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.