The document discusses important holidays and festivals celebrated in the United States. It provides details on the origins and traditions of holidays such as New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The festivals are celebrated with activities like exchanging cards, decorating eggs, having barbecues, trick-or-treating, giving thanks, and opening presents. Many holidays include traditions of spending time with family and enjoying meals.

1. Themenzentrierter Fremdsprachenunterricht Cultural aspects Dr. Daniela Martinek

2. Culture is... a way of life a set of social practices a system of believes shared history or a set of experiences Dr. Daniela Martinek

3. Why bother with culture? to help children to become more aware of the world around them to help them to better interact with that world it is a fundamental feature of language & an integral part of language learning many linguistic & sociocultural errors happen because people don‘t know the different meanings Dr. Daniela Martinek

4. Intercultural learning process of becoming more aware of and better understanding one‘s own culture and other cultures around the world increase international and cross-cultural tolerance & understanding Dr. Daniela Martinek

5. Intercultural awareness skills observing, identifying & recognising comparing & contrasting negotiating meaning dealing with or tolerating ambiguity effectively interpreting messages (& limiting the possibility of misinterpretation) defending one‘s own point of view while acknowledging the legitimacy of others accepting difference Dr. Daniela Martinek

6. Activity: American cultural aspects Work in groups. Take an envelope and try to match the names of the days with their description and decide when the Amercians celebrate these days. Dr. Daniela Martinek

7. Amercian festivals January New Year’s Day – January 1 Everyone is off work and school on this national holiday to ring in the new year. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday – third Monday in January This is a national holiday where everyone is off work and school to celebrate the birthday of the great civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Daniela Martinek

8. February Valentine’s Day – February 14 This holiday, named after St. Valentine, is characterized by exchanging Valentine cards, hearts, roses, and other symbols of love. Americans are not off work, but school children usually have a party at school to celebrate the holiday. President’s Day – This national holiday, where children are off school but people are not off work, honors all the past presidents of the United States of America. March St. Patrick’s Day – March 17 This Irish holiday is celebrated in America as well. Everyone must wear green or they risk the chance of being pinched. Dr. Daniela Martinek

9. March/April Easter - March or April Easter is the happiest celebrations of the Christian year. People remember that Jesus triumphed over death, bringing new life to all who follow him. The word Easter comes from “Eastre” – the goddess of light and spring. Eggs are an important part of Easter as they symbolize new life. Today the Easter Bunny hides hard boiled, decorated eggs for the children to find. The children put the eggs in their Easter Baskets, along with chocolate bunnies. Easter calendar: Mardi Gras is the day before Lent. The biggest Mardi Gras party in America is held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ash Wednesday is the official start of Lent. Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified. Palm Sunday reminds Christians how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and how he was welcomed by people waving palm branches. Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection. Easter Monday is also a national holiday where everyone is off work since the real Easter holiday falls on a weekend. Dr. Daniela Martinek

10. April Fool’s Day – April 1 As in other countries, this day (not a national holiday where people are off work or school) encourages people to try to trick others. Earth Day – April 22 Americans celebrate and appreciate Mother Earth on this day. Many people plant trees or do a special recycling project on Earth Day. May Mother’s Day – second Sunday in May As in many countries, Americans honor their mothers on a special day in May. Memorial Day – last Monday in May Memorial Day is a national holiday where everyone is off work and school. On this day, Americans remember those who have died in their nation’s service (ie. Soldiers). Many Americans gather with friends and family and have a barbeque on this day. It is also considered the kick-off to summer for many people. Dr. Daniela Martinek

11. June Father’s Day – third Sunday in June As in many countries, fathers are honored with a special day. July Independence Day – July 4 On July 4th, America celebrates its independence. The first Independence Day was celebrated in 1776, when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. This document declared America’s separation from Britain. Americans celebrate with fireworks and a proud displaying of the flag. September Labor Day – first Monday in September Labor Day was first celebrated in 1882. It was a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. On this day, Americans remember and honor the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of their country. Like Memorial Day, most Americans gather for a barbeque and an end-of-the-summer party. Dr. Daniela Martinek

12. October Columbus Day – second Monday in October On this day when children may be off school but adults are not off work, Americans celebrate Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World on October 12, 1492. Halloween – October 31 The origins of this much loved holiday are Pagan and date from the Celts in Great Britain and Ireland. Today, children dress up in costumes (the costumes do not have to be scary!) and Trick-or-Treat at neighbor’s houses to collect candy. People also carve Jack-O’Lanterns from pumpkins. Ghosts, witches, pumpkins, spiders, and other scary things are typical symbols of Halloween. Dr. Daniela Martinek

13. November Election Day – first Tuesday on or after November 2 It is on this day that Americans vote on important legislative issues and executive offices, such as the president of the United States of America. The national presidential race is held once every four years, but Americans vote on important matters on this day every year. It is traditionally held on the first Tuesday on or after November 2. A Tuesday was chosen so that people who had to travel a far distance to the county seat to vote could start their journey on Monday, instead of Sunday, so as not to interrupt church services. Furthermore, the government did not want Election Day to fall on the Catholic holiday of All Saints’ Day (November 1) either. Dr. Daniela Martinek

14. Thanksgiving – fourth Thursday in November The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans (Indians). In thanksgiving of the Native Americans’ showing the Pilgrims how to have a successful harvest, they celebrated with a feast. Today, Americans are off work and school for this holiday. They gather with family, give thanks, and celebrate with a feast. Turkey is the traditional main dish of Thanksgiving, and pumpkin pie is the traditional dessert. Dr. Daniela Martinek

15. December Christmas – December 25 This national holiday is a day off work and school for everyone. Families gather for a meal and exchanging of gifts. Santa Claus comes down the chimney during the evening of December 24, so that when the children wake up on the morning of the 25th, they have presents from him underneath their Christmas trees and in their stockings. Candy canes are a traditional candy for Christmas. Dr. Daniela Martinek