Social Icons

.

Friday, February 23, 2018

February Topic: Blue Jeans!




On February 26th, say Happy Birthday to Levi Strauss, the co-inventor of  blue jeans! Get your students to learn about the history of these popular causal pants.

Read more about the history and invention of blue jeans here.

WARM UP QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOPIC BLUE JEANS By ESL Made Easy:

1. Do you wear blue jeans? If so, when and where? How many pairs of jeans do you own? Would you find it hard to throw out your favourite pair of jeans? If so, why?
2. Are jeans popular and fashionable in your home country? If so, who typical wears them and when?
3. Do you remember your first pair of blue jeans? Do you remember the brand name and how much they cost?
4. What's the difference between a cheap pair of jeans and an expensive pair of jeans?
5. How has the look and feel of blue jeans changed over the years? What's the difference between the way they are marketed to men, women, children?

RECOMMENDED ESL LINKS AROUND THE TOPIC OF JEANS:

Socks on an Octopus: Infographic on the history of blue jeans (Source: Amercian Eagle)

Friday, February 16, 2018

Black History Month


 
February is Black History month  in Canada, the U.S., and the United Kingdom. Be sure to get your ESL students learning more about the activities, events, and the important figures in black history.

See recommended links on Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement here.



Friday, February 9, 2018

February Topic: The Lunar New Year!



The Lunar New Year, beginning February 16th, is best known as the Chinese New Year and is celebrated by many cultures around the globe. Its origin has to do with harvest and since this special time follows the lunar calendar, it falls on a different day every year. There are many festivities, traditions and customs which can make this an interesting and lively topic. Have your ESL students not only learn about the festivities that vary from culture to culture, but also the symbols and beliefs of the Chinese zodiac and what that means for the year ahead!

2018 is the Year of the Dog according to the Chinese zodiac. Find out what's in store for you (here) if you were born in the year of 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018.

RECOMMENDED ESL LINKS FOR TOPICS AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR:

EL Civics: A picture vocabulary lesson with follow up activities 
Enchanted Learning: The Chinese New Year vocabulary word list 
Fact Monster: All about the Chinese zodiac 
Youblisher: The Chinese New Year worksheets 
Education World: The Chinese New Year reading with word bank 
Chinese Parade: A reading on the lunar calendar 
Chinese Parade: Chinese New Year traditions 
ISL Collective: Chinese New Year worksheets and exercises 
EC English: Reading and vocabulary lesson on the Chinese New Year 
Elllo: Listening and comprehension questions on the Chinese New Year 
Worksheets Plus: Reading and comprehension worksheets on the Chinese New Year
ESL Holiday Lesson: A lesson plan with activities on the Chinese New Year
ESOL Courses: Chinese New Year vocabulary, games and quizzes(online)
ESOL Courses: The Chinese zodiac signs and explanations 
English Club: Chinese New Year reading and quick quiz online
Heads Up English: The Chinese New Year discussion questions
ESL Library: Chinese New Year lesson plans: membership site

Here's a great infographic by Giraffe (Click here to see in full) - 50 unbelievable facts about the Chinese New Year:

February Topic: Valentine's Day!

Recommended Sites for Valentine's Day!


History: The History of Valentine's Day (video)
International TELF Academy: Learn about 10 different ways Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world
ESL PDF: Valentine's Day picture vocabulary worksheet 
The Holiday Zone: What is Valentine's Day?- Reading with questions (beginner) 
The Holiday Zone: The Story of St. Valentine with comprehension questions (beginner) 
The Holiday Zone: The Story St. Valentine with vocabulary and questions (intermediate) 
The Holiday Zone: Crossword puzzle challenge (beg/intermediate) 
The Holiday Zone: Crossword word puzzle challenge (advanced) 
5 Minute English: Easy reading with comprehension questions on Valentine's Day 
ESL Holiday Lessons: Reading with follow up activities on Valentine's Day
English Exercises: Valentine's Day worksheets and activities 
Teaching English British Council: Valentine's Day PDF worksheet
EL Civics: a picture vocabulary lesson (with activities) on Valentine's Day
ESL Flow: All about friendship, love and relationships
BogglesWorld ESL: Valentine's Day worksheets 
ITESLJ: Valentine's Day discussion questions
ESOL Courses: Valentine's Day online quizzes 
ESOL Courses: Listening activity on the history of Valentine's Day
ITESLJ: Conversation questions about Valentine's Day
Topics Mag: How Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world
Canada-ESL: Valentine's Day ESL lessons
ESL Video: St. Valentine's listening with quiz
Film English: ESL lesson plans around short films (Love)
ESL Library: Valentine's Day lessons  membership site
ISL Collective: 4 worksheets for Valentine's Day  donation site
The Eventier: Valentine's Images, Poems and Quotes

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

February Topic: Chocolate!


Did you know that Hershey Chocolate was founded on February 8th in 1894? Since it is February, what better time to get your ESL students talking about the history of chocolate and all its products and recipes! Not only is chocolate considered to be a popular (and some saying healthy!) treat around the world, but also a popular and romantic gift for Valentine's Day too. 

Here's a great article with video on the health benefits of chocolate that you can share with your ESL students.  
 

 

WARM-UP CONVERSATION QUESTIONS ABOUT CHOCOLATE BY ESL MADE EASY:

1. Is chocolate considered to be a treat for you? If so, what is your favorite chocolate goodie (candy bar, chocolate milk, cookies..etc) and how often do you have it?
2. Is chocolate popular in your home country? What are some popular chocolate treats?
3. Recent reports suggest that chocolate can actually be good for you (see health benefits of chocolate ). Do you think this could change the minds of those who see chocolate as a guilty pleasure? What about for those who see chocolate as nothing more than a cause of cavities and weight gain?
4. What are some holidays/special events around the world that involve chocolate?
5. In what ways has the production, marketing and consumption of chocolate changed over the years? 

RECOMMENDED ESL LINKS AROUND THE TOPIC CHOCOLATE:

Bright Hub Education: Yummy chocolate lesson plan
ESL Discussions: Conversation questions around chocolate
Breaking News English: Lesson with activities: Chocolate is Good for You
Learning English: Reading and listening - Chocolate - The Food of the Gods
ESL Holiday Lessons: Reading and activity on World Chocolate Day
Breaking News English: Lesson with activities - Experts Predict Chocolate Drought
English Baby: Lesson on chocolate
Heads Up English: Mini lesson on chocolate
English For Everyone: Reading and comprehension lesson on chocolate
ITESLJ: Reading and comprehension on the history of chocolate
ESL Printables: The history of chocolate lesson - lesson sharing site
ESOL Course: How chocolate is made - listening and comprehension
ESL Library: Listening podcast: 6 Myths about Chocolate
Huffington Post: The best American chocolate bars ranked - reading