Studying in Canada — Host Family Expectations

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🎯 Lesson Goal

In this lesson, students will practice writing and reading about host family expectations during an exchange program.

They will learn how to:

• describe what kind of host family relationship they want
• express feelings, worries, and expectations
• explain how they want to learn English at home
• talk about difficulties with English
• use simple, clear language to express personal ideas

At the end of the lesson, the student will write their own text in the comments section.

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🧠 Useful Language Focus

Simple and common structures for applications and personal texts:

• I expect my host family to be…
• I hope my relationship with my host family is…
• I feel comfortable when…
• I am a little anxious about…
• I want to learn English by…
• I have difficulty with…
• I want to improve my English because…
• For me, family life is important.
• I prefer more independence.
• I like to feel included in daily activities.

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📖 Reading — Exchange Student Stories

Host Family Expectations

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Story 1 — Sofia (Spain)

Hello, my name is Sofia and I am from Spain. I am 17 years old and I am very excited about my exchange program in Canada. I think the host family is a very important part of this experience, and I hope to have a warm and friendly relationship with them.

I imagine my host family as kind and patient people. I hope we can talk every day, especially during meals. I would like to share dinner together and talk about our days. I do not expect them to be perfect, but I hope they are open to communication and respect.

When it comes to English, I want my host family to help me practice in a natural way. I want them to correct me gently when I make mistakes. My biggest difficulty is speaking fast and finding the right words. Sometimes I know the word in Spanish, but I forget it in English. I want to learn more daily vocabulary, especially words used at home, like food, routines, and feelings.

I want to learn English because I want to feel confident and independent. I also want to make international friends and study abroad in the future. Living with a host family will help me learn real English and understand Canadian culture better.

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Story 2 — Lucas (Brazil)

Hi, my name is Lucas and I am from Brazil. I am an outgoing person, but I also like having my own space. For my host family, I hope to have a respectful and balanced relationship.

I do not need my host family to do everything with me, but I would like to feel welcome in the house. I hope they understand that sometimes I need time alone to rest or study. At the same time, I would like to join family activities on weekends, like watching movies or going out together.

I want to learn English with my host family by listening carefully and asking questions. My difficulty with English is pronunciation. Sometimes people do not understand me, and this makes me nervous. I want to improve my accent and learn how to speak more clearly.

I want to learn English because I want better job opportunities in the future. English is very important in my area of study. Living with a host family will help me feel more confident when speaking and help me use English every day.

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Story 3 — Mei (China)

Hello, my name is Mei and I am from China. I am a calm and organized person, and I like routines. For this reason, I hope my host family has a structured daily life.

I would like my host family to explain the house rules clearly. This helps me feel safe and comfortable. I do not expect a very close relationship at the beginning, but I hope we can slowly build trust and respect. I feel more comfortable when things are clear and organized.

Learning English is very important to me. My biggest difficulty is listening, especially when people speak fast. I want my host family to speak slowly at first and help me understand new words. I want to learn vocabulary related to daily life, school, and health.

I want to learn English because I want to study science in the future. English helps me read books, understand classes, and communicate with people from different countries. Living with a host family will help me improve my listening and speaking skills.

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Story 4 — Anna (Germany)

Hi, my name is Anna and I am from Germany. I am very active and social, and I hope to have a close relationship with my host family.

I imagine my host family as people who like talking, laughing, and spending time together. I would love to feel like part of the family, not just a guest. I want to help at home and be included in daily routines.

I want to learn English by talking a lot. I am not afraid of making mistakes, but sometimes I feel anxious about grammar. I want my host family to help me understand simple sentence structures and common expressions.

I want to learn English because I want to travel and meet people from many countries. English helps me communicate and feel confident. Living with a host family will make this experience more meaningful and personal.

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Story 5 — Diego (Mexico)

Hello, my name is Diego and I am from Mexico. I am motivated but also a little anxious about my exchange program. For me, the host family is a source of emotional support.

I hope my host family is patient and understanding. I may feel homesick sometimes, and I hope they can help me feel comfortable. I want to feel safe asking questions and expressing my feelings.

My difficulty with English is vocabulary. I understand grammar, but I do not know many words. I want to learn new words every day, especially words related to emotions, school, and social situations. I hope my host family can help me learn by talking and explaining things.

I want to learn English because I want to study at a good university and work internationally. This exchange program is very important for my future, and my host family plays a big role in this experience.

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✍️ Writing Task — Comments Section

Now it’s your turn. Write about yourself in English.

Include:

• who you are
• what kind of host family you expect
• how you want your relationship with your host family to be
• how you want to learn English with them
• your difficulties with English
• why learning English is important to you

✨ You can start like this:

Hi, my name is Evelyn and I am from…
I am doing an exchange program because…
I expect my host family to be…