Week 3 Vocabulary Activities

HOUSING DIALOGUES

Luis: Hey Laura, have you found any decent places to rent around here?

Laura: Not really. The prices are outrageous. I’ve been looking for weeks, and everything is either too small or way over budget.

Luis: I know what you mean. I saw a tiny studio that was almost double what I used to pay back home. It’s ridiculous.

Laura: It feels like they’re taking advantage of people like us. We just want a place to call home, not a financial nightmare.

Luis: Exactly. And many landlords don’t understand our situations. They want proof of income that often isn’t realistic for newcomers.

Laura: True. I’ve thought about sharing a place to split costs, but it’s hard to find someone trustworthy. How about teaming up?

Luis and Laura discuss their struggles to find affordable rental housing in their area. Laura mentions that the prices are outrageous, and after weeks of searching, she finds options that are either too small or over budget. Luis shares his experience of seeing a tiny studio priced nearly double what he previously paid, expressing frustration at how landlords seem to take advantage of newcomers who often struggle to provide unrealistic proof of income. Laura considers sharing a place to reduce costs but is concerned about finding a trustworthy roommate, leading her to suggest they team up.

TRUE OR FALSE?

Statements: 

1. Laura thinks the rental prices are reasonable. 

2. Luis is unhappy about the high prices for small apartments. 

3. Laura wants to find a roommate to save money. 

4. The author believes landlords help newcomers with their income proof. 

5. Luis found a large studio that was affordable. 

Correct answers:

1. False – Laura thinks the rental prices are outrageous, not reasonable. 

2. True – Luis is frustrated with the high prices for small apartments. 

3. True – Laura considers sharing a place to reduce costs. 

4. False – The author believes landlords take advantage of newcomers, not help them. 

5. False – Luis saw a tiny studio that was nearly double what he previously paid, not a large one.

Extra Credit for Week 3: Select one of the following discussion questions and answer it in 3-5 sentences in the comments section at the bottom of this page:

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do you live in a house or an apartment? 

2. How much do you pay for your home? 

3. Have you ever looked for a new place to live? 

4. What is the most important thing for you when choosing a home? 

5. Do you think rent prices are high in your area? 

6. Have you ever shared a home with someone? 

7. What do you like about living where you are now? 

8. Is it easy to find a good roommate? 

9. How long did it take you to find your current home? 

10. What would you do if you could not find a place to live?

Luis: Hey Laura, have you found any decent places to live since moving here? It’s tough to find something affordable.

Laura: I know, right? I looked at a couple of apartments, but they were either too expensive or in sketchy neighborhoods. It’s frustrating.

Luis: Exactly! I thought there’d be more options for immigrants, but everything feels out of reach. Have you tried any local community groups?

Laura: Yes, I joined a Facebook group for newcomers. They share leads on housing, but it’s still hit or miss. Some listings go really fast.

Luis: That’s true. I heard about a co-op housing project. It might be worth checking out. At least we’d be sharing costs and resources.

Laura: Great idea! I’ll look into it. We need to support each other; navigating this housing market alone is overwhelming.

JOBS DIALOGUES

Luis: Hey Laura, have you heard anything from our friends who just moved here? How are they finding jobs?

Laura: Yeah, I spoke to them last week. They’re struggling a bit. The job market is tough, especially without local experience.

Luis: That’s true. I remember when I first got here, it took me months to find something decent. Do they have any leads?

Laura: A few. They both applied for positions in restaurants, but there’s a lot of competition. They’re considering taking on less desirable jobs just to get a foot in the door.

Luis: Yeah, sometimes you have to start somewhere. I told them to network more; it helped me connect with my first employer.

Laura: Good advice. I hope they find something soon. It’s not easy starting over in a new country.

Luis and Laura discuss their friends who recently moved to the area and are struggling to find jobs due to a tough job market and lack of local experience. Laura mentions that the friends have applied for restaurant positions but face stiff competition and are considering less desirable jobs to get started. Luis reflects on his own experience of searching for a job when he first arrived and advises them to network, as it helped him secure his first position. They both express hope that their friends will find employment soon, acknowledging the challenges of starting over in a new country.

TRUE OR FALSE?

Statements: 

1. Luis and Laura’s friends are having a hard time finding jobs. 

2. The friends have only applied for jobs in offices. 

3. Luis suggests that networking helped him find a job. 

4. Laura believes their friends will find jobs quickly. 

5. The friends are not facing any competition for jobs. 

Correct answers:

1. True – The text states that Luis and Laura’s friends are struggling to find jobs. 

2. False – The friends have applied for restaurant positions, not only office jobs. 

3. True – Luis reflects that networking helped him secure his first job. 

4. True – They both express hope that their friends will find employment soon. 

5. False – The text mentions that the friends face stiff competition for jobs.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever moved to a new place? 

2. How do you feel about finding a job in a new city? 

3. What kind of jobs do you want to have in the future? 

4. Do you think it is easy or hard to find a job? 

5. Have you helped a friend look for a job before? 

6. What do you like to do when you are looking for work? 

7. Can you share a time when you had to start over? 

8. How important is it to have experience for a job? 

9. Do you know anyone who has moved and found a job? 

10. What advice would you give someone looking for their first job?

Luis: Hey Laura, have you heard about the new job fair coming up next week?

Laura: Yeah, I’m thinking of going. I really need to find something steady. How about you?

Luis: Same here. I’ve been doing odd jobs, but it’s tough to make ends meet like that.

Laura: I know what you mean. I had a few interviews, but they all want experience I don’t have yet.

Luis: It’s frustrating. Sometimes I feel like they don’t see our potential, just the gaps in our resumes.

Laura: Exactly! But we just need to keep pushing, right? Something will come through eventually.

BANKING DIALOGUES

Luis: Have you looked into opening a bank account here yet, Laura? I heard it can be complicated for newcomers.

Laura: Yeah, I did some research. It seems like some banks require a lot of documentation, even for basic accounts.

Luis: Exactly! I went to one bank, and they asked for proof of address, employment, and a bunch of other stuff. It was overwhelming.

Laura: Same here! I finally found a bank that accepted my foreign ID, but I still had to prove where I live. I ended up using my rental agreement.

Luis: That’s smart! I’m worried about fees, too. Some places charge monthly fees if your balance is below a certain amount.

Laura: I noticed that too. I’m thinking of going with a credit union instead. They seem to have lower fees and better customer service. Have you considered that?

Luis and Laura discuss the challenges newcomers face when opening a bank account, noting that many banks require extensive documentation such as proof of address and employment. Laura shares her experience of finding a bank that accepted her foreign ID but still required proof of residence, which she provided through her rental agreement. They express concerns about potential monthly fees associated with maintaining a minimum balance and consider alternatives, with Laura suggesting a credit union for lower fees and better customer service.

TRUE OR FALSE?

Statements: 

1. Luis and Laura talk about how easy it is to open a bank account. 

2. Laura had to show her rental agreement to prove where she lives. 

3. Banks do not charge any fees for keeping a bank account. 

4. The author thinks credit unions are better for lower fees. 

5. Many banks accept foreign IDs without any other documents. 

Correct answers:

1. False – Luis and Laura discuss the challenges of opening a bank account, not how easy it is. 

2. True – Laura provided her rental agreement as proof of residence. 

3. False – The text mentions concerns about potential monthly fees for maintaining a minimum balance. 

4. True – Laura suggests a credit union for lower fees and better customer service. 

5. False – The text states that many banks require extensive documentation, not that they accept foreign IDs without other documents.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever opened a bank account? 

2. What documents do you need to open a bank account in your country? 

3. Do you think it is easy or hard to find a good bank? 

4. How do you feel about monthly fees for bank accounts? 

5. Have you ever used a credit union instead of a bank? 

6. What is important for you when choosing a bank? 

7. Do you know anyone who had problems opening a bank account? 

8. Why do you think banks ask for proof of address? 

9. How often do you visit your bank? 

10. What services do you like most from your bank?

Luis: Hey Laura, have you figured out how to set up a bank account here yet?

Laura: Not really. I went to a bank yesterday, but the paperwork was overwhelming. They kept asking for documents I didn’t have.

Luis: I know, right? I had the same issue. They want proof of address and a Social Security number, which I don’t have yet.

Laura: Exactly! I felt lost. I ended up just getting a prepaid debit card for now.

Luis: That’s a good temporary solution. I heard some banks have programs specifically for immigrants. Did you ask about those?

Laura: No, I didn’t. Maybe I should give them another try and ask about options for people like us.