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Wednesday, October 21, 2020

October Topic: Halloween!


Halloween, celebrated in many parts of the world, is an exciting time of the year and well known for traditional and festive activities such as trick-or-treating (be safe), costume parties (uh, not this year) and pumpkin carving. Halloween is a cultural celebration with an interesting history that dates back nearly 2,000 years. This time of the year not only provides ESL teachers with lots of fun activities, but it can also provide an opportunity for some very lively conversation around linking topics such as superstitions and fears! So, have fun with it!

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS ON THE TOPIC OF HALLOWEEN BY ESL MADE EASY:

1. Is Halloween or a similar tradition celebrated in your country? If a similar tradition,  rather than Halloween itself, how is it different from Halloween in North America?
2. Why do you think the colors black and orange are used for Halloween?
3. On the eve of October 31st, most children go trick-or-treating door to door in their neighborhood. What do you think might be some positive and negative aspects associated with this traditional activity?
4. Halloween is believed to be related to many superstitious stories and beliefs. Are you are a superstitious person? What are some common superstitions in your country?
5. What is your biggest fear now? Did you have any fears/phobias when you were a child? Has this changed?

RECOMMENDED LINKS ON THE TOPIC OF HALLOWEEN, SUPERSTITIONS & FEARS:


Feel free to add any of your favorite Halloween links you have used with your ESL students!

Friday, October 16, 2020

October Topic: World Food Day!


WORLD FOOD DAY
is recognized globally on Monday, October 16th and is intended to help raise awareness about hunger and poverty. It also commemorates the founding of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization back in 1945. This is a great discussion topic to use with your ESL students so set some time aside and get them talking about the importance of food and the challenges associated in its production and distribution around the world. 

WARM UP CONVERSATION QUESTIONS BY ESL MADE EASY: 

1. Define the following words: nutrition, hunger, starvation, malnourishment, and famine.

2. Are there any 'hunger' problems in your country? What are some programs and services available for those suffering from hunger and malnutrition?

3. What different hunger related social and economic issues might various countries face?

RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR ESL STUDENTS ON THE TOPIC OF WORLD FOOD DAY:

ESL Made Easy: Food theme links to activities and worksheets

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

October Theme: Thanksgiving!

 

It's that special time of the year again when many Canadians celebrate THANKSGIVING - a time for giving thanks for the bountiful harvest and for all the other blessings in life. Even as Canadians take part in roasting turkeys and baking pumpkin pies, people in America are celebrating COLUMBUS DAY a day for commemorating one of the first European travellers, Christopher Columbus, and his arrival to the New World in 1492. In other parts of the world, countries have been busy with their own HARVEST FESTIVALS  to celebrate all the successful harvests on their land. No matter what part of the world you're in, this time of the year provides ESL students with a bit of history and a lot of vocabulary!  

Friday, October 2, 2020

October Themes and Topics!


There is a lot to talk about in the month of October!  It's Vegetarian Day on Oct 1st and a busy week next week with World Animal Day on Oct 4th, World Habitat Day on the 5th and World Egg Day on the 9th. But, the big topics this month will be Thanksgiving celebrated here in Canada and the U.K. on Monday, Oct 10th as well as Halloween on Oct 31st. Be sure to check out October ESL Planning Themes and 

Topics here and follow ESL Made Easy for updated posts on recommended links to free ESL activities!