Problem solving scenarios are a good way to get students to deal with real issues in English. These videos show elder ESL students in Chicago who are participating in an EL-Civics class in Chicago operated by the Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly. The immigrants and refugees in the class were asked to respond to a series of questions which describe a specific problem and then the students were asked, “What would you do and what would you say?”

Segment 1 - Introduction and Eviction Notice: The teacher asks the question: “You receive an eviction notice telling you you have to move out of your apartment. And the reason stated is you failed to pay the rent, which is not true. What will you do and what will you say?”

Segment 2 - The Phone Bill: “Your phone bill is very, very high. The phone company says you called your country ten times in one week. It is not true. What will you do? What will you say?”

Segment 3 - The Lost Wallet:I”You left your wallet on the counter in a store. It contains your Green Card and $50 in it. What will you do and what will you say?”

Segment 4 - The Drunk Friend: “You go to a party with an American friend. Your friend drives. When it’s time to leave you see that he or she is drunk, and you can’t drive yourself. What will you do? What will you say?”

Segment 5 - The Lonely Neighbor: “She’s from another country - speaks a little English. (She seems sad.) And she’s your neighbor. What will you do? What will you say?”

Segment 6 - A Real Life Problem: Students were asked to describe a true story about a problem they had. This is one story.