Holidays & Events

Australia Day
Pre-Reading
A. Warm-Up Questions

1. Where is Australia?

2. What does Australia Day celebrate?

3. Do you know any famous Australians?

4. What does the Australia flag look like?

5. What Australian symbols do you know?

B. Vocabulary Preview

Match up as many words and meanings as you can.

Check this exercise again after seeing the words
in context on page 2.

1. fleet a) an isolated place for prisoners

2. penal colony b) someone who receives something
3. ball c) an explorer of the seas or skies
4. salute d) agreement by all
5. consensus e) noticeable
6. navigator f) a formal party with dancing
7. circumnavigate g) a group of stars
8. recipient h) an act of respect in the military
9. exceptional i) to travel in a full circle
10. prevalent j) the first person living in an area, native
11. constellation k) a group of ships (or planes)
12. regatta l) beyond one’s expectations
13. indigenous m) a person in your family who comes before you
14. mourn n) a boat or sailing race
15. ancestor o) to feel or express sadness

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Reading
1.  ustralia Day is an annual public holiday that takes
A  he Australian flag is prevalent throughout
6. T
place in Australia on January 26. The date marks the world on Australia Day. It consists of a
the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip and the First blue field with a red-and-white Union Jack in
Fleet. The fleet of 11 British ships arrived at Port the top left corner. Beneath the Union Jack is
Jackson (now Sydney) in 1788 to claim the land the seven-point Commonwealth Star. It has six
for Britain and establish a penal colony. points that represent the states and one for the
territories. On the right-hand side are the five
2. T
 he anniversary of the fleet’s arrival was
stars of the Southern Cross constellation. This
celebrated early on by some of the colonists.
is a group of stars that is highly visible from the
The first large celebration took place on the
Southern Hemisphere. Australia’s flag colours
30th anniversary in 1818. At this time, Australia Day
(red, white, and blue) or natural colours (green
was known as Foundation Day or First Landing Day.
and gold) are often worn on Australia Day. You
A formal dinner and ball were held at Governor
will also see people sporting the official flower,
Macquarie’s home. The governor also ordered a
the Golden Wattle, or other unofficial symbols,
30-gun salute.
such as the koala or kangaroo.
3. T
 he name “Australia” was officially adopted in
7.  o celebrate Australia Day, people often have
T
1824. Previously, the west was known as New
barbecues with family members and friends.
Holland or Terra Australis (southern land), and
Many Aussies go to the beach or park for a
the east was called New South Wales. There
picnic and game of cricket. Some people attend
is little consensus about how the country got
official events, such as parades and concerts.
its new name. One theory credits a European
In Sydney, Aussies enjoy the world’s oldest
navigator who wrote the word “Australia” on
sailing regatta (since 1837), followed by the
a map after circumnavigating the continent.
Sydney Harbour fireworks.
4. F
 oundation Day was celebrated under various
8. N
 ot everyone in Australia celebrates Australia
names, including Anniversary Day, for over 100
Day. For some Australians, January 26 is a day
years before Australia Day became a public
of mourning. In fact, Indigenous Australians call
holiday in 1946. From 1946 to 1995, the holiday
it Invasion Day. They get together on this day to
was observed on the Monday closest to January 26,
mourn ancestors who lost their land and rights.
allowing Australians to enjoy a long weekend.
Some Indigenous Australians have changed the
Today, the public holiday is on January 26
name to Survival Day. They use the day to promote
regardless of the day it falls on. Schools and
their culture and celebrate the fact that their
government offices are closed.
spirit is still alive. Many Australians agree that
5. T
 he Australian of the Year Awards has been the date of the white man’s arrival may not be
an ongoing Australia Day tradition since 1960. the best date to celebrate the nation.
Recipients are citizens who a) demonstrate
excellence in their field, b) make a significant
contribution to their community and nation,
and c) act as a role model for Australians.
People across Australia look forward to
Canberra’s annual ceremony celebrating
exceptional Australians on Australia Day.

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Comprehension
Practise asking and answering the following questions with
your partner. Then write your answers in your notebook.

1. When is Australia Day celebrated?

2. What was Foundation Day?

3. What was Captain Arthur Phillip’s main purpose for bringing the fleets to Australia?

4. According to some accounts, how did the name Australia become official?

5. Why does the reading mention the Southern Cross constellation?

6. How do Australians typically dress on Australia Day?

7. Name at least three things that people do on Australia Day.

8. What is the Golden Wattle, and what other Australian symbols are mentioned?

9. What are the Australia Day Awards?

10. Why do some Australians consider Australia Day a day of mourning?

Vocabulary Review
A. C
 hoose the Closest Meaning

Choose the answer with the closest meaning to

the underlined word in the following sentences.

1. The Australia Day fireworks 3. Miranda was the recipient 5. When you’re visiting Tasmania,
were exceptional. of the Young Australian look for the Southern
of the Year Award. Cross constellation.
a) later than usual
b) cancelled a) winner a) state
c) better than ever b) nomination b) territory
c) speaker c) group of stars
2. We need to come to a
consensus about whether 4. The indigenous group
to have a picnic or a barbecue. performed a special dance
to mourn their lost ancestors.
a) collection
b) an agreement a) remember
c) a location b) grieve
c) respect

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Vocabulary Review cont.

B. Vocabulary Game

FORGET TABOO! LET’S PLAY K ANGAROO!

Divide yourselves into two equal groups (choose an

Australian city to represent your group). Which group wants
to have a kangaroo? Which group wants to have a koala?

Choose one student from each city to start. The Kangaroo

and Koala will sit at the front of the classroom facing away
from the board. Your teacher will explain the rest of the kangaroo koala
game to you! Close your classroom door. It may get loud!

Discussion
Some people feel that it is insulting to celebrate Australia Day on
January 26. They argue that other countries don’t celebrate their nation
in this way. Indigenous Australians argue that this would be like the US
having its big celebration on the day of Christopher Columbus’s arrival
rather than on July 1 (Independence Day). Should the date of Australia Day
be changed? Should the arrival of colonists be celebrated in any country?

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Pair Work (Student A)

A. Let’s Learn Some Geography

According to many Aussies, Directions:

Australia is a country, a continent,
You and your partner each have a map of Australia containing different
and an island. People around
information. You have some of the same information. Describe your map
the world are taught different
to your partner. Use words like east, west, north, south, to the right,
geography. Do you think Sydney
to the left, body of water, state, capital city. Spell out words that your
is the capital of Australia? It’s
partner doesn’t know how to write. Try to find seven places (cities, states,
not! Even though Sydney is the
or territories) to add to your map.
largest Australian city, Canberra
is the capital. It was chosen as
Example Questions:
a compromise between Sydney
and Melbourne, two rival cities. • Which state is not on the mainland?
Australia has six states and two • What is the name of the smallest state?
mainland territories. It also has • I know the name of the tiny territory on the right-hand side. Do you?
external territories, such as • How do you spell “Wales”?
Norfolk Island and Christmas
Island. These don’t appear
on the map.

Australia

Western
Australia
Brisbane

Perth
Sydney

Canberra
South Australian Capital
Australia Territory (ACT)
Hobart

B. Discussion Question A

Do you agree that Australia is a country, a continent, and an

island? Other continents in the world are surrounded by water.
Are they islands? What were you taught in geography class?

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Pair Work (Student B)

A. Let’s Learn Some Geography

According to many Aussies, Directions:

Australia is a country, a continent,
You and your partner each have a map of Australia containing different
and an island. People around
information. You have some of the same information. Describe your map
the world are taught different
to your partner. Use words like east, west, north, south, to the right,
geography. Do you think Sydney
to the left, body of water, state, capital city. Spell out words that your
is the capital of Australia? It’s
partner doesn’t know how to write. Try to find seven places (cities, states,
not! Even though Sydney is the
or territories) to add to your map.
largest Australian city, Canberra
is the capital. It was chosen as
Example Questions:
a compromise between Sydney
and Melbourne, two rival cities. • Which state is not on the mainland?
Australia has six states and two • What is the name of the smallest state?
mainland territories. It also has • Can you help me identify the cities?
external territories, such as • How do you spell “Brisbane”?
Norfolk Island and Christmas
Island. These don’t appear
Northern
on the map. Territory

Darwin

Australia
Queensland

New South Wales

Adelaide Canberra
Victoria
Melbourne
Tasmania

B. Discussion Question B

Why do you think Perth is considered the most isolated city in the world?

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Australian English
Did you know that Australian English (AusE) usually
follows British spelling and usage? Read the chart a Australia UK US
few times. Then test a partner on some of the words.
colour colour color

For example: program programme program

• How do Australians spell “colour”?
• Who else spells it that way? red or green red or green red or green
• What do Australians call green peppers? capsicum pepper pepper

Australian British Labour

Labor Party
Labor Party* Party
*Note:
AusE usually prefers “ou” spellings (colour, labour). aluminium aluminium aluminum
This party name is one exception. In other
contexts, the word is spelled “labour” in AusE. petrol petrol gas

colonise colonise colonize

Australian Slang
Australians, also known as “Aussies” (pronounced Ozzies), have their own Take a Guess
slang. Some slang, especially slang related to technology, is more common Can you guess what “mozzie,”
with young people. Aussies are considered friendly, laid-back people, and “missus,” and “webby” mean?
their language reflects this.

Word Meaning Example Sentence

cuppa a cup of coffee or tea Why don’t you drop by for a cuppa?

mobes mobile phone I left my mobes at school.

arvo afternoon Stop by on a Sunday arvo.

sunnies sunglasses Have you seen my sunnies?

barbie barbecue We’re having a barbie for Australia Day.

bloke man I was just talking to a bloke down the road.

mate friend How ya goin’, mate?

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Listening
Fill in the blanks as you listen to the recording.

1. Australia Day is an annual public holiday that takes place in

Australia on January 26. The date marks the arrival of Captain
Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet. The of
11 British ships arrived at Port Jackson (now Sydney) in 1788 to claim
the land for Britain and establish a .

2. T
 he anniversary of the fleet’s arrival was celebrated early on by
some of the colonists. The first large celebration took place on the
30th in 1818. At this time, Australia Day was
known as Foundation Day or First Landing Day. A formal dinner and
ball were held at Governor Macquarie’s home. The governor also
ordered a 30-gun .

3. T
 he name “Australia” was officially adopted in 1824. Previously,
the west was known as New Holland or Terra Australis (southern
land), and the east was called New South Wales. There is little
about how the country got its new name.
One theory credits a European who
wrote the word “Australia” on a map after
the continent.

4. F
 oundation Day was celebrated under various names,
including Anniversary Day, for over 100 years before Australia
Day became a public holiday in 1946. From 1946 to 1995, the
holiday was observed on the Monday closest to January 26,
allowing to enjoy a long weekend.
Today, the public holiday is on January 26 regardless of the
day it falls on. Schools and government offices are closed.

5. T
 he Australian of the Year Awards has been an ongoing
Australia Day tradition since 1960. are
citizens who a) demonstrate excellence in their field, b) make a
significant contribution to their community and nation, and
c) act as a role model for Australians. People across Australia
look forward to Canberra’s annual ceremony celebrating
Australians on Australia Day.

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Listening cont.
6. T
 he Australian flag is throughout the world
on Australia Day. It consists of a blue field with a red-and-white Union
Jack in the top left corner. Beneath the Union Jack is the seven-point
Commonwealth Star. It has six points that represent the states and
one for the territories. On the right-hand side are the five stars of the
Southern Cross . This is a group of stars that
is highly visible from the Southern Hemisphere. Australia’s flag colours
(red, white, and blue) or natural colours (green and gold) are often
worn on Australia Day. You will also see people sporting the official
flower, the Golden Wattle, or other unofficial symbols, such as the
koala or kangaroo.

7.  o celebrate Australia Day, people often have barbecues with family

T
members and friends. Many Aussies go to the beach or park for
a picnic and game of cricket. Some people attend official events,
such as parades and concerts. In Sydney, Aussies enjoy the world’s
oldest sailing (since 1837), followed by
the Sydney Harbour fireworks.

8. N
 ot everyone in Australia celebrates Australia Day.
For some Australians, January 26 is a day of mourning.
In fact, Australians call it Invasion Day.
They get together on this day to mourn
who lost their land and rights. Some Indigenous Australians
have changed the name to Survival Day. They use the day
to promote their culture and celebrate the fact that their
spirit is still alive. Many Australians agree that the date
of the white man’s arrival may not be the best date
to celebrate the nation.

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Answer Key
NOTE: LESSON DESCRIPTION: LEVEL: High Int

These activities are designed for high- Students read about the history and TIME: 2–3 hours
intermediate-level adult ESL learners, but traditions associated with Australia
TAGS: holidays, Australia Day, Australia,
they may also be suitable for junior and Day. Includes a comprehension check,
history, flag, geography,
senior high school ESL students. a vocabulary review, and an information
indigenous, Indigenous
gap activity to do with a partner. Some
Australians
Australian slang is introduced.

Pre-Reading Comprehension

A. WARM-UP QUESTIONS 1. Australia Day is celebrated on January 26.

2. F oundation Day was the original name for Australia Day.
You can begin by finding out what your students already know
It marked the day Captain Phillip and 11 fleets arrived at
about Australia and Australia Day. Ask the students to share any
Port Jackson and claimed Australia for Britain.
additional information they may already know. Answers will vary.
3. Captain Arthur Phillip’s main purpose for bringing
1. Australia is an island country in the southern Pacific Ocean. the fleets to Australia was to establish a penal colony.
2. Australia Day celebrates Foundation Day, 4. According to some accounts, a navigator wrote the name
the arrival of the first fleet of British ships. Australia on a map after he circumnavigated the continent.
3. Answers will vary. It was previously referred to as Terra Australis (southern land).
4. It has a blue field with a red-and-white Union Jack in the top 5. T he reading mentions the Southern Cross constellation
left corner. Beneath the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth because it is on the Australian flag. It represents the states and
Star. On the right-hand side are five more white stars. territories. This group of stars is symbolic of Australia because
5. A nswers will vary. it is highly visible from the southern hemisphere.
6. Australians typically wear gold and yellow on Australia Day.
B. VOCABULARY PREVIEW Or they wear the red, white, and blue of their flag.
7. On Australia Day people go to parades and concerts or watch
1. k 4. h 7. i 10. e 13. j
a regatta or fireworks. They have picnics and barbecues.
2. a 5. d 8. b 11. g 14. o
8. T he Golden Wattle is the official flower of Australia.
3. f 6. c 9. l 12. n 15. m
The kangaroo and the koala are other unofficial symbols.
9. T he Australia Day Awards are annual awards given out on
Reading (and/or Listening) Australia Day to citizens who are good role models,
or who do their community or country proud.
Read individually, in small groups, or as a class. You can also play 10. Some Australians consider Australia Day a day
the listening as your students read along. A gap-fill version of of mourning because this is when the Indigenous Australians
the reading is available on pages 8–9. Help your students with lost their land and rights to the white men.
vocabulary and expressions that they are unfamiliar with.

(continued on the next page...)

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Answer Key cont.

Vocabulary Review Australian English & Australian Slang

A. CHOOSE THE CLOSEST MEANING If your students are unfamiliar with the sound of
the Australian accent, consider playing a short video clip.
1. c 2. b 3. a 4. b 5. c
You can search online for the words Australian English.

B. VOCABULARY GAME Here are the other answers:

This game is similar to Taboo/Hot Seat. Divide the class into two mozzie – mosquito

Australian cities (e.g., Sydney and Perth). One student from each webby – webcam

city goes to the front of the class (one is a Kangaroo; one is a missus – wife

Koala). Write one word from the vocabulary list (page 1 – Part B)
on the board. The other students have one minute to shout words, Listening
examples, or definitions to get their “Kangaroo” or “Koala” to
guess the word on the board first. Students cannot say any part 1. fleet, penal colony
of the word on the board (it’s taboo!). The team that wins gets to 2. anniversary, salute
have a new Kangaroo (a new student at the front) and is given 3. consensus, navigator, circumnavigating
a five-second head start for the next word. The team that loses 4. Australians
becomes a Koala (with the same student guessing). Whichever 5. Recipients, exceptional
group remains a Kangaroo on the last word wins! (If a team 6. prevalent, constellation
member accidentally says the word on the board or part of the 7. regatta
word, he/she automatically becomes the Koala. Allow a Koala to 8. Indigenous, ancestors
ask for eucalyptus (the right to switch off with another student)
if he/she loses a few rounds in a row). Close the door! It will get
SPELLING NOTE:
loud! May the best Kangaroo win!
This lesson is written in Australian English. The chart on page 7
shows some differences between Australian, British, and American
Discussion
spellings and vocabulary. Other spellings to note from this lesson
include the words Harbour, Cancelled, and Practise (when used as
Answers will vary.
a verb). While most English-speaking countries spell these words
this way, the American spelling of these words is Harbor, Canceled,
Pair Work and Practice (for both noun and verb). Make it a challenge for your
students to find these words in the lesson and see if they know the
Hand out Student A (page 5) to half of the students. Hand out
alternate spellings.
Student B (page 6) to the other half. Please see page 12 for a full
map. You may want to print off a few copies of page 12 to share
around the class after the activity so that students can check
their work. Help your students form proper questions. Take
up the discussion questions as a class after this activity.

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 Australia Day
Holidays & Events

Australia
Northern
Territory

Darwin

Queensland

Western
Australia
Brisbane
New South Wales
Perth
Sydney

Adelaide Canberra
South Victoria Australian Capital
Australia Melbourne Territory (ACT)
Tasmania Hobart

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