Discussing Holidays (Intermediate)

Practice on Your Own

Some days are remembered for religious, national, or personal reasons and are celebrated, mourned, or respected.

• Think of some such days. Write them down.
  • Why are these days important, to be celebrated, respected, or remembered?
  • What do people do to show their importance? Are they days off from work or school? Do people exchange gifts, cook special foods, visit each other…? Are there parades, fireworks…?
• Think of a day that is especially important or interesting to you and prepare a passage like a speech about it.
  • X Day is the day of independence for my country. After a long war, my country was able to achieve its independence. On this day people visit each other and exchange gifts, and there are parades, dancing, and fireworks. It happened X years ago. The hero of this event is X…
• Read about the important days in the country/ies where the language is spoken. What are they? What are the similarities and differences between the days that are celebrated, remembered, and respected in your country and where the language is spoken? (If there is not much information in your textbook, do some research online.)

Practice in Conversation Session

• To warm up, discuss with your conversation partner the days that are holidays on your school’s calendar. What are they?
• Tell your partner about the day you have prepared a speech about, giving detailed information about it.
• Name the important days on your country’s calendar and then tell your conversation partner about those days – what each day is called, when it is, and what people do.
• Discuss the important days in the country/ies where the language is spoken. Then compare them with the important days in the U.S.