Brainstorm: Spend a minute writing down words connected with Christmas. When finished, compare and discuss your list with the class.
Is Christmas celebrated in your country? If so, how is it celebrated?
What are the best and worst gifts you have ever received?
Reading: Christmas Traditions Around the World
The Philippines: Christmas season begins in September with the feast of Saint Pio and ends in January, meaning nearly half the year is Christmas in the Philippines. The event closest to December 25th is a nine-day mass called Simbang Gabi, which includes hymns and Filipino foods. Christmas Eve is celebrated all night and then followed by a day of family talks and gift giving. Maligayang pasko (Merry Christmas)!
Mexico: In the nine days before Christmas, children and adults dress up as Mary and Joseph and visit different neighborhoods. These “pilgrims” sing songs at houses in request of shelter. The host replies in song and offers drink and food. Children try to break a star-shaped pi±ata and do not receive gifts until January 4th. Feliz Navidad!
Ethiopia: Christmas Eve is celebrated on January 6th in accordance with the local Ge'ez calendar. On that night, priests carry nicely decorated umbrellas and wear traditional clothing. They march through cities with large groups of people. In the morning, people feast, presents are exchanged, and some people play sports. During the Timkat parade, held 12 days later, a stone replica of the 10 Commandments is wrapped in rich fabrics and carried by priests on their heads. Melkam Ganna!
Finland: Finns believe that the Winter Solstice brings out the spirits of the dead. On Christmas Eve, celebrated at roughly the same time, Finns place candles around the graves of relatives. hyvää joulua!
Vietnam: Christmas was only recently reintroduced to largely Buddhist Vietnam after a relaxation of restrictions in the early 1980s. It is a mainly a Jesus-free event. Santa is sometimes shown on a scooter instead of a sleigh and Vietnamese Catholics gather in churches that look like temples. Citizens visit crowded city centers and later eat Christmas chicken soup. Giáng sinh vui vẻ!
[Lesson plan sources: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/christmas-traditions-around-the-world_n_1160787.html, http://www.essentialtravel.co.uk/magazine/top-10/international-christmas-traditions.asp]
Christmas Lesson Plan (ESL): Comprehension & Follow-Up Questions
1) Which country has the longest Christmas holiday season?
2) In Mexico, what should you do if Mary and Joseph show up at your door?
3) What do priests carry on their heads during Timkat?
4) Your opinion: Which celebration sounds most interesting to you?
Christmas Lesson Plan (ESL): Christmas Vocabulary Matching
Match the words with their meaning as used in the Christmas lesson plan.
feast (noun)
mass (noun)
hymn
pilgrim
shelter (noun)
decorate (verb)
replica
solstice
grave (noun)
restriction
sleigh (noun)
Answers
feast - a large and special meal
mass - a ceremony held in memory of the last meal Christ had with his disciples
hymn - a song of praise, usually praising God and sung by Christians
pilgrim - a person who travels on a journey to a holy place
shelter - a place where you can be protected from the rain, danger, or attack
decorate - make sth look more beautiful by putting things on it
replica - a very good or exact copy of sth
solstice - either of the two times a year when the sun reaches its highest/lowest point
grave - a place in the ground where a dead person is buried
restriction - a rule/law that limits what you can do it
sleigh - a vehicle that slides over snow
Christmas Lesson Plan (ESL): Connect the below idea(s) to make a sentence.
government / uprising
feast
mass / hymn
pilgrim / shelter
decorate / house
statue / replica
solstice / grave
restriction / alcohol
sleigh
Christmas Lesson Plan (ESL): Role-Play 1 (Pair Work)
(Note: each student reads his/her role only.)
Student A: You gave a sweater to your friend (Student B) for Christmas. You bought it from a nice old lady when you were on a recent holiday. Now you are having coffee with your friend. You notice that he/she is not wearing the sweater. Make a comment about this.
Student B: For Christmas, your friend, Student A, gave you a sweater. It is ugly and it also has a strange smell. You know you'll never wear it. Ask your friend if you can have the receipt so you can return it.
Christmas Lesson Plan (ESL): Role-Play 2 (Pair Work)
Student A: You are at home. Despite the bad economy, you were able to buy presents for everyone in your family this year. You are about to eat Christmas dinner. Soon, someone will knock on your door.
Student B: You are raising money for a charity (think of a charity name). You are visiting houses in a rich area to get donations. Knock on Student A's door and try to get money.
Christmas Lesson Plan (ESL): Brainstorm & Debate
1) Divide the class into two groups. Group 1 should make a list of negative things related to Christmas. Group 2 should make a list of the positive things related to Christmas. Spend 1-2 minutes on this.
2) Read the following: The council in your town has received several complaints about Christmas. As a result, an official town meeting has been called to discuss the future of the holiday. Read your roles below and then participate in the meeting.
Group 1: Present your arguments to the council and residents for either cancelling Christmas or changing the holiday in some major ways. Take 1-2 minutes to prepare. Go first when ready.
Group 2: Take 1-2 minutes to form your pro-Christmas arguments. After Group 1 has presented, present your arguments and defend the holiday against their criticisms.
Christmas Lesson Plan (ESL): Discussion Questions
1) What is the meaning of Christmas?
2) Being Good: Were you good this year? Do you become a better person every year?
3) What is the best Christmas movie?
4) What food is associated with Christmas?
5) Real or Fake: What makes the best Christmas tree?
6) Is it okay to give money as a gift?
7) Do you have any funny Christmas stories?
-- Christmas Lesson Plan (ESL) copyright Matthew Barton of Englishcurrent.com
6 comments on “Christmas Around the World (Intermediate Lesson Plan)”
Really helpful. So complete, thank you!
Thank you for the great ideas!!!!
Nice plan, thanks. I’ll try it out today!
this is unhelpful. really lacking in any clarity or direction. christ.
Great ideas to use within a Christmas lesson – thank you!
This is a great LP. I am trying it today with a group. Thank you very much.