Out with the old, in with the new

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Speaking
class

New Year worksheet

photo of the author Justa |

LESSON OVERVIEW

This New Year worksheet contains a lot of speaking activities. Students also watch a video about New Year’s traditions and discuss the celebration in different cultures.

B2 / Upper Intermediate
C1 / Advanced45 min
60 minSpeaking ClassUnlimited Plan
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This is a Speaking Class worksheet. It includes a variety of tasks that let your students practise their speaking skills. This lesson format does not focus on grammar or vocabulary. Learn more about it here.

WARM-UP & DISCUSSION

The lesson starts with students reading some common captions (e.g. New year, new me; Cheers to 365 new chances; 9 p.m. is the new midnight; etc.) that people add to their social media posts before New Year. Students discuss what attitude towards New Year people who write these captions have. After that, students talk more about New Year’s celebrations, traditions, and reasons why some people might hate this holiday. In this New Year worksheet students also get to express their own attitude to it and choose the captions that sum up their opinion. 

VIDEO & SPEAKING ACTIVITIES

This part of the New Year worksheet includes a video about New Year’s traditions in Mexico. After watching the video, students discuss a number of questions. They talk about the traditions from the video, share the traditions from their own cultures, talk about special food and making wishes. Then, they read about more traditions in four different countries all over the world (e.g. In Denmark people greet the New Year by smashing old plates against the doors of family and friends.) and discuss them. Students share whether they think these traditions are unusual or surprising and what their origins might be. Students also discuss the title of the lesson (Out with the old, in with the new) and brainstorm the situations in which people might use this idiom. As a wrap-up activity, students imagine that they can spend one New Year’s Eve with no financial limitations. They have to describe what they would do for 24 hours. 

WORKSHEETS

 

3

Comments

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  1. nijattino

    Such a useful and practical lesson plan, especially for speaking sessions. Thanks a bunch!😊

    1. Justa

      Happy to hear that and good luck with your classes 🙂

  2. Oana

    I really appreciate this lesson and the one about Christmas, as I believe it is something necessary every course in this season. Thank you so much!

    1. Justa

      Thanks for taking the time to comment! I also think that a bit of fun and relax will do everyone good during the holiday season 🙂

  3. pauline.stuart

    This is just what I need to end the year with an class that has been working so hard for their FCE exams
    Thank you very much
    And Happy New Year to all

    1. Justa

      Thanks for the comment! Happy New Year 🥳

  4. HiImMikeEnglish

    The acting is horrible in this. I felt embarrassed using this for my one class. It’s interesting in other areas but the material itself in my own opinion is cringeworthy at best.

    1. Stan

      Thanks for your feedback! It is created by amateur YouTubers and we liked the content, but you’re right these are not professional actors 🙂 I personally didn’t feel it’s sooo cringy.

  5. Helen Pearce

    Awful video! Sorry!

    1. D R

      They have over 2 million subscribers Helen on YT. How many have you got? Jeez, some people are so negative… It’s not meant to Tom Cruise… Maybe go and make your own oscar winning video…

      1. Helen Pearce

        Entitled to my opinion, DR. My students are adults. They’d be cringing if they had to watch this.

  6. AlexF

    A nice and fun lesson to get the new year started. One thing though, Danish people do not smash plates on New Years, despite what you may read on the internet

    1. Stan

      So it’s an outdated tradition, right? Or maybe a completely made-up story? I know that such weird country facts or traditions are sometimes very uncommon or outdated but I wonder whether in this case it’s just a total fake.

      1. AlexF

        I’m not sure how fake it is to be honest, but none of my family there (nor other Danes I have spoken to) know anything about this tradition

      2. Nuria Ruiz Baena

        Im spanish and we DO follow every tradition. Speacially the one about the grapes is watched on tv and presented by famous people. Fruit shops sell many grapes these days and we have a lot of fun welcoming the year among laughs!

  7. Luiza Marinho

    Great lesson! Thanks!

  8. Lucia K.

    I have done this lesson with a few students of mine and I really like it. There is plenty of material to pick and choose from. Definitely great for speaking!

    1. Justa

      Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us!

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