This document provides an agenda for a LanguageCircle lesson about winter holidays. The objectives are to review seasonal greetings idioms, learn new vocabulary, listen to a dialogue about gift exchanges in Canada, discuss grammar rules for the present simple tense, read about nine winter holiday celebrations, and reflect on learning. The lesson includes activities on vocabulary, listening, speaking, grammar exercises, and a reading on various winter holidays celebrated in December and January.

1. LanguageCircle:
WinterHolidays
Celebrations
1

2. 2
Objectives
• Review and practice the Season’s Greetings idioms
• Learn new vocabulary
• Listen to a dialogue and answer comprehension questions
• Speak about the “Secret Santa” exchange of gifts
• Grammar: Learn about Present Simple Tense and practice
• Read an article about nine winter holiday celebrations and reflect
on a statement
• Reflect on your learning today

3. 3
Review the idioms
in this related lesson
https://livelearn.ca/lessons/about-canada/seasons-greetings-idioms/

4. 4
Review the idioms
in this related lesson
“the more, the merrier” – used to say that an occasion will be more enjoyable if a
lot of people are there
“white Christmas” – when there is snow on the ground on Christmas Day
“spread the joy” – make everyone around you happy
“cuddle up with someone” - to sit close to someone and put your hands around
them
“to beat the holiday rush” – to deal with the holiday shopping early

5. 5
Practice
Activity:
Look at the expression “the more, the merrier”.
Can you come up with a similar expression using the construction “the
____(thing 1), the ___(thing 2)”
Ex: The more your read, the better the book seems.
Your turn!

6. 6
Agenda
1. Vocabulary
2. Listening
3. Speaking
4. Grammar
5. Reading
6. Reflect on learning

7. 7
Vocabulary

8. 8
to exchange gifts (phr.) amongst (adv.)
especially (adv) (something is) packed ( adj.)
stressful (adj.)
1. To give a gift and to and receive a gift from the same person
2. Very crowded, filled by many
3. Causing mental and emotional stress, trying, demanding
4. between, in the middle of
5. Used to single out a person, a thing or a situation over all
others

9. 9
to exchange gifts (phr.) amongst (adv.)
especially (adv) (something is) packed ( adj.)
stressful (adj.)
1. To give a gift to and receive a gift from the same person to exchange (gifts)
2. Very crowded, filled by many
3. Causing mental and emotional stress, trying, demanding
4. between, in the middle of
5. Used to single out a person, a thing or a situation over all
others

10. 10
to exchange gifts (phr.) amongst (adv.)
especially (adv) (something is) packed ( adj.)
stressful (adj.)
1. To give a gift to and receive a gift from the same person to exchange (gifts)
2. Very crowded, filled by many packed
3. Causing mental and emotional stress, trying, demanding
4. between, in the middle of
5. Used to single out a person, a thing or a situation over all
others

11. 11
to exchange gifts (phr.) amongst (adv.)
especially (adv) (something is) packed ( adj.)
stressful (adj.)
1. To give a gift to and receive a gift from the same person to exchange (gifts)
2. Very crowded, filled by many packed
3. Causing mental and emotional stress, trying, demanding stressful
4. between, in the middle of
5. Used to single out a person, a thing or a situation over all
others

12. 12
to exchange gifts (phr.) amongst (adv.)
especially (adv) (something is) packed ( adj.)
stressful (adj.)
1. To give a gift to and receive a gift from the same person to exchange (gifts)
2. Very crowded, filled by many packed
3. Causing mental and emotional stress, trying, demanding stressful
4. between, in the middle of amongst
5. Used to single out a person, a thing or a situation over all
others

13. 13
to exchange gifts (phr.) amongst (adv.)
especially (adv) (something is) packed ( adj.)
stressful (adj.)
1. To give a gift to and receive a gift from the same person to exchange (gifts)
2. Very crowded, filled by many packed
3. Causing mental and emotional stress, trying, demanding stressful
4. between, in the middle of amongst
5. Used to single out a person, a thing or a situation over all
others
especially

14. 14
Listening

15. 15
Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions
Gifts in Canada - ELLLo Dialogue
1. Who is speaking?
2. What are they speaking about?
3. How large is Fred’s family?
4. What does Fred family’s family do to avoid buying a gift for everyone?
5. Why do you think Fred loves the Christmas shopping stress?
Source: Elllo.org https://vimeo.com/379728430

16. 16
Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions
Gifts in Canada - ELLLo Dialogue
1. Who is speaking? Two friends Anja (from Switzerland) and Fred (from Canada)
2. What are they speaking about?
3. How large is Fred’s family?
4. What does Fred family’s family do to avoid buying a gift for everyone?
5. Why do you think Fred loves the Christmas shopping stress?
Source: Elllo.org https://vimeo.com/379728430

17. 17
Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions
Gifts in Canada - ELLLo Dialogue
1. Who is speaking? Two friends Anja (from Switzerland) and Fred (from Canada)
2. What are they speaking about? They are speaking about Christmas gifts in Canada.
3. How large is Fred’s family?
4. What does Fred family’s family do to avoid buying a gift for everyone?
5. Why do you think Fred loves the Christmas shopping stress?
Source: Elllo.org https://vimeo.com/379728430

18. 18
Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions
Gifts in Canada - ELLLo Dialogue
1. Who is speaking? Two friends Anja (from Switzerland) and Fred (from Canada)
2. What are they speaking about? They are speaking about Christmas gifts in Canada.
3. How large is Fred’s family? He has 6 siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
4. What does Fred family’s family do to avoid buying a gift for everyone?
5. Why do you think Fred loves the Christmas shopping stress?
Source: Elllo.org https://vimeo.com/379728430

19. 19
Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions
Gifts in Canada - ELLLo Dialogue
1. Who is speaking? Two friends Anja (from Switzerland) and Fred (from Canada)
2. What are they speaking about? They are speaking about Christmas gifts in Canada.
3. How large is Fred’s family? He has 6 siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
4. What does Fred family’s family do to avoid buying a gift for everyone? They
exchange gifts, they each buy a small gift and then play a little game and
give that gift amongst each other.
1. Why do you think Fred loves the Christmas shopping stress?
Source: Elllo.org https://vimeo.com/379728430

20. 20
Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions
Gifts in Canada - ELLLo Dialogue
1. Who is speaking? Two friends Anja (from Switzerland) and Fred (from Canada)
2. What are they speaking about? They are speaking about Christmas gifts in Canada.
3. How large is Fred’s family? He has 6 siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
4. What does Fred family’s family do to avoid buying a gift for everyone? They
exchange gifts, they each buy a small gift and then play a little game and
give that gift amongst each other.
1. Why do you think Fred loves the Christmas shopping stress? He loves his family so he
likes buying presents for his family.
Source: Elllo.org https://vimeo.com/379728430

21. 21
Activity:
Apply the lesson idioms to the listening scenario.
How many sentences can you create?
Ex: Fred likes spreading the joy by buying
Christmas presents to his family.
Your turn!

22. 22
Speaking

23. 23
The exchanging gifts game is frequently
used in the work place at Christmas time.
It is also called “Secret Santa”.
• Have you played it? Discuss how the game works.
• What are the advantages?
• Do you exchange gifts in your native
cultures/countries?

24. 24
Grammar

25. 25
Present Simple Tense
The Present Simple Tense is the most basic tense in
English and uses the base form of the verb
(except for the verb “to be”).
The only change from the base is the addition of “s” for
third person singular.
I write love letters. She writes love letters.
I am
You/we/they are
He/she/it is

26. 26
How do we form Present Simple?
1. Positive sentences: Subject + Main Verb
I write. He sings.
Fill in the blanks with the verb in brackets at Present Simple Tense.
1. I (to want) _______to have a White Christmas this year.
2. Santa always (to spread) ______the joy when he comes.
3. They usually (to beat)____ the holiday rush by shopping early.

27. 27
How do we form Present Simple?
1. Positive sentences: Subject + Main Verb
I write. He sings.
Fill in the blanks with the verb in brackets at Present Simple Tense
1. I want to have a White Christmas this year.
2. Santa always (to spread) ______the joy when he comes.
3. They usually (to beat)_____ the holiday rush by shopping early.

28. 28
How do we form Present Simple?
1. Positive sentences: Subject + Main Verb
I write. He sings.
Fill in the blanks with the verb in brackets at Present Simple Tense
1. I want to have a White Christmas this year.
2. Santa always spreads the joy when he comes.
3. They usually (to beat)______ the holiday rush by shopping early.

29. 29
How do we form Present Simple?
1. Positive sentences: Subject + Main Verb
I write. He sings.
Fill in the blanks with the verb in brackets at Present Simple Tense
1. I want to have a White Christmas this year.
2. Santa always spreads the joy when he comes.
3. They usually beat the holiday rush by shopping early.

30. 30
How do we form Present Simple?
Negative sentences:
Subject + Auxiliary Do + Not + Main Verb
I don’t write. She doesn’t sing. They don’t celebrate Christmas.
Fill in the blanks with the verb in brackets at Present Simple Tense:
1 You (not like)______ to cuddle up with my cat.
2. He (not know) ______that at our parties the more, the merrier.
3. She (not be) ______the best dancer amongst us.

31. 31
How do we form Present Simple?
Negative sentences:
Subject + Auxiliary Do + Not + Main Verb
I don’t write. She doesn’t sing. They don’t celebrate Christmas.
Fill in the blanks with the verb in brackets at Present Simple Tense:
1 You don’t like to cuddle up with my cat.
2. He (not know)_____ that at our parties the more, the merrier.
3. She (not be) _____the best dancer amongst us.

32. 32
How do we form Present Simple?
Negative sentences:
Subject + Auxiliary Do + Not + Main Verb
I don’t write. She doesn’t sing. They don’t celebrate Christmas.
Fill in the blanks with the verb in brackets at Present Simple Tense:
1 You don’t like to cuddle up with my cat.
2. He doesn’t know that at our parties the more, the merrier.
3. She (not be)_____ the best dancer amongst us.

33. 33
How do we form Present Simple?
Negative sentences:
Subject + Auxiliary Do + Not + Main Verb
I don’t write. She doesn’t sing. They don’t celebrate Christmas.
Fill in the blanks with the verb in brackets at Present Simple Tense:
1 You don’t like to cuddle up with my cat.
2. He doesn’t know that at our parties the more, the merrier.
3. She is not (isn’t) the best dancer amongst us.

34. 34
How do we form Present Simple?
Interrogative sentences: Auxiliary Do/Does + Subject + Verb
Do you write? Does he sing?
Fill in the blanks with the verb in the brackets at Present Simple Tense:
1. What you (want)____ for Christmas?
2. When she (fly)____ back home for the Holidays?
3. ______he (like) ginger bread?
4. ___the cat (is) hungry?

35. 35
How do we form Present Simple?
Interrogative sentences: Auxiliary Do/Does + Subject + Verb
Do you write? Does he sing?
Fill in the blanks with the verb in the brackets at Present Simple Tense:
1. What do you want for Christmas?
2. When she (fly)____ back home for the Holidays?
3. ______he (like) ginger bread?
4. ___he cat (is) hungry?

36. 36
How do we form Present Simple?
Interrogative sentences: Auxiliary Do/Does + Subject + Verb
Do you write? Does he sing?
Fill in the blanks with the verb in the brackets at Present Simple Tense:
1. What do you want for Christmas?
2. When does she fly back home for the Holidays?
3. ______he (like) ginger bread?
4. ___the cat (is) hungry?

37. 37
How do we form Present Simple?
Interrogative sentences: Auxiliary Do/Does + Subject + Verb
Do you write? Does he sing?
Fill in the blanks with the verb in the brackets at Present Simple Tense:
1. What do you want for Christmas?
2. When does she fly back home for the Holidays?
3. Does he like ginger bread?
4. ___the cat (is) hungry?

38. 38
How do we form Present Simple?
Interrogative sentences: Auxiliary Do/Does + Subject + Verb
Do you write? Does he sing?
Fill in the blanks with the verb in the brackets at Present Simple Tense:
1. What do you want for Christmas?
2. When does she fly back home for the Holidays?
3. Does he like ginger bread?
4. Is the cat hungry?

39. 39
When do we use Present Simple?
We use Present Simple when:
1. The action is general Beth works at the Mall.
2. The action happens all the time, or habitually, in the past, present and future I shop
for Christmas on Black Friday every year.
We meet every Wednesday.
3. The statement is always true or there is a scientific fact
Birds fly. Babies cry. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
4. The action is happening now
I want some tea, please. That sounds shocking. Do you need some help? She is
hungry. They have a cat. My mother likes you.

40. 40
Present Simple Tense
Let’s Practice: Correct the mistake:
1. She likes Christmas shopping?
2. They doesn’t listen to carol songs.
3. Even the dog receive presents for the holidays.
4. Do Kim and Yuna believes in Santa?
5. He cuddle up with the teddy bear he received as a gift last year.

41. 41
Present Simple Tense
Correct the mistake:
1. She likes Christmas shopping? Does she like Christmas shopping?
2. They doesn’t listen to carol songs.
3. Even the dog receive presents for the holidays.
4. Do Kim and Yuna believes in Santa?
5. He cuddle up with the teddy bear he received as a gift last year.

42. 42
Present Simple Tense
Correct the mistake:
1. She likes Christmas shopping? Does she like Christmas shopping?
2. They doesn’t listen to carol songs. They don’t listen to carol songs.
3. Even the dog receive presents for the holidays.
4. Do Kim and Yuna believes in Santa?
5. He cuddle up with the teddy bear he received as a gift last year.

43. 43
Present Simple Tense
Correct the mistake:
1. She likes Christmas shopping? Does she like Christmas shopping?
2. They doesn’t listen to carol songs. They don’t listen to carol songs.
3. Even the dog receive presents for the holidays. Even the dog receives
presents for the holidays.
4. Do Kim and Yuna believes in Santa?
5. He cuddle up with the teddy bear he received as a gift last year.

44. 44
Present Simple Tense
Correct the mistake:
1. She likes Christmas shopping? Does she like Christmas shopping?
2. They doesn’t listen to carol songs. They don’t listen to carol songs.
3. Even the dog receive presents for the holidays. Even the dog receives
presents for the holidays.
4. Do Kim and Yuna believes in Santa? Do Kim and Yuna believe in Santa?
5. He cuddle up with the teddy bear he received as a gift last year.

45. 45
Present Simple Tense
Correct the mistake:
1. She likes Christmas shopping? Does she like Christmas shopping?
2. They doesn’t listen to carol songs. They don’t listen to carol songs.
3. Even the dog receive presents for the holidays. Even the dog receives
presents for the holidays.
4. Do Kim and Yuna believes in Santa? Do Kim and Yuna believe in Santa?
5. He cuddle up with the teddy bear he received as a gift last year. He
cuddles up with the teddy bear he received as a gift last year.

46. 46
Reading

47. 47
Reading
Please go to:
9 holidays celebrated throughout December and
January
After reading the article reflect on the first sentence of
the article:
”Canada is a country that is proud of and thrives on diversity.”

48. 48
Reflect
on
learning

49. 49
What did you learn today?
• Review and practice the Season’s Greetings idioms
• Learn new vocabulary
• Listen to a dialogue and answer comprehension questions
• Speak about the “Secret Santa” exchange of gifts
• Grammar: Learn about Present Simple Tense and practice
• Read an article about nine winter holiday celebrations and reflect
on a statement
• Reflect on your learning today

50. 50
Homework
• Speaking Assignment: Record yourself leaving a voice
message to Santa’s Answering Machine asking for one gift
that is really important to you.
• Write 2 paragraphs describing how you will celebrate the
holiday season this year.
• Write a letter to a friend inviting them to the end of the year
dinner.

51. Thankyou!
Questions?
51
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Created by : Ruxandra Nicolescu – English Online