Christmas Traditions Around the World: A Journey Through English Language and Culture

As the holiday season approaches, our English training class took a festive turn by exploring various Christmas traditions from around the globe. It was a wonderful way to learn more about the diverse ways people celebrate this magical time of year, while also improving language skills.

During the week before Christmas, we focused on enriching our vocabulary by using words related to winter and the holidays. For example, we learned phrases like „frosty morning,“ „snowfall,“ and „caroling,“ all of which helped us describe the winter season in more detail.

We also took a closer look at Christmas traditions from different countries. In Mexico, for instance, the tradition of Las Posadas is celebrated, where people reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. In Japan, Christmas is less about religious observance and more about celebrating with loved ones, often with a meal of fried chicken! And, of course, we discussed the British tradition of Christmas crackers – those festive poppers that reveal little trinkets and jokes inside.

To practice our language skills further, we read an excerpt from „A Christmas Carol“ by Charles Dickens. This classic story, filled with rich vocabulary and character descriptions, allowed us to practice our writing and speaking skills. Describing characters like Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim helped us improve both our vocabulary and our ability to express thoughts more clearly.

Our final lesson of the week was a treat – we watched an old, animated Christmas short film titled „Anabel’s Wish“. In this heartwarming story, Anabel, a young calf, aspires to fly and become one of Santa Claus‘ reindeer.The film taught us the importance of kindness, empathy, and the value of spreading love, especially during the holiday season.

This Christmas-themed English training session was both educational and heartwarming, helping us improve our language skills while reflecting on the spirit of Christmas. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season filled with love, learning, and laughter!

M.B.