Ho-Ho-Holiday Cheer Alert! Christmas is coming, and we’ve got the perfect way to jingle all the way into your classroom! These festive activities are bursting with fun and holiday magic, giving your students the chance to practice their English while diving into Christmas traditions from around the world. Whether they’re rocking around the Christmas tree or discovering new customs, these ideas will make your lessons merry, bright, and unforgettable!
Activity Idea #1: Fill-in-the-Blank Christmas Story
1. What to Prepare:
A simple Christmas story with missing words for students to fill in (e.g., “Last Christmas, Santa went to the ___ to deliver presents.”).
A template with a word bank containing vocabulary related to Christmas (e.g., Santa, snow, tree, gifts, reindeer, etc.).
You can create your own story, or there are many fill-in-the-blank templates available online.
2. How to Organize the Activity:
Begin by discussing Christmas vocabulary with your students: ask about Santa, gifts, traditions, etc.
Distribute the fill-in-the-blank story template to each student, along with a word bank.
Have students work individually or in pairs to complete the story. They will fill in the blanks with the correct words from the word bank, based on the context.
Once completed, read the story aloud as a class, discussing any new vocabulary as needed.
3. How This Activity Helps English Skills:
This activity helps students improve their vocabulary and sentence structure.
It encourages context-based understanding, as they need to choose the correct word based on the meaning of the sentence.
It also builds their reading and listening skills when the story is read aloud.
Activity Idea #2: Santa’s Workshop Role Play
1. What to Prepare:
A “Santa’s Workshop” setting with props like toy cutouts, small boxes, ribbons, and labels (can be simple printables).
Vocabulary cards featuring items Santa might make or deliver (e.g., toys, books, candy, clothes) and actions (e.g., build, wrap, deliver, write).
A simple template for a “gift order form” that includes fields like the recipient’s name, age, wish, and delivery address.
2. How to Organize the Activity:
Start by introducing vocabulary related to Santa’s workshop: elves, presents, sleigh, wrapping paper, etc. Practice the new words with the students.
Divide the class into small groups and assign roles: Santa, elves, and delivery helpers.
Each group receives gift order forms to complete. For example: “Name: Emma. Age: 7. Wish: A doll. Address: 123 Snow Lane.”
The “elves” must use the vocabulary cards to “build” or “find” the correct gifts, then “wrap” them using props.
The “delivery helpers” use prepositions (e.g., on the sleigh, under the tree) to describe where the presents will go.
Rotate roles so every student gets to be Santa or part of the team.
End with a quick recap of the most popular gifts and review the vocabulary used during the activity.
3. How This Activity Helps English Skills:
Enhances vocabulary related to Christmas and actions (verbs).
Improves listening and speaking skills as students communicate in their roles.
Builds writing practice with the order forms and reinforces prepositions during delivery discussions.
This activity combines creativity, teamwork, and language practice, making it a hit for ESL students while keeping the Christmas spirit alive! Let me know if you’d like additional tweaks!
Activity Idea #3: Christmas Carol Lyrics Translation and Discussion
1. What to Prepare:
Select a popular Christmas carol (e.g., “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” or “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”).
Provide students with a copy of the lyrics, with some words or phrases missing for them to fill in or translate.
A list of discussion questions related to the song’s meaning and themes (e.g., “What do the lyrics tell us about Christmas celebrations?” or “How does this song reflect the holiday spirit?”).
2. How to Organize the Activity:
Begin by introducing the Christmas carol and its cultural significance. You may want to play the song for the class first so they can hear the melody.
Hand out the incomplete lyrics sheet to students. As a class, work through the song, allowing students to fill in the missing words or translate specific phrases.
Afterward, ask the students to discuss what the song means. What feelings or images are evoked by the song?
If possible, have students sing the song together as a fun way to reinforce the vocabulary and rhythm.
3. How This Activity Helps English Skills:
This activity improves listening comprehension as students engage with the lyrics of the song.
It helps with vocabulary expansion, particularly around themes of holidays, feelings, and celebrations.
The discussion aspect allows for speaking practice as students articulate their thoughts and interpretations.
🎁 Wrapping It All Up 🎁
We hope these ideas add some holly jolly vibes to your wintery classroom! Not only will they sprinkle holiday cheer into your lessons, but they’ll also give your students a fun and festive way to boost their English skills. Got a favorite holiday activity of your own? Share the festive fun in the comments—we’d love to hear from you! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays!
