ESL WORKSHEET - Celebrations

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

CELEBRATIONS

LinguaHouse

Dec. 23, 2024

Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2-C1)

Type of English: General English

Tags: Celebrations and Commemorations; Celebrations and Special Events; Behavior, Feelings and Emotions; Beliefs, Religion and Superstition; Society and Change; Travel and Leisure; Food and Drink; Socializing; Seasons; Paraphrasing and Explaining; Vocabulary Lesson; Article Based; 13-15 Years Old; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old

Publication date: 12/23/2024

In this lesson, students will look at celebrations. There is a listening task based on different festivals around the world, followed by a section on related collocations. This is followed by a section on celebration-related idioms. There is a reading comprehension, opportunities for discussion, and a crossword which reviews the content of the class. (by Joey Vaughan-Birch)

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio (MP3).
• CLICK HERE to download/watch the video (MP4).

AUDIO/VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Narrator: Hello and welcome to this LinguaHouse video about celebrations around the world.
In India, the Festival of Lights, Diwali, illuminates the country with vibrant displays symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. The celebration is associated with various mythological narratives, including the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. People mark the occasion by lighting candles and oil lamps. The festivities are heightened by the crackling sounds of fireworks and the sharing of delectable sweets called ‘ladoo’.
Deep in the Peruvian Andes, the annual Takanakuy festival represents an unconventional approach to conflict resolution. Participants gather in a makeshift ring to engage in friendly, physical combat, settling grievances from the past year. The festival aims to promote community harmony by allowing individuals to release pent-up frustrations through what is supposed to be controlled, consensual fighting. Following the combat, locals throw a party to reinforce the spirit of unity.
On a calmer note, in Japan, the cherry blossom festival, Hanami, transcends mere visual beauty. Families and friends gather in parks to appreciate the fleeting charm of cherry blossoms, which symbolize the transient nature of life and the beauty found in impermanence. People come from all over the globe to revel in the festivities. The Japan Meteorological Agency provides a blossom forecast, predicting the dates when flowers are expected to reach full bloom.
Moving to Mexico, El Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a unique celebration honoring deceased loved ones. Families create elaborate altars adorned with flowers, candles, and photographs, and gather in cemeteries for festivities. The atmosphere is one of both reverence and joy as Mexicans believe that the spirits of the departed return to join the living in celebration. People raise a glass to relatives who have passed on, and it is not uncommon to see people hit the dance floor in traditional costumes.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/celebrations. Accessed on January 17, 2025. LinguaHouse.com © 2008–2025. All rights reserved.