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This is a Christmas lesson plan for higher levels (C1+) in which students learn some Christmassy expressions then practice them in a crossword and discussion.

tis-the-season-to-be-jolly-teachers-notes

tis-the-season-to-be-jolly – Student handout

christmas-expressions-crossword-key

christmas-expressions-crossword

Teacher’s notes

Matching

Match the expressions in bold with their definitions.

1. I really overindulged last Christmas, I felt awful on Boxing Day. (C)
2. So this year I’ve decided to pace myself, no booze till lunchtime! (P)
3. Oooo, I’m feeling a bit tipsy after all that champagne. (B)
4. I’ll put some Christmas carols on to get in the festive spirit. (D)
5. Christmas is a time to get together with your nearest and dearest. (O)
6. I don’t get on with my uncle but we always manage to bury the hatchet at Christmas. (E)
7. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without turkey with all the trimmings. (J)
8. (opening a present) Another horrible jumper from Auntie Janet, oh well, it’s the thought that counts. (M)
9. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. (H)
10. Son: “Come on Granddad! It’s Christmas, don’t be such a scrooge!” (I)

Granddad: “Bah Humbug! I hate Christmas.” (K)

11. My mum always spends hours slaving over a hot stove on Christmas day. (F)
12. We’re doing a secret Santa in the office and I’ve drawn the boss! I don’t know what to get her. (G)
13. (opening a present) Oh wow, it’s lovely, you shouldn’t have! (L)
14. Christmas is really important in my family, we always pull out all the stops, decorations, presents, tonnes of food, you name it! (N)
15. Children always get showered with gifts at Christmas. (A)

a.       Receive a lot of presents b.      A little drunk c.       Eat and drink too much d.      To start feeling Christmassy e.      To forget old arguments and be friendly f.        To spend a long time cooking g.       “amigo invisible” each person buys a present for another person in the group. h.      A snowy Christmas i.         A mean person who doesn’t like Christmas

j.        The traditional things that go with something k.       People who don’t like Christmas say this. l.         What you say when you receive a present m.    What you say when you receive a bad present n.      Make a big effort to achieve something o.      Your family p.      To eat and drink slowly and carefully.

Reflection

This section is designed to help students process the vocabulary and aid acquisition.

Look again at the expressions.

1. Which ones do you like?
2. Which ones do you think you will remember?
3. Which ones do you think you will forget?
4. Can you think of an equivalent expression in your language?
5. Think of a way to remember each expression with your partner, you could relate it to a sound, a word in your language or maybe an image.

Crossword

Give out the crossword handout and have them complete it in pairs without looking at the original handout. The first group to finish is the winner.

Conversation

Students ask and answer the questions in pairs. Then feedback in open class.

Ask and answer the questions with your partner:

1. Have you ever experienced a white Christmas? Where were you? What was it like?
2. Do you try to pace yourself over the festive season? Or do you tend to overindulge?
3. Who slaves over a hot stove in your family?
4. Have you ever done a secret Santa? Who with? Who did you draw? Did you like the experience?
5. Does your family pull out all the stops at Christmas?
6. Do you get on with everyone in your family? Do you have to bury the hatchet with any family members at Christmas?
7. Does anyone in your family give bad presents? What do you say when you receive a bad present? Have you ever taken a present back to the shop?
8. What do you do to get into the Christmas spirit? Do you ever find it difficult?
9. Are there any scrooges in your family?
10. What’s the traditional Christmas dish in your culture? What are all the trimmings that go with it?
11. Who gets showered with gifts in your household?
12. Do you normally get tipsy at Christmas?
13. How important is it to get together with your nearest and dearest at Christmas? Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
14. How important is giving and receiving presents in your family? Is it really just the thought that counts?