General Listening Quiz
“Homestay in the USA”
| Level: | Topic: | Speakers: | Length: |
| easy | homestay | man – man | 01:30 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Some international students want to live with a homestay family when they study in a foreign country. In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of such living arrangements?
Speak Up, Take a Stand! Instructions for Getting the Conversation Started
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.
-
In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
-
In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
-
For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and self-assess your progress.
-
- Staying with a host family is a great way to learn about a new culture.
- Homestays are better than staying in hotels when traveling.
- It’s important to follow your host family’s rules while staying with them.
- Homestays can be uncomfortable because you have to adapt to new lifestyles.
- It’s easy to make friends with your host family.
- People should always share their daily routine with their host family.
- Staying in a homestay is better for improving language skills than staying on your own.
- Host families should be responsible for planning activities for their guests.
- It’s okay to eat different food than your host family.
- Homestays are a great way to experience local life beyond tourism.
Idioms
“eat out of house and home” = eat everything in the house
“Teenagers are always hungry, and they will eat you out of house and home if you let them.”
“bed of roses” = something isn’t easy or without problems
“Living in an apartment with roommates isn’t always a bed of roses.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
If James does homestay with the family in the video, what do you think will happen? Why? Give three ideas and explain your reasons.
Online Investigation
There are a number of companies that help students find homestay opportunities. Search for a company online and review the company’s Web site. Collect information on the following questions.
- What is the name of the company and Web site?
- How long has this company been in business? (When did the business first start?)
- What is the mailing address and telephone number of the business? Why can this be important?
- How does the company check each family they list on their Web site?
- What kind of reviews of host families are available on the site?
- How much does it cost to use their service?
- What kind of agreement or contract do you sign when making arrangements with a host family?