The Joy of ESL has several ideas and materials for use in the Community and Government Services theme
In the Neighbourhood
Growing Roots: A Newcomer’s Guide to Vancouver (see especially chapters 2 & 3)
This is My Neighborhood: A VOA video for beginners about places in the neighborhood
Come Over to My Place: A VOA video for beginners
Welcome to Burnaby Neighbourhood House: YouTube video introduction to the services of BNH
At the Library
English Beyond the Classroom: Unit 2 includes classroom materials related to the library and post office
Let’s Learn English at the Library: in this video, an instructor takes a learner through a tour of a Canadian library explaining the various places in a library and how to use and borrow materials
The Library Book: An easy listening comprehension video. After the story is told at regular speed, the narrator dictates the story again at a slower speed.
Going to the Library in the USA: YouTube video with conversation between a librarian and borrower, asking for information about the library lending policy. (Though the title indicates the context is the U.S., the conversation could easily be applied to a Canadian context).
ESL Conversations: At the Library
Library Vocabulary Lesson: from Easy Pace Learning
At the Recreation Centre
Bonsor Recreation Complex information
At the Community Centre, LINC 2.32 vide0
Northside Pool and Fitness: Audio with comprehension questions by BowValley. This is a outgoing phone message for a fitness centre. Note: scroll down the page to find a link to the transcript and a cloze exercise.
At the Post Office
Stickyball.net has a downloadable lesson (for beginners) about going to the post office and the bank
Renting a Postal Box in Canada: A listening with a gap fill exercise
Canada Post: find information about sending, receiving, tracking, holding and forwarding mail.
Postal Services: A video about Canada Post by Welcome BC
Contacting the Police
Reporting a Stolen Item: CLB 1-2 module plan with teaching materials and assessments created by CCLB
Volunteering in the Community
Below is a worksheet developed by Raisa Lyskenka to accompany the Language Companion, page 26. Shared under the creative commons license CC BY-NC-ND
Volunteer Burnaby: This website gives information about volunteer opportunities in Burnaby.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House: YouTube video introducing Burnaby Neighbourhood House
LINC Teaching Resources 