in order to live, but when a person eats too much, the extra calories are
stored as fat in the body
Fibre helps digestion so food moves through the body quickly; lowers blood cholesterol
Folate a form of vitamin B; it helps the body produce new cells, including blood cells
Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body
Magnesium protects bones; keeps nerves and muscles working well
Phosphorus works with calcium for healthy bones and teeth
Potassium balances chemicals in our bodies; controls blood pressure
Protein builds muscle
Vitamin A helps eyesight, bones, teeth and skin
Vitamin B12 helps keep nerve and blood cells healthy
Vitamin C builds healthy teeth, gums and blood vessels; helps to fight disease and infection
Vitamin E an antioxidant that protects against cell damage
HEALTH AND SAFETY
482 Level 4 R W
Activity: Nutrition Tables
TABLE I FRUITS
Add this information about apples and oranges to Table I:
One apple with skin provides 6 milligrams of vitamin C, 15 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.2 milligrams
of iron and 148 milligrams of potassium. It provides 72 kilocalories of energy. It has 19 grams of
carbohydrates and 14 grams of sugar, as well as 2.6 grams of fibre. The apple also contains 4 units
of vitamin A , 37 micrograms of beta-carotene and 4 units of folate. One apple provides 7
milligrams of magnesium and 8 milligrams of calcium.
An orange provides 62 kilocalories of energy and 70 milligrams of vitamin C as well as 52
milligrams of calcium and 0.1 milligrams of iron. It contains 39 units of folate, 2.3 grams of fibre
and 8 units of vitamin A. An orange has 15 grams of carbohydrates, and a total of 12 grams of
sugar. It contains 93 micrograms of beta-carotene. It contains 237 milligrams of potassium, 18
milligrams of phosphorus and 13 milligrams of magnesium.
Use Table I and the Glossary to answer these questions:
1. Which is more nutritious fruit salad canned in juice, or fruit salad canned in syrup?
_________________________________________________________________________
2. Which fruit serving contains the least fibre?
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Which fruit is best for helping eyesight, bones, teeth and skin?
_________________________________________________________________________
HEALTH AND SAFETY
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
484 Level 4 R W
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
TABLE II MEAT, FISH AND POULTRY
Enter this information about a hot dog and a portion of lamb leg onto Table II:
One beef hotdog provides 5 milligrams of magnesium, 60 milligrams of phosphorus and 54
milligrams of potassium. It has 104 kilocalories and 5 grams of protein. It contains 8 grams of fat,
and 0.6 grams of iron, but no vitamin C or A. In addition, it provides 0.65 micrograms of vitamin
B12, 0.1 milligrams of vitamin E, and 23 milligrams of cholesterol.
A 75-gram portion of lamb leg contains 1.6 milligrams of iron, 166 milligrams of phosphorus and
15 milligrams of magnesium, in addition to 128 milligrams of potassium. It provides 176 kilocalories
and 19 grams of protein. It contains 0.1 milligrams of vitamin E and 1.96 micrograms of vitamin B12, but
no vitamin C or A. The average portion contains 10 grams of fat and 76 grams of cholesterol.
Use Table II and the Glossary to answer these questions:
1. Which meat has very little vitamin B12? ________________________________________________
2. How many grams of protein are there in the serving of chicken? ____________________________
3. Name the only meat that contains calcium. _____________________________________________
4. Which meat choice is the least nutritious, and which is most nutritious?
Least nutritious: _____________________________________
Most nutritious: _____________________________________
5. Which meat would best balance chemicals in our bodies and control blood pressure?
___________________________
6. Challenge Question From the information you see on both tables, why is it important to eat a
balanced diet that contains a wide variety of foods?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
HEALTH AND SAFETY
486 Level 4 R W
TABLE II MEAT, FISH AND POULTRY (Continued)
7. Use the Glossary and the two tables to complete this chart.
FOOD CONTAINS THE MOST EFFECTS
beef iron helps blood carry oxygen
throughout body
orange potassium
fibre
builds healthy gums, teeth and
blood vessels; helps body
fight illness
calories
cholesterol
helps eyesight, bones,
teeth and skin
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity:
Food And Health Myths
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners listen to statements about food and health and decide whether they are true or false.
This activity is intended as a follow-up to Nutrition Tables, but it can also be used independently.
Timing: 60 minutes
WARM-UP Write the word myth on the board and ask learners if they know what it means.
Share some common myths with the class and elicit others from the students
(for example, you must wait thirty minutes after eating before you swim; see
19 Common Health Myths Debunked at
http://household-ips.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/12/health_myths.php )
Distribute and read through Ways Of Giving Information.
Lead a practice session using everyday facts about class members (where someone
lives, where they come from, how long they have been in Canada), for example:
~ [Instructor] Musa, how long has Jin lived in Canada?
~ [Musa] Im sure she has lived in Canada for 3 months.
Inform the learners they are going to participate in discussions about food and
health myths, and challenge them to continue practicing these expressions during
their conversations.
Explain that they will listen to a statement about food and nutrition, and then discuss
in their groups whether the statement is true or if it is a common myth.
Play the first food and health statement (each statement is one or two sentences
long) and stop the audio. (Track 27) Allow time for group discussion.
When all the groups have reached their conclusions, canvas the class for opinions
and then read the answer aloud (See Listening Transcript 2). Clarify vocabulary and
information as needed.
Circulate around discussion groups to listen for appropriate use of the expressions
in Ways of Giving Information.
FOLLOW-UP Bring some dark chocolate into the class, and invite class members to lower their
blood pressure by sampling it.
VARIATION For advanced classes, write the vocabulary list (below) on the board during the
warm-up, so that learners can use the words during their discussion.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY myth; calorie; hygienic; refreeze; skip; nutritional; eggshell; tooth decay; microscopic;
bacteria; germs; food poisoning; thaw; antioxidant
HEALTH AND SAFETY
488 Level 4 L S
Activity:
Food And Health Myths
LISTENING TRANSCRIPT I
You are going to hear short segments that present food and health statements. You will hear one statement at a
time. The CD will be stopped each time so you can discuss whether the statement is true or false.
Listening #1
Brown or whole wheat bread is better for you than white bread.
Listening #2
Are brown eggs healthier for you than white eggs?
Listening #3
If you want to lose weight, one of the best things you can do is to start drinking ice cold water because
when you drink really cold water, it burns up more calories and makes you lose weight much faster.
Listening #4
Putting fruit juice in your baby's bottle can hurt your baby's teeth.
Listening #5
When cutting or preparing your food and meat, it is better to use a plastic board than a wooden board
because the plastic is more hygienic.
Listening #6
Do not refreeze meat because it's no good for you to eat.
Listening #7
Skipping a meal can help you lose weight.
Listening #8
Is eating dark chocolate good for you?
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Activity: Food And Health Myths
LISTENING TRANSCRIPT 2 (To Be Read By Instructor)
Answer #1
Brown or whole wheat bread is better for you than white bread. True
Certainly it is. Bread is made of wheat flour. The most nutritious parts of the wheat are the
brown parts, which are called the bran and the germ. These nutritious brown parts are removed
to make the flour white, so white bread isnt as good for you as brown bread.
Answer #2
Are brown eggs healthier for you than white eggs? False
Scientists have studied the nutritional value of brown and white eggs. They agree that they are
equally nutritious. The colour of the egg shell does not change the flavour or the food value of the
interior.
Answer #3
If you want to lose weight, one of the best things you can do is to start drinking ice cold water. False
Water is water and your body wont use more calories if you drink the cold stuff. The best way to
loose weight is to eat nutritious food, eat less food, and get lots of exercise.
Answer #4
Putting fruit juice in your baby's bottle can hurt your baby's teeth. True
During the day, or at night, you shouldn't let your baby nap or go to sleep drinking fruit juice in a
baby bottle. If you do this regularly, your baby might get tooth decay. But juice is still healthy for
babies, so if you want to give your baby juice in a bottle, just do it at mealtimes. Give your baby
milk and water the rest of the time.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
490 Level 4 L S
LISTENING TRANSCRIPT 2 (To Be Read By Instructor)
(Continued)
Answer #5
When cutting or preparing your food and meat, it is better to use a plastic board than a wooden board
because the plastic is more hygienic.
In the past, people thought that plastic cutting boards were cleaner than wooden boards. They
thought that all the small, microscopic holes in wooden boards would collect bacteria and germs.
They thought that germs and bacteria couldnt live on plastic boards since it is hard and smooth.
But when scientists did studies comparing plastic and wooden cutting boards, they found that
wooden ones are more hygienic. There is something natural in the wood that causes most bacteria
to die after about three minutes, but on the plastic board they lived and multiplied.
Answer #6
Do not refreeze meat because it's no good for you to eat. False
It is perfectly safe to put meat back in a freezer even if it has thawed. Bacteria grow very slowly in
a freezer and even if there are some bacteria in the refrozen meat, they will die when the meat is
cooked. So yes, it's okay to put it back in the freezer if you are going to cook it well. Refreezing
might change the flavour of the meat, and the meat might get dried out, but it won't give you food
poisoning.
Answer #7
Skipping a meal can help you lose weight. False
It isnt true that skipping a meal can help you lose weight. This is because our bodies change and
work differently when we get too hungry. Our bodies slow down, so we burn fewer calories. And
then we usually over-eat at the next meal. A better way to lose weight is to eat smaller amounts
of food more frequently.
Answer #8
Is eating dark chocolate good for you? True
The great news is that chocolate is actually good for us. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and
scientific studies have shown that eating 100 grams of dark chocolate every day helps lower blood
pressure in men and women.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
WAYS OF GIVING INFORMATION
1. When you are sure about something, use these expressions:
2. Use these expressions when you think you might know something, but you arent sure:
I know.
Im sure.
Im certain.
Im absolutely /100%/ totally sure.
Water is healthier than soda. Im certain.
Im absolutely sure that bread is made from wheat.
Im 100% sure that babies need to drink milk.
Im not sure.
I think
Maybe
Why is protein important for nutrition?
Im not sure, but I think it builds muscle.
Why are oranges good for us?
Im not sure. Maybe they have a lot of Vitamin C.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
492 Level 4 L S
WAYS OF GIVING INFORMATION (Continued)
3. Use these expressions when you dont know something:
I dont know.
I dont really know.
I really dont know.
I have no idea.
What is an antioxidant?
I have no idea.
How many grams of sugar are there in a blueberry muffin?
I dont really know.
Travel and
Transportation
LINC
4
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
Activity:
Getting Around Town
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A reading text introduces the topic of alternative transportation. Vocabulary exercises follow.
WARM-UP Ask the class to brainstorm a list of alternative forms of transportation, and write
their responses on the board.
Find out which of these forms of transportation they use; how often they use it; and
why they use it.
Ask what was the most common form of transportation in their country.
ACTIVITY Learners read Getting Around Town and then complete the vocabulary exercise.
Instructors circulate to assist and correct learners as they compose sentences.
FOLLOW-UP Alternative Transportation
ANSWER KEY Answers will vary.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY get around; alternative; familiar; carpool; specific
496 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Getting Around Town
VOCABULARY EXERCISE
Many of us dont want to drive our cars to work every day. What could we do instead to get around
town? People are thinking of alternative ways of traveling. Of course, we are all familiar with cars, but
we dont have to drive our cars every day of the week. There are other choices.
One idea is to share car transportation with others. If we joined a carpool, we would drive only a few
days each week instead of every day. Then, there would be fewer cars on the road.
Another idea is to ride a bicycle to work as often as possible. We would get lots of fresh air and exercise.
Some cities even offer bicycle-sharing. Instead of buying their own bicycles, people borrow one for a
specific period of time.
The definitions of the bold words are below. Study the definitions, and then use the new words in
sentences of your own.
Definition: get around = move from one place to another
Example: Susan knew she couldnt get around on her bicycle in February, so she
decided to carpool.
Your sentence: ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
Definition: alternative = other
Example: People who dont eat enough healthy food often take a vitamin pill as an
alternative form of nutrition.
Your sentence: ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
Activity: Getting Around Town
VOCABULARY EXERCISE (Continued)
Definition: familiar = common, usual
Example: Bright yellow cars arent as familiar as black ones.
Your sentence: ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
Definition: carpool = shared automobile travel
Example: Three people in my office carpool together every day.
Your sentence: ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
Definition: specific = definite
Example: The book is long, but I dont know the specific number of pages.
Your sentence: ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
498 Level 4 R L S
Activity:
Alternative Transportation
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learner pairs read the dialogue on ideas for alternative transportation, and then
work individually to complete a vocabulary matching exercise.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Getting Around Town
Brainstorm ideas for alternative forms of transportation and write the list of ideas
on the board.
Survey the class to see if anyone uses these forms of transportation.
ACTIVITY Learner pairs read the dialogue.
After the first reading, pairs switch roles and read it again.
Following the second reading, learners complete the related matching
exercise individually.
FOLLOW-UP Ask learners to research one company in their community which is dedicated to
alternative or green transportation.
Learners practice asking for and giving opinions, agreeing, disagreeing about various
alternative forms of transportation:
~ What do you think about roller-blading to work?
~ Whats your opinion of
~ I think
~ In my opinion
VARIATION An audio recording of the dialogue is available on the companion website
ANSWER KEY 1. c 2. f 3. a 4. g 5. b 6. e 7. d
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY alternative transportation; green transportation; carbon footprint; eco-friendly;
carpool; park n ride; roller blade; impact; convenient; give someone a lift
Activity:
Alternative Transportation
READING
With a partner, read this dialogue between Mohammad and Fatima. Underline any new vocabulary,
but do not use a dictionary until after you have completed the Matching Exercise.
For more practice, read the dialogue again. This time, switch roles as you read.
Mohammad: Ive been thinking about selling my car.
Fatima: Im not sure thats such a good idea. How will you get around town?
Mohammad: Well, I know there are a lot of forms of alternative transportation.
Fatima: Yes, but a car is so much more convenient than any of those other forms of
transportation.
Mohammad: It has become very important to me over the last few years to stop and think about
how I am treating the earth. Havent you heard about the effects of our carbon
footprint?
Fatima: Oh, sure, but how is one less car on the highway going to make a difference?
Mohammad: But thats just the point, Fatima. If we all do just one thing to make the earth
greener, well all be better for it.
Fatima: Im still not convinced. If you sold your car, how would you come to college?
Mohammad: Well, the truth is, I dont live so far from the college. I could buy a bicycle and ride it
in the fall and late spring. Think about the fresh air and exercise Id be getting. Plus, i
its eco-friendly and actually fun.
Fatima: What about all those books you have to carry?
Mohammad: Its true that some days I have more books to carry than others, but on those days
I could take a bus. The bus route is very convenient, and if I took it, I could add a
little exercise to each day by walking to the bus stop. Isnt that better than hopping
into the car in my driveway?
Fatima: Well, dont take all the cars off the highway yet. I really like the convenience of a car.
500 Level 4 R L S
Activity: Alternative Transportation
READING (Continued)
Mohammad: Well, if you do, I have another great idea for reducing our carbon footprint.
Fatima: I think I know what youre going to say. Youre going to tell me I should carpool.
Mohammad: Exactly! There are so many great reasons to share a ride to work. You can save
money; learn more about your fellow employees who are traveling with you; make
cell phone calls safely when you are not behind the wheel; reduce the stress of
having to drive every day; or even sleep if you wanted to.
Fatima: Youre really serious about this, arent you? Are you sure youve thought of every
possible alternative form of transportation?
Mohammad: No, I could roller blade, use park n ride or just walk.
Fatima: Im exhausted just thinking about it. Could you give me a lift home?
Mohammad: Fatima!
Fatima: Just kidding!
Activity: Alternative Transportation
Matching Exercise
1. ____ alternative transportation a. an earth where we practice
reducing, reusing, recycling
2. ____ carbon footprint b. easy, not difficult
3. ____ green earth c. travel that doesnt always include cars
4. ____ eco-friendly d. combined transportation that includes car
and public transportation
5. ____ convenient e. shared automobile travel
6. ____ carpool f. the environmental impact we make
on the earth
7. ____ park n ride g. not harmful to the environment
502 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Letter To The Editor
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners express opinions on car-sharing in a mock Letter to the Editor.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Ask learners if they have seen or read Letters To The Editor in the
newspaper. Distribute several newspapers and refer students to this section,
explaining the concept if necessary, (i.e., these are letters [for publication] written to
the editor of a newspaper or newsmagazine about issues that are of concern to
the readers).
Introduce the concept of car-sharing companies. See Source below.
Questions for class discussion:
~ Are there any car-sharing companies here in . or in a city you lived in before?
~ Have you ever used the services of a shared car company?
~ What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of joining a car-sharing
company? (Option: list the points on the board for learners future reference.)
ACTIVITY Read through the introductory paragraph with the class, and ensure that everyone
understands the scenario.
Discuss possible car club rules (optional).
Learners read the prompts and then complete the statements expressing agreement
and disagreement with the idea of Car Club.
FOLLOW-UP Learners gather information about car-sharing companies in their town, and present
this information in a future class.
ASSESSMENT Letters To The Editor are marked according to individual instructor guidelines.
Instructors choose how many sentences will be written and assessed.
SOURCE Information about car-sharing companies can be found at:
www.autoshare.com,
www.vrtucar.com
www.zipcar.com
Activity:
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY Letter To The Editor; article; access; earth friendly; second car; vehicle pollution
504 Level 4 R W
Activity:
You have just read an article in the Travel and Transportation section of your local newspaper, The West
End Times. It talks about a new business in town called Car Club. Car Club owns cars that people can
share. You can pay money to become a member of Car Club, and use one of their cars. Car Club has
rules, just like other clubs, and every member must follow the rules.
Read the beginning of these Letters To The Editor. Complete the sentences by expressing support for
the idea of Car Club. (This means that you think it is a good idea.)
Example:
Letter 1
Dear Editor,
I have just read your article about the new business here in town called Car Club.
What a great idea! This way, I wouldnt be paying money just to have a car
sitting in my driveway when I dont need it.
Dear Editor,
What a great idea! If we share cars, we can help the earth by _________________
_________________________________________________________________.
Activity: Letter To The Editor
Letter 2
Letter 3
Dear Editor,
What a great idea! Everyone today is talking about reducing the space we need to
park our cars. If we can share more cars, _________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
Dear Editor,
What a great idea! If people can share cars, maybe my family wont need to buy a
second car. This would be great because __________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
Read the beginning of these Letters To The Editor. Complete the sentences by showing that you dont
support the idea of Car Club.
Example:
Letter 4
Letter 5
Letter 6
506 Level 4 R W
Activity: Letter To The Editor
Dear Editor,
I have just read your article about the new business here in town called Car Club. I dont
support the idea. If I have to fill out a lot of forms every time I want to use a car,
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
Dear Editor,
I have just read your article about the new business here in town called Car Club. I
dont support the idea. The rules say that I would have to clean the car every time I
use it, and that is not convenient because _________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
Dear Editor,
I have just read your article about the new business here in town called Car Club. I
dont support the idea. If I dont have a car in my driveway when I need it, _______
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
Dear Editor,
I dont support the idea. When the weather is bad, I dont want to walk very
far to find a shared car. Maybe I will join Car Club when it has some cars
in my neighbourhood.
Activity:
Confederation Bridge
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners read about and answer questions on the Confederation Bridge.
WARM-UP Ask learners if there is a structure (e.g., bridge, building, statue) in their country of
origin that caused debate and popular controversy.
Discuss some of the issues that could cause debate about a proposed structure,
(e.g., height, location, appearance).
ACTIVITY Learners read the text and try to determine the meaning of any unfamiliar words
by using context clues.
Learners answer the accompanying questions. Point out that they must circle more
than one correct response in some cases.
FOLLOW-UP Students can search online for a structure they have seen or heard about in their
own or another country, and tell the class about it.
ANSWER KEY 1. a, c 2. b 3. a 4. b 5. a, b 6. a, c
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual learner responses.
~ gets overall meaning
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY amazing; safety barrier; curves; fixed link; reliable; green; alert
508 Level 4 R
Activity:
Confederation Bridge
In 1997 Canadas smallest province, Prince Edward Island, became connected to the
mainland with a very long bridge. The Confederation Bridge is an amazing structure. It is
the longest bridge over ice-covered water in the world. It is 12.9 kilometres long and 11
metres wide. The safety barrier walls are 1.1 metres high. It is designed with three curves,
which help keep drivers alert. These curves are a safety feature, but they also make the
bridge look beautiful. You can drive onto the bridge at either Borden-Carleton in Prince
Edward Island, or Cape Jourimain in New Brunswick.
When the idea for building the bridge was first discussed, not every Prince Edward Islander
thought it was such a good plan.
Why were some people opposed to the bridge? They thought it would change the way of
life on Prince Edward Island; damage the environment, the fishing industry, agriculture, and
tourism; and even bring unwanted visitors.
Why did other Islanders want the bridge to be built? They thought it would be easier to
come to and leave the Island; more reliable than a ferry boat (especially in winter); more
economical; and a faster, cheaper and greener way to travel.
Finally, the government decided to ask Islanders to vote. 59.4% voted for the bridge, so the
government went ahead with the plans to build this amazing structure.
Activity: Confederation Bridge
Questions
Circle all correct answers.
1. The Confederation Bridge is
a. 12.9 kilometres long
b. 11 kilometres long
c. 11.1 kilometres long
2. The curves built into the design of the Confederation Bridge help
a. to keep drivers alert
b. to keep drivers from speeding
c. to make it a beautiful sight
3. You can drive onto the bridge at
a. Carleton, Prince Edward Island
b. Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick
c. Borden, New Brunswick
4. Some people did not want the bridge to be built because they thought it might hurt
a. tourism, farming, fishing
b. the environment, the fishing industry, agriculture
c. the environment, the tourism industry, the visitors themselves
5. Some people wanted the bridge to be built because they thought it would
a. be easier to come to the Island
b. be more reliable than the old bridge
c. be a faster, cheaper and greener way to travel
6. What percentage of people did not want the bridge to be built?
a. 39.6%
b. 40.6%
c. 41.6%
510 Level 4 W
Activity:
A Perfect Day
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners write a holiday postcard describing a perfect day.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Ask learners to name one place they would like to visit on a special holiday,
and one feature about that location that interests them (e.g., waterfall, beach,
mountains, gourmet food, cathedral).
List responses on the blackboard.
ACTIVITY Learners visualize a perfect vacation day, and then write their friendly message
in a postcard format.
FOLLOW-UP Learners could purchase a postcard before, during or following a field trip and
send it to a friend or student in another class.
ASSESSMENT Collect the postcards for assessment and feedback.
~ uses language and content that are appropriate to the occasion,
intent and social context
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY destination; gourmet; five-star; hiked; spa; trail; pat
Activity:
A Perfect Day
Imagine . . .
You are on holiday, and you have just experienced a perfect day. It is now evening and you want to
tell your friends or family back home what a wonderful time you had today. Write a postcard to
describe your experience.
Did you see the mountains or hike up a trail?
Did you swim in clear blue waters or get some sun on the beach?
Did you relax at a spa or eat a gourmet meal at a 5-star restaurant?
Sample: Read Bernies postcard to his friend Frank. Then write your own postcard.
Hi Frank,
This is just a quick note to tell you what a
wonderful day I had here in the Gatineau
Hills. We spent the day hiking and saw a
hawk and a beaver dam. The leaves on the
trees are fantastic red and gold and yellow.
We ate a simple dinner under the stars
Quebec cheese and pat , some fruit and a
bottle of wine. Perfect! Maybe I wont come
back!
Your friend,
Bernie
Frank Jones
34 South Street
Calgary, AB
T3R 0X0
512 Level 4 W
Activity: A Perfect Day
Activity:
Dream Destination
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Conversation groups share ideas and information about dream destinations.
Timing: 30 minutes
WARM-UP Begin with an instructor-led discussion about dream destinations, using the Class
Discussion questions as a guide.
~ Share your personal concept of a dream destination.
~ Write the names of some dream destinations on the board.
~ Show some images of world-famous destinations.
ACTIVITY Refer the class to the Small Group Discussion section of their handout.
Allow learners time to think about their responses, and then divide the class into
conversation groups.
FOLLOW-UP Selected learner(s) describe their dream destinations to the whole class.
A Great Holiday
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY destination; spiritual/cultural significance; burial ground; trip of a lifetime
514 Level 4 L S
Activity:
Dream Destination
Class Discussion
What is a dream destination?
What places are popular dream destinations?
When do people visit dream destinations? (For example, they travel after they win a lottery, or
when they want to get away from winter.)
Small Group Discussion
In groups of three or four, talk about your dream destinations. Use some of these points to tell your
partners about this special place:
Where is it?
~ Is it a famous city?
~ Is it a special area (nesting home for birds, burial ground)?
~ Is it a specific site (volcano, beach)?
~ Is it spiritually or culturally significant (temple, pyramid)?
What would you do there?
When did you first read or hear about this place?
Do you know others who have gone there?
Do you want to go alone, or with family or friends?
Activity:
A Great Holiday
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners describe their personal holiday experiences in a paired listening and speaking activity.
Timing: 20 minutes
WARM-UP Dream Destination
Write names of some holiday destinations on the board.
Ask for ideas of what makes a great holiday and write these on the board.
Write these words on the board and clarify any that are new for the learners:
accommodations; holiday; vacation; wonderful; cost; travel; hotel; bed and breakfast;
scenery; surf; architecture; authentic (food); nature; hiking
ACTIVITY Learners think about their own holidays. Next, divide the class into pairs. The pairs
follow the instructions on the handout to describe their vacation to their partner
and also listen to and repeat back their partners experience.
After repeating their partners experience, learners change partners again and
repeat the story to another person.
FOLLOW-UP Ask for volunteers or randomly select learners to present their version of one
partners holiday experience in front of the whole class.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY particular; couples only; family-friendly; scenery; architecture; awesome
516 Level 4 L S
Activity:
A Great Holiday
Think about a special vacation that you have taken:
Where did you go?
Why did you choose that particular location?
What made it a great holiday?
Was it a best friend or couples-only or family-friendly holiday?
Were you a child with your parents, or an adult with your children?
Was the scenery beautiful?
Was the architecture awesome?
Were the people very friendly?
Were the hotel and meals special?
Activity: A Great Holiday
Listening and Speaking Exercise
Partner A
One
Use the list of questions to tell your partner about your great vacation.
Two
Your partner will listen to you, and then repeat back what you said. Do not correct your partner until he
or she has finished speaking.
Partner B
Listen to your partner tell you about a great holiday. You can take short notes if you need to.
When your partner has finished, you will report back what you have heard.
Partner A and Partner B
Switch roles, get more practice, and learn about another great holiday!
518 Level 4 R W
Activity:
Travel Accommodations Canada
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners visualize and describe a holiday rental property.
Timing: 60 minutes
WARM-UP Discuss various types of holiday accommodations:
~ What kinds are there?
~ To whom do they cater?
~ What is the range of service provided?
~ What are the reasons we choose one over another?
ACTIVITY Learners look at the pictures of the various types of holiday accommodation.
They choose one type, and write a short text describing it for the
Travel Accommodations Guide.
FOLLOW-UP Provide authentic travel accommodation literature for reading and discussion.
ANSWER KEY 1. deluxe suite 2. sightseeing 3. restaurants 4. theatre 5. double, single
6. hiking 7. attractions
ASSESSMENT Correct the descriptions according to individual instructor guidelines.
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY inn; B&B; chalet; cabin; motel; hotel; deluxe suite; single room; double room;
attractions; sightseeing; hiking; exotic; dim sum; sushi; Northern Lights
Activity:
Travel Accommodations Canada
Exercise 1
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
theatre single sightseeing
double room restaurants hiking
deluxe suite attractions
1. I am going on a romantic holiday with my husband. We have saved a lot of money and we want a
special room at the hotel. We will probably rent the ________________________________.
2. She would like to see the CN Tower, watch the boats on Lake Ontario and visit the Royal Ontario
Museum. She plans to do a lot of ________________________________ while she is here.
3. I love exotic food, so I will go out for dim sum and sushi while I am in Vancouver. The
________________________________ there are fantastic.
4. We always try to see a ______________________ performance when we go away on holiday. Last
year we saw Anne of Green Gables in Charlottetown.
5. My husband and I will be traveling with our son. The two of us would like a ________________
room, but our son really wants to be by himself in a _____________________ room. He thinks
hes old enough this year!
6. We spent three days __________________________ on the Cross Canada Trail, but we only
walked sixty kilometers. It was very beautiful, but my feet were sore.
7. There are many _______________________ in northern Canada. The landscape is beautiful, the
food is delicious and the Northern Lights are brilliant.
520 Level 4 R W
Activity: Travel Accommodations Canada
Exercise 2
THINK ABOUT IT
Imagine you have bought one of these beautiful holiday properties where people can stay while they are
on vacation.
hotel motel
inn chalet/cabin B&B
(bed & breakfast)
Activity: Travel Accommodations Canada
WRITE ABOUT IT
Now that you have bought a property, you need to advertise it. Write a short description of your new
property. Your description will appear in a magazine called Travel Accommodations Canada. It is a popular
guide which advises travelers where to stay when they are on vacation in Canada. You are only allowed to
write one short paragraph (about 5 sentences) in the guide, so choose only the most important details.
Here are some ideas:
the type of accommodation
where it is located (in a city, in the country, close to the mountains, by a lake, on the ocean)
how many rooms are in it (are there double, single, deluxe suites?)
what the cost is for each night
whether it is close to attractions (sightseeing, hiking, shopping, theatre, restaurants)
what special features it has for visitors (women, seniors, youth, couples, families with children, pets)
Make some notes here, and then write your paragraph on a separate piece of paper.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
522 Level 4 R W L S
Activity:
Travelling Experiences
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
A dialogue between two women discussing their negative and positive travelling experiences is followed by listening
and speaking assessment, exercises on idiomatic expressions, paired conversation and role play.
Timing: 60 minutes
WARM-UP Begin by telling learners about a positive and a negative travel experience you have
had, and invite learners to share some of their own travel experiences.
ACTIVITY Play the audio (Track 28). Learners listen for the gist. Global comprehension
question: Who enjoyed her holiday more, Grace or Vera?
Distribute Exercise 1 for assessment. Replay the audio.
Pair learners and then distribute Exercises 2 and 3. Clarify the instructions.
Circulate and monitor pairs conversation
FOLLOW-UP Replay the audio. Students listen for the idioms in Exercise 4. Clarify the meanings.
Learners complete sentences using the correct idioms in Exercise 5, and create
sentences with the idioms in Exercise 6.
1. Toronto International Airport 2. Europe 3. Any three of: terrible food,
expensive food, boring tourist sites, expensive tourist sites, rude waiters, bad hotel
rooms, lost luggage 4. Any three of: scenery, climate, weather, people, food, rich
cultural tradition
Exercise 5:
1. put up with 2. heading off 3. show up 4. have had enough 5. out of
this world 6. give him a piece of my mind 7. bumped into
ASSESSMENT Instructors correct individual responses to listening comprehension exercise
(Exercise 1)
~ listener can identify specific factual details in audio-mediated listening text
Instructors circulate during conversation to assess speaking (Exercise 7)
~ presents information in a coherent connected discourse
~ express opinion
~ express necessity and reason (must/because)
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY unsanitary; unaccustomed; to bump into; have had enough of; nightmare; horribly;
to put up with; to top it off; baggage claims department; to show up; no dice; to
give someone a piece of ones mind; to head off; exotic; out of this world; unique
Activity:
Travelling Experiences
When people are questioned about what they would do if they won a million dollars, nearly 95% of them reply
they would travel more. When people talk about the joys of exploring and connecting to a new place in the world,
they've probably had a very positive travelling experience. But if they complain about unsanitary conditions;
unaccustomed food and being homesick; most likely their experience was not a pleasant one. Listen as two friends
bump into each other at the Toronto International Airport and talk about their experiences.
Grace: Hi Vera, is that you? What are you doing here, travelling to somewhere?
Vera: Oh, hi Grace, no Ive had enough of travelling, thank you. Honestly, I've just returned from
a nightmare trip to Europe. I ate food that was not only terrible, but horribly expensive. I
visited boring tourist sites that charged too much to get in, and I put up with rude waiters
and even worse hotel rooms. To top it all off, the airlines lost my luggage. Would you believe
this is the third time I've been to the baggage claims department to see if my suitcases
have shown up yet? Still no dice but, when I finally get them back, I'm going to give
someone a piece of my mind. Right now, I'm convinced that home is the only place to be,
so this is where Im staying. What about you, are you heading off to somewhere exotic?
Grace: To tell you the truth, Im just returning from somewhere exotic, and my experience
is totally opposite from yours. For me, it was a trip of a lifetime.
Vera: Oh yeah, where'd you go?
Grace: Well, Ive always dreamt of going to Bali and three weeks ago I finally went. Truly, I never
knew travelling could be so fantastic!
Vera: Bali? Isn't that an island near the Indian Ocean?
Grace: Yes, it's an island, but it's more like a tropical paradise. The scenery, the climate, the
weather and the people were unbelievable.
Vera: And I suppose you're going to tell me that the food was out of this world, too?
Grace: Its true, it really was. Everything was fresh and I've never tasted food that was so uniquely
flavored. But most of all, I just fell in love with the people of Bali. They were warm and
friendly and had such a rich cultural tradition. I found it exciting to be there and learn
new things. You know, if I had the money right now, I'd go back in a minute.
Vera: Grace, next time you go, please take me with you.
524 Level 4 R W L S
Activity: Travelling Experiences
Exercise 1
Listen for detail.
1. Where did Grace and Vera meet? __________________________
2. Where did Vera go on her holiday? _________________________
3. List three things that Vera disliked about her trip.__________________________________________
_________________________________________ __________________________________________
4. List three things that Grace liked about her trip. __________________________________________
_______________________________________ ____________________________________________
Exercise 2
With a partner, list positive and negative travel experiences you have had (e.g., beautiful scenery, polite
people, bad food, airplane delays).
Positive Travel Experiences Negative Travel Experiences
Exercise 3
With your partner, write a short conversation telling about one or two travel experiences. Use the
information from your list in Exercise 2. Practice your conversation with your partner.
Exercise 4
Listen to the conversation again. You will hear these idioms.
bump into = meet by accident
Listen as two friends bump into each other at the Toronto International Airport.
had enough = dont want more
No, I've had enough of travelling, thank you.
put up with = tolerated, accepted
I put up with rude waiters
shown up = arrived
Would you believe this is third time I've been to the baggage claims department to
see if my suitcases have shown up yet?
give someone a piece of my mind = complain forcefully
I'm going to give someone a piece of my mind.
heading off = beginning a trip
Are you heading off to somewhere exotic?
out of this world = wonderful
And I suppose youre going to tell me that the food was out of this world too?
526 Level 4 R W L S
Exercise 5
Choose the correct idiom for each sentence, and copy it into the blank.
bumped into heading off show up
out of this world have had enough put up with
give him a piece of my mind
1. I dont like being unemployed, but I have to ______________________ it until I learn more English.
2. Steve was ___________________________ to work when his car broke down.
3. Kate didnt __________________________ for work yesterday because she had a bad flu.
4. I think we __________________________ of winter, dont you? When will spring arrive?
5. Her delicious berry pie was ____________________________.
6. I'm tired of those late night noisy parties my neighbour has. The next time I see him, I'm going to
__________________________________.
7. I __________________________ my high school teacher at the supermarket.
Exercise 6
Choose three of the idioms you have learned and use them in your own sentences.
Sentence: _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________.
Sentence:_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________.
Sentence: _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________.
528 Level 4 L S
Activity:
Safety In Your City
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Learners share ideas and opinions about personal safety.
~ Have you ever visited a city that is considered dangerous or unsafe?
~ Has anyone ever been the victim of a crime while visiting another city?
Write pickpocket on the board and discuss its meaning. Find out if anyone has been
the target of a pickpocket.
Inform the class that they are going to talk about personal safety in two cities
the one they live in now, and the city they lived in before they came to Canada.
ACTIVITY Divide the class into heterogeneous groups of three that include different genders
and nationalities.
Groups share ideas and opinions about the discussion points on the handout.
FOLLOW-UP Ask learners to find out if there are courses on public safety in their city.
Most police departments have community relations/education staff willing to act as
guest speakers on personal safety and crime prevention. Invite one to your class.
CROSS- Canadian Law Personal Safety Test
REFERENCE
REFERENCE
VOCABULARY public safety; personal safety; personal safety device; safety concerns; pickpocket
Talk about personal safety in your Canadian city:
Do you feel safe in public places?
Are there some places that you dont like to go when you are alone?
Would you go to some places during the day, but not at night?
Is your city usually a safe place?
Do women and men feel differently about their personal safety?
Talk about personal safety in another city you have lived in:
Do women go out alone at night?
Do women often speak about feeling safe? Or unsafe?
Do women usually carry personal safety devices?
Do men have safety concerns? What are they?
Activity:
Safety In Your City

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