NEW YEAR

This activity was created by Rebecca White, assistant at collège Nicolas Appert, Châlons en Champagne, from October 2004 to April 2005

Task 1: New Year's resolutions.

Here are some common New Year's resolutions (personal plans for the coming year). Tick the resolutions you would like to make:

I'm going to.......

• Exercise: do more / join a gym / take up a sport.
• Health: lose some weight / go on a diet / eat less chocolate / stop smoking / give up junk food.
• Hobbies: start a new hobby / join a club / learn a new skill (how to cook, paint, play an instrument).
• Friends: make new friends / write to friends more / be kinder to friends, spend more time or less time with friends.
• Studies: study more / do more homework / listen more in class / get books from the library / read more.
• Money: get a Saturday or holiday job / save more money / spend less / be careful with pocket money.
• Stress: worry less / work less / relax more at weekends / go to bed earlier.

Do people make resolutions at new year in your country?

can you think of funny or serious resolutions for the following people:

• George Bush
• A famous pop star you like
• The Queen of England

 

Task 2: traditions on new Year's Eve.

In the UK we count down to midnight and sing "Auld lang Syne". On the Isle of Wight people go swimming in the sea on New Year's Day.
It is a tradition in the UK to get very drunk on New Year's Eve.

Do you think this is a good way to celebrate New Year? How do people celebrate in your country?

 

Task 3: New Year in your country.

• Are any of the things similar to new Year celebrations in your country?
• What traditional ways of welcoming the New Year do you have in your family or in your region?
• How old are your new Year traditions? Did your grandparents celebrate in the same way.
• Are children allowed to stay up late to see in the New Year?
• Are there any special meals or activities for New Year's Day?
• What are you and your family planning to do this year?

 

Task 4: Good year, bad year.

Some years are better or more enjoyable / successful than others. We remember these years and the special things that happened.

• Choose a good year for you. Tell your partner why the year was special: what happened? What did you do? Who did you meet? Where did you go?
• Make a list of things that have happened in 2004. Follow these headings to help you:
  new friends
  fun things I did
  key events / moments
  fun things I heard or saw
  important lessons I learned
• Interview your partner about their year. Was it a good year?
• Do you know what happened in the year you were born? Find out as much as you can and describe the year to your class.