Traditions

Activity type: this is a fluency based activity in which students find out about and discuss various customs and traditions.

Level: Intermediate and above

Teacher's notes:

Write on the board:
1. A day
2. A tradition
3. A food
4. A place
Next to each one, write down your favorite thing from your country.
I am from Great Britain and my favorite things are:
1. A day: Valentine’s day
2. A tradition: First foot
3. A food: Yorkshire pudding
4. A place: Wales
  
  (The list will depend on your own personal preferences and country)
Put the students into pairs; explain that these are all things from your country which are important to you. Ask them to discuss what they know or if they know about these things and to tell their partners. Monitor and correct.
Ask the group to tell you what they discussed. Correct their answers and information and explain a little more about each one. If you have visuals, this will really make the lesson memorable. Allow the students to ask questions.
Once you have done this, tell the students to make their own lists.
You can then discuss the students’ things as a group or in groups of four or five.
If the students are from varying countries, you could ask the students to write their lists on the board and for the rest of the group to say what they know about each thing in a presentation style.
For homework, ask the students to write about their traditions and their favorite food etc.

The answers:

Valentine’s Day is the 14th of February when everyone gives their loved ones cards and gifts.
First foot is the first person to walk into your house on New Year’s Day. A lot of people pay someone to walk through their houses. It should be someone that you don’t know; it brings good luck.
Yorkshire pudding is a savory dish made from flour and milk.