What is this lesson about?

This holiday traditions ESL lesson plan helps A2–B1 learners talk about Christmas and New Year celebrations around the world. Students explore global customs, share personal traditions, build vocabulary for festive routines, and develop confidence through warm, speaking-first activities.

How do students learn the new language?

Learners practise English through a clear, conversation-first sequence:

• Warm-up discussion about holiday routines and memories

• Quote activity to spark personal reflection

• Matching task on world traditions with discussion

• “Surprising facts” section about lesser-known celebrations

• Reading on the meaning of traditions

• Vocabulary presented through short, natural dialogues

• Personalised sentence-completion practice

• This-or-that choices to develop fluency

• Photo-based speaking task

• Final reflection on traditions and celebrations

Why is this lesson useful?

By the end of the lesson, students can:

• Describe global traditions using natural language

• Talk about their own holiday customs with confidence

• Use festive vocabulary such as tradition, ritual, festive and cultural

• Develop cultural awareness through real examples

• Practise fluency in a supportive, relatable context

  
  

Who is it for?

This lesson is designed for pre-intermediate to intermediate adult learners (A2–B1). It works well in general English classes and conversation lessons, both online and in person.