ESL: Charlie Brown Christmas Listening Speaking Activities

50 years after it was created, the animated cartoon  "A Charlie Brown Christmas continues to be one of the most beloved Christmas holiday TV specials. "  

Why is it so special? According to Robert Loyd, film critic for the Los Angeles Times, " it isn't about any invented crisis in the life of an imaginary  creature. There are no elves, no reindeer, no Santa. It's just about us. 

The Spirit of Christmas 

 Charles Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts"  wrote a little fable  about how a meaningful  holiday such as Christmas has become so commercialized that it has  lost any meaning. 

The only magic Christmas now allows is the kind we create ourselves when we pay attention to someone besides ourselves.  

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" remains true to both the spirit of Christmas and to the spirit of "Peanuts."

Although it t emphasizes the need for hope and love, it still reminds us that  the Christmas season can bring anxiety and a feeling of being alone and unloved for many people

 "I know nobody likes me," sighs Charlie Brown in the animated special.  "Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?"

The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree 
The sad little Christmas tree Charlie buys for the school play represents all the world's underfed, unseen, unloved, ( trees, animals, people...) .However, it can still be rescued. 

In fact, with a little love, care and attention, it can truly become something special and even magic. 

Watch the special and learn about one of the most popular idioms about Christmas that comes from the story: "A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. " 

Can you figure out what it means?

How Well did you Understand? 

Watch the film as many times as you need to. Then see how  many questions you can answer in the quiz below. 

Now, can you answer the question: What is a Charlie Brown Christmas tree?

O

Read and Listen  Charlie Brown Christmas Transcript 

PRACTICE THE VOCABULARY  New 

• Vocabulary Practice and quizzes from charlie Brown Christmas 
• Vocabulary Charlie Brown Christmas 
• Vocabulary Quiz Charlie Brown Christmas Quiz
• Quizlet Vocabulary Quiz with pictures 

The True Meaning of Christmas:  A Listening Quiz 

More Comprehension Quizzes to Try

• Charlie Brown Christmas Quiz 1 (easier) 
• Charlie Brown Comprehension Questions
• Quizlet Trivia flashcards New 
• Charlie Brown Quiz  New 
• 25 Charlie Brown Chrismas questions New 
• Timed Charlie Brown Quiz

Now, try this song.

VIDEOS: New

The Making of a Charlie Brown Christmas  a 15 minute documentary on the story behind the making of A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring interviews with the people involved in the special.  

       

Celebrating 50 Years Canadian jazz musician Jerry Granelli opens up about recording the now-iconic score to the beloved TV special

It's Your 50th Birthday Charlie Brown  In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the beloved tale, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Kristen Bell will hosts a 30 minute TV special. which includes live performances, from the memorable music of Vince Guaraldi, to Kristen Chenoweth singing “Happiness” from the “Peanuts” Broadway hit, and a performance from Matthew Morrison of an original song, “Just Like Me.” Other guests are Sarah McLachlan, Boyz II Men, Pentatonix, David Benoit and The All-American Boys Chorus. D

ABC Celebrates 50th anniversary of Charlie Brown Christmas radio
National Public Radio ( NPR) explores what makes this ageless special endure in interviews with experts. 

READING: NEW 
Find out more about the history and little known facts about Charlie Brown's Christmas. Read opinions for its success as well as about recent controversies surrounding its "religious" tone. 

• Charlie Brown Christmas at 50: the Making of a Classic Soundtrack 
• Factors Why Charlie Brown Christmas is So Well Loved : 
• Charlie Brown Christmas: The Flop That Wasn't
• Five  Things You Don't  Know About Charlie Brown Christmas
• 50 Years Later Charlie Brown Christmas Turns Out to be a Winner After All 
• Re Think review Charflie Brown Christmas True Meaning of Christmas
• 14 Blockheaded Facts ab out Charlie Brown's Christmas
• 29 Moments of Charlie Brown
• Kentucky School District Censors Charlie Brown Christmas
• Dear-lexington-editors-if-Linus-Doesnt-Say-You-Know-What-then-What-Does-He-Say?

Discussion Questions

   1    What did you enjoy most about the special?

   2.    Why is it that Charlie Brown as well as ourselves feel like we should have a certain 
          type of feeling at Christmas? 

   3.   Why  is there more pressure on us to feel happy during the Christmas season than 
        at other time of year? Why is it we feel that there is something wrong  with us if we 
        don't  feel this way? 

  4.    Studies show that a lot of people get depressed during or just after holidays like
          Christmas ? Why do you think this happens?  

  5.  What should depressed people do about this " depression" or sadness?

  6.  According to Charlie Browns' friend Linus, what is Christmas all about? 

   7.  Do you think Christmas has become too commercial? Explain. How could they make
         it more  meaningful? 

   8.  Charlie Brown refused to "go along  with" ( agree with what everyone else thought
        was  normal when he was sure there was something better or more meaningful 
        available. When is it good to go "along"  with everyone  around you and when is it
        better to make your own way? 

ESL Christmas: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

One of the most loved North American Christmas stories of all time  is the story How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  

Although Dr. Seuss, a well-known children's writer, originally wrote the story for children, it has messages for young and old. 

The story and the animated video ,now shown on television every year  at Christmas time, continues to delight millions of of people whether they are watching it for the first time, or the 30th time. 

Now that we have officially entered the Christmas season, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to watch an important  piece of North American culture.  

It doesn't matter if you live in Australia, Europe, Asia or  the Middle East, you will still enjoy learning a little about a series of Christmas messages that apply to every culture or religion. 

If you plan to live in North America, or if you already live here, it is even more important  that you know about this  story by Dr. Seuss. If you can mention any aspect of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or of Who ville  in casual conversation, people will think you are  a true American or Canada, and really "get us." 

This is also a way you can get your children involved. 

Activity 1#
Pre-listening: 
Read and go through the following power point on your own, or with your children


Power Point Explaining the Basic Story and characters of  How the Grinch Stole Christmas 


Listening: 
Watch the video as many times as you need to know and answer the comprehension questions below. 

   












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 How the Grinch Stole Christmas multiple choice questions PDF
  How the Grinch Stole Christmas Answers PDF



  Activity #2 : SONG

1.  Listen to the song without  looking at the gap fill. Try to write down all the negative

     words that describe Mr. Grinch, for exdample: "mean" . 

2.  Listen as many times as you need and fill in the gaps. 

3.  Sing-along . This is a great song to practice enunciating. Make sure you open your 
     mouth as wide as you can in order to let your tongue get to the right place. Sing as 
     slowly as the singer. 

  

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

   Discussion and Writing Questions

1.         Why do you think the Grinch hated Christmas so much? 

2.         What role does Cindy Lou play in the story. What does she do to change the Grinch?  

3.         Why do you think the Who's reacted the way they did when they found out that all
             their things had  been  stolen? 

4.         Do you know anyone who is like the Grinch? What might some be some reasons      
            why that person acts that way?

5.         What did the people of Whoville learn from the Grinch's behaviour in the story?  

6.         If you were the Grinch's defense attorney, what kind of arguments could you make in

            his favour?  

7.         What is the message of the story?  Is there more than one message?  Explain.

8.          If you had to spend an afternoon with Grinch for the afternoon what would you do to

            get the Grinch in the holiday spirit?

9.         If you could give the Grinch one gift, what would it be? 

10.       List some differences between the Grinch and Cindy's Lou's personalities. Give                       examples. 

11.       The Grinch has a serious character flaw. He experiences a crisis and then changes               for the better. Describe the Grinch's character flaw at the beginning of the story.                     What  crisis changes him?  How does he change? 

12.       Dr. Seuss wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas to point out how the media and                    marketing have created a holiday focused on spending money to buy things.  

            Discuss how has the media changed holidays such as Christmas, New Years,           
            Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, Mother;s Day etc. and how they are celebrated. 

13.       Would you write a different ending to the story? Explain why or why not. If yes, how               would you end  it? 

14.       Do you know anyone who had some bad personality characteristics, but who                          became  a better person after something happened to him or her. This could be                    you, or anyone you know. Tell what happened, and why this person changed. 

15.       Write a letter to persuade the Grinch why he should change his mind.   

   How the Grinch Stole Christmas Writing and Discussion Questions    Word Doc. 
     
Original Complete Script for the animated version of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

  

Readers Theatre How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This is an easier version of the story written like a small play. It is perfect for students to use as a play in the classroom. The roles are broken down so that everyone can have  one , two or even three parts.

1. Assign roles to different students and have the practice in groups. ( If you have a large class, you could divide them into two or three groups) 
2. Start with having them read their lines normally, but fluently, without hesitating or stumbling. 
3. Go over the pronunciation of different words.
4. Now, have the students put the maximum amount of expression in their voice. Practice as often as they need. 
5.  Have them memorize their lines and be able to repeat them in the correct order. 
6. Perform the mini play in class

http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz2478941c61d58.html

ESL Christmas: Five More Songs Quizzes

Love is one of the main messages of Christmas. 

People all over the world enjoy sharing their love with each other at this special time. 

But Christmas can also be a time of  loss and heartbreak - a time when people remember a love lost and the wonderfu  times they had.

Although these are not traditional Christmas carols, the following songs have no become classics because they show both the joy, the sadness and  the yearning that Christmas and the holiday season brings to people in love.   

Here are a few songs to keep you in the mood, whether you are happy or sad. Listen, play the game. Then sing along. There's lots of Christmas vocabulary here.  Try some.

All I Want for Christmas is You:

But first, let's try some some vocabulary review 

Before you watch:



1.   When you stand under this, you have to kiss someone   
2.   Underneath means ________________ 
2.   This is made out of snow and often has eyes, a nose and stick arms 
3.   We roast these type of nuts on the fire.  
4.   What do people put under the Christmas tree and open on Christmas 
       morning? 




WHAM: Last Christmas  

Have you ever experienced a sad Christmas when everything reminded you of a former love? I'm sure you are not alone. As everyone knows even people whose heart is broken still get through it. The next song is about that. 

Shake Up Christmas 

Although this Christmas pop song was only released in 2010, it has become so popular that Coca Cola has started using it for its  Christmas advertising campaign. It is easy to see why as the upbeat song  encourages people to spread love and happiness at this time of year. 

 

Mistletoe by Justin Bieber

Before you listen to the song: 

1.  Justin Bieber uses the word  "Imma" several times during the song. This is slang for  

      "I'm going to be" 

2.  Cheer is another word for joy. 

3.  What is this below?

4.  If you spend time "chilling" with someone, you ___  

5.  shawti is slang for ______________________________'

6. When you "stare" at someone, you ______

CHRISTMAS WRAPPED UP IN RED 

Many of us are afraid to tell the people we love how we feel, so we hide our feelings. Sometimes it's worth being brave and taking a chance to open up about those feelings. Who knows what could happen. Listen to the following song to see what Kelly Clarkson has to sat about it. 

ESL Christmas Song Activities Part 1

Many of you  may not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. But that should not  stop you from enjoying the many non-religious traditions associated with Christmas,   or "holiday season" as some politically correct  places have chosen to call Christmas .  

In fact, this is excellent time to have fun practicing your English with Christmas activities both in the classroom and at home - with your friends, families and children.  

Get into the spirit of Christmas by singing

One of my favourite activities during the Christmas season is singing Christmas songs and carols.  In fact, one of my earliest memories is sitting outside my parents' bedroom door at 6 a.m. on Christmas morning singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

There are hundreds of wonderful songs you can listen and sing along to. Some are traditional carols that focus on the religious aspect of Christmas. Others are popular songs that focus on what Christmas means for many different people: family, friends, home, snow, magic.... 

During the next few weeks, I will be posting a variety of Christmas activities to help you practice your English. Today, I will begin with a few famous Christmas songs that you may or may not already know.   

Listen to the songs. Fill in the blanks. Then sing along as many times as you can.  It will help you improve your listening, speaking, pronunciation and even your vocabulary. 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town 

This song was originally written for children in order to warn them to be good boys and girls if they wanted to get presents from Santa Claus. The song has now been turned into a pop song that also appeals to young people and adults. Many different artists have sung it, but these days, Justin Bieber's version is the most popular one.  I have added the children's sing-along version as well.  Try singing along with both versions.

Let It Snow

If you don't live in a winter climate, this seems like an unusual song to sing at Christmas, but if you live in the northern part of North America, Christmas usually means lots of snow, and brings many happy memories for most people.  This version of "Let it Snow" by Dean Martin has always been a huge favourite for millions of people in North America.   I hope you enjoy it.

.

Winter Wonderland

Richard Smith, a young man suffering from turberculosis wrote this song  from his bed in a sanatorium.  Looking out the window, he saw people playing in the park and wished that he too could be out enjoying himself in the freshly fallen snow. He wrote a poem describing all the things he would do when he was healthy again.  His friend, musician Felix Bernard put the words to music and Winter Wonderland was released in 1934. It was immediately successful. To this day more than 200 artists have covered the song. Unfortunately, Smith saw little of this success. He died of his illness just a year after the song was releassed, the day before his 34th birthday. 

Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle Bell Rock is a dance party song written in the 1950s when rock and roll was still very new. It immediately became popular because it was such a happy song and was so much fun to sing and dance to. It still remains very popular and almost everybody in North America knows the word by heart and can sing along to the words without looking at a piece of paper. Try singing along. You'll love it.




Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
Brenda Lee’s version of the song—unquestionably the best version—was performed and recorded when she was only 13 years old.

Some will say that Brenda Lee invented the idea of dancing around a Christmas tree with her classic Christmas song, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” However, this traditional way of celebrating has roots that are far older than the 1960’s.

In the 14th century, the tree was decorated will all sorts of sweets and cookies and small candles were placed in decorated eggshells among the boughs. On the 12th day of Christmas, traditionally believed as the day that the Magi arrived at the manger in Bethlehem bearing gifts, the Christmas tree was shaken and all of the treats and candy would fall out of the boughs and onto the floor. The children were then allowed to eat everything that fell out of the tree and usually resulted in a sugar rush that saw the children dancing and rocking around the Christmas tree for the rest of the evening.

Share the love ! 

If you enjoyed this post, invite your friends and family to join in the fun, or post this to Facebook or any other social site you belong to in your own country.   


What are some of YOUR favourite Christmas songs and activities that you would like to see here? Why do you like them?  

Leave a comment and I will try to post them.  

ESL Christmas Listening and Speaking Activities

I have posted a variety of Christmas listening and speaking activities for you.  Listen as often as you need to before you answer questions. Discuss the questions in the speaking activities with your friends, families and classmates. 

If one of the stories includes the script, try to listen to the story without reading it the first time. Then, read and listen at the same time. 

 Enjoy!   

Source: learningenglishwithmichelle

  

Source: learningenglishwithmichelle

Christmas in the 17th and 18th Centuries  

 Christmas is coming! - a conversation (intermediate) with :
I. Pre-Listening Exercises II. Listening Exercises 
III. Post-Listening Exercises
Topic : Christmas gifts
Speakers : a man and 2 children
(Source: esl-lab.com)


The Christmas Gift - a narration (difficult) with :
I. Pre-Listening Exercises II. Listening Exercises 
III. Post-Listening Exercises 
(Source: esl-lab.com)

Christmas Day   ELLLO) :  

Fred Talks about the daily routine for his family on Christmas Day in Canada   (Source: ELLLO)

 Christmas Tree Traditions  ( ELLL0)
Anja compares Christmas tree traditions with Fred  
 Source ELLLO)

Darren's Christmas new

Darren discusses how he feels about Christmas: what he enjoys about it and what aspects he finds stressful.  Source ELLLO  

Sharon's Christmas new 

Sharon talks about she feels at Christmas 


It's Christmas Time Listening Game

Advent  

'Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!'

Christmas is the biggest festival in Britain and is celebrated on 25th December. The four weeks before Christmas are called Advent, and are traditionally celebrated in churches by lighting a candle each Sunday during Advent. Nowadays, many people in Britain are not very religious, but they still celebrate Christmas. (continue to listen Source BBC)
Reading Comprehension Activities PDF

Multifaith Christmas 

At Christmas time, it's always worth remembering that there are many countries where Christianity isn't the main religion. The official religion of the UK is Christianity, but n London - one of the world's most multicultural cities - there are many non-Christians who also celebrate Christmas. In this program, Yvonne Archer finds out why this   is the case and what they like to do at Christmas time.(Source BBC)

Christmas in France (New)

 From Paris to Burgundy, Christmas is the stuff of dreams - where rich sounds of medieval carols abound, simple rituals are shared by families and friends, and windows are illuminated by lights. SOURCE: ESOL Courses 

German Christmas Markets
German Christmas markets are famous all over the world. This week we visit six of the oldest,most celebrated and most unusual. Today we are at probably the most famous of them all the Nuremberg Christmas Market.SOURCE: ESOL  Courses 

 The Christmas Revels

Every year, a theatrical group called The Washington Revels celebrates the holiday season and winter solstice with a festive Christmas production featuring traditional songs and dances. The award-winning group selects its themes from a different part of the country - or the world - every year. This year was Christmas as it was celebrated in rural England in the 1830s. SOURCE: ESOL Courses  

Men and Christmas 

When Christmas is just around the corner, most people have very little Christmas shopping left to do. But it's a well known fact that on Christmas Eve, most of the shoppers on the streets are men. So is that last minute rush just a fun part of the Christmas shopping experience for men, and do they actually like Christmas shopping? Yvonne Archer goes in search of a few answers. (Source: BBC)

The Story of the Poinsettia 

Poinsettias are the best selling potted flowering plant in the United States. Red poinsettias are a traditional part of Christmas celebrations, which is why almost all of them are sold in winter. Find out about the history of this colourful plant and why it is so popular in America.  (Source:  learning English TV  VOA environment and Science) 

The Million Dollar Christmas Tree

Christmas Shopping (New)

Jingle bells, jingle bells... Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Watch this video to see how a shop is getting ready for Christmas. -  Includes quiz, vocabulary and transcript. Part of  Word on the Street series. - Source: learnenglishteens.uk British Council  

 More Christmas Shopping 

If you walk into many London shops, you might find it difficult to believe that Christmas is still several weeks away. In this program, with the help of a market researcher, we find out why Christmas seems to be getting earlier and earlier. Source: BBC 

The Christmas Office Party   

Imagine this program is an invitation to a special kind of Christmas party - not the kind you have at home for friends - but what we call 'the office Christmas party', or less formally, 'the office Christmas do'.(Source: BBC)

People and Places at Christmas 

We've been out of the office to talk to people about their feelings at Christmas time. We've also been asking people to describe their ideal Christmas. (Source: BBC)

 Is He Santa Claus, Saint Niccholas, Chris Kringle or  Pelznickel?(New)

 Some of the many names of the short, fat, jolly old man with a long beard, wearing a red suit with white fur who delights children at Christmas | Words and Their Stories

The story of the man in the red suit who brings gifts to children at Christmas. Radio Broadcast with transcript "
(Source: : learningenglish.voanews.com)

How to Host a Christmas Dinner New
A short instructional video listing the steps needed to host a Chrstimas dionner for family and friends. Lisdten as many times as you need to and answer the comprehension questions. Source: ESOL Courses 

The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry  
Listen and Read comprehension 
A spoken version of the famous story of a very poor young husband and wife  who each give up the most valuable thing they own in order to give the other a Christmas gift.
(Source: VOA  Quiz from ESL Listening.com)

ESL Bits A Christmas Carol 

Charles Dickens' 1843 classic "A Christmas Carol" is quite possibly the most often told holiday story in the English-speaking world.

The very wealthy Ebenezzer Scrooge is miserable, while his poor employee Bob Cratchit is a contented man with a virtuous disposition and family.

Scrooge, a hardened, greedy man who undergoes a great emotional change one Christmas Eve through the assistance of three ghosts. Each ghost represents some form of loss. The Ghost of Christmas Past represents the lost innocence and kindness Scrooge endures in a difficult childhood and young manhood. The Ghost of Christmas Present represents the love and fellowship Scrooge is losing in his current life.

Scrooge experiences a change of heart while he reviews Christmas memories and once again discovers what it is like to feel and live in the spirit of love, kindness, and giving..
(Listen and read the classic tale of Scrooge)    (Source ESL Bits.com)



Trailer for the Movie A Christmas Carol 

Listening Quiz for the trailer to A Christmas Carol : Source ESL Video.com

The Must Have Christmas Present   

Now that all the Thanksgiving leftovers have been eaten and the Halloween costumes have been put away, everyone is getting ready for Christmas! It’s supposed to be a Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but somehow it’s become a huge commercial holiday and the most important time of year for retailers.  (SOURCE: Podcast from Melanie ESL)

The Christmas Cuckoo  
A long time ago, there was village in the North Country. All its inhabitants were poor, because their fields were barren, and they didn't have much to sell; but the poorest of them all were two brothers called Scrub and Spare. They were shoemakers. Their shack was very small. The door was low and always open, because there was no window.Continue here  
(Source:John Robinson's ESL Listening.com   



Chatty Santa (chattysanta.com)   

"Type what you’d like Santa to say to a particular person, and Chatty Santa will say it. Then send it to the designated person..." (SOURCE: Larry Ferlazzo)

Christmas Greeting from Santa  
Send your friends and relatives Christmas greetings from Santa by clicking here 
(Source:  Teflteacher's blog)

Christmas Speaking Activities 

Christmas Tongue Twisters

Christmas is Coming Board Game 

Christmas Speaklng Activities

Christmas Conversation Questions

Christmas Discussion Questions

Christmas Speaking Activities 

Christmas Discussions

Christmas Conversation Cards

Conversation Questions for Christmas 

Before Christmas Questions

After Christmas questions

Christmas Traditions Quiz

More to come:

Christmas Songs, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, 

Charlie Brown Christmas and much more ....