House Boats
WORKSHEET
1. Suggested Use
Urban living and sustainability focus, followed by closed practice B1+-level vocabulary and grammar activities.
2. Suggested Activities
A. Project-based learning
Students work in groups to research or come up with another innovative way that people are choosing to live because it’s cheaper and has a focus on sustainability. Have them present the information in a similar way to the video - explaining why people live this way, the benefits, how common it is and any other important information. Students present to the class then have the class say which of the places they would like to stay in / live in and why.
B. Mediation task: Acting as an intermediary
Students imagine they are writing a short blog post about new housing ideas in London, for members of the government. They read or listen to the script and write 3–4 sentences summarising the main ideas for the politicians on what houseboats are, why they are becoming popular and what life is like living on them. Remind them to explain the ideas in a way that is digestible and appropriate for the target audience.
C. Pronunciation task: /ə/ schwa
Have students identify where they hear the sound in the video, e.g. community, particular, sofa, neighbour, together etc. Model, drill and practise the sounds with students, then have them listen to part of the video and repeat the sound, focusing on a natural rhythm.
3. Vocabulary
House and environment
houseboat
home
community
neighbour
canal
moorings
walkways
gardens
floating cafés
outdoor space
underfloor heating
air conditioning
walkway
waterway
Adjectives
spacious
cosy
modern
greener
unique
floating
Verbs / Phrases
brick and mortar
overlook
suit
sustainability
affordability
make the most of
wellbeing
greenery
4. Grammar
Quantifiers:
120 people roughly, more or less; Many believe that boats …
Relative clauses:
People who live here enjoy a strong sense of community; There are floating cafés and restaurants that offer …
Inversion:
What the community gets out of the gardens is just …
TRANSCRIPT
House Boats
NARRATOR:
People today are looking for new ways to live that suit modern life. In London, houseboats are becoming more popular as a cheaper and greener alternative to traditional homes. With rising housing costs and more focus on sustainability, many believe that boats can offer a mix of affordability, nature, and a strong sense of community.
SOUNDBITE - Matthew Smith:
"People tend to buy houseboats because they're great value for money within an area. So for example on this houseboat you can get 1700 square feet for a lot less than you would pay if you were buying bricks and mortar somewhere else. And also it's something really unique, something particularly special."
NARRATOR:
This unique way of living allows people to make the most of outdoor space, too. At Tower Bridge Moorings, rooftops and shared areas that overlook the river, have been turned into floating gardens, where fruits, vegetables, and flowers are grown.
SOUNDBITE - Teresa Lundquist:
"What the community gets out of the gardens is just a) a general feeling of wellbeing, just by seeing and having greenery around them."
NARRATOR:
The boats are connected by walkways, which makes it easy for neighbours to spend time together.
SOUNDBITE - Teresa Lundquist:
"We have a great bunch of people living here, 120 people roughly, more or less. It's a good community."
NARRATOR:
Some houseboats have modern features like air conditioning, underfloor heating, and high ceilings that make the homes feel spacious. Others are small and cosy, with just the basics. Even people who don’t live on boats can enjoy floating cafés and restaurants, which offer creative new places to relax and meet friends. With over 100 miles of canals and 40 miles of the River Thames, London is making great use of its waterways to create spaces that reflect the way people want to live today.