B2 – Thanksgiving and Polite Disagreements

This lesson we reviewed the origins of Thanksgiving, along with common associations with the holiday. We briefly discussed Black Friday, but primarily focused on how to recognize and participate in polite agreements and polite disagreements. This is particularly appropriate because the day is known also for it’s potential for conflict among family members.

C1 Advanced Vocabulary, Halloween Lesson

Taught 25 October 2023. Discussing Classical Horror in Literature, primarily Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven.​ Discussing and practicing rephrasing and analyzing translations.​

Mardi Gras in America – B2 Upper Intermediate Vocabulary

TAUGHT TO BOTH CLASSES (Year 2 students had a focus on Maslenitsa on 28 February and a focus on Mardi Gras Around the World on 2 March) – How we celebrate Shrove Tuesday, the overall social implications of the holiday (even for those who are not religious), the history of the holiday, along with the common English vocabulary for familiar terms.

Straightforward B2 Upper Intermediate Valentine’s Day Vocabulary

First taught 14 February 2023. Discussing the history and common cultural celebrations behind St. Valentine’s Day.

B1+ Intermediate Vocabulary, Christmas Lesson

First date taught (to PiP1): 16 Dec 2022; taught again (to PiP2): 23 Dec 2022. How we celebrate Christmas, common symbols and traditions, and the history of the holiday.

B1+ Intermediate Vocabulary, Thanksgiving Lesson

First taught 30 November 2022. How we celebrate Thanksgiving, the origins and the history of the holiday; collocations of the word “give”.

Thanksgiving in America – Black Friday

Ever since the mid-twentieth century, the black friday holiday has been cemented as an American institution. This lesson delves into some of the history, reality, and vocabulary associated with this day.

Thanksgiving in America

Thanksgiving is best exemplified by the celebration of gratitude, counting our blessings, appreciation of saying goodbye to autumn and welcoming in the winter season. Most of all it is a celebration of food. In this post I am looking at the most common recipes, my most favorite recipes, for this American institution.

C1 Advanced Vocabulary, Halloween Lesson

First taught 26 October 2022. Urban legends and Halloween. Discussing the lore and history behind the holiday.

Halloween in America

So as an American, Halloween is naturally one of my favorite holidays (I may have already mentioned this a few times in other posts… oops). I am wanting to share some personal photos from Halloweens past with my students, so I thought I would add a special blog post about it here, to contain all the photos.