Speaking Part 1 – Student A

Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child?

Do you ever feel stressed during Christmas season?
Do you usually buy presents at Christmas? If you do, who for?
How did you spend last New Year’s Eve?

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Speaking Part 1 – Student B

What does Christmas mean to you?
What do you usually do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
What do you dislike about Christmas?
Do you have any New Year’s Eve traditions? If not, are you aware of any in your
country?

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Speaking Part 1 – Student A

Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child?
Do you ever feel stressed during Christmas season?
Do you usually buy presents at Christmas? If you do, who for?
How did you spend last New Year’s Eve?

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Speaking Part 1 – Student B

What does Christmas mean to you?
What do you usually do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
What do you dislike about Christmas?
Do you have any New Year’s Eve traditions? If not, are you aware of any in your
country?

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Speaking Part 1 – Student A

Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child?
Do you ever feel stressed during Christmas season?
Do you usually buy presents at Christmas? If you do, who for?
How did you spend last New Year’s Eve?

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Speaking Part 1 – Student B

What does Christmas mean to you?
What do you usually do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
What do you dislike about Christmas?
Do you have any New Year’s Eve traditions? If not, are you aware of any in your
country?
Speaking Part 2

Student A: These pictures show different ways of spending December 25th, Christmas
day. I’d like you to compare and contrast the pictures and say how you think the people
in the photos are feeling and why.

Student B: How do you usually spend the Christmas day?

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Speaking Part 2

Student B: These pictures show different ways of spending New Year’s Eve. I’d like
you to compare and contrast the pictures and say how you like to spend New Year’s
Eve.

Student A: How do you spend New Year’s Eve?

Speaking Part 3

You and your partner have decided to buy a Christmas present for your English teacher,
since you both have enjoyed your classes so much. :) I'm going to give you some
pictures with possible presents, and I would like you to speak for about 3 minutes and
compare the various options and decide on the most appropriate one.

Speaking Part 4

What is the purpose of exchanging gifts during Christmas?

Do you think that it is a good idea to teach children about Santa Claus, and then later in
life tell them that he isn't real?

What is you opinion on making New Year's Eve resolutions?

Is it important to be with your family during the holidays? Why / why not?

Do you think Christmas is becoming too commercialized?

Does it matter to you if it's a “white Christmas”? What are the benefits and
disadvantages of snow during the holiday season?
Reading Part 2

Saint Nicholas

St Nicholas was a real person who was born to a wealthy family in Lycia, Asia Minor
(now known as Turkey) sometime between 270 and 280 AD. 1___He travelled to
Palestine and Egypt before returning to Lycia to become Bishop of Myra.
2
___He was known for his charity and wisdom, who gave away his wealth to those in
need. He would often go out at night, disguised in a hooded cloak, to leave gifts of
money, clothing or food for the poor and underprivileged.

He died on 6 December 340 and was buried in the church in Myra. After his death he
was canonised, becoming the patron saint of Greece, Russia, children, scholars,
merchants, sailors and travellers.

In 1087 religious soldiers from Italy took the remains of St Nicholas back to Bari in
southern Italy where they built a church in honour of him - the Basilica of San Nicola.
3
___ Each of them took his legend back to their native countries where, as his fame
spread, it took on the characteristics of each country. 4___

There are many legends surrounding St Nicholas, the most famous of which tells how
he gave bags of gold to three poor sisters for their dowries, throwing them down the
chimney where they landed in some stockings which had been hung up by the fire to
dry. 5___ Children from this country leave their shoes out on St Nicholas Eve and hope
that they will be filled with sweets and gifts the next morning. Elsewhere this has been
incorporated into Christmas due to his identification with Santa Claus - a corruption of
his Dutch name of 'Sinter Klaas'.

A. This greatly increased his popularity in Europe, with pilgrims from all over the world
coming to visit his shrine.

B. This gave rise to the custom of giving gifts on his feast day (6th December), a
practice which is still followed in Germany.

C. Christmas Markets in Germany began to sell shaped gingerbreads and wax

ornaments which people bought as souvenirs of the fair and took home to hang on their
tree. 

D. Nicholas was a very generous man.

E. One thing remained common to all however, and that was the traditional image of the
Bishop's mitre, long flowing robes, red cape and white beard.

F. He was orphaned at an early age and grew up in a monastery becoming one of the
youngest priests ever at the age of 17.
 TEACHERS ONLY

Saint Nicholas

St Nicholas was a real person who was born to a wealthy family in Lycia,
Asia Minor (now known as Turkey) sometime between 270 and 280 AD.
He was orphaned at an early age and grew up in a monastery becoming one
of the youngest priests ever at the age of 17. He travelled to Palestine and
Egypt before returning to Lycia to become Bishop of Myra.

Nicholas was a very generous man. He was known for his charity and
wisdom, who gave away his wealth to those in need. He would often go out
at night, disguised in a hooded cloak, to leave gifts of money, clothing or
food for the poor and underprivileged.

He died on 6 December 340 and was buried in the church in Myra. After
his death he was canonised, becoming the patron saint of Greece, Russia,
children, scholars, merchants, sailors and travellers.

In 1087 religious soldiers from Italy took the remains of St Nicholas back
to Bari in southern Italy where they built a church in honour of him - the
Basilica of San Nicola. This greatly increased his popularity in Europe,
with pilgrims from all over the world coming to visit his shrine. Each of
them took his legend back to their native countries where, as his fame
spread, it took on the characteristics of each country. One thing remained
common to all however, and that was the traditional image of the Bishop's
mitre, long flowing robes, red cape and white beard.

There are many legends surrounding St Nicholas, the most famous of

which tells how he gave bags of gold to three poor sisters for their dowries,
throwing them down the chimney where they landed in some stockings
which had been hung up by the fire to dry. This gave rise to the custom of
giving gifts on his feast day (6 December), a practice which is still
followed in Germany. Children from this country leave their shoes out on
St Nicholas Eve and hope that they will be filled with sweets and gifts the
next morning. Elsewhere this has been incorporated into Christmas due to
his identification with Santa Claus - a corruption of his Dutch name of
'Sinter Klaas'.
Use of English – Part 2

The First Christmas Cards

The first recognised commercial Christmas card ______ produced in England in 1843
______ Henry Cole, the founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was a hand
coloured print showing a family scene flanked by scenes of Christmas charity. This was
inscribed ______ the words: "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You" with
space at the top to put the name of the recipient _____ at the bottom for the name of the
sender.
___________, it was not until the 1860's that the Christmas card as we know it came
into being. Initially these were small cards with a simple greeting set within an
embossed border. However, as the demand _____ Christmas cards grew, the cards
became larger and ______ elaborate. Folded sheets of white paper were ornamented
with borders of overlapping lace that lifted to form a raised framework for a central
picture and turkeys, fireside scenes, plum puddings etc. became popular themes.
The founder of the American Christmas card is said to _____ Louis Prang of Boston
who printed a wide variety of album cards and visiting cards. In 1875 he issued seasonal
greeting cards ______ were an immediate success.
By 1880 the popularity of Christmas cards was such that many prominent artists of the
time _____ their work reproduced in this form. It was also the year that the familiar
'Post early for Christmas' plea as issued for the first time.

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Use of English – Part 2

The First Christmas Cards

The first recognised commercial Christmas card ______ produced in England in 1843
______ Henry Cole, the founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was a hand
coloured print showing a family scene flanked by scenes of Christmas charity. This was
inscribed ______ the words: "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You" with
space at the top to put the name of the recipient _____ at the bottom for the name of the
sender.
___________, it was not until the 1860's that the Christmas card as we know it came
into being. Initially these were small cards with a simple greeting set within an
embossed border. However, as the demand _____ Christmas cards grew, the cards
became larger and ______ elaborate. Folded sheets of white paper were ornamented
with borders of overlapping lace that lifted to form a raised framework for a central
picture and turkeys, fireside scenes, plum puddings etc. became popular themes.
The founder of the American Christmas card is said to _____ Louis Prang of Boston
who printed a wide variety of album cards and visiting cards. In 1875 he issued seasonal
greeting cards ______ were an immediate success.
By 1880 the popularity of Christmas cards was such that many prominent artists of the
time _____ their work reproduced in this form. It was also the year that the familiar
'Post early for Christmas' plea as issued for the first time.
 TEACHERS ONLY

The First Christmas Cards

The first recognised commercial Christmas card was produced in England

in 1843 by Henry Cole, the founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum. It
was a hand coloured print showing a family scene flanked by scenes of
Christmas charity. This was inscribed with the words: "A Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year to You" with space at the top to put the name of the
recipient and at the bottom for the name of the sender.

However, it was not until the 1860's that the Christmas card as we know it
came into being. Initially these were small cards with a simple greeting set
within an embossed border. However, as the demand for Christmas cards
grew, the cards became larger and more elaborate. Folded sheets of white
paper were ornamented with borders of overlapping lace that lifted to form
a raised framework for a central picture and turkeys, fireside scenes, plum
puddings etc. became popular themes.

The founder of the American Christmas card is said to be Louis Prang of

Boston who printed a wide variety of album cards and visiting cards. In
1875 he issued seasonal greeting cards which were an immediate success.

By 1880 the popularity of Christmas cards was such that many prominent
artists of the time had their work reproduced in this form. It was also the
year that the familiar 'Post early for Christmas' plea as issued for the first
time.
Writing Part 1

Since you've been so well behaved this year, you've decided to

write a letter to Santa Claus this Christmas and ask him for that
present that you really want. Make sure to tell him what the
present that you want is, why you deserve it, and don't forget to
apologize for that one bad thing that you did this year. Also you
might want to ask how Old Saint Nick is, as it's a busy time of the
year for him...

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Don't forget to underline the four tasks that you must complete in your letter. Also,
before you begin your writing, first take some notes below about linking words/set
phrases that could be of use, for example to ask for something politely, to apologize,
inquire about someone's health, etc...