School Around the World - ESL Worksheet

Good Morning & Happy Monday!

Today's worksheet is about school around the world. Students read about school in America, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. I had no idea that Japanese students spend so much time in school!

This article complements an article from Q Skills Special Edition Intro. However, the worksheet can be used in most any high-beginner, low-intermediate classroom. The Q Skills Special Edition series seems to be popular here. I've had a chance to look at this series and find that I quite like it. The articles are interesting and the activities are generally relevant to the reading.

Thank you for visiting and have a great week!

School Around the World

How much time do you spend in school? People around the world go to school at different times. Yet most people feel that they spend too much time in school. Here are three students from three different countries. Their schools are different. Yet the students want to spend less time at school and more time on fun!

United States

John goes to a public school in the United States, so it is free. Most people in America go to public school. There are no uniforms in public school. John starts school at 7:45 a.m. and finishes at 3:30 p.m. He has a lunch break at 1:00 p.m. After school, John stays for an hour for club work. He has a different club every day. John has theatre on Monday and Wednesday, and he plays football the rest of the week. John often gets home at 5:00 p.m. He has football practice on the weekend. John also goes to a religious school on Sunday morning. He does not get homework at Sunday School.

Saudi Arabia

Reem is from Saudi Arabia. She starts school at 6:30 a.m. School lasts until 1:00 p.m. Reem gets home around 1:30 p.m. Reem does not go to any clubs at school, but she goes to a religious school two days a week. She has homework for both schools.  Reem also studies with a tutor most days of the week. She has many exams and subjects to study for. Schools in Saudi Arabia have two terms. Reem wears a uniform at school. Like many people in Saudi Arabia, Reem goes to a private school. Her parents pay for her school, and Reem brings her own lunch.

Japan

Yoko goes to school in Japan. She attends school six days a week. Yoko goes to a public school, but her parents pay for it. Public schools cost less than private school. Yoko has a long day at school. When she gets to school, she takes off her shoes and puts on slippers. Slippers help to keep the school clean.  Yoko has a lunch period.  She talks quietly with her friends during lunch. After lunch, students clean up the cafeteria. Yoko stays in her classroom most of the day. She and her classmates clean their classroom at the end of each day. Most days after school, Yoko goes to a club. She tutors other students during math club. Yoko gets home around 5:30 p.m. After dinner, Yoko goes to a cram school for more lessons. She finishes around 8:00 p.m.

Thank you for visiting!

Faiza Raintree

To download the worksheet for this article, please click below.

Crazy Sale at Walmart - ESL Worksheet

Good Morning & Happy Monday!

Today's article is about Walmart's crazy sale this past week. I've included a table and questions about some of the world's largest corporations. The table could be used as an IELTS Writing Task 1 as well.

If you're interested in improving your IELTS Reading score in the next few weeks, visit my blog this Tuesday (September 30, 2014)  to register for a free online course! Space is limited to 20 students.

Thank you for visiting and have a great week!

Crazy Sale at Walmart

 Did you ever wish you had more money to spend? At Walmart last week, people did not need much money to buy some expensive things. 

Computer monitors sold for $9 and treadmills cost $33! 

Treadmills often cost more than $500. People wrote about the crazy sale on Facebook and Twitter. Others told their friends. When people heard about these prices, they rushed to Walmart. They tried to buy whatever they could. A man bought a $2000 television for only $300. Another man bought a digital projector for about $10. 

Walmart also has an online store. They sell things online for the same price that you find at the store. Many people bought things for low prices at Walmart's online store.

All of this was only for a short time. Walmart had an error in their computers, so many prices were wrong. When Walmart saw their mistake, they stopped the sales. Then they cancelled online sales. They told everyone who bought things online that they could not buy these items for such a low price. They promised everyone a $10 gift card to use at Walmart. Some people were happy about the gift card. 

Others were angry that Walmart did not honor their prices.

They said, "If Walmart lists the price at $10, then they must give it to us for that price!"

Walmart is the largest corporation in the world. It is a family-owned company with 2 million employees. Walmart earns about $470 billion dollars a year in sales.

Thank you for visiting!

Faiza Raintree

To download the worksheet for this article, please click below.

The Friends We Have - ESL Worksheet

Good Morning & Happy Monday!

Today's article is about different kinds of friends. Students read about the different kinds and think about the friends they have. I hope your students enjoy this week's article.

Thank you and have a great week!

THE FRIENDS WE HAVE

Did you know that people who have friends are happier and live longer? We all need friends in life. Some are close and some are not. We all need different kinds of friends to have a full social life. There are different kinds of real friends in life. 

Acquaintance

We all have acquaintances. They are not true friends, but are very much like a friend. An acquaintance is someone you see often. You are friendly with them, but not close. You do not tell your problems to an acquaintance. You do not share secrets with them. Examples are neighbors, people in your class or colleagues.

Mentor

A mentor is a wise friend who gives you excellent advice. She may be older or have more experience in life. She may be someone at work that you can turn to.  A mentor may not share her secrets with you, but she is happy to help you in your personal life.

Bachelor Pal

A bachelor friend is someone you turn to for fun. He may be your friend from high school. He may even be married. That is not the important thing. The important thing is that he has time to have fun with you. You may not be very close, but you enjoy your time together.

Best Friend

Your best friend is the one you call most often. You turn to her most and she does too. You are there for each other and know each other well. You share your joys and problems. You share your secrets. You trust your friend and she never breaks that trust. Your best friend does not judge you. She is there simply to be your friend.

Twin

A twin friend is someone who is very much like you. They grew up in the same place and speak the same language. They come from a family like yours. They may even be a family friend. They share the same beliefs and values. Such friends know you because they are so like you. You feel close to them because your lives are similar. Because you are alike in so many ways, you understand and support each other.

All friends need our time and support. We must be thankful for our friends and be a good friend in return.

They say that a friend is someone with whom you can be yourself. This sums up the definition of any true friend, no matter what kind!

Thank you for visiting!

Faiza Raintree

 To download the worksheet for this article, please click below.