Using Information Services

Objectives:

• The learner will define and correctly pronounce lesson vocabulary.

• The learner will use "can" and "could" in sentences about apartments and renters rights with 100% accuracy.

• The learner will file an on-line complaint form with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

• The learner will list basic tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities. 

Duration:

    4-4.5 hours

Materials:

• "Activities for ESL Students" online quiz at a4esl.org/q/h/0001/jb-ability.html

• Department of Housing and Urban Affairs Website at www.hud.gov

• Episode 6, "English for All" videotape

• TV/VCR

• "Using Information Services" lesson packet, www.myefa.org (login name and password required)

• White board

Activities:

1. Teacher distributes "Using Information Services" lesson packet, explaining purpose of the lesson and lesson format.  

2. Teacher introduces lesson vocabulary, models pronunciation and learners pronounce terms. 

3. Learners view video and read dialogue through p. 4, then answer and discuss questions 1-10, p.5. 

4. Learners view video without sound and without reading script on pgs. 5-6. Teacher asks class, "What is happening in the story?" Learners hypothesize about what they see, share their thoughts and take turns reading the script. Learners view the video with audio on.

5. Class reads and discusses "Housing," pgs. 6-7. Teacher writes list of important points on the board. 

6. Class listens to Wizard's introduction of "can" and "could" (script on p. 7-8). Teacher drills class using chain drill with "can" pg. 8 (i.e., Teacher: "I can work in the morning. can you work in the morning?" Learner A: "Yes I can/No I can't. Can you/she/they work in the morning?" Learner B: No, I can't/Yes, I can. Can he/she/they work in the morning?" etc.).  If necessary, teacher reviews method for formatting questions before conducting drill. Learners complete questions 1-15, p. 9.

7. Class reads script from p.10 to top of p.11. Class listens to audio without picture, then discusses what has happened. Class discussion should focus on HUD and the confidentiality of customer complaints. Class views video with audio and picture. Video continues, stopping at scene with Katrina and Victor in the library. Teacher asks learners if they have experienced unfair landlords in the past, repeats the points made earlier in the "Housing" segment.

8. Class views final segment of video without audio. Teacher assigns pairs and asks each pair to discuss what they think happened, and to write their responses. Class views video with both sound and picture; learner pairs share written responses with the class. 

9. Learners complete questions 1-10, p. 13, then accesses the on-line "can/can't, could/couldn't quiz at Activities for ESL Students. Teacher assigns pairs; paired learners compare answers. Class corrects and discusses quiz and questions 1-10.

10. Teacher shows class how to access the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs at www.hud.gov, or 1-800-685-8470. Learners fill out a sample on-line complaint form at http://www.hud.gov/complaints/housediscrim.cfm. Learners exchange complaints and correct grammatical, spelling errors.

Assessment:

Teacher monitors verbal responses, assesses answers to questions and quiz.