Christmas Conversation for an English Classroom
This blog is for all ESL English teachers and L2 English users looking for a fun adult/student English lesson with a Christmas theme.
It’s a taste of cultural immersion – Blue Non-style.
Topics: Christmas, Commercial Culture, Advertising, Brand Identity, Marketing
Time – 90 minutes
In this Christmas-themed English lesson you will find:
Culture and festival topics for class discussion
A funny advert to watch in class
Irn Bru ads always disrupt culture and advertising stereotypes.
Links to reading assignments for in class/homework
Irn Bru ads always disrupt culture and advertising stereotypes.
A video based homework assignment
Irn Bru ads always disrupt culture and advertising stereotypes.
Opening Discussion | Marketing Christmas
Begin by discussing good and bad examples of corporations marking Christmas.
What are the brands most associated with marketing at Christmas time?
Students critique their own examples using YouTube.
Instead of just saying something stupid, expect them to explain their reasons. Encourage other students to ask ‘why’ and ‘so what’ to draw out their reasoning.
Collect emergent language on the board and group it into themes.
Why should/shouldn't corporations jump on the festive bandwagon?
Review these language structures and ask students to use at least 1 in their presentation.
Write them out on paper so that your students have to randomly use them rather than sticking inside their comfort zone.
Simple Statements
“I think that…”
“In my opinion…”
“I believe that…”
Conditioned Opinions
“As far as I’m concerned…”
“If you ask me…”
Alternative Marketing | A Non-Traditional Christmas Advert
Watch this video together in class.
It’s a non-traditional approach to all the manufactured sentimentality surrounding Christmas.
What are the most sentimental brands? What brands would you expect to break tradition?
Suggested Conversation Topics this Christmas-themed English Lesson
UK Cultural Immersion | Which landmarks can the students identify in the video
You could play this in teams for a nice bit of in-class competition.
How is this advert 'alternative'? Do they think it is a good advertisement?
Do they think it is a good advertisement?
Would this advert work in another country?
How would you have to adapt it for your own country?
What does this video say about Scottish culture?
Do they think Scottish culture is the same as British culture? What are the differences they know about?
Optional Discussion | Alternative Langauge School
Blue Noun is an alternative language school.
What do students think an alternative language education is or can be?
(Having students think critically about how they are learning now will help them continue as autonomous learners in the future).
(I’d love to hear their answers – why not tag me with them in a LinkedIn post?
→ Why Choose an Alternative Language School
Reading Comprehension
The Edinburgh News has a great description of this Christmas advert, including some of the words to the song which can be a little difficult for L2 English users.
The article also provides statistics about the popularity and success of this advert.
Ask the students to find this information in the text.
The Blue Noun Christmas Video Lesson
Students can enjoy this short video English lesson as homework.
How to Use This Video
On YouTube, I have a channel called Blue Noun English Moments.
The English Moments series is an invitation to join us exploring Scotland – or parts of Scottish/British culture.
The videos are narrated for English learners so that the images on screen help with comprehension.
For this reason, do watch with subtitles OFF.
If you get stuck understanding something, you can always rewatch it – and if it is still tricky, only then switch the subtitles on.
This is the best way to practice comprehension.
Real-life conversations don’t come with subtitles. Train your ears!
Independent ELT Teachers
Dear Independent Language Teachers
We believe strongly in supporting the global English-teaching community.
On this site, you’ll find free, done-for-you lesson plans that share our culture-led approach to language learning. You’re very welcome to use them in your own teaching.
If they’re helpful, a mention or tag on social media is always appreciated — it helps others discover the work too.
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There are over 20 FREE lesson plans and resources listed in our directory.
ESL Resources
Get the Podcast
The Alone With English podcast is a 6-part mini-series helping intermediate and above learners of English to relax and enjoy their language journey.
YouTube Lessons and Resources
We’re not the most regular at uploading over there, but the English Moments channel has free video lessons and useful content to assign as homework or to get people talking.
Check out the Word Drop videos for homework ideas.
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Further Information
English Cultural Immersion
This Christmas-themed English lesson has a theme of Scottish culture running through it.
If you are interested in learning more English with Scottish culture, find out about all our Culture-led language coaching
More on Christmas and New Year
Find out how this Non-Corporate Language School celebrates Christmas.
