Christmas Lesson Plan for ESL/EFL Teachers
(Note: If you would like to learn how to teach English online, click here)
Shelby Fox has kindly shared her lesson plan based on Christmas. Take it away, Shelby…
Talking about holidays and cultural practices can be quite interesting as holidays come up. It also gives both the teacher and student a chance to learn more about the other’s culture and learn about the person on a more personal level.
This lesson plan on Christmas traditions gives the student a chance to learn phrasal verbs, Christmas vocabulary, and a chance to practice holiday conversation.
I teach English one-to-one online. This lesson can be modified depending on teaching style or group size.
This lesson focuses mostly on speaking practice, so it gives plenty of time and questions to let your student practice.
Intro / Warm Up
- What do you know about Christmas in the U.S.?
- Which of these words about Christmas do you know? Are they part of celebrations in your country?
- Christmas cards
- Christmas tree
- sleigh
- elves
- Stockings
- Santa Claus
- reindeer
- nativity
- Presents
- mistletoe
- bells
- decorations/lights/wreaths
- What other words do you think of when you think of Christmas?
Practice with Vocabulary
- Use the vocabulary words to make sentences (just a few) about traditions you celebrate during Christmas.
- Introduce phrasal verbs:
- wrap up (presents)
- put up (decorations)
- look forward to (Christmas)
- hang up (stockings)
- Have students match phrasal verbs to vocabulary words (as seen above: there are other vocabulary words that might work too; these are just examples)
Introduce Video
This video is to get students thinking about the differences in Christmas traditions around the world. It should help them identify some of the vocabulary words they are learning as well as give them a chance to talk about traditions.
Follow up questions:
- How many vocabulary words/phrases did you see in the video? (Play again if student didn’t see any)
- What traditions do you have for Christmas?
- What traditions do you like best? Why?
- Are there any traditions that you wish you celebrated?
- What is the strangest Christmas tradition you’ve heard of?
Comparing Christmas
- Why is/isn’t Christmas important in your country?
- When is Christmas celebrated in your country? Why (might it be) a different date?
- Why do/don’t you like Christmas?
Further Practice / Homework
Students can listen to Christmas songs to reinforce listening skills and add vocabulary. Note: If you use these songs, there may be some extra vocabulary you would need to explain or let students find definitions.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Your learners can watch videos of what Christmas means to different people and then write what Christmas means to them.
About Shelby
My name is Shelby Fox and I teach Engish online at foxenglishonline.com. I’ve been teaching online now for over a year, but I just started my website in August. I teach English conversation to intermediate students mostly. I received my TEFL certification in Costa Rica where I taught for a month.