Tag Archives: Seasonal events

Spring Into English with a May Day EFL Lesson!

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We’re exploring the history and cultural significance of May Day and how it can be integrated into the classroom to enhance language learning. May Day is celebrated on the first day of May each year, holding a special place in the hearts of many around the world in its association with springtime and workers’ rights. Let’s uncover the origins of this international holiday and discover how we can use it in the classroom for a fun May Day EFL lesson to explore language in context.

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Mother’s Day EFL Lesson Ideas

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It’s Mothering Sunday this weekend! This day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent each year, falling three weeks before Easter. The day was originally a religious day when people would visit their ‘mother’ church, but later it also became a day to celebrate motherhood. Mothering Sunday is now intertwined with the secular celebration Mother’s Day and the two names are often used interchangeably. Join us to explore the origins of the day and enjoy our ‘correct word’ exercise and gap fill games. Continue reading →

St David’s Day EFL Lesson – Exploring Welsh Culture

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St Davids Day EFL Lesson - Flag of WalesSt David’s Day falls on 1st March each year. This special day has been celebrated since the 12th century and although it is not a national holiday in the UK, it is regularly marked with celebrations.

Saint David is the patron saint of Wales and the Feast of St David commemorates the day he died in 589 AD. On Saint David’s Day it is traditional to eat Welsh foods and celebrate Welsh culture.

This is an ideal time to explore all things Welsh in the EFL classroom, introduce students to Welsh culture and learn some new vocabulary. Join us in exploring the Welsh flag, national symbols, language, accent, foods and traditions for a fun St David’s Day EFL lesson! Continue reading →

Jump on Stage for the Eurovision Song Contest!

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Eurovision is the colourful, over-the-top, cheesy and fabulous international music competition that is broadcast every year across Europe, Asia, the US and Australia to millions of fans and ironic supporters! The Eurovision Song Contest Final always offers an evening of fun and excitement, packed with wacky musical delights.

The Eurovision Final 2022 airs on Saturday 14th May. Come along and explore the ballads, pop songs and other tuneful entries from some of the hopeful nations right here. Plus, we’ll explain how the competition works and consider how the Eurovision Song Contest can add a melodious edge to your next EFL lesson! Continue reading →

Cinco de Mayo – Join the Fiesta!

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Cinco de Mayo EFL Lesson - Mexican dancersCinco de Mayo (5th May) is a celebration day in the US and Mexico when people celebrate Mexican culture, heritage, food and music with street festivals and parades. The day commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. This is an ideal time to think about using this seasonal event in a vocabulary and culture lesson. So come and spread some guacamole on your tacos while you enjoy our Cinco de Mayo EFL lesson, complete with gap-fill exercise. Olé! Continue reading →

Pancake Day EFL Lesson Ideas

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Pancake Day EFL Lesson ideas - pancake with berries

Pancake Day is just around the corner, which means everyone in the UK will be preparing to make delicious crispy pancakes! The proper name for Pancake Day is of course Shrove Tuesday. This is the day when people traditionally used up all their luxury foods – milk, sugar and eggs – to make pancakes before they began fasting for Lent.

In 2024, Shrove Tuesday falls on Tuesday 13th February. Read on to find out all about this mini celebration day and its religious origins. We’ve included an easy pancake recipe, plus we have some great ideas for Pancake Day EFL lessons!   Continue reading →

Raise a Glass to the Haggis – it’s Burns Night!

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Burns Night EFL Lesson - Rabbie BurnsBurns Night is a celebration dedicated to the life and works of the great Scottish poet Robert (Rabbie) Burns. On 25th January, many people will be throwing a Burns Night supper, featuring all the traditional elements. The classic celebration includes a piper to welcome the guests, speeches, prayers to bring in the food, a special address and toast to the haggis, lively entertainment, a ‘toast to the lassies’ and many other fun elements.

How will you be celebrating Burns Night in the EFL class? Read on to discover more about this fascinating Scottish tradition and how you might use it to create a fun, Scottish-themed EFL lesson.

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Easter Vocabulary: From Bunnies to Hot Cross Buns

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Easter Bunny - Easter Vocabulary EFL Lesson Easter is a special time across the world where people commemorate the crucifixion and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. This spring time festival has many traditions associated with it in the UK, from the sharing of chocolate Easter Eggs to attending church services, taking part in street parades and eating hot cross buns. Find out more about the Easter holiday and explore some of our Easter vocabulary with a gap fill in our Easter EFL lesson idea for beginners. Continue reading →

St Patrick’s Day EFL Lesson: Visiting the Emerald Isle!

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Happy St Patrick’s Day! This special day is celebrated every year on 17th March and it is a great time to present some new vocabulary relating to Ireland and Irish folklore. Our St Patrick’s Day lesson includes interesting words and phrases relating to Ireland along with lots of interesting facts about this Irish holiday. We have even prepared a tasty recipe for making your own traditional ‘boxty’ – Irish potato pancakes! Read on to discover more about St Patrick’s Day. Continue reading →

EFL Lesson Ideas for Chinese New Year

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Chinese New Year EFL Lesson - Colourful LanternsHappy Chinese New Year! The Year of the Rabbit begins on Sunday 22nd January 2023. The rabbit is associated with peace, longevity, intelligence, elegance and auspiciousness in Chinese culture. This peaceful, contemplative creature should imbue your EFL teaching learning and teaching with gentle strength and diligence this year. Chinese tradition dictates that 2023 will be filled with quiet, steady and effective progress, along with a touch of witty humour!

The Chinese New Year is a great time for a seasonal EFL lesson. Learning about other cultures and traditions is always interesting and a great way to learn more English, so we’ve prepared a fun comprehension exercise for your next EFL lesson relating to Chinese New Year! Continue reading →