Manuals > General English > Rosetta Stone Advantage > Elementary - Book 3 > Lesson 35
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This lesson presents a problem that the student needs to solve. Read the situation, then use the content from the three sections (Reading, Listening, and Interview) to complete the final task.
By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to present their plan for a one-week trip around Japan with a friend.
Communication strategies:
The student should be able to compare the two companies using the strategy below:
1) State which option you selected
2) State the pros and cons of each option in regards to:
- Locations
- Packages
- Transportation
- Living arrangements
e.g.
Both of the homestay companies are good, but I think the first company is a better choice. I really want to go to Australia. I’ve been dreaming about going there for about 10 years. The second company is good, but they don’t offer homestays in Australia, only America.
In regards to the packages, the first one has long term and short term stays which is perfect. I think a short term stay is perfect for me. The second one has more options, but they are all farmstay so I think it would be a little inconvenient if I wanted to travel to the city.
The living arrangements in the first place look better too. I like how the first company has fast internet access in the rooms. I think that’s really important.
I think I’m going to go with the first one.
Words and rules:
- The student should be able to share information about locations they would like to live
- The student should be able to share information about commuting
- The student should be able to share information about apartments
- The student should be able to call about a service
Appropriateness:
Non-verbal behaviour: NA
Register: NA
Social rules: NA
Cultural references: NA
Track #28
Thank you very much for your interest in Homestay Express. We would be happy to help you plan your homestay experience. We specialize
in organizing homestays in Australia. We can arrange homestays in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. We have lots of different packages available. We offer both short-term and long-term stays. We also can arrange working holidays. Each package is a set price - $1500 per month. This includes all your meals. All the locations we select are very convenient. They are all within a 5-minute walk of a train station. Also, you won’t have to share a room, you will be given your own room and a single bed. Plus, all of the locations have fast internet access. If you’d like to book a homestay, please come to our office so we can plan the perfect homestay experience for you.
The following vocabulary is included in the lesson (in the audio script):
1) to specialize in something (v)
2) to organize something (v)
3) a package (n)
4) short-term (adj)
5) long term (adj)
6) set (adj)
7) to share something (v)
8) to book something (v)
9) a stay (n)
10) to select something (v)
Option 1:
Difficulty ★★
Type: Listening - Vocabulary search
Purpose: To introduce vocabulary / check comprehension
Method: After the student has done the listening activity and completed the questions, have them find the following words in the listening by listening for their definitions. The teacher reads the definition and the student needs to find the correct word. After the student has found all the words, ask the student to give you a summary of the listening. Hopefully, the student will use some of the new words in their summary.
1) to specialize in something (v) to limit your business or area of study to one specific subject
2) to organize something (v) - to arrange and plan
3) a package (n) - a group of related things that are sold together for a single price
4) short-term (adj) - lasting for a short period of time
5) long term (adj) - lasting for a long period of time
6) set (adj) - particular and not changing — used to describe something that has been decided by someone with authority
7) to share something (v) - to have or use (something) with others
8) to book something (v) - to make a reservation
9) a stay (n) - an occasion in which you spend time at a place as a guest or visitor
10) to select something (v) - to choose (someone or something) from a group
Option 2:
Difficulty ★★
Type: Task - Role-play
Purpose: To increase fluency and confidence
Method: After you have completed the task role-play one time. Give the student some feedback and
then do it again. Time permitting, you are welcome to do this multiple times.
Reading
1) What countries does she want to go to?
America, Canada or Australia.
2) Why does she want to do a homestay?
so that I can improve my English. I’m also hoping to make some new friends
3) How long does she want to stay for?
A year
4) When would she like to start her homestay?
January next year.
Listening
Listen to the voicemail message. Write down notes under the following headings then share the information with your teacher.
Locations (countries / cities)
Australia Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.
Packages
Short-term and long-term stays. + working holiday
$1500 a month
Living arrangements
You won’t have to share a room, you will be given your own room and a single bed. Plus, all of the locations have fast internet access.
Transportation
They are all within a 5-minute walk of a train station
Interview
Your teacher also runs a homestay company. Call them on the phone, ask about their services, and see if they are right for you.
What countries / cities they offer homestays in
What packages they offer
What the living arrangements are like
What transportation options are available
A) Hello, I’m calling to inquire about your homestay company.
B) Sure. What would you like to know?
A) What countries do you offer homestays in?
B) America and Canada
A) Great. Can you tell me about the packages?
B) Sure. We have three packages. Our intensive package, our working holiday package and our farm stay.
A) What’s a farmstay?
B) It’s a working holiday at a farm.
A) Can you tell me more about it?
B) Sure (details)
A) What are the living arrangements like?
B) You get your own room and (details)
A) What’s transportation like?
B) The farms are approximately 2 hours from the city, and there is no rail access, so your host parents will pick you up from the station.
A) Thank you for the information. Bye.
Task
Both of the homestay companies are good, but I think the first company is a better choice. I really want to go to Australia. I’ve been dreaming about going there for about 10 years. The second company is good, but they don’t offer homestays in Australia, only America.
In regards to the packages, the first one has long term and short term stays which is perfect. I think a short term stay is perfect for me. The second one has more options, but they are all farmstay so I think it would be a little inconvenient if I wanted to travel to the city.
The living arrangements in the first place look better too. I like how the first company has fast internet access in the rooms. I think that’s really important.
I think I’m going to go with the first one.