ESL Made Easy

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

March Topic: Easter

There's plenty of Easter vocabulary and traditions for your ESL students to learn about this week - starting with Good Friday on Friday, March 30th and Easter Sunday on April 1st. Have your students learn more about this religious celebration as well as the commercial side of Easter including the Easter bunny, chocolate goodies and the joys of Easter egg hunting!

Friday, March 23, 2018

March Topic: Earth Hour

It's Earth Hour around the world this Saturday, March 24th (8:30 p.m. local time). This environmental movement, which initially started in 2005 in Sydney, Australia, has encouraged individuals and businesses around the world to show their support for climate change initiatives and an awareness of their own carbon footprint. Be sure to set some time aside to talk about this global climate campaign with your ESL students and see if they're going to turn out their lights for one hour!

Watch the official EARTH HOUR video here.

WARM-UP CONVERSATION QUESTIONS AROUND THE TOPIC EARTH HOUR By ESL Made Easy:

1. Have you participated in Earth Hour before? What did you do and how did it make you feel?

2. What have been some initiatives in your home country for raising awareness about climate change and the environment? Are there any current environmental policies or programs in place for residents and businesses? Have they been working?

3. What are some ways in which people can reduce their energy consumption in a typical home of a developed country? What about for businesses?

4. In what ways can people enjoy being in the dark for one hour at home with their family or friends?

Monday, March 19, 2018

March Topic: The Spring Equinox

The Spring Equinox has arrived (March 20/21st) to those living in the Northern Hemisphere and with it comes the joys of warmer weather (we hope!), chirping birds and colorful spring flowers! Make this a time to teach or review spring season vocabulary words and phrases with your ESL students!

WARM-UP CONVERSATION QUESTIONS AROUND THE TOPIC OF SEASONS BY ESL MADE EASY:
1. Does your home country recognize the spring/autumn equinox at this time of the year? Describe the changes.
2. What is your favourite season? Why? Has your preference changed over the years?
3. Do you think people are affected emotionally, mentally, or physically with the early signs of spring? Explain.

4. What are some things in people's lives that change

according to seasons?

Saturday, March 3, 2018

March Topic: International Women's Day!

International Women's Day is March 8th! This year's theme, Press for Progress, encourages pledging towards women and girls worldwide to help them achieve their ambitions and to lessen the gap between gender inequality. Various events and traditions will be taking place to honour and celebrate women's rights and achievements worldwide. Take the time to explore this global event with your ESL students and get them talking about the progress made, as well as the struggles that many women still face today.

See YouTube video - International Women's Day 2018

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?

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.