Esl C Unit 2 Canadian Dreams and Realities

Unit Description

After reading an essay about Canada as a land of dreams, students consider the dreams that brought them and their families to Canada and use this as a basis for a collage or Venn diagram. From this essay, current issues in Canadian society are identified.

Students discover the historical and geographical basis for these issues. Students gather information in a variety of graphic organizers and search newspapers and the Internet to discover how these issues impact life in Canada today.

This information forms the basis for the culminating activity, a group presentation. The language emphasis of the unit is on modal verbs, letter writing, and the present perfect.

Students prepare group collages or Venn diagrams which reflect on the visions/ideas that they had about Canada before they came and the realities of life in Canada. Students read and discuss an essay about Canada as a land of dreams and complete comprehension and vocabulary exercises on it.

Using examples from the essay, students learn the meanings of various modal verbs and use these to write a letter of advice to a friend. They include this letter in their Autobiographical Portfolio.

· Where were you when you were told you were immigrating to Canada?

· Who told you?

· How did you feel?

· Was it a surprise or had you been part of the plans?

· How did the other members of your family feel about coming to Canada?

· What were your first thoughts about Canada when you heard the news?

· What did other people in your country tell you about Canada?

· How did you picture your social life?

· How did your friends react to the news that you were immigrating to Canada?

· How did you imagine Canada would look?

· What did you think school would be like?

· What did you think your new home would be like?

· What did you think you would miss the most?