It’s almost December and “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” so our activities focus on this festive topic. Our B2 First and C1 Advanced students will practise their speaking and reading skills while they find out more about some Christmas traditions and symbols. B1 Preliminary and B2 First learners can travel around Europe to discover the most popular Christmas markets. The youngest ones can have some fun while they learn typical Christmas vocabulary. Happy teaching!
November is a colourful month, with different shades of green, orange, yellow and red colouring the landscape. This month’s activities deal with the topic of colour from different perspectives. Our B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency students can reflect on the connection between colour, psychology and society while they improve their English. We have designed a fun activity for our B1 Preliminary and B2 First students to learn and use colour idioms. Finally, our A1 Movers and A2 Flyers can practise all four skills while they practise their colours. Happy teaching!
New Year and new ideas! This month we want to boost our students’ creativity when discussing a relevant topic: transport. Our B2 First and C1 Advanced students can talk about what the transport of the future will be like while they improve their English. Our B1 Preliminary and B2 First learners will reflect upon how transport has changed while they practise their speaking. Finally, our young learners can put their inventors’ hat on and design the bike of the future. Happy teaching!
Stories – in films, books and TV series – are the inspiration for our March activities. At A1
Movers and A2 Flyers we ask our younger students to write about their favourite character.
Our B1 Preliminary learners will practise their speaking while they talk about different places
to enjoy a show or a film. Our B2 students can practise all skills while they discuss what makes
a film memorable and then write their own stories. Finally, our B2 First and C1 Advanced
students can practise their use of English and listening while they watch a short video on the
topic of films and cinema. Happy March!
In February, the next holidays may seem quite distant but thinking about where we are going to travel next can be an great way to feel a bit more optimistic. This month we have created an activity for our A1 Movers and A2 Flyers students where they will learn some useful vocabulary about cities while they practise their writing skills. The A2 Key and B1 Preliminary learners can improve their reading and writing skills with signs and notices that they may find when travelling in an English-speaking country. We have also created an activity to practise all skills and modes of communication while learners discover some interesting information about Cambridge. Finally, our B2 First and C1 Advanced students can start dreaming about their ideal holidays while they practise all skills. Happy February!
It’s almost December and Christmas is coming up. Our activities for students from A1 Movers to C1 Advanced will help them improve their English while they learn more about this festive season. Happy teaching!
This month our activities are dedicated to the topic of fashion. Our C1 Advanced students and B2 First students will watch a video on sustainability in the fashion industry. Our B1 Preliminary and B2 First students will read about research into the clothes we wear and how they affect our emotions. Finally, our young learners will practise their vocabulary and learn useful expressions to use when shopping for clothes. Happy teaching!
November is a colourful month, with different shades of green, orange, yellow and red colouring the landscape. This month’s activities deal with the topic of colour from different perspectives. Our B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency students can reflect on the connection between colour, psychology and society while they improve their English. We have designed a fun activity for our B1 Preliminary and B2 First students to learn and use colour idioms. Finally, our A1 Movers and A2 Flyers can practise all four skills while they practise their colours. Happy teaching!
New Year and new ideas! This month we want to boost our students’ creativity when discussing a relevant topic: transport. Our B2 First and C1 Advanced students can talk about what the transport of the future will be like while they improve their English. Our B1 Preliminary and B2 First learners will reflect upon how transport has changed while they practise their speaking. Finally, our young learners can put their inventors’ hat on and design the bike of the future. Happy teaching!
Stories – in films, books and TV series – are the inspiration for our March activities. At A1
Movers and A2 Flyers we ask our younger students to write about their favourite character.
Our B1 Preliminary learners will practise their speaking while they talk about different places
to enjoy a show or a film. Our B2 students can practise all skills while they discuss what makes
a film memorable and then write their own stories. Finally, our B2 First and C1 Advanced
students can practise their use of English and listening while they watch a short video on the
topic of films and cinema. Happy March!
In February, the next holidays may seem quite distant but thinking about where we are going to travel next can be an great way to feel a bit more optimistic. This month we have created an activity for our A1 Movers and A2 Flyers students where they will learn some useful vocabulary about cities while they practise their writing skills. The A2 Key and B1 Preliminary learners can improve their reading and writing skills with signs and notices that they may find when travelling in an English-speaking country. We have also created an activity to practise all skills and modes of communication while learners discover some interesting information about Cambridge. Finally, our B2 First and C1 Advanced students can start dreaming about their ideal holidays while they practise all skills. Happy February!
It’s almost December and Christmas is coming up. Our activities for students from A1 Movers to C1 Advanced will help them improve their English while they learn more about this festive season. Happy teaching!
This month our activities are dedicated to the topic of fashion. Our C1 Advanced students and B2 First students will watch a video on sustainability in the fashion industry. Our B1 Preliminary and B2 First students will read about research into the clothes we wear and how they affect our emotions. Finally, our young learners will practise their vocabulary and learn useful expressions to use when shopping for clothes. Happy teaching!
The New Year is here and at Cambridge Assessment English we start the New Year with renewed enthusiasm! This month’s activities deal with positive plans and intentions and use our digital platform The Digital Teacher to make your lessons more interactive and attractive while remaining meaningful and useful. Victoria encourages your B1 students to take a virtual tour of King’s Cross station. The New Year is a good time to take up a new sport – our activity for A2 students gives them plenty of ideas to make the most of the cold weather. Doing exercise should be combined with a healthy diet so Starters groups will learn some new food and drink vocabulary. Finally, as we know that sometimes it is difficult to stick to our resolutions, the activity for B2 and C1 students tries to foster some reflection to come up with ideas to help us carry our resolutions through.
This month we wanted to celebrate the arrival of the summer with activities about holidays and travel. Our B2 First students and C1 Advanced students will read about jobs that involve travelling and consider the advantages and disadvantages of this. Our B1 Preliminary and B2 First students will look at options for holiday activities around the UK. Finally, our young learners will talk about summer and compare their ideas of a perfect holiday. Happy teaching!
Are you thinking of taking the Cambridge English : B1 Preliminary exam? This table shows the different parts of each paper ( Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking). It also includes information about the skills needed to pass each part of the exam as well as links to download very useful resources.
Natural disasters and tragedy are a part of life, and they attract attention and persist in people’s memory. People also react to them in different ways. This is the topic of this month’s activities. Our C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency students will find out about an explosive documentary while they stretch their listening skills and practise their speaking and writing. B1 Preliminary and B2 First students will reflect on the choice of some tourist destinations. Our A2 Flyers and A2 Key students can have fun while they learn about volcanoes and make their own! Happy teaching!
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD.pdfIQRA ANSARI
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
THE MOST CURIOUS CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS IN THE WORLD
With the arrival of Christmas comes that time of the year to decorate the house with lights, put up the Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols. And what do they do in other countries? In this article, you can discover the traditions of other parts of the world.
Christmas the typical tradition for the Spanish may seem strange to others, but the ones I bring you today will also surprise you. Here you will discover the most curious Christmas customs and traditions in the world, it is very interesting to know the celebrations depending on the country. Surely more than one of the ones that I am going to tell you about, let's go there!
Christmas traditions around the world
Although it is hard for us to believe, many Spanish Christmas traditions are not celebrated equally in the rest of the planet. There are even countries that don't even celebrate Christmas and others that take the opportunity to eat up to 12 different dishes on Christmas Eve (although we almost do it too). Do you want to know more about these curiosities? Keep reading and I'll tell you.
1. The “Santa Claus” of the Netherlands and Belgium – Sinterklaas
Did you know that Santa Claus does not come to the Netherlands? On December 5, Sinterklass rides with his assistant Zwarte Piet through the country, distributing gifts and sweets. According to what they say, 3 weeks before Sinterklaas leaves Spain and arrives at the Dutch port. Lately, the last Saturday of November arrives where that afternoon the children leave a letter at the door of the house with what they want and the next day they find sweets and chocolates. And on December 5, if they have been good, they will be able to open their gifts and celebrate that day with their family. Moral of the story: the Dutch love to eat chocolate.
On the other hand, Christmas day is very important for Catholics, many families go to church and the same thing happens in Belgium.
2 . Christmas Day in Ukraine and Russia
When is Christmas exactly? It is always on December 24, right? In principle, yes, but not in all countries. For some Orthodox Christians, it is January 6, which happens in Ukraine, Christmas Day is a traditional holiday with 12 different wishes, one for each of Jesus' apostles. In Ukraine they receive gifts on New Year's Day, in Russia Christmas is on January 7th. Oh, and Christmas trees in Ukraine might look more like Halloween, as they are covered in spider webs and fake spiders.
Neither Santa Claus nor Saint Nicholas comes here as in many Eastern countries, in Russia Ded Moroz and Snegurochka come. During Christmas, they eat a lot, sing and of course, the Christmas tree cannot be missing, the only different thing is the different dates since their calendar is based on the Julian calendar and not the Gregorian one.
3. Christmas markets in Germany
3. Christmas markets in Germany
Christmas is one of the most beautiful times of the year to
The New Year is here and at Cambridge Assessment English we start the New Year with renewed enthusiasm! This month’s activities deal with positive plans and intentions and use our digital platform The Digital Teacher to make your lessons more interactive and attractive while remaining meaningful and useful. Victoria encourages your B1 students to take a virtual tour of King’s Cross station. The New Year is a good time to take up a new sport – our activity for A2 students gives them plenty of ideas to make the most of the cold weather. Doing exercise should be combined with a healthy diet so Starters groups will learn some new food and drink vocabulary. Finally, as we know that sometimes it is difficult to stick to our resolutions, the activity for B2 and C1 students tries to foster some reflection to come up with ideas to help us carry our resolutions through.
This month we wanted to celebrate the arrival of the summer with activities about holidays and travel. Our B2 First students and C1 Advanced students will read about jobs that involve travelling and consider the advantages and disadvantages of this. Our B1 Preliminary and B2 First students will look at options for holiday activities around the UK. Finally, our young learners will talk about summer and compare their ideas of a perfect holiday. Happy teaching!
Are you thinking of taking the Cambridge English : B1 Preliminary exam? This table shows the different parts of each paper ( Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking). It also includes information about the skills needed to pass each part of the exam as well as links to download very useful resources.
Natural disasters and tragedy are a part of life, and they attract attention and persist in people’s memory. People also react to them in different ways. This is the topic of this month’s activities. Our C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency students will find out about an explosive documentary while they stretch their listening skills and practise their speaking and writing. B1 Preliminary and B2 First students will reflect on the choice of some tourist destinations. Our A2 Flyers and A2 Key students can have fun while they learn about volcanoes and make their own! Happy teaching!
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD.pdfIQRA ANSARI
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
THE MOST CURIOUS CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS IN THE WORLD
With the arrival of Christmas comes that time of the year to decorate the house with lights, put up the Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols. And what do they do in other countries? In this article, you can discover the traditions of other parts of the world.
Christmas the typical tradition for the Spanish may seem strange to others, but the ones I bring you today will also surprise you. Here you will discover the most curious Christmas customs and traditions in the world, it is very interesting to know the celebrations depending on the country. Surely more than one of the ones that I am going to tell you about, let's go there!
Christmas traditions around the world
Although it is hard for us to believe, many Spanish Christmas traditions are not celebrated equally in the rest of the planet. There are even countries that don't even celebrate Christmas and others that take the opportunity to eat up to 12 different dishes on Christmas Eve (although we almost do it too). Do you want to know more about these curiosities? Keep reading and I'll tell you.
1. The “Santa Claus” of the Netherlands and Belgium – Sinterklaas
Did you know that Santa Claus does not come to the Netherlands? On December 5, Sinterklass rides with his assistant Zwarte Piet through the country, distributing gifts and sweets. According to what they say, 3 weeks before Sinterklaas leaves Spain and arrives at the Dutch port. Lately, the last Saturday of November arrives where that afternoon the children leave a letter at the door of the house with what they want and the next day they find sweets and chocolates. And on December 5, if they have been good, they will be able to open their gifts and celebrate that day with their family. Moral of the story: the Dutch love to eat chocolate.
On the other hand, Christmas day is very important for Catholics, many families go to church and the same thing happens in Belgium.
2 . Christmas Day in Ukraine and Russia
When is Christmas exactly? It is always on December 24, right? In principle, yes, but not in all countries. For some Orthodox Christians, it is January 6, which happens in Ukraine, Christmas Day is a traditional holiday with 12 different wishes, one for each of Jesus' apostles. In Ukraine they receive gifts on New Year's Day, in Russia Christmas is on January 7th. Oh, and Christmas trees in Ukraine might look more like Halloween, as they are covered in spider webs and fake spiders.
Neither Santa Claus nor Saint Nicholas comes here as in many Eastern countries, in Russia Ded Moroz and Snegurochka come. During Christmas, they eat a lot, sing and of course, the Christmas tree cannot be missing, the only different thing is the different dates since their calendar is based on the Julian calendar and not the Gregorian one.
3. Christmas markets in Germany
3. Christmas markets in Germany
Christmas is one of the most beautiful times of the year to
Explore europe’s holiday traditions and christmas marketsAmaWaterways
http://www.amawaterways.com/christmas-markets | Celebrate the holidays across Europe on a festive river cruise to the most famous Christmas markets for heartwarming holiday memories. Shop with the locals as they recreate their annual traditions, sampling the best foods of the year amid storybook settings.
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Honest Reviews of Tim Han LMA Course Program.pptxtimhan337
Personal development courses are widely available today, with each one promising life-changing outcomes. Tim Han’s Life Mastery Achievers (LMA) Course has drawn a lot of interest. In addition to offering my frank assessment of Success Insider’s LMA Course, this piece examines the course’s effects via a variety of Tim Han LMA course reviews and Success Insider comments.
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
December 2021 - Cambridge English Teaching Activities
1. 1
December
It’s almost December and “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” so our activities focus
on this festive topic. Our B2 First and C1 Advanced students will practise their speaking and
reading skills while they find out more about some Christmas traditions and symbols. B1
Preliminary and B2 First learners can travel around Europe to discover the most popular
Christmas markets. The youngest ones can have some fun while they learn typical Christmas
vocabulary. Happy teaching!
1. Christmas symbols and traditions......................................................................................2
2. Christmas markets ............................................................................................................6
3. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… ..................................................................... 10
4. References .....................................................................................................................14
2. 2
1. Christmas symbols and traditions
Level: B2 First / C1 Advanced
Skills: reading and speaking
Interaction: whole class, group and individual activity
Time: 50 minutes
Warm up (10’) – whole class activity
• What symbols and traditions come to mind when you think of Christmas?
• Do you know their origin?
• Do you have a favourite one? Why is it your favourite?
• Do you have a special tradition that you follow with your friends or family?
• Can you tell us about it?
Reading (10’) – individual activity
For questions 1 – 8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each
gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example
0 A stay B put C hang D keep
Christmas Trees
According to the American Christmas Tree Association, about 95
million households in the U.S. will (0) put up a Christmas tree (or two)
this year. The tradition of decorated trees can be traced back to
Germany in the 16th century. It's said that Protestant reformer Martin
Luther first thought to add candles to decorate the branches with light
after being inspired by the sight of stars twinkling through the
evergreens while walking home one winter's night. Queen Victoria
and her husband Prince Albert popularized the Christmas tree with
their own displays in the 1840s and the tradition found its (1) ______
to the U.S., too. The first Christmas tree lot popped up in 1851 in New York and the first tree
appeared in the White House in 1889.
3. 3
Wreaths
Wreaths have been used by different cultures for various reasons over the centuries: the
Greeks handed out wreaths to athletes, much
(2) ______ medals today, and the Romans
wore them as crowns. Christmas wreaths were
originally believed to be a bi-product of
the Christmas tree tradition begun by northern
Europeans in the 16th century. As the
evergreens were trimmed into triangles (the
three points meant to represent the holy
trinity), the discarded branches would be then shaped, by hand, (3) ______ a ring and hung
back on the tree as decoration. The circular shape, one without an end, also came to
symbolize eternity and the Christian concept of everlasting life.
Candy Canes
Kids have always loved candy, and legend (4) ______ it that candy canes got their start in
1670 when a choir master at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany
handed out peppermint sticks to keep children quiet during the
Living Creche performance. He asked a local candy maker to
shape the sticks into hooks resembling a shepherd's crook, a
reference to Jesus as the "good shepherd" who tends his flock.
The first person credited with placing candy canes on a tree was
August Imgard, a German-Swedish immigrant in Wooster, Ohio,
(5) ______ decorated a blue spruce tree with sugar canes and
paper ornaments in 1847 and displayed it on a revolving platform
people traveled for miles to see. Originally only available in white,
the candy cane's classic red stripes were added around 1900
according to the National Confectioners Association, which also says that 58% of people
prefer to eat the straight end first, 30% the curved end, and 12% break the cane (6) ______
pieces.
4. 4
Mistletoe
The tradition of kissing beneath mistletoe dates back
thousands of years. The plant's connection with romance
began with the Celtic Druids who saw mistletoe as a
symbol of fertility. Some think the Ancient Greeks were
the first to kiss beneath it during the festival of Kronia,
while others point (7) ______ a Nordic myth in which the
goddess of love, Frigga, was so happy after reviving her
son beneath a tree with mistletoe she declared anyone who stood beneath it would receive a
kiss. No one's exactly sure how mistletoe started being used at Christmas celebrations, but
by the Victorian Era it was included in "kissing balls," holiday decorations hung from the
ceilings and said to bring good fortune to anyone who had a smooch beneath them.
Advent Calendars
German publisher Gerhard Lang is most often credited as
the creator of the printed advent calendar (8) _______ the
early 1900s, inspired by a box of 24 sweets given to him by
his mother when he was a boy (little Gerhard was allowed
to eat one a day until Christmas). Commercial paper
calendars became popular by 1920 and were soon followed
by versions with chocolates. Nowadays, there's an advent calendar for just about everyone—
even dogs!
Adapted from Donvito (2021) and Crandall (2021)
1. A path B route C way D line
2. A as B for C like D how
3. A as B like C in D into
4. A says B tells C has D shows
5. A who B that C which D where
6. A into B in C on D like
7. A towards B to C into D across
8. A in B on C at D along
5. 5
Speaking (10’) – whole class activity
• Were you familiar with the information above?
• What did you find most surprising? Why?
• What is your opinion about traditions? Why?
• Do you like following traditions or do you prefer to innovate?
Follow up (20’) – in groups of 3 or 4
Work in teams and think about the contents you have covered in class along the last months.
Create an advent calendar with a question for each day you come to class before Christmas.
Then, assign the calendar to a group. That group will have to answer a question every time
they come to class. There will be a present for the team(s) that get all their answers right.
KEY
1. A path B route C way D line
2. A as B for C like D how
3. A as B like C in D into
4. A says B tells C has D shows
5. A who B that C which D where
6. A into B in C on D like
7. A towards B to C into D across
8. A in B on C at D during
6. 6
2. Christmas markets
Level: B1 Preliminary / B2 First
Skills: reading and speaking
Interaction: whole class and individual activity
Time: 35 minutes
Warm up (10’) – whole class activity
• Have you ever been to a Christmas market? If so, which one?
• If you’ve been to a Christmas market, what did you like the most? And the least?
Why?
• What do you think are the typical aspects of a Christmas market?
Reading (15’) – individual activity
Read the description of five Christmas markets in Europe and the questions below. For each
question choose the best answer.
Five Of The UK's Best Christmas Markets For
Chocolate and Bratwurst Lovers
When it comes to Christmas, nothing has the power to get you in the festive spirit quite like a
traditional market in the heart of your nearest city centre.
Taking inspiration from the original, traditional and authentic Yuletide Markets in Germany, the
UK is bursting with stalls offering visitors an abundance of foodie treats, souvenirs and
cheer.
Here are the best Christmas markets in the UK that are guaranteed to give you that warm,
fuzzy festive feeling:
A. York
Soak up medieval charm at York’s award-winning Christmas fair. Alpine-style chalets take
pride of place at the centre of Parliament Street, offering up an array of festive decorations,
foodie treats and traditional Christmas gifts. For local Yorkshire produce, head for the Make
in Yorkshire Yuletide Village, and for all the fun of the fair, fly down the Victorian-style Helter
Skelter at Kings Square. After all that excitement you’ll be in need of something to eat, so stop
by the rustic barn in St Sampson’s Square for some great food and a cup of hot chestnuts.
7. 7
B. Cardiff
Cardiff's Christmas Market is your hotspot for tracking down locally produced, hand-crafted
gifts. Located in the centre of the city, chocolate is a winning theme (don't leave without trying
Sarah Bunton's handmade goods), plus there's a great range of artwork on sale – from collage
and photographic prints to posters and cards. If you find yourself all shopped out, there's also
a funfair, an ice rink and Santa will at some point ride through town in his sleigh.
C. Nottingham
Offering plenty of Bavarian-style stalls and fun rides, Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is
perfect for a festive trip away.
You can even take in the market from above thanks to the observation wheel overlooking the
stalls. The market will be spread out across the city so it’s ideal for getting all of your Christmas
shopping done. It will open on November 18 and close on January 3.
D. Bath
Bath is arguably one of the prettiest festival markets in the UK. Spread around the floodlit
abbey you'll find over 150 festive huts, with 70 or so of the featured traders hailing from the
south-west, so you'll find nothing but locally made food and handmade gifts. If the endless
seasonal jolliness is leaving you slightly numb, there's always the Bath Artisan Christmas
Market, which takes over Green Park station every second Sunday of the month. No cheap
Santa hats, but plenty of up-cycled furniture, vintage clothes, art and food stalls.
E. London
Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is a glittering slice of Disney-esque Christmas. Cruise around
the light-bedecked stalls with a mulled wine or hot chocolate, catch one of the live acts or party
late into the night in the Bavarian style wooden chalets lit with over 200 fairy-lights. Aside from
the market's stalls, bars and restaurants, you can hit the fairground, ice skate, watch a circus
or check out some ice sculptures.
Adapted from O’Malley (2021) & Clarke (2021)
8. 8
Questions
1. Which Christmas market offers street performances?
2. In which Christmas market can visitors “time-travel”?
3. In which Christmas market does the whole city become part of the Christmas
market?
4. Which Christmas market gives you the opportunity to admire the views from a high
point?
5. In which Christmas market is it possible to bump into a famous character?
6. Which Christmas market also offers second-hand products every fortnight?
Follow up (10’) – individual activity
Looking at the context. Can you predict the meaning of this vocabulary?
• burst with stalls
• array
• hotspot
• check out
Check with your partner. Do you have similar ideas? What aspects give you hints about the
meaning of the vocabulary?
Now check a dictionary. Were you right? Can you pronounce these words?
KEY
Five Of The UK's Best Christmas Markets For
Chocolate and Bratwurst Lovers
When it comes to Christmas, nothing has the power to get you in the festive spirit quite like a
traditional market in the heart of your nearest city centre.
Taking inspiration from the original, traditional and authentic Yuletide Markets in Germany, the
UK is bursting with stalls offering visitors an abundance of foodie treats, souvenirs and cheer.
Here are the best Christmas markets in the UK that are guaranteed to give you that warm,
fuzzy festive feeling:
A. York
(2) Soak up medieval charm at York’s award-winning Christmas fair. Alpine-style chalets take
pride of place at the centre of Parliament Street, offering up an array of festive decorations,
foodie treats and traditional Christmas gifts. For local Yorkshire produce, head for the Make
9. 9
in Yorkshire Yuletide Village, and for all the fun of the fair, fly down the Victorian-style Helter
Skelter at Kings Square. After all that excitement you’ll be in need of something to eat, so stop
by the rustic barn in St Sampson’s Square for some great food and a cup of hot chestnuts.
B. Cardiff
Cardiff's Christmas Market is your hotspot for tracking down locally produced, hand-crafted
gifts. Located in the centre of the city, chocolate is a winning theme (don't leave without trying
Sarah Bunton's handmade goods), plus there's a great range of artwork on sale – from collage
and photographic prints to posters and cards. If you find yourself all shopped out, there's also
a funfair, an ice rink and (5) Santa will at some point ride through town in his sleigh.
C. Nottingham
Offering plenty of Bavarian-style stalls and fun rides, Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is
perfect for a festive trip away.
(4) You can even take in the market from above thanks to the observation wheel overlooking
the stalls. (3) The market will be spread out across the city so it’s ideal for getting all of your
Christmas shopping done. It will open on November 18 and close on January 3.
D. Bath
Bath is arguably one of the prettiest festival markets in the UK. Spread around the floodlit
abbey you'll find over 150 festive huts, with 70 or so of the featured traders hailing from the
south-west, so you'll find nothing but locally made food and handmade gifts. If the endless
seasonal jolliness is leaving you slightly numb, (6) there's always the Bath Artisan Christmas
Market, which takes over Green Park station every second Sunday of the month. No cheap
Santa hats, but plenty of up-cycled furniture, vintage clothes, art and food stalls.
E. London
Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is a glittering slice of Disney-esque Christmas. Cruise around
the light-bedecked stalls with a mulled wine or hot chocolate, (1) catch one of the live acts or
party late into the night in the Bavarian style wooden chalets lit with over 200 fairy-lights. Aside
from the market's stalls, bars and restaurants, you can hit the fairground, ice skate, watch a
circus or check out some ice sculptures.
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3. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
Level: Pre-A1 Starters / A1 Movers / A2 Flyers
Skills: speaking, writing and reading
Interaction: in pairs, whole class, individual activity
Equipment and materials: digital board
Time: 35 minutes
Warm up! (10’) – whole class activity
Stick the flashcards on the walls. Ask students to spin the Christmas wheel and find the right
flashcard for the word they get.
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Follow up questions – whole class activity
• What colour are the elves’ clothes?
• How many presents are there?
• What can you see on the bells?
• How is the snowman feeling?
• What colour is the stocking?
• How many stars are there?
• What colour is the reindeer’s nose?
• What can you see under the candy canes?
Reading (5’) – whole class / individually / in pairs
Look at the pictures and the words. Can you find the matching tile?
12. 12
Writing (10’) – whole class / individually / in pairs
Can you spell this Christmas vocabulary?
Reading (10’) – in teams
Can you find 15 words related to Christmas in this wordsearch?
14. 14
4. References
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15. 15
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arch [Accessed 27th
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[Accessed 27th
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16. 16
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