HOME / VOCABULARY EXERCISES / LIFE SKILLS: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
LIFE-SKILLS ENGLISH FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS: USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT 1
VOCABULARY BUILDER:
Bus pass, metro pass, etc. = A card that allows you unlimited use of public transportation for one month
Ticket = A piece of paper (that you buy) that gives you the right to use public transport
Ticket machine = A machine where you can buy tickets
Fare inspector = A person who checks whether or not you have a ticket or a pass
Turnstile = A mechanical gate used to let passengers through
EXERCISE/VOCABULARY PRACTICE TEST
Remember to choose the most natural-sounding answer.
THINGS TO LISTEN FOR:
You have to get off at the Washington Street stop. = You have to exit (the bus, subway, etc.) at the stop called "Washington Street".
Your bus pass expired last week. = Your bus pass lost its validity last week. You need to get a new bus pass, or renew your old one.
You missed your stop. = You passed the stop where you were supposed to get off.
This ticket is good for 60 minutes. = You can use this ticket for 60 minutes.
Service has been suspended. = The bus/subway route is temporarily not running.
RESOURCES FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS: SAN FRANCISCO & THE BAY AREA, CA, USA
(Check our other exercises below for resources in other places.)
Here are helpful resources and organizations in San Francisco and the Bay Area that support new immigrants, including legal help, social services, education, employment, and community support:
These are city-sponsored programs offering free or low-cost services:
• San Francisco Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs Office - San Francisco's official immigrant support office; connects people to legal help, language access, public benefits, and workshops.
• Immigrant Services & Resources (SF Immigrant Forum) - A collaborative hub across City agencies that helps connect immigrants, refugees, asylees and service providers to legal, health, housing, and benefits information.
• Rapid Response Hotline (415-200-1548) - City-connected hotline for urgent immigration enforcement support.
• SF "Pathways to Citizenship" workshops - Free help completing citizenship applications.
Tip: Call the main city immigrant help number (415-554-0600) for multilingual assistance and referrals.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND IMMIGRATION SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
Legal help is one of the most important needs for newcomers navigating paperwork, status adjustments, asylum, family petitions, and deportation defense.
Free or Low-Cost Legal Organizations
• Immigration Center for Women & Children - Highly rated legal services for immigration cases.
• Pangea Legal Services - Offers trusted immigration legal support.
• Oasis Legal Services - LGBTQIA+ focused asylum/legal support.
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) - San Francisco & Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) - Oakland - Long-standing Bay Area nonprofit providing affordable immigration legal help.
• San Francisco Immigrant Legal & Education Network - Local network focusing on legal education and assistance.
• Bay Area Legal Aid - Offers broader civil legal support, including immigration-related cases.
• Centro Legal De La Raza & Immigrant Legal Defense (Oakland) - Services in immigration, workers' rights, and more.
• La Raza Community Resource Center - Social service hub that can also help connect to legal and community services.
Note: Some private firms (like KPB Immigration Law Firm and Yasrebi Law Immigration Attorneys) provide paid immigration law services too.
HOUSING AND SETTLEMENT SUPPORT
While housing availability is limited in the Bay, there are community responses and referral help:
• Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (Hosted Housing) - Community-based temporary respite housing for newly arriving migrant families.
• Parivar Bay Area - Referral support for immigrants and LGBTQ+ newcomers, including connections to housing, healthcare, and legal services.
• San Francisco Housing and Support Programs (via City resources) - Affordable housing help, rent relief, and eviction prevention assistance.
HEALTH, BENEFITS, AND INTEGRATION
Many newcomers need help accessing healthcare, food, and benefits:
• Newcomers Health Program (SF Department of Public Health) - Health exams and support services for refugees and immigrants.
• CalFresh & Medi-Cal Enrollment Assistance - Through SF Human Services Agency and nonprofit partners, newcomers can get help applying for food and health insurance.
• Free meal and food distribution sites - Partnerships with local food banks and community kitchens.
COMMUNITY & PEER SUPPORT
Connecting with cultural or community groups can help with emotional support, networking, and practical guidance:
• Bay Area Resource for Newcomers (BRFN) - Offers culturally-sensitive social support, language help, employment, and community integration services (Oakland-based).
EMERGENCY & 'KNOW YOUR RIGHTS' RESOURCES
• SF Rapid Response Hotline - Connects people to legal support during immigration enforcement actions.
• Community "Know Your Rights" materials & hotlines - Often provided by nonprofits and local advocates; some can be found through city or community websites.
• Local community guides - There are community-built online guides (e.g., Bay Area ICE Guide) with hotlines and multilingual info for urgent assistance.
HELPFUL TIPS FOR NEWCOMERS
• Start with the city's immigrant hub - Visit or call the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs for referrals in your language.
• Document preparation - Attend free workshops (like citizenship or DACA help) before paying for legal services.
• Know your rights - Familiarize yourself with "Know Your Rights" resources (many orgs provide leaflets and workshops).
• Community groups - Cultural groups and nonprofits often provide social support and referrals.
