Everyday English 

The following curriculum framework and pacing guide outlines Everyday English of Literacy Volunteers’ sixth EL/Civics session, which began in early March, 2003. As with the other EL/Civics sessions, Everyday English emphasizes practical skills, conversational activities, grammar and life skills while integrating computer and Internet skills into the session curriculum. In this instance, life skills focused upon getting around the community, finding and renting an apartment, and speaking with utilities companies. Users will find below a short description of each lesson and an accompanying timeline for this class of intermediate level English learners. Virtually all of the materials and activities described here are easily adapted to meet the needs of learners at other levels of competency.

Detailed descriptions of the lessons used throughout this session may be found by going to the E/L Civics Complete Lesson Plan Index and clicking on the appropriate subject. Tutors with questions about this session's activities, their sequence or how to apply them to single- and paired–learner environments may call the Literacy Volunteers ESOL coordinator at 265-9339, Mondays through Fridays, or use e-mail anytime.

Timeline

March 3: Giving and Taking Directions 
March 5: Giving and Taking Directions 
March 10: Map Activity 

March 12: Map Activity 

March 17: Negative Imperatives and Idioms 

March 19: Apartment Hunting 

March 24: Managing Family Life 

March 26: Managing Family Life 

March 31: Managing family Life/Using Information Services 

April 2: Using Information Services 

April 7: Using Information Services 

April 9: Using Information Services/Landlord and Tenant Agreements 

April 14: Landlord and Tenant Agreements

April 16: Requesting and Canceling Utilities

April 21: Using and Paying for Electricity: Talking About Your Bill 

April 23: Final Evaluations  

Session Objectives

The learner will differentiate between a declarative sentence and a command.

The learner will complete a diagram by: 1) responding to the verbal commands "write," "draw," "fold" and "give," the prepositions "next," "under," "above," "below," "inside," "outside," and the ordinal numbers "first" through "tenth."

The learner will follow written from one location to another location in the Roanoke Valley.

The learner will write and follow directions from a starting point to a destination using a map and ads from the Yellow Pages. 

The learner will define the following terms using total body response or through the use of random objects: "right-hand," "left-hand," "merge," "bear to the right/left," "continue," "upper," "lower," "next to," "between," "below," "above," "inside," "outside," "across (from)." 

The learner will convert the cardinal numbers 1-20 to their ordinal equivalent.

The learner will use positive and negative imperatives and selected idiomatic phrases in written and spoken dialogues. 

The learner will match abbreviations from apartment classified ads with their correct term with 100% accuracy.

The learner will use superlatives and comparatives when talking about shopping for apartments. 

The learner will use "must" and "have to" in sentences about finding an apartment. 

The learner will use "can" and "could" in sentences about apartments and renters rights.

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

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

The learner will fill out a sample rental agreement.

The learner will write a sample complaint letter to a landlord. 

The learner will demonstrate 100% listening comprehension of a sample phone conversation between a customer and a utilities representative.

The learner will write a dialogue or role play a telephone conversation with a utilities representative.

The learner will define all vocabulary words relating to a sample electric bill.

The learner will use the past, present and future tenses of the verbs "pay," "owe," "receive," "call," "return," "restore," "send," and "get" in their proper context.