October Topic: United Nations Day

UNITED NATIONS DAY is coming up on October 24th. It's a day to celebrate the creation of the United Nations in 1945 and its work in preserving peace and order through international cooperation. Learn more about the United Nations and get your ESL students talking about this important organization and its involvement in world peace and human rights.>>>

October Topic: World Food Day

WORLD FOOD DAY is recognized globally on Friday, 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. 
 

October Topic: 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! >>>

October Topic: World Habitat Day

WORLD HABITAT DAY is recognized on the first Monday in October (October 5th this year!) and provides a great platform for an important and useful topic for ESL learners. It's a day to create awareness for the homeless and for all those living without adequate shelter. This year's theme is Public Spaces For All. Share some facts and statistics with your students and have them learn more about this 'grassroots' action towards ending poverty housing worldwide.

Learn more about World Habitat Day on the official website:
Habitat Day - 2015 World Housing Facts.  >>>


WARM UP CONVERSATION QUESTIONS by ESL MADE EASY:
1. Have you or anyone you know ever lived in poverty housing? Feel free to share your experiences.
2. What kind of housing is typical in your country? Do most people live in the city or the country? What are the main differences in housing styles and needs?
3. Are there any rules and regulations about housing in your country? Are there any special programs for people who cannot afford housing?
4. What do you think a day in the life of someone living in poverty housing (especially with a family) or without a home would feel like? How would certain weather conditions and temperatures affect their day?

RECOMMENDED LINKS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY HOUSING FOR ESL STUDENTS:
ESL Made Easy: Recommended ESL links on the topic "Home"
ESL Holiday Lessons: World Habitat Day lesson and activities
Rong Chang: Easy Reading and listening: Homeless People
ESL Discussion: Conversation questions about homelessness
Alien Teachers: Lesson and activities on homelessness
Many Things: Video/transcript: Street Sense Newspaper Provides for the Homeless
ESL Podcast: Listening Podcast: Homeless in the US
ESL Printables: Homelessness: Who is to Blame?  *lesson sharing site