ESL WORKSHEET - Christmas merchandise

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

THE EVER-EARLIER START OF

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

LinguaHouse
Nov. 22, 2023

Level: Mixed Levels (C1-C2 and C2)
Type of English: Business English
Tags: Retail; Shops and Services; Celebrations and Special Events; Marketing; 18+ Years Old; 16-18 Years Old; Article Based
Publication date: 11/22/2023

In this lesson, students will delve into the factors contributing to the increasingly early availability of Christmas merchandise each year. A listening exercise requires students to find information in a fictional interview with shoppers about Christmas shopping. There is a reading comprehension based on sales strategies, opportunities for discussion, and an optional extension in the form of a writing task (by Joey Vaughan-Birch).

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L6).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L7).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L6).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L7).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L6).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L7).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L6).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L7).
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audios (Am/Br English).

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Reporter: As we step into November, the fall leaves have just begun to fall, and some people still have their Halloween decorations up. Yet, here in this grocery store it's already beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The shelves are festooned with tinsel, ornaments, and the familiar jingles of holiday music fill the air. We've been talking to some shoppers to gather their thoughts on this early start to Christmas shopping.
Samantha: Hey, I'm Samantha. My feelings about it are mixed. On the one hand, it's practical to kick off holiday shopping early, especially when it comes to budgeting and avoiding the last-minute rush. However, it somewhat takes away from the holiday charm. The excitement that used to be part of the season now seems to be waning. It's like the holiday spirit arrives too prematurely, blending into everyday life. I still want to feel at least a modicum of the joy I felt as a child.
Mike: I'm Mike, and I find the early start of Christmas shopping a bit over the top. I love Christmas, like most folks, but the fact remains that it's still fall. Starting the festive season too early seems to rob it of some of its magic. One of the appeals of Christmas used to be the buildup, and now it feels like we're reaching the zenith too soon. I’m a firm believer in delayed gratification.
Daniel: Hello, I’m Daniel. To me, the early Christmas shopping is a bit of a Catch-22 situation. On the one hand, it feels odd to see Santa before I've even picked out a Halloween costume. But then, I think about how the festive decorations can bring a sense of comfort and joy during these rather murky, lugubrious November nights. It's like a ray of hope, reminding us that the holidays are on the horizon. So, while part of me wishes it could wait, the other part appreciates the early spark of holiday spirit.
Julie: Hi, my name’s Julie. I’m also a bit ambivalent about all this. There's a clear practicality in beginning holiday shopping early in terms of organization. However, I'm inclined to agree with the others that this trend blurs the line between the holiday season and the rest of the year. The prologue feels like it goes on for months, so that when Christmas itself eventually rolls round, there’s actually a deep-seated frustration.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/business-english/the-ever-earlier-start-of-christmas-shopping. Accessed on November 22, 2023. © 2008–2023 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.