The Christmas season is upon us, and what better way include some English practise into your daily routine than by doing one small English activity each day?
Whether you're an English language enthusiast or a language learner looking to enhance your skills, this countdown to Christmas will provide you with a delightful English journey throughout December.
Day 1: Do a Christmas English Vocabulary Exchange
Start the countdown by enriching your vocabulary. Learn a new festive English word each day and share it with a friend, family member, or colleague. Spread the holiday cheer with words like "jolly," "mistletoe," or "eggnog," and encourage others to use them in conversation.
Day 2: Write a Christmas Haiku
Get creative with words! Compose a holiday-themed haiku, a short form of Japanese poetry consisting of three lines with syllable patterns of 5-7-5. Capture the essence of the season in your verse and share it on social media or with your English-speaking friends.
Day 3: Listen to a Christmas Carol
Find an English carol you love or discover a new one, and listen to it attentively. Pay attention to the lyrics, tune, and the emotions they evoke. Sing along if you feel like it!
Day 4: Watch a Festive Film
Snuggle up on the sofa and enjoy a classic or contemporary Christmas movie in English. Whether it's the 1984 adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' (filmed in Shrewsbury) or the 2004 comedy 'elf', let the language and the festive plot transport you into the season.
Day 5: Make a Christmas Card
Set your artistic side free as you design your own English Christmas card. Write a heartfelt message, include seasonal symbols, and decorate it with glitter, stickers, or drawings. Send it to someone special or share it online.
Day 6: Read a Festive Poem
Explore the words of famous English poets who have captured the magic of Christmas in their verses. Read a festive poem by Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, or other renowned poets.
Day 7: Do a Festive Word Puzzle
Challenge your linguistic skills with a festive word puzzle. Solve a crossword or word search puzzle related to Christmas. This engaging activity will entertain you while expanding your vocabulary and boosting your problem-solving abilities.
Day 8: Try a Festive Recipe
Discover a traditional English holiday recipe and try your hand at preparing it. Whether it's the iconic Christmas pudding, mince pies, or gingerbread biscuits, explore the culinary traditions of the English-speaking world and enjoy the delicious results. Email me privately for my mince pie recipe which has been passed down through the generations before me.
Day 9: Research Cultural Christmas Traditions
Explore diverse Christmas traditions from around the world. Learn about how people celebrate in different countries, such as the lighting of the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, London, or the Boxing Day festivities in Australia. Share your newfound knowledge with others.
Day 10: Write a Letter to Father Christmas
Rekindle the childlike excitement within you by writing a letter to Father Christmas (Santa). Express your wishes, dreams, and gratitude in English. Use your imagination to describe the perfect Christmas and what you'd like to find under the tree on the big day.
Day 11: Create a Festive Vocabulary Quiz
Test your knowledge of festive vocabulary with a fun quiz. Create a list of Christmas-related words with their definitions and challenge yourself or your friends to match the correct words to their meanings. Expand your vocabulary while having a jolly good time!
Day 12: Record a Christmas Message
Reach out to your English speaking friends across the world by recording a Christmas video message for them. Hopefully, you will receive one back too.
Day 13: Sing a Christmas Song
Sing along to your favourite Christmas songs in English. Try "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," or "Deck the Halls." Singing not only boosts your language skills but also fills you with holiday cheer.
Day 14: Watch a Christmas Speech
Search YouTube for inspiring Christmas speeches or sermons delivered in English. Listen to the heartfelt words of renowned speakers, religious leaders, or influential figures. Reflect on the messages of hope, love, and unity that they share.
Day 15: Decorate a Christmas Tree
Some people in the UK put their trees up at the beginning of December - sometimes even earlier. Personally, I think 10 days before Christmas is about right. Let your creativity shine as you decorate your Christmas tree. Engage in a conversation with friends or family members about the ornaments, lights, and baubles you use. Describe the colours, shapes, and memories associated with each decoration in English.
Day 16: Christmas-themed Charades
Gather your loved ones for a fun game of Christmas-themed charades. Act out holiday-related words, phrases, or characters without speaking, and let others guess what you're portraying. It's an entertaining way to practice your language skills and spread laughter.
Day 17: Listen to a Christmas Podcast
Explore the world of podcasts with a Christmas twist. Find an English-language podcast that discusses holiday traditions, stories, or even offers language-learning tips.
Day 18: Write a Thank You Note
Express your gratitude by writing a thank you note to someone who has made your year special. Share your appreciation, memories, and wishes for the upcoming year. Use descriptive language to eloquently express your heartfelt emotions.
Day 19: Virtual Language Exchange
Connect with language learners or English speakers from around the world through virtual language exchange platforms. Engage in conversations, discuss holiday traditions, and share cultural insights. Embrace the opportunity to practice your English skills while making new friends.
Day 20: Festive Trivia Challenge
Organize a festive trivia challenge with your friends or family. Create a list of Christmas-themed questions and take turns answering them. This enjoyable activity not only enhances your language skills but also deepens your knowledge of holiday traditions and customs.
Day 21: Learn a Christmas Joke
Humour is an essential part of any language. Find a holiday-themed joke in English and share it with your friends to practice your delivery and humour in English.
Day 22: Practice Pronunciation with Tongue Twisters
Tackle some festive tongue twisters to improve your pronunciation and diction skills. Challenge yourself with phrases like "Santa's sleigh slid silently on the snow" or "Candy canes cheerfully decorate Christmas trees."
Day 23: Write a Reflection on the Year
Reflect on the past year and write a summary in English. Express your achievements, challenges, and goals for the upcoming year, while practicing your writing and reflection skills.
Day 24: Read the classic poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
This timeless piece by Clement Clarke Moore captures the anticipation and magic of Christmas Eve. As you explore the enchanting verses and vivid imagery, also notice the rhythmic language. Practise reading aloud and adding expression to your delivery to really showcase Moore's storytelling magic.
Day 25: Merry Christmas
In the UK, Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December. How will you manage to incorporate some English into your celebrations?
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