lesson plan
Teacher s notes
Level Advanced
Time 45 60 minutes
Aims " to revise and expand  homes vocabulary, practising various reading tactics as a
preparation for writing
" to raise awareness of differences between American and British English
Before you start
" Make a copy of the worksheet for each student/pair
You will also need
" Copies of the Oxford Advanced Learner s Dictionary, 7th edition.
HOMES
DEScrIBIng HOMES:
The first vocabulary exercise here introduces the topic of homes. Get Ss to make guesses first
to establish how much of the vocabulary they already know. If they are unsure, get them to
look at the pictures of different types of home on page R16 of the Oxford Advanced Learner s
Dictionary, 7th edition, to help. Ss work individually or in pairs to write their own definitions.
Key:
Students definitions should explain the basic differences between the types of home. The
dictionary definitions are as below:
" a detached house: a house which is not joined to another house on either side
" a semi-detached house: a house which is joined to another house by a wall on one side
that is shared
" a terraced house: a house that forms part of a continuous row of similar houses that are
joined together in one block (a terrace)
" a bungalow: a house built all on one level, without stairs
" a cottage: a small house, especially in the country
" a flat: a set of rooms for living in, including a kitchen, usually on one floor of a building
Skim reading:
Explain that the Ss are going to read estate agents descriptions of three homes. The first time
they read, they should not focus on unknown vocabulary, but just try to get a general idea to
answer the questions. Encourage Ss to skim read the texts, setting a time limit if necessary.
They could work in pairs or small groups to discuss their answers.
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lesson plan
Key:
The most obvious answers would be that the family with three children would choose house
A, because it has four bedrooms and plenty of space. The newly-married couple would
choose house C because it is suitable in size for a couple or a young family. The single person
would probably choose the studio flat, B, because it s suitable for a first-time buyer and is in a
lively area. Ss might have different answers which they should justify.
Vocabulary:
Ss now go back to re-read the texts in detail, focussing on the vocabulary and checking any
unknown words in the dictionary, either working alone or in pairs. They then match the
descriptions to words and phrases from the text.
Key:
a reception room: a room where people can sit
b en suite (bathroom): a bathroom joined onto a bedroom
c utility room: a room where you can keep a washing machine and other equipment
d patio: a flat hard area outside a house where you can sit
e lawn: an area of grass
f refurbished: decorated to make it more attractive
g studio flat: a small flat with one main room
h a stone s throw (from): a very short distance away
i open-plan: without inside walls dividing it up into rooms
j French window: a glass door, usually leading to the outside
k loft: a space just below the roof of a house
l double-glazed: with two layers of glass
Follow-up writing task:
Ss write their own  estate agent s description of a home. This could be done in class in pairs
or groups, or individually for homework. What type of home you ask them to describe will
depend on the Ss.
" their own home or their family s home - this is less appropriate if differences might cause
embarrassment or if Ss are mostly likely to live in very similar homes
" a dream home and/or a nightmare home
" a typical home from their home town - this works especially well for international groups
To help Ss focus and structure their writing, you could specify what type of information they
should include (as below). Encourage them to use some of the vocabulary from the previous
exercise, using appropriate collocations from the texts or dictionary examples.
" location
" style of building/architecture
" rooms
" features (type of heating, etc)
" the exterior (garden, balcony etc.)
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lesson plan
BrITISH AnD AMErIcAn EngLISH:
To introduce this section, you could look back at some of the vocabulary already encountered
which is different in British and American English. Note that in some cases there are not
exact equivalents as different words refer to different styles of architecture which are more
common in Britain and America (such as a bungalow and a ranch house).
a semi-detached house (BrE)  a duplex (NAmE)
a terraced house (BrE)  a row house (NAmE)
a bungalow (BrE)  a ranch house (NAmE)
a flat (BrE)  an apartment (NAmE)
Point out that the dictionary shows whether a word is used only or especially in British or
American English using the labels BrE (British English) and NAmE (North American English),
and that it also shows equivalents where appropriate.
Ss read the email and check the words in bold in the dictionary if necessary to find the BrE
equivalents.
Key:
fall  autumn
apartment  flat
fifth floor  although the vocabulary here is not American, the way Americans describe
the floors of a building is different from in the UK (and Europe). So the fifth floor in a US
building would be the sixth floor in a UK building. If students are unsure what the issue is
here, direct them to the note at the entry for  floor in the dictionary.
elevator  lift
janitor  caretaker
trash  rubbish
mailman  postman
yard  garden
faucet  tap
refrigerator  fridge
closet  wardrobe (or possibly cupboard)
cell(phone)  mobile (phone)
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lesson plan
HOMES
Describing homes
Write your own definitions for these different types of home.
" a detached house " a terraced house " a cottage
" a semi-detached house " a bungalow " a flat
reading: Quickly read the estate agent s descriptions of three homes below.
Which home:
" would be best for a family with three children?
" would be most suitable for a newly-married couple?
" would be affordable for a young, single person?
" would you most like to live in?
A short drive from the A modern two-bedroom
A completely refurbished
city centre, this spacious terraced house situated in
studio flat just a stone s
modern detached house is a popular location close to
throw away from Whiteladies
set in attractive gardens in the facilities of the town. The
Road with its vibrant shops
a popular area. The house accommodation includes
and restaurants. The
offers plenty of living entrance hall, kitchen, sitting
open-plan accommodation
accommodation including room, two bedrooms, and
comprises a spacious lounge
two reception rooms, kitchen/ a bathroom. There is also a
with sleeping area and
breakfast room, four loft conversion which could
contemporary kitchen with
bedrooms (en suite to master be used as a study or third
integral appliances. There
bedroom), family bathroom bedroom. The property
is also a separate shower
and utility room. Externally benefits from gas central
room and access to a small
there are tidy gardens with a heating, double-glazed
balcony via French windows.
patio, lawn and mature trees windows, rear garden and
Ideal for first-time buyers.
and shrubs, and a double allocated parking for two cars.
garage.
Vocabulary: Check any words or phrases in the descriptions which are not familiar in the
dictionary. Find words or phrases which mean the following.
a a room where people can sit
b a small bathroom joined on to a bedroom
c a room where you can keep a washing machine and other equipment
d a flat hard area outside a house where you can sit
e an area of grass
f decorated to make it more attractive
g a small flat with one main room
h a very short distance away
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lesson plan
i without inside walls dividing it up into rooms
j a glass door, usually leading to the outside
k a space just below the roof of a house
l with two layers of glass
British and American English
Many everyday objects around the home have different words in British and American
English. Jo s old school friend, Kate, moved to New York 15 years ago and they still keep in
touch by email. Since she s been in the States, Kate has picked up a lot of American English
words and expressions.
Hey Jo!
How s it going? How s the weather over there? It s getting cold here and
fall is really setting in.
I m now getting settled in my new apartment. It s so much better
than the old place. I m on the fifth floor but there s an elevator, so no
trudging up the stairs. The building s really well maintained and there s a
really good janitor who organizes all the trash and stuff. He s also around
during the day to accept packages from the mailman if I m not home,
which is really useful. Because it s so high up, I don t hear any traffic noise
and from the back windows I look out over a really pretty little yard.
There were a few little things to be sorted out when I moved in, the
faucet in the kitchen was dripping so I had to call in a plumber to fix it.
I also had to buy a new refrigerator as my old one had died. Otherwise,
the place is really great. I haven t unpacked everything yet, but there s
plenty of storage space, especially a fantastic big closet in my bedroom,
so I m looking forward to getting everything put away when I get some
time.
I haven t sorted out a phone line yet, but my cell number is the same. I ll
send you some photos of my new pad soon.
Look forward to hearing your news.
Kate.
Now imagine you are Jo, telling another British friend about how Kate is getting on in her
new home. Remember that you may need to  translate the American words (highlighted in
bold) into British English.
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