Hey there, fellow ESL teachers! Are you ready to add some holiday cheer to your classroom? Holidays offer a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about different cultures and traditions, while also having some fun along the way. Whether it’s Christmas, Halloween, or even Valentine’s Day, there’s always something special about celebrating holidays with our students. In this blog post, we’ll explore a variety of engaging activities, worksheets, and lesson ideas that will surely help create a festive and engaging learning environment. So, let’s jump right in and discover some incredible resources to make your holiday-themed lessons truly unforgettable!
ESL Speaking Questions About Holidays
Beginner ESL Questions About Holidays
- Do you like holidays?
- Which is your favorite holiday?
- Why do you like that holiday?
- What holidays do you celebrate in your country?
- Do you have any special traditions for holidays?
- How do you usually spend your holidays?
- Do you like to travel during holidays?
- Where would you like to go for your next holiday?
- What do you do to prepare for holidays?
- Do you exchange gifts during holidays?
- What is the most memorable holiday you’ve had?
- What is your favorite holiday food?
- Do you like to decorate your house for holidays?
- What is your favorite holiday movie?
- Do you prefer a summer or winter holiday?
- What activities do you enjoy doing during holidays?
- Do you have any holiday traditions with your friends or family?
- What is the most popular holiday in your country?
- Do you prefer to spend holidays alone or with others?
- What was the best holiday gift you ever received?
Intermediate ESL Questions about Holidays
- What is your favorite holiday and why?
- How do you usually celebrate your favorite holiday?
- Do you prefer to travel or stay at home during the holidays?
- What is a typical holiday meal in your country?
- Have you ever celebrated a holiday in a different country? If yes, where and how was it different?
- What are some typical decorations used during holidays in your culture?
- Is gift-giving an important part of holidays in your country?
- What is the most memorable holiday you have ever had?
- What are some traditional holiday customs in your culture?
- Do you believe it is important to take a break and relax during holidays? Why or why not?
- Do you have any holiday traditions that you follow every year?
- What are some popular holiday destinations in your country?
- Do you enjoy participating in holiday parades or festivals? Why or why not?
- What are some common New Year’s resolutions people make in your culture?
- What is the best gift you have ever received during a holiday?
- Do you prefer to spend your holidays with family, friends, or alone?
- What are some common activities or games people play during holidays in your culture?
- What is the most popular holiday in your country? How is it celebrated?
- Do you have any funny or interesting holiday stories to share?
- What do you enjoy most about holidays?
Advanced ESL Questions about Holidays
- What is your favorite holiday and why?
- How do you usually celebrate New Year’s Eve?
- What is the most popular holiday in your country?
- Have you ever celebrated a holiday in a different country? If so, which one and how was it different from your own country?
- What are some unique holiday traditions in your culture?
- Would you rather have a holiday at the beach or in the mountains?
- What is the most interesting holiday you have ever celebrated?
- Do you prefer to celebrate holidays with family or friends?
- What holiday-related food do you enjoy the most?
- Have you ever experienced culture shock during a holiday celebration in a foreign country?
- Are there any holidays that you think are overly commercialized? Why?
- How do you feel about holidays becoming more globally recognized and celebrated?
- What is the most memorable holiday gift you’ve ever received?
- Do you think it’s important to preserve traditional holiday customs? Why or why not?
- What is your favorite holiday memory from your childhood?
- What is the most unique or interesting holiday tradition you have heard of from another country?
- Would you like to celebrate a holiday in a different cultural tradition? Which one and why?
- Do you think that holidays are becoming too commercialized? Why or why not?
- Have you ever had a holiday disaster? What happened?
- What is your favorite part about holidays?
ESL Reading Activities About Holidays
Beginner ESL Activities About holidays
There are many fun holidays that people celebrate all around the world. Holidays are special days when people take a break from work or school to enjoy themselves. They spend time with family and friends and have lots of fun. One popular holiday is Christmas. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th every year. People decorate their homes with lights and ornaments. They also give each other presents. Another holiday is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. On this day, families gather together and have a big feast with turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. People also take the time to say thank you for all the good things in their lives. New Year’s Day is another exciting holiday. It marks the beginning of a new year. People celebrate by staying up until midnight and watching fireworks in the sky. They make resolutions, which are promises to improve themselves in the coming year.
Vocabulary Word |
Definition |
|---|---|
holidays |
special days when people take a break from work or school to enjoy themselves |
celebrate |
to take part in special activities in order to show that a particular day or occasion is important |
decorate |
to make something look more attractive by adding things to it |
ornaments |
small, decorative objects used to embellish or beautify something |
feast |
a large meal, typically a celebratory one |
gratitude |
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation |
fireworks |
explosives that create a visual display and loud noises in the sky |
resolutions |
firm decisions to do or not to do something |
Intermediate ESL Activities About Holidays
Are you ready to learn about holidays? Holidays are special occasions that people celebrate. They can be religious or cultural. Holidays are a time for people to come together and enjoy themselves.
One popular holiday is Christmas. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. It is a time when people give gifts to their loved ones and spend time with family and friends. Many people also decorate their homes with lights and a Christmas tree.
Another popular holiday is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a day when people give thanks for their blessings and enjoy a big meal with turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
Halloween is a holiday that many children enjoy. It is celebrated on October 31st. Children dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. They knock on doors and say, “Trick or treat!” People give them candy and treats.
Easter is a religious holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is usually celebrated in the spring. Many people attend church services and have family meals together. Children also participate in Easter egg hunts.
Other holidays like New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Independence Day are also celebrated by many people. New Year’s Day is the first day of the year, January 1st. People often make resolutions for the new year and celebrate with fireworks and parties.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th. It is a day to show love and affection to others. People give cards, chocolates, and flowers to their loved ones.
Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th in the United States. It is a day to celebrate the country’s independence from Britain. People enjoy fireworks, parades, and barbecues.
These are just a few examples of holidays. Holidays are a time to relax, have fun, and celebrate with others. They bring joy and happiness to people all around the world!
Vocabulary Words
Vocabulary Word |
Definition |
|---|---|
celebrate |
to honor and enjoy a special occasion |
decorate |
to add ornaments or other items to make something look more attractive |
blessings |
good things that someone has |
costumes |
clothes worn to look like someone or something else |
trick-or-treating |
going from house to house to ask for candy or treats |
resurrection |
coming back to life after death |
participate |
to take part in something |
resolutions |
decisions or goals for the future |
affection |
love or a fondness for someone |
parades |
processions of people moving through a public place to celebrate something |
Advanced ESL Activities About holidays
Holidays are much anticipated events in many cultures around the world. They provide people with a break from their everyday routines and an opportunity to relax and spend time with loved ones. Whether it’s a religious holiday, such as Christmas or Eid, or a national holiday, like Independence Day or Bastille Day, holidays are filled with traditions and customs that bring people together.
One of the most common activities during holidays is gathering with family and friends. People often travel long distances to be together, creating a sense of joy and excitement. It’s a time to catch up with relatives, exchange gifts, and indulge in delicious meals. Some families have unique traditions, like wearing matching outfits or participating in outdoor games.
Another popular holiday activity is giving and receiving gifts. People spend time carefully selecting presents for their loved ones, hoping to bring them joy and show their affection. It’s a way to express gratitude and strengthen bonds. The joy of seeing someone’s face light up when they unwrap a thoughtfully chosen gift is priceless.
Holiday decorations also play a significant role in creating a festive atmosphere. Whether it’s putting up a Christmas tree, hanging colorful lights, or decorating the house with symbols and ornaments, these decorations bring a sense of magic and enchantment. The vibrant colors and sparkling lights add to the holiday spirit and create a joyful ambiance.
Food is another essential aspect of holidays. Many festive dishes are specific to certain holidays and are eagerly anticipated by everyone. From roasted turkey and stuffing during Thanksgiving to mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, these special meals bring people together and create a sense of unity. Cooking and sharing these traditional recipes helps to preserve cultural heritage and pass down family traditions from one generation to the next.
Holidays are also a time for reflection and gratitude. People take a break from their busy lives to appreciate what they have and give thanks. It’s a time to count blessings and show appreciation for the good things in life. Whether it’s through prayer or simply taking a moment to reflect, this practice fosters a sense of gratitude and mindfulness.
In addition to these activities, holidays often involve various forms of entertainment and recreation. Firework displays, parades, and cultural performances are common during festive seasons. These events add excitement and spectacle to the celebrations, allowing people to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit.
Overall, holidays are much more than just a break from work or school. They are an opportunity to connect with others, celebrate traditions, and create lasting memories. So, next time a holiday is approaching, embrace the festive spirit and enjoy all the activities that come with it.
Vocabulary Word |
Definition |
|---|---|
Anticipated |
To look forward to or expect something |
Customs |
Traditions or practices that are common during a specific holiday or culture |
Indulge |
To allow oneself to enjoy something, usually considered a treat or luxury |
Affection |
Warmth, love, or fondness towards someone |
Enchantment |
A feeling of delight or fascination, often associated with magical or joyful experiences |
Preserve |
To protect or maintain something in its original or desired state |
Unity |
The state of being united or coming together as a whole |
Gratitude |
A feeling of appreciation, thankfulness, or being grateful |
Mindfulness |
The practice of being fully present and aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings |
Spectacle |
An impressive or dramatic display or performance |
ESL Writing Activities About Holidays
Beginner ESL Writing Questions about holidays
1. What is your favorite holiday? Why?
2. How do you celebrate holidays in your country?
3. Can you describe a typical holiday tradition in your culture?
4. What kinds of foods do people eat during holidays in your country?
5. Do you have any special family traditions for holidays?
Intermediate ESL Writing Questions about holidays
1. How have your holiday celebrations changed over the years?
2. How do holidays vary across different cultures?
3. Explain the significance of a particular holiday in your country.
4. Do you prefer to celebrate holidays in a traditional way or in a more modern way? Why?
5. Discuss the impact of commercialization on holiday celebrations.
Advanced ESL Writing Questions about holidays
1. Compare and contrast holiday celebrations in two different countries.
2. What are the potential drawbacks of excessive holiday spending?
3. How have holidays been influenced by globalization?
4. Discuss the impact of technology on holiday celebrations and traditions.
5. Should holidays be celebrated more for their traditional or commercial aspects? Justify your opinion.
ESL Roleplay Activities about holidays
1. Airport Simulation: In this roleplay activity, students will pretend to be travelers at an airport. They can take on various roles such as a ticket agent, a security officer, or passengers from different countries. The objective is for students to practice common phrases and vocabulary related to airports and travel, such as checking-in, boarding a plane, and asking for directions.
2. Vacation Planning: Students will take turns playing travel agents and customers looking to plan a holiday. They will brainstorm and discuss various destinations, accommodation options, transportation, and activities for the trip. This activity allows students to practice giving recommendations, making inquiries, and negotiating preferences, while also learning about different holiday destinations around the world.
3. Holiday Traditions Exchange: In this activity, students will explore and share holiday traditions from their home countries or cultures. They can take on the roles of friends or family members gathering for a festive celebration. Each student will present and describe a specific holiday tradition, such as gift-giving customs, traditional foods, or special rituals. This activity promotes cultural awareness and encourages language development through storytelling.
4. Tourist and Local Interaction: Students will roleplay scenarios where a tourist interacts with a local resident in a holiday destination. They can act out situations such as asking for directions, ordering food at a local restaurant, or seeking recommendations for places to visit. This activity helps students practice speaking English in real-life situations and encourages the use of polite phrases and culturally appropriate behavior.
5. Holiday Shopping Dialogue: In this roleplay activity, students will act as shoppers and store employees in a holiday shopping scenario. They will practice dialogues and roleplay situations that commonly occur during shopping, such as asking for help, trying on clothes, making purchases, and even negotiating prices. This activity enhances students’ vocabulary related to shopping and reinforces essential conversational skills.
Remember, these roleplay activities not only provide opportunities for students to practice English language skills but also to engage with the topic of holidays in a meaningful way.
