Buying A Home ESL Lesson

OBJECTIVE & OVERVIEW

This ESL lesson plan on buying a home provides activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for upper intermediate B2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Engage in discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of buying versus renting a home
• Learn vocabulary terms related to housing, real estate, and financial decision-making
• Watch a video comparing the pros and cons of homeownership and renting
• Practice using prepositional phrases commonly used in discussions about housing
• Participate in interactive activities that explore real-life housing dilemmas and decision-making scenarios

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this ESL lesson plan on buying a home versus renting one by helping Raquel, a character unsure whether to buy or rent a home. They provide advice using key vocabulary terms like "dream home," "mortgage," "flexibility," "maintenance costs," "landlord," and "deposit." This activity encourages students to think critically about the decision-making process in homeownership. Following this, students engage in a discussion about their own housing experiences, sharing details such as the type of place they live in, how long they've been there, and whether they rent or own. They also explore their future housing aspirations and the challenges they faced in finding their current homes. Finally, students complete sentences expressing common opinions about buying and renting a home using phrases like "to my taste," "on a whim," "in the long run," and "on hand," and discuss how these align with their personal experiences.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch a video that explores the pros and cons of buying a home versus renting. The video discusses various factors that influence this decision, aiming to help viewers weigh their options. Students first match pros and cons of homeownership with the correct endings, focusing on aspects such as security, financial commitment, and freedom to renovate. Then, students discuss and write short answers about the benefits of renting, covering topics like flexibility, landlord responsibilities, and financial advantages. They also complete a quote about the cons of renting, filling in missing words to highlight challenges like rising rent costs and the uncertainty of long-term renting.

DISCUSSION & GRAMMAR

In this section, students reflect on the video by discussing its usefulness and relating it to their personal experiences. They share whether they have ever faced a dilemma about buying or renting a home and describe the decision-making process. Additionally, students talk about their most recent difficult financial decisions. They then analyze several prepositional phrases, such as "in a bind," "out of the blue," and "on the lookout," discussing their meanings, common structures, and differences. Finally, students use these phrases to complete sentences, applying the expressions in a context related to housing and real estate.

ACTIVATION: HOUSING DILEMMA DEBATES & ‘WOULD YOU RATHER…’

Students participate in one of two interactive activities. In the first option, they work with a partner to solve real-life housing dilemmas posted on an online forum. They discuss scenarios such as financial struggles, relationship issues affecting homeownership, rent hikes, and challenges with landlords. Students offer advice based on their understanding of the issues and the language learned during the lesson. In the second option, students engage in a "Would You Rather?" session where they choose between different housing scenarios, such as living in a unique home off the beaten path or a centrally located home, and buying a dream home with or without long-term value growth. They discuss their preferences and reasoning, applying the vocabulary and concepts covered in the lesson.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS ESL LESSON PLAN ON BUYING A HOME:

This ESL lesson plan offers practical benefits for both teachers and students. It builds essential vocabulary related to housing and real estate, allowing students to discuss real-life scenarios confidently. The lesson encourages active participation through meaningful discussions and interactive activities, which enhances conversational skills and critical thinking. The video component helps reinforce comprehension, making abstract concepts more relatable and easier to understand. Additionally, the lesson is adaptable for various proficiency levels, ensuring that all students can engage and learn effectively. This combination of real-world relevance and active learning makes the lesson both impactful and versatile.