TeachingEnglish lesson
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Task 1A: Read some common resolutions. Tick ones you’d like to make.
• Exercise: take up a new sport / start an exercise routine
• Health: eat more fruit and vegetables / drink more water / give up one junk food / spend
less time on social media / go to bed earlier
• Hobbies: start a new hobby / join a club / learn a new skill
• Friends: make new friends / contact old friends more / be kinder to friends / spend more
or less time with friends
• Studies: make a study timetable / listen more in class / get books from the library / read
more books
• Money: get a Saturday or holiday job / save more money / spend less / be careful with
pocket money
• Helping others: perform one act of kindness each day or week / volunteer / clean
bedroom more often
• Environment: use a re-usable water bottle and lunch box / carry a bag to avoid plastic
bags / recycle more rubbish / take shorter showers
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Task 1B: Write three resolutions.
Example: I’m going to learn how to cook one new dish each month.
1.
2.
3.
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Task 2: You are going to read a text about New Year traditions and celebrations in the
UK. How do you think these words relate to New Year traditions and celebrations?
party midnight a Scottish song
a tall man with dark hair Big Ben
fireworks beach fancy dress
laser light show
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Task 3A: Read the text. Were your ideas correct?
Celebrating New Year
New Year is a popular time for celebrating all across the UK. Celebrations start early on New Year’s Eve, December
31st, as people meet up with friends and family members. Many people go to a restaurant or to a special party in
someone’s home. Everyone hopes to start off the New Year with good intentions, so they make some resolutions to
help them have a successful year.
We asked young people around the UK about their plans for New Year and about their New Year’s resolutions.
Alice, 15, Glasgow
My Plans
In Scotland, New Year is called ‘Hogmanay’. As usual, we’re having a Hogmanay party at home, and we’re inviting
neighbours and friends. At midnight, we’ll sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ as usual – it’s an old Scottish song about remembering
days gone by. Then my uncle John will come into the house – he’s usually our ‘first footer’. That means the first person
to enter the house on January 1st. It’s good luck if the first footer is a tall man with dark hair – just like my uncle!
Hogmanay is a big celebration in Scotland, and both January 1st and January 2nd are holidays.
My resolutions
Eat fewer sweets, be nicer to my little brother and improve my tennis skills.
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Task 3A: Read the text. Were your ideas correct?
Ben, 14, Brighton
My plans
Like last year, I’ll be at home for New Year’s Eve with my mum and dad. We’ll watch the celebrations in London on TV –
we’ll hear the chimes of Big Ben at midnight, and then we’ll watch the fireworks. They’re always amazing. Then on New
Year’s Day I’m going to join my parents at the beach for a swim! The sea’s always freezing cold but it’s a fun way to start
the year. Hundreds of people run into the sea, and some even wear fancy dress. It all raises money for charity, so it’s a
great thing to do. I just hope it doesn’t snow!
My resolutions
Do some voluntary work in my area. Maybe be nicer to my girlfriend!
Sophie, 17, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
My plans
I’m going into the centre of Newcastle with my cousins on New Year’s Eve. This will be the first time I’ve gone into the
city centre to celebrate. I’ve always wanted to, but my parents said I was too young before. Anyway, I’m really excited
because there’ll be a laser light show with music. My cousins say there’s always lots going on in the streets, like
performers, and there are food and drinks stalls too. Last year New Year’s Eve was so quiet. This year, I’ll be with
thousands of people in the streets. It’s going to be so much fun this year!
My resolutions
Learn how to play the guitar and talk less in class! Study hard to get good grades for university.
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Task 3B: What can you remember about Alice, Ben and Sophie?
1. Who’s going to have the quietest time on New Year’s Eve?
2. Who’s going to be celebrating outside with lots of people?
3. Who celebrates Hogmanay?
4. Who’s going to start the new year with a splash?
5. Whose celebrations will be very different to last year?
6. Whose uncle is everyone happy to see at New Year?
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Task 4: Discuss the questions.
1. Are any of the traditions or celebrations in the text similar to New Year celebrations in
your country?
2. Which are your favourite New Year traditions?
3. How old are your New Year traditions? Did your grandparents celebrate in the same way?
4. Do you or other people you know make New Year’s resolutions?
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Task 5: Write some resolutions for the following people. He / she’s going to….
• Your mother / father
• Your brother / sister
• Your best friend
• Your teacher
Write some funny or serious resolutions for these people:
• The leader of your country
• A famous musician / singer
• A famous sports star
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Thanks for attending the lesson
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