Christmas is Coming - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Level:	Topic:	Speakers:	Length:
easy	Christmas gifts	man – two children	01:11

Pre-Listening Exercise

Christmas is a time when children hope to receive presents from their parents, other family, and friends. Imagine that you are one of the children in this conversation (a three-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl). What Christmas gifts would you like to receive?

Speak Up, Take a Stand! Instructions for Getting the Conversation Started

These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.

In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and self-assess your progress.

1. Children should always get gifts on Christmas.
2. It’s better to give presents than to receive them.
3. Santa Claus is an important part of Christmas for kids.
4. Families should do the same Christmas traditions every year.
5. Children should help choose or wrap gifts for others.
6. Christmas is not fun without snow.
7. Watching holiday movies is the best Christmas activity for kids.
8. It’s okay to open presents before Christmas Day.
9. Some children get too many gifts at Christmas.
10. Christmas is more about being with family than getting things.

Idioms

“nose around” = look for something private or hidden
“The kids sometimes nose around the house for Christmas gifts.”

“umpteen (also, umpteenth)” = a great number of
“I have umpteen presents to buy before Christmas Eve.“

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Vocabulary Practice

Do the vocabulary activities using the words from the conversation for more practice:

Post-Listening Exercise

Is Christmas celebrated in your country? If so, in what ways? What other religious and secular traditions and holidays are held during this same season? Interview other international students or friends and research how the year-end holidays are celebrated around the world, including popular gifts that people exchange at this time of year.

Online Investigation

Use the Internet and find at least two Web sites where they can find these gifts. Compare the prices of the same or similar item for each site. What are the shipping fees for sending the items to your location? What about the time for delivery?

a silk necktie
a popular board game
a smartphone of our choosing
a laptop computer
some holiday flowers

See Listening Script

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