Are you still looking for a ready-made lesson for Christmas?

[Т А Кузнецова]

Are you still looking for a ready-made plan for Christmas?

Go to www.teacherdeveloping.com

You will find a lot of activities on this web-site, here is a ready resource which you can adapt fot your classroom.

Level: Upper-intermediate to proficiency

Time: Half an hour to a lifetime

Focus: Fluency speaking, advanced vocabulary, conversation, destroying students' enjoyment of Christmas.

Age: Adults or older teens.

No. of students: 6+ (though you could miss out some of the roles, or double up on the kids roles to be more flexible)

Materials: Role cards and props - something to represent a TV, a remote control for father, a tray for mother, perhaps drinks and food.

Procedure:

1. Do usual 'So what's a typical Spanish Christmas like? Oh, really?' stuff. Students should go on about how much fun it is, all the family together, etc. etc.

2. Then tell them that a typical British Christmas is a bit different, as our traditions involve eating too much, drinking too much, watching crap TV, and arguing with the rest of the family. Consolidate this by telling them about your last Christmas, using all the usual sitcom cliches about unpleasant relatives, bored sulky kids, the Bond film you've seen a million times but have to watch because Granny wants to, etc.

3. They are now prepared for the row. Assign roles and give them the cards. The language is very advanced so you will need to give individual help with any problems. It is essential they all understand fully what their role is, but that they don't see the other cards.

4. Arrange the room into typical living room style and give out the props.

5. Let them go for it! Most classes will love it and keep going for a good half hour to an hour. If things start to pall, leave the room and knock loudly until someone lets you in. Be the neighbour from next door who is having a lovely Christmas, singing carols, making punch etc. This should be enough to kick the whole thing off again.

6. Homework: Tell your students to go home and practise the row on their family on Christmas Evening.

Find more and have fun!