ESL WORKSHEET - Business and Halloween

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

THE HORROR BUSINESS

LinguaHouse
Oct. 25, 2023

Level: Mixed Levels (B2-C1 and C1-C2)
Type of English: Business English
Tags: Beliefs, Religion and Superstition; Behavior, Feelings and Emotions; Celebrations and Special Events; Controversial Issues; Society and Change; Special Report; 18+ Years Old
Publication date: 10/25/2023

This lesson looks at the businesses that focus on the Halloween holiday as a basis for their sales. Students will read an article on the topic and listen to an interview with two people discussing horror attractions. Exercises focus on related vocabulary, listening and reading comprehension and offer students the opportunity to discuss questions on the topic (by Joe Wilson).

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L5).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L6).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L5).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L6).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L5).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L6).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L5).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L6).
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audios (Am/Br English).

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Simon: Good morning, everyone. Now, we’re entering into ‘spooky season’ and here to talk to us today about how businesses have turned screams into green is friend of the show, Sophia Westlake, Sophie, welcome!
Sophie: Thanks, Simon, Good to be back. It’s been a little while.
Simon: We’ve missed you. But it’s great to have you here. So, we’re still actually weeks away from Halloween, but it seems to dominate October now, doesn’t it?
Sophie: I think it takes people’s mind off the fact that the nights are getting longer, and the weather is getting colder. There’s something very comforting about Halloween, I think.
Simon: While it's a major US holiday, not everywhere celebrated Halloween. It was never really a big thing in the UK in the past, for example. The big night in Fall over there was Bonfire Night on November 5th. For our listeners that don’t know, this night celebrates the failure of a group of men to blow up the Houses of Parliament, a historical terrorist incident, I guess. Big bonfires are made, fireworks are set off, and people eat toffee apples. Bonfire Night was what it was all about in the UK. But Halloween was a big deal in Hollywood movies like ET - The Extra Terrestrial and of course, Halloween!
Sophie: That’s right, I think the fact that it’s such big business in the US has led the charge in other places in the world, including the UK. Though I think the American tradition of going to people’s houses to ask for candy or ‘trick or treating’ as it’s called hasn’t taken off so much because you really need everyone to be participating for that to happen. But I think everyone likes a bit of horror and is always up for a good reason to have a party and dress up, right?
Simon: That’s right. In fact, The UK was where Dracula decided to come after all! Haunted houses are also popular at this time of year, especially in the US. Have you ever been to the haunted house in Albany?
Sophie: I have! Terrifying! For our listeners who don’t know what we’re talking about, the haunted house experience allows you to walk through spooky scenes set up in a large house or building and, there are, ah, a few surprises waiting to scare you around every corner!
Simon: I managed to go when it wasn’t busy. It was just me and my girlfriend at the time. She had to tell me not to scream so loudly. I think I must have shortened the tour by about 15 minutes because I was just running. I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared.
Sophie: Yes, these immersive experiences are a big draw for people and they’re willing to pay money to be scared out of their wits. And they’re increasingly not limited just to the time around Halloween. McKamey Manor in the US is billed as an extreme haunted house and now operates in Tennessee and Alabama, having originally been started by the owner, Russ McKamey in California. It’s so popular that he claims to have 30,000 people waiting to do the experience. The tour lasts between 7 and 10 hours. They even offer a reward of $2000 to anyone who can complete the experience, but to date, no one has.
Simon: I think that’s not going to be for me. If I can’t handle a normal haunted house for 20 minutes, I’m not going to be able to deal with a haunted house for ten hours.
Sophie: Maybe Zombies are more your thing? Zombie Infection is an experience you can complete with friends, and they have multiple locations around the UK. You’re equipped with realistic guns, and you’ll have to solve puzzles and make decisions, possibly about whether or not to save the friends you came in with. The event is staffed by professional actors wearing movie make-up and entry is mostly limited to those 18 and over due to the scare value, but there are some venues that offer a tamer version that is open to those 12 and over.
Simon: I think I’ll probably stick to watching The Walking Dead from behind a pillow for my zombie needs. After the break, Sophie and I will be listening to your experiences of haunted attractions, so don’t go anywhere, because we will find you!
Sophie: (laughs)

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/business-english/the-horror-business. Accessed on October 27, 2023. © 2008–2023 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.