WRITING ASSIGNMENT: PROFILE FOR HOME EXCHANGE + EMAIL

TASK:HOME EXCHANGE (250 words)

WRITING TIPS AND FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE: MAKING ENQUIRIES

I have changed the task and instructions so this is a new pdf, not last year's. Please follow the instructions on the document.

A 90-SQUARE-FEET MICROSTUDIO IN MANHATTAN

I find this video really interesting and a good example of how we can adapt to anything if necessary!
Pay attention to the way she describes her tiny apartment because you will have to dub the first couple of minutes in class...

RENT HOUSES

Listen to this original recording about a broken fridge.

Check the script for unknown words or to review some grammar structures.

More problems, more complaints. Click here to listen to a tenant talking to his landlord.

HOUSING

Here's Sarah's presentation on housing.

HOUSING

Click here to learn the key words you need to talk about "buying vs. renting a house".

Click here to listen to some housing complaints and do the follow-up exercises online.

Click here to read the script for Charlotte's role-play with me about a problem between the landlady and the tenant.

Now listen to a dialogue about property development and answer some questions about it.

THE GREAT HOUSING DEBATE: BUYING VS. RENTING

Click here to watch a video from Fox News where the issue is debated with an expert.

Spain home evictions draw protests

20% of houses in Spain sit empty

BUYING OR RENTING?

This is a decision all of us have to face sooner or later. For some of you it will also be the topic in your oral exam card. So here's some info that will provide you with lots of good vocab:

1.  THE NEW YORK TIMES:

Is It Better to Buy or Rent?

 2. By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt, Lawyer 

Renting in Spain: Top 5 mistakes

Where Celebrities Live:The Houses of the Ultra rich

URBAN MYTHS: READING PRACTICE + CONVERSATION QUESTIONS ON HOUSE AND HOME

In unit 1 of your book (Topic 2 of our syllabus) we have been speaking about urban life and about houses and homes. 

In this post you will find two activities to practise both aspects. Next week we'll go back to the topic to round it off (after the break to talk about the election). So prepare both activities for TUESDAY.

1. URBAN MYTHS: PRACTICE OF READING TECHNIQUES TO GUESS MEANING IN CONTEXT.

a. Read about the different strategies to guess meaning in context and do the exercises from this website.

b. Read this extract from the novel Solar by Ian McEwan. There's a funny anecdote which someone turns into urban myth.

c. Select 10 words from the extract that you didn't know the meaning of. Don't look them up. Apply the techniques to guess the meaning and write your guess. Then look the words up and compare your guess to the actual meaning.

2. CONVERSATION PRACTICE: HOUSE AND HOME.

Click here to download a set of questions that you will discuss in class. Look up the new vocabulary and take notes to remember your ideas and answers to the questions. 

HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS WITH CORRECTIONS

I have added 3 more contributions you'd like to read and I have highlighted and/or corrected the mistakes. For those mistakes which I have only highlighted, I'd like you to come up with the correct version of the word/phrase. Go to the post and click on the link again.

BILL GATES'S HOUSE

Perfectly combining two topics: houses and the world of computers + technology. 

Before watching the video, do this matching exercise that will help you understand the vocab better.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCES

This activity is connected with the macrotopic from the syllabus Vivienda, hogar y entorno: tipos de vivienda, mobiliario, actividades, ciudad

and it also deals with Technology.If you want to learn how to describe problems with your domestic appliances, check this out.

Troubleshooting tips for domestic appliances from englishbites

HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS WITH A DIFFERENCE: YOUR EXPERIENCE

This is the pdf file where I have put all the contributions people have sent me. It's very interesting and worth reading! Pay attention to the language your classmates have used-you can always learn from each other. 

Click here to see/download the file. 

One of you passed me the link to this video, which is a funny example of weird habits and customs that people from different countries have as far as furniture goes. It's from the sitcom "We love Raymond".
 

HOUSE AND HOME IDIOMS

Download a worksheet to practise
HOUSE AND HOME IDIOMS