Communicative Communicative Christmas Christmas ActivitiesActivities
A workshop for Yilan County ElemenA workshop for Yilan County Elementary English Teacherstary English Teachers
OutlineOutline
(1) Overview of Christmas History and (1) Overview of Christmas History and TraditionsTraditions
(2) Activities and games for the English (2) Activities and games for the English ClassroomClassroom
ChristmasChristmas
Is the festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus Is the festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus
Christ in Bethlehem (in the middle east in wChrist in Bethlehem (in the middle east in what is today the Palestinian Territories near hat is today the Palestinian Territories near Jerusalem and Israel). Jerusalem and Israel).
There are main two types of Christmas celebThere are main two types of Christmas celebrations, religious and secular (non-religiourations, religious and secular (non-religious).s).
Religious ChristmasReligious Christmas
Religious Christmas is based on the account Religious Christmas is based on the account of the birth of Jesus the New Testament of of the birth of Jesus the New Testament of the Bible.the Bible.
The time between the birth of Jesus and the The time between the birth of Jesus and the visit from the three Kings (also known as visit from the three Kings (also known as the wise men) is known as the wise men) is known as the twelve days the twelve days of Christmas.of Christmas.
Secular ChristmasSecular Christmas Secular Christmas comes from old druid Secular Christmas comes from old druid
traditions of winter festivals and modern traditions of winter festivals and modern interpretations of Santa Claus.interpretations of Santa Claus.
Santa ClausSanta Claus
The story of Santa Clause is based on a The story of Santa Clause is based on a real person, St Nicholas, who lived in 300 real person, St Nicholas, who lived in 300 A.D.A.D.
Modern Santa ClausModern Santa Claus
““Goodwill and Peace on Goodwill and Peace on Earth”Earth”
One thing that both types of Christmas havOne thing that both types of Christmas have in common is that during the holiday see in common is that during the holiday season people try to remember to show moason people try to remember to show more love and kindness for all people.re love and kindness for all people.
This is an old idea, but its modern popularitThis is an old idea, but its modern popularity can be traced to Charles Dicken’s y can be traced to Charles Dicken’s A ChA Christmas Carolristmas Carol published in 1843 in Engla published in 1843 in England.nd.
A Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol Is a very famous story about a terrible man Is a very famous story about a terrible man
called Ebenezer Scrooge and how he is vicalled Ebenezer Scrooge and how he is visited by three spirits one Christmas Eve asited by three spirits one Christmas Eve and decides to become a better person.nd decides to become a better person.
This story is the origin of the famous phrase, This story is the origin of the famous phrase, “God bless us everyone.”“God bless us everyone.”
The entire book can be read online for free aThe entire book can be read online for free at http://www.literature.org/authors/dickens-t http://www.literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/christmas-carol/charles/christmas-carol/
Colors of ChristmasColors of Christmas
The traditional colors associated with the The traditional colors associated with the Christmas holiday are red, green, white, Christmas holiday are red, green, white, and goldand gold
Traditional Christmas Traditional Christmas SongsSongs
One of the most famous parts of Christmas One of the most famous parts of Christmas is the music. Both secular and religious is the music. Both secular and religious songs are heard and sung all over the songs are heard and sung all over the United States.United States.
In English class these songs can be useful In English class these songs can be useful for teaching culture and language. for teaching culture and language.
Communicative activities Communicative activities for Christmasfor Christmas
Almost any activity or method can be Almost any activity or method can be adapted to include Christmas festival adapted to include Christmas festival information and English Practice.information and English Practice.
Try to use the “high motivation” of Try to use the “high motivation” of Christmas activities to have students use Christmas activities to have students use more and more English.more and more English.
Make a snowflakeMake a snowflake
Santa Says…Santa Says…
A listening game for motions.A listening game for motions.
Make a cardMake a card Students make Christmas cards and Students make Christmas cards and
write messages inside. write messages inside.
More resourcesMore resources http://www.northpole.com (www.northpole.com http://www.northpole.com (www.northpole.com
(a commercial site but it has many free activitie(a commercial site but it has many free activities and worksheets.) Look at the s and worksheets.) Look at the TeachersTeachers sectio section.n.
http://www.caslt.org/research/christmas5.htm ( http://www.caslt.org/research/christmas5.htm ( A Canadian non-profit site with some good linkA Canadian non-profit site with some good links).s).
http://esl.about.com/ : an excellent general reshttp://esl.about.com/ : an excellent general resource site—type ource site—type ChristmasChristmas in the search area t in the search area to find dozens of links to workshhets, puzzles, ao find dozens of links to workshhets, puzzles, and activities for Christmas.nd activities for Christmas.
Any questions?Any questions?
Merry ChristmasMerry ChristmasAndAndHappy New Year!Happy New Year!
Email:Email:[email protected]@murraystate.edumurraystate.edu
Recommended
