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: