Festivals

Introduction

This is an integrated skills lesson, in which students will discuss festivals. First, they will create a mind map of vocabulary used to describe festivals. They will then work in small groups to read different texts describing the reasons behind and the customs practised in four festivals from different parts of the world. They will then share the information about their festival and discuss which one they would like to attend and why. Finally they will work together to invent and describe an imaginary festival to celebrate a calendar event such as the middle of winter, the first day of autumn, etc.

Learning outcomes

• Learn and practise vocabulary for describing festivals
• Read and understand important information from a short text about a festival
• Collaborate with others to present information about an invented festival

Age and level

13-17, Adults (B1+)

Time

50-60 minutes

Materials

The following can be downloaded below in PDF format.

• Lesson plan
• Texts A, B, C, D

As an optional addition, images of the following festivals would be useful: Snake Festival in Cocullo, Italy; Land diving in Vanuatu; Cheung Chau Bun Festival; May Day in the UK.