Michelle's independent resources for ESL Students at Vancouver Community College

This is a Canadian ESL blog for Intermediate and Advanced Students who want to learn and improve their English. Each PAGE above contains thousands of free English lessons, tutorials and practice exercises to help you learn and improve your English grammar, reading, listening, pronunciation, speaking, writing and editing. Some of the resources are Canadian. Others are from around the world.

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

ESL Christmas Love Songs


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.


 But first, let's try some some vocabulary review 

All I Want for Christmas is You:

Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey

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? 
 


Winter Wonderland by Rod Stewart and Michael Buble


Before you watch: 


1`.  A meadow is a place ___________________
2.  What kind of person is a "parson"?  (clue) he can legally 
      marry you with someone
3.   What does Santa ride in the sky with reindeer pulling?

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 ______



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. 







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. .



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Monday, December 16, 2013

ESL Christmas Listening Activities 2013

As we get closer and closer to Christmas, I thought you would enjoy a variety of  Christmas  listening activities. 

 Some of the videos and stories include quizzes. Others include complete transcripts. Listen as often as you need to before you answer the questions.

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.  

 Even better, read, listen and try to speak at the same time as the speaker. Do this several times, especially on parts you have trouble with. It will help you to improve your vocabulary through repetition, your pronunciation and your speaking.




Source: learningenglishwithmichelle
Christmas in the 17th and 18th Centuries  

;

Famous Authors Reading Holiday Holiday Stories 
Emily Temple (SOURCE: Flavorwire) 







 Christmas is coming! - a conversation (intermediate) with :
I. Pre-Listening Exercises
 
 II. Listening Exercises
 
III. Post-Listening Exercises
 
Topic : Christmas giftsSpeakers : 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)


The 11 Million Dollar Christmas Tree

  
Video Quiz from ESL Video.com




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)

'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. ( Source BBC)
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 here in 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)

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)


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


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)



 The story of the man in the red suit who brings gifts to children at Christmas. Transcript of radio broadcast: 19 December 2009

"Santa Claus is someone who will remain in the hearts of children forever...
Santa Claus also has some other names: Saint Nicholas, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, Pelznickel."
(Source: learningenglish.voanews.com)



The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry  

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)


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
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)





        





      MORE TO COME 

      Come back tomorrow for more Christmas songs, vocabulary, videos, readings, games and other activities. 

      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    


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

      Leave a comment and I will try to post them. 
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      Saturday, December 14, 2013

      Christmas Vocabulary and Reading Practice

      How many words do you know about Christmas? 

      It's important to know some Christmas  vocabulary if you want to understand  some of the symbols and traditions of Christmas. 

      Understanding some of the most common vocabulary will also help you enjoy the Christmas carols you listen to and sing along to during the holidays.

      Here are a few vocabulary flashcards, quizzes, games and activities to help you learn and remember some of the important Christmas words you should know. 

      This first item is actually a reading, but it is an interesting one that I hope you will enjoy. 

      • Mistletoe, the kiss of Christmas"It's a vintage year for the legendary mistletoe berries..
        In Britain’s mistletoe-growing regions, a branch would be brought inside at Christmas to protect the house. Any woman walking underneath
        could not refuse to be kissed, or she would remain an old maid. After a kiss, she would pick a berry from the branch."
        (telegraph.co.uk)

       Easy Quizzes 









        Intermediate Christmas Reading Activities  


         (by learningenglishwithmichelle)

        Quizlet Christmas Vocabulary Flashcards and games  


          MORE TO COME 

        Come back tomorrow for more Christmas songs, vocabulary, videos, readings, g
          



        • Christmas and New Year's Vocabulary Vocabulary ( BBC) A  lot of Christmas vocabulary can be used with or without the word ‘Christmas’ in front of it. For example we can talk about ‘Christmas crackers’ or just ‘crackers’:   lot of Christmas vocabulary can be used with or without the word ‘Christmas’ in front of it. For example we can talk about ‘Christmas crackers’ or just ‘crackers’: 
          - with a QUIZ

        INTERACTIVE games : 
        Presents for Xmas (and the rest of the year!)

        Matching - Flashcards (Java / non-Java) - Concentration - Word Search
        • - with a list of terms used in these activities (with pictures)
        • Activities created by: Renée Maufroid



            MORE TO COME 
          Come back tomorrow for more Christmas songs, vocabulary, videos, readings, games and other activities. 

          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    



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          Wednesday, December 11, 2013

          ESL How the Grinch Stole Christmas

          One of the most loved Christmas stories of all time in North America 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 that is 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. 

           Since many of you have time off from classes, 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. The more you can mention about it in casual conversation, the more Canadian or American you will seem.

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

           
          Part 2:  Speaking Activity: Acting out the Story  

          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


           How the Grinch Stole Christmas Transcript 
          This is the complete transcript of the whole cartoon. It is an excellent way to practice speaking, while watching the movie. 

           Activity 1: Individual Practice 

          1. Click on the link and print out the transcript.
          2. BEFORE you speak, watch the cartoon again and mark all the stressed words, pauses and complete stops.
          3. As you listen, whisper along with the speaker and try to enunciate every word and syllable the speaker stresses.  If you have problems, stop the player and do it as many times as you need to. 
          4. Finally, read along loudly as you listen to the cartoon. 
          5. Make sure you open your mouth as wide as you can in order to let your tongue get the right place in your mouth to make the correct sound. 
          6. Try not to go too fast.  Fluency does not mean speaking fast. It means being able to sound natural and comfortable about saying the words, phrases and sentence


           Activity 2: Classroom Practice 

          1. Follow the same procedure as with the play above. 
          2. Set up three or four groups.
          3. Assign roles or sections of the transcript to different students in the group.
          4. Follow the procedures in activity 1 or the play activity so that students become comfortable with the rhythm and stress  and with speaking the lines. 
          5. Have students add expression in their voices, just as the speaker in the transcript does. 
          6. Perform the whole story to the class. 

          Part 3: Speaking and Writing Questions: 

          1. 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. 

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

          3. The Grinch has many  negative  characteristics.  He experiences a crisis and then     changes for the better. Discuss how he changes. 
              
          4. What is the message of the story? 

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

          6.   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 chang

           Part 4: 

          1.  Listen to the song without  looking at the gap fill. Try to write down all the negative
               words that describe Mr. Grinch. 

          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. 





          MORE TO COME 

           Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 

           This  will include discussion / writing questions as well as other fun activities aimed at adults and children. 



          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.  




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