This three-minute film with no dialogue is a great basis of a discussion about Christmas with your classes. It also fits with the theme of being different, and starts in a boarding school. The premise is that Santa Claus started out at a school for extraordinary children, where as a child he slowly grew his … Continue reading “Short Christmas Film”
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City is almost 100 years old, and is an integral part of the annual holiday for millions of Americans. Celebrating Thanksgiving and launching Christmas celebrations, it includes giant balloon figures, floats, and marching bands from schools around the country. This year it will take place on 24 November. Macy’s … Continue reading “Thanksgiving Parade”
Thank you for your wonderful feedback on our first Escape Games pack. You wanted more, and it’s coming very soon. Our new pack of three games for A1, A1+ and A2 levels will be available from 4 November. Immerse your students in an adventure that will get them working in teams, and in English, without … Continue reading “New Escape Games A1 > A2”
Christmas crackers are such an integral part of British Christmas dinner celebrations but do you know how they were invented? Hint: there’s a French connection. Enjoy our animated slideshow with your students from A2.
As Black Friday approaches, we wonder why a specifically American date in the commercial calendar has taken over first the internet and now high-street shops around the world. Black Friday is the day after the U.S. Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday in November. It’s a long weekend and approximately a month before Christmas. … Continue reading “Why Black Friday?”
As Boris Johnson said as he announced a new lockdown: “‘Tis the season to be jolly careful”. But it’s nice to know that some festive traditions have survived the pandemic. Friday 11 December is the ninth Christmas Jumper Day, organised by Save the Children U.K. Normally, people wear a Christmas-themed jumper to work or school … Continue reading “Ho, Ho, Ho, Christmas Jumper Day is Back!”
It’s one of those ideas that seem so obvious you can’t imagine why someone has already had it. A Christmas movie inspired by one of the most perennially popular (though bittersweet) yuletide pop songs: “Last Christmas” by George Michael. The 1984 song, a hit for Wham!, is a sad love song about heartbreak at the … Continue reading “Last Christmas: Rom-com with a Message”
Do you fancy using an advent calendar in class in December as a cultural reference, but want to avoid the religious connection? How about using this fabulous December Kindness Calendar instead? Produced by British charity Action for Happiness, it encourages you to do a kind act each day, like counting your blessings or seeing how … Continue reading “Do Good in December”
Christmas Jumper Day has been a big charity event in the UK for several years. The U.S. is catching up with Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Either way, it’s a great way to get in the Christmas spirit and make a donation to a children’s charity. Christmas Jumper Day in the UK is organised by the … Continue reading “It’s Christmas Jumper Day!”
Sometimes a simple idea can have an enormous effect. A suggestion from a group of British teenagers could brighten Christmas for hundreds of thousands of families living on the breadline. The group of 13 teenagers from Exeter in southwest England participated in a National Citizen Service programme last summer. One of the steps was to … Continue reading “A Gift for Christmas”