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Learning Vocabulary: Christmas in the UK

Learning Vocabulary: Christmas in the UK

In this week's Premier Skills English Podcast, Jack and Rich give you an alternative countdown of the top ten things people in the UK do at Christmas time. The language focus is on vocabulary connected to Christmas. Your task is to tell us about a custom in your country. Don't forget to listen to the end of the podcast because we have a new football phrase for you to guess.

Transcript

If the listening was a bit difficult, you can listen again and read the transcript at the same time.
Read and listen at the same time.

Learning Vocabulary: Christmas around the world
Introduction

Jack: Hello my name’s Jack

Rich: and I’m Rich and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast

Jack: Where we talk about football and help you with your English.

Rich: We recommend that you listen to this podcast on the Premier Skills English website because that is where we have the transcript, language examples, activities, quizzes and a discussion page to help you understand everything we talk about.

Jack: However, if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, you can leave answers to our questions in the review section. We do read all the reviews and would love to hear from you. 

Rich: Don’t forget that we have our football English podcast called This Week that you can listen to at the start of every week. This week’s episode is all about Matchweek 17 in the Premier League. We talk about Liverpool’s win against Watford and look ahead to the Chelsea - Spurs match this weekend.

Jack: Some of the football words and phrases we look at include to set your sights on something, to set off and to level things up.

Rich: It’s on the Premier Skills English homepage, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and lots of other places right now!

Jack: In last week’s podcast, we were shopping for bargains at the shopping centre. We were buying Christmas presents for friends and family. We also introduced lots of words and phrases connected to bargains and shopping like a great deal, an unbeatable offer and a rip-off. 

Rich: Jack ended up buying the cheapest presents he could find because he’s so stingy!

Jack: And you ended up buying things for yourself because you are so selfish!

Rich: Haha! Alright, let’s not get into an argument. If you want to look back at this podcast, you can find it on the Premier Skills English website by clicking skills>listen>podcasts>Learning Vocabulary: Shopping for bargains. 

Jack: In this week’s podcast, we’re going to talk about Christmas a little more.

Rich: That’s why I’ve got my Santa hat on.

Jack: Yes, but our listeners can’t see it, Rich.

Rich: They can if they watch the live stream of this podcast on the Premier Skills - British Council facebook page or the Premier Skills YouTube channel. 

Jack: That’s very true. Go and give us a like on Facebook or a thumbs up on YouTube if you like Rich’s Santa hat! 

Rich: Right. This week’s podcast is about vocabulary and is called Learning Vocabulary: Christmas in the UK.

Jack: We’re going to talk about some Christmas customs in the UK that you may not know about. We’re going to give you a countdown of the top ten things people in the UK do at Christmas time.

Rich: And your task this week will be to tell us about a custom connected to Christmas or a well-known festival in your country that you think the rest of our learners will not know about.

Jack: That’s a lot to get through! And before we do all that we need to look at last week’s football phrase.

Last week’s Football Phrase

Rich: If you didn’t hear our football phrase last week we’re going to give you one more chance to guess now. We’ll give you the correct answer at the end of the show when we give you a new football phrase.

Jack: Well done if you got it right last week and congratulations to those of you who wrote the correct answer on the Premier Skills English website. Fajrif from Indonesia was the first listener with the correct answer last week but Alex from Ukraine was not far behind!

Rich: Remember you can also write your answers in the review section on Apple Podcasts if that’s where you listen to us. 

Jack: Let’s hear last week’s phrase one more time. Do you know what the phrase is?

Rich: The football phrase is * ******* ***. This phrase is used to describe a player that is purchased from a lower league club or for a low price and performs very well at a higher level. The second word is not really necessary because the first word gives the meaning on its own. You often hear it about Jamie Vardy - Vardy was * ******* *** from the lower leagues.

Jack: We’ll give you the answer at the end of the show and we’ll have a new football phrase for you to guess. 

Introduction to the countdown

Rich: As we said earlier, we’re talking about Christmas in the UK. We’re going to give you a countdown from number ten to number one of the things people do in the UK at Christmas.

Jack: This isn’t an official list - it’s just a bit of fun but it might give you an idea of what people do in the UK at Christmas.

Rich: While you are listening, we have a couple of questions for you to answer.

Jack: The questions are: Did you know about these things and do they sound fun, interesting or just a bit silly? 

Top 10 Countdown

Rich: Our countdown of the top ten things people do in the UK at Christmas starts at number ten with pulling Christmas crackers.

Jack: Christmas crackers are small tubes covered in coloured paper with a tiny firework inside that makes a small bang when two people pull them apart. Inside there is usually a small toy, a paper hat and a joke.

Rich: Christmas crackers - who came up with that idea?

Jack: Christmas crackers are brilliant. We all have Christmas crackers on Christmas Day just before we eat, don’t we?

Rich: We don’t they’re rubbish. Literally rubbish - little bits of paper and plastic and an awful joke.

Jack: The jokes are brilliant. I remember one from last year. Listen to this: How does a snowman get to work?

Rich: This is going to be awful. I don’t know, how does a snowman get to work?

Jack: Bicycle!!! Do you get it? By icicle. By bicycle. Bicycle.

Rich: Yes, yes. I get it. Please stop. And I suppose you pull your crackers and then the whole family sit around the dinner table wearing those silly paper hats.

Jack: Yes, of course, we do. It’s Christmas!

Rich: Coming in at number nine in our countdown of what British people do at Christmas is singing Christmas carols.

Jack: Christmas carols are songs that are sung at Christmas time. They are often sung in schools, churches and sometimes in public squares. People sometimes knock on people’s doors and sing carols for money.

Rich: Christmas carols. They are one of the worst things about Christmas. People who can’t sing … singing. Silent night, holy night ... please stop.

Jack: Lighten up! Christmas carols are brilliant and lovely. They bring people together. 

Rich: OK, maybe if they are sung at church or if a local choir is singing them in a public place they can be nice but what about carol singers at my door. Come on!

Jack: It’s nice. Opening your door and there’s a group of people singing carols. 

Rich: No, it’s not nice if I want to listen to carols I’ll turn on Spotify or something. Maybe I’m busy, maybe I’m watching a match. I could miss a goal or something when I answer the door.

Jack: You’re not a fan, then?

...

Rich: Number eight in our countdown of what British people do at Christmas is visiting family on Boxing Day.

Jack: Boxing Day is the 26th of December and is a public holiday in the UK. The Day is also known as St. Stephen’s Day. In the UK, the day is about shopping and sport.

Rich: Now we’re talking! Boxing Day is the best day over all the Christmas holidays for me.

Jack: Yes, it’s lovely. We often visit family. We go to see cousins and uncles we don’t get a chance to see for much of the year.

Rich: Oh, right! For me, it’s all about football! The Boxing Day fixtures in the Premier League are some of the best-attended matches of the season. My cousins are welcome to tag along and go to the match with me!

Jack: Coming in at number seven in our countdown of what British people do at Christmas is opening doors on advent calendars.

Rich: An advent calendar is a decoration you hang on the wall in December. They have twenty-four little doors in them which helps you countdown towards Christmas. Behind each door, there is often a picture or a chocolate. They are usually for children.

Jack: Advent calendars are brilliant. My kids love ours. Every morning they run down the stairs and open the new door. We’ve got this 3d calendar that reveals a new image every day. I love seeing how excited they are getting as Christmas gets nearer.

Rich: Mmm … sounds nice. We’ve got a chocolate advent calendar. My kids get up early eat their chocolates and then won’t eat their breakfast!

Jack: Right, next in the countdown is number six and it’s going to the pantomime.

Rich: A pantomime is a type of play that is performed at a theatre at Christmas time. It’s for all the family and is usually based around a fairy tale like Cinderella or Puss in Boots.

Jack: Pantomimes are brilliant. We go every year. They are so much fun. Everyone knows the story too and there's loads of audience participation. 

Rich: Oh no! He’s behind you! Where is he? He’s behind you! I hate all that!

Jack: Oh no you don’t!

Rich: I’m not saying it. 

Jack: And lots of the actors are celebrities too. It’s great seeing people who are normally on TV at your local theatre.

Rich: Coming in at number five in our countdown of what British people do at Christmas is decorating a Christmas tree.

Jack: A Christmas tree is a small pine tree or artificial tree that British people decorate and put in their houses at Christmas time.

Rich: We’ve got an artificial tree. We’ve had it for years. I get it down from the attic every year. We’ve got the same decorations too but we’ve lost a few of them over the years.

Jack: You’re so stingy. We get a real tree every year. We go and buy it from the garden centre. It’s still got its roots and everything and after Christmas, we plant it in the garden.

Rich: How many trees have you got in your garden then?

Jack: We moved this year so none yet. We decorate it together. We’ve got loads of decorations and we put lights on it too with a star at the top. It’s really pretty.

Rich: Right, we’ve reached number four in our countdown of what British people do at Christmas. Number four is going to see the Christmas lights.

Jack: All towns and cities in the UK put up special Christmas lights during the holidays. There are usually coloured lights and images of stars, Santas, bells, trees in all the main streets of a town centre and there’s usually a large Christmas tree in a public square.

Rich: Christmas lights? Come on! They’re just a marketing gimmick to get people to go shopping at Christmas time.

Jack: No, they’re not. They really make a town look nice and give a real Christmassy feel to a place. We went to watch the lights being turned on in our town. There were loads of people there.

Rich: Really? It’s cold and dark. It’s December! I do my shopping online!

Jack: Right, we’ve reached the top three in our countdown of what people in the UK do at Christmas and coming in at number three is eating Christmas dinner.

Rich: Christmas dinner is eaten between twelve and two on the afternoon of the 25th of December. Families sit down together and eat a big meal. Usually, people eat turkey with lots of vegetables and gravy and there is often Christmas pudding for dessert.

Jack: Christmas dinner. I love it and I’m always absolutely stuffed afterwards.

Rich: Do you have turkey?

Jack: Always.

Rich: I don’t get it. Why? How often do you eat turkey the rest of the year?

Jack: Not often I suppose.

Rich: Shouldn’t you eat your favourite meal at Christmas?

Jack: Erm …

Rich: I have chips. I love chips so I eat chips at Christmas.

Jack: Really?

Rich: Not really but I might this year! And Christmas pudding? What’s that all about? A fruit cake that you put a coin inside for luck and then you set fire to the cake. Weird. And don’t get me started on mince pies. Mince pies for dessert? Disgusting.

Jack: What do you have then? A bag of crisps?

Rich: I might this year.

Jack: Number two in our countdown of what people do in the UK at Christmas is giving presents.

Rich: Christmas presents are gifts that family and friends give each other at Christmas time. These are wrapped up and usually placed under the Christmas tree and opened on Christmas Day morning.

Jack: Christmas presents this was always the best bit about Christmas when you’re a kid. Getting presents!

Rich: You’re right. That’s what Christmas is all about. Getting as many Christmas presents as possible and then showing off to your friends what you got.

Jack: Er … I wouldn’t go that far.

Rich: But it’s much different now. I remember running downstairs on Christmas morning and ripping open all my present. My mum would always get annoyed because I couldn’t remember who had bought what for me.

Jack: Oh no we didn’t do that. We opened each present in turn so everyone could see what it was.

Rich: Oh I do that now. It’s awful. I’m very bad at receiving presents. I’m like oooh thank you very much, it’s just what I’ve always wanted - a pair of new socks!

Jack: You sound like fun on Christmas morning!

Jack: Right, we’ve reached the end of our Christmas countdown of what people in the UK do at Christmas time and it’s time to reveal the number one thing.

Rich: At number one of the things people do in the UK at Christmas time is pretending that Father Christmas exists.
Yes, it’s true. We all do it. Well, I say all. Everyone over the age of about ten does it.

Jack: You are so mean! What if a kid is listening?

Rich: They need to know sooner or later! Father Christmas aka Santa Claus aka Santa aka Saint Nick does not exist. There are not any little elves in the North Pole helping Santa wrap presents for children throughout the world and there is no magic sledge being pulled by flying reindeer on Christmas Eve.

Jack: Come on Rich - there’s nothing wrong with a little collective festive fantasy. Kids love it - even when they start to suspect that it might not be true.

Rich: Santa will not be coming down any chimneys either. Most people don’t have chimneys any more. Lots of people have gas fires. And anyway, he's a big fat man and would never fit down a chimney.

Jack: It’s all part of the magic of Christmas Rich.

Rich: I will not be leaving a carrot for Rudolph and a drink for Santa on my living room table. No one should write Christmas lists to Santa and put the North Pole on the envelope - it will never arrive. And if you happen to see a Santa in the street or a shopping centre I encourage you to pull his beard and run away!

Jack: OK, thank you, Rich. So, that’s our top ten completed. I’m going to put Rich somewhere quiet now until Christmas is over. Stop ranting!

Rich: I’m not ranting!

Jack: Merry Christmas!

Task

Rich: This week’s task is to tell us about Christmas in your country or if you prefer a traditional festival in your country.

Jack: We’ve spoken about a few unusual customs in this week’s roleplay. We want you to tell us about a custom connected to a festival in your country that you think other listeners won’t know about.

Rich: Here are a few questions to help with the task:

Jack: Question 1: Do most people in your country celebrate Christmas?

Rich: Question 2: If you do, how will you celebrate Christmas this year?

Jack: Question 3:  Can you tell us a traditional Christmas custom that is specific to your country?

Rich: Or, alternatively, can you tell us a custom connected to another festival or celebration that is specific to your country.

Jack: Write all your answers in the comments section on the Premier Skills English website.

Rich: And, write replies to other listeners to tell them what you think about their customs. Is it surprising? Did you know about it already?

Football Phrase

Jack: OK, it’s time for this week’s football phrase. 

Rich: It’s your turn this week, Jack. Are you ready?

Jack: I am ready with a festive football phrase. This week’s football phrase is a ********* *******. The first word is the festival we have been talking about in this week’s podcast and the second word is something we spoke about in the countdown. It’s the tube that is pulled open at the dinner table by people in the UK on Christmas Day. This word can also be used to describe something that is very good like a goal or a match. So, at this time of year, a match that finishes 4-3 or something like that can be described as a ********* *******.

Rich: If you listened to the countdown you will definitely get it right!

Jack: Before we leave you we need to tell you last week’s football phrase. The answer was a bargain buy.

Rich: Right, that’s all we have time for this week! Don’t forget to write your answers to our questions and make a guess at our football phrase in the comments below. If you get it right, we’ll announce your name on next week’s show. 

Jack: Bye for now, enjoy your football and Merry Christmas!

Vocabulary

How much did you understand?

In the podcast, Rich and Jack used a few difficult words and phrases. Do you know the words in bold?

Lighten up! Christmas carols are brilliant and lovely. They bring people together. 

My cousins are welcome to tag along and go to the match with me!

Pantomimes are so much fun. Everyone knows the story too and there's loads of audience participation

We’ve had our Christmas tree for years. I get it down from the attic every year.

Come on! Christmas lights are just a marketing gimmick to get people to go shopping at Christmas time.

There aren't any little elves in the North Pole helping Santa wrap presents and there is no magic sledge being pulled by flying reindeer on Christmas Eve.

Try the activity below, then, listen to the podcast again to hear how we used the words. This can really help your understanding.

Activity 1

Activity 1: In this activity, match the words to the definitions.
Can you match the words to the definitions?

Top Ten

Christmas Countdown

In this week's podcast, Jack and Rich gave you the top ten things that people do in the UK at Christmas time. Jack and Rich did no research into this list and it's just a bit of fun but we hope that it gives you an idea of what many British people do during the Christmas holidays. Here is Rich and Jack's top ten:

Number 10

Pulling Christmas crackers

Christmas crackers are small tubes covered in coloured paper with a tiny firework inside that makes a small bang when two people pull them apart. Inside there is usually a small toy, a paper hat and a joke.

Number 9

Singing Christmas carols

Christmas carols are songs that are sung at Christmas time. They are often sung in schools, churches and sometimes in public squares. People sometimes knock on people’s doors and sing carols for money.

Number 8

Visiting family on Boxing Day

Boxing Day is the 26th of December and is a public holiday in the UK. The Day is also known as St. Stephen’s Day. In the UK, the day is about shopping and sport.

Number 7

Opening doors on Advent calendars

An advent calendar is a decoration you hang on the wall in December. They have twenty-four little doors in them which helps you countdown towards Christmas. Behind each door, there is often a picture or a chocolate. They are usually for children.

Number 6

Going to the pantomime

A pantomime is a type of play that is performed at a theatre at Christmas time. It’s for all the family and is usually based around a fairy tale like Cinderella or Puss in Boots.

Number 5

Decorating a Christmas tree

A Christmas tree is a small pine tree or artificial tree that British people decorate and put in their houses at Christmas time.

Number 4

Going to see the Christmas lights

All towns and cities in the UK put up special Christmas lights during the holidays. There are usually coloured lights and images of stars, Santas, bells, trees in all the main streets of a town centre and there’s usually a large Christmas tree in a public square.

Number 3

Eating Christmas dinner

Christmas dinner is eaten between twelve and two on the afternoon of the 25th of December. Families sit down together and eat a big meal. Usually, people eat turkey with lots of vegetables and gravy and there is often Christmas pudding for dessert.

Number 2

Getting (and giving) Christmas presents

Christmas presents are gifts that family and friends give each other at Christmas time. These are wrapped up and usually placed under the Christmas tree and opened on Christmas Day morning.

Number 1

Pretending Father Christmas exists

Did you hear what Rich said in the podcast?! Jack was not happy!

 

Quiz

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Task

Christmas Customs

YULE never walk alone. Do you get the Christmas joke on the jumper?

In this podcast, Jack and Rich gave you a top ten of things people do at Christmas time in the UK. Which thing did you find most interesting? Which did you find the strangest?

Your task this week is to tell us about a Christmas custom in your country or a custom connected to another celebration. You need to choose a custom that is specific to your country that other listeners may not know about. Here are some questions to help you:

  1. Do most people in your country celebrate Christmas?
  2. If you do, how will you celebrate Christmas this year?
  3. Can you tell us a traditional (Christmas) custom that is specific to your country?

Write your answers in the comments section below and don't forget to make a guess at this week's football phrase!

Merry Christmas from Jack and Rich!

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Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
19/09/2021
TR
5557
points

Task
Your tradition of Christmas is look like combined form of our new year and sacrifice feast celebrations such as visiting family members, having meal together, giving present to the kids etc.
Phrases
• The countdown to the announcement of third quarter growing figures has started.
• Unbeatable offers are usually resulted with great deals.
• I'm always bored by the ranting of my friends that about government policies.
• I set my sights on finishing all the PSE podcast which is made earlier.


hsn's picture
hsn
19/09/2021 14:41
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5557

Task
Your tradition of Christmas is look like combined form of our new year and sacrifice feast celebrations such as visiting family members, having meal together, giving present to the kids etc.
Phrases
• The countdown to the announcement of third quarter growing figures has started.
• Unbeatable offers are usually resulted with great deals.
• I'm always bored by the ranting of my friends that about government policies.
• I set my sights on finishing all the PSE podcast which is made earlier.

memorex's picture
memorex
09/01/2021
PE
9
points

Yes, most people here in Peru celebrate Christmas, but with their own traditions due to the cultural diversity we have. I will celebrate Christmas with my family because it's very important for me and for them. One traditional custom specific to my country is that people in the Andes eat cuy (a kind of taillent rodent), and people in the jungle eat mostly fish. Merry Christmas for you, Jack and Rich! Greetings from Lima, Peru.


memorex's picture
memorex
09/01/2021 02:20
Peru
Liverpool
9

Yes, most people here in Peru celebrate Christmas, but with their own traditions due to the cultural diversity we have. I will celebrate Christmas with my family because it's very important for me and for them. One traditional custom specific to my country is that people in the Andes eat cuy (a kind of taillent rodent), and people in the jungle eat mostly fish. Merry Christmas for you, Jack and Rich! Greetings from Lima, Peru.

AbdlRhman's picture
AbdlRhman
02/01/2021
EG
219
points

.


AbdlRhman's picture
AbdlRhman
02/01/2021 12:17
Egypt
Manchester City
219

.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
01/01/2021
UA
6574
points

Happy New Year, football lovers of the world! Have a good, healthy, and prosperous one.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
01/01/2021 05:10
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

Happy New Year, football lovers of the world! Have a good, healthy, and prosperous one.

Gera97
26/12/2020
MX
7
points

Hi! my name is Gerardo and I am from Mexico, in my country lots of people celebrates Christmas in different ways. One of them is Christmas dinner, in the last hours of the 24th of December each member of the family is set in the table, ready to start dinner, the most common meal in Mexican Christmas dinner is turkey, apple salad, spaghetti, bread and bacalao, of course, you can accompany with beers or wine. Always we cook too much food, for that reason in the morning of the next day, we celebrate the “recalentado’s day” where we reheat the last night dinner.
Most families in Mexico are Catholics therefore celebrate the Jesus birth, this custom is about singing religious songs to the Jesus child, each family have a “Jesus child’s Toy” and, at 00:00 o ‘clock of the 25th of December, they start to singing him.
Finally, in the morning of the 25th of December, you wake up and realize that somehow “Santa” putted your gifts next to your Christmas tree, you open them and enjoy with your family.
A popular custom is the “posadas”, they are parties where one family opens the door of their house to their friends and family, this people are called pilgrims and together sing carols, after that they can get into the house and the party begins, you can eat fruit juice, tamales and candies. The funniest part of posadas is when you must break the “piñata” with a stick , it has inside candies, fruit and toys.
This year was complicated, unfortunately some members of my family died,I didn't want to celebrate Christmas, but I did it with my family and thanked God for giving us the opportunity of stay here.


Gera97
26/12/2020 08:12
Mexico
Manchester United
7

Hi! my name is Gerardo and I am from Mexico, in my country lots of people celebrates Christmas in different ways. One of them is Christmas dinner, in the last hours of the 24th of December each member of the family is set in the table, ready to start dinner, the most common meal in Mexican Christmas dinner is turkey, apple salad, spaghetti, bread and bacalao, of course, you can accompany with beers or wine. Always we cook too much food, for that reason in the morning of the next day, we celebrate the “recalentado’s day” where we reheat the last night dinner.
Most families in Mexico are Catholics therefore celebrate the Jesus birth, this custom is about singing religious songs to the Jesus child, each family have a “Jesus child’s Toy” and, at 00:00 o ‘clock of the 25th of December, they start to singing him.
Finally, in the morning of the 25th of December, you wake up and realize that somehow “Santa” putted your gifts next to your Christmas tree, you open them and enjoy with your family.
A popular custom is the “posadas”, they are parties where one family opens the door of their house to their friends and family, this people are called pilgrims and together sing carols, after that they can get into the house and the party begins, you can eat fruit juice, tamales and candies. The funniest part of posadas is when you must break the “piñata” with a stick , it has inside candies, fruit and toys.
This year was complicated, unfortunately some members of my family died,I didn't want to celebrate Christmas, but I did it with my family and thanked God for giving us the opportunity of stay here.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
24/12/2020
UA
6574
points

By the way, we haven't had any contest for so long. If I remember well, someone from Africa won a computer some five years ago. It would be nice to win a notebook for anybody here imho.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
24/12/2020 20:25
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

By the way, we haven't had any contest for so long. If I remember well, someone from Africa won a computer some five years ago. It would be nice to win a notebook for anybody here imho.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
24/12/2020
UA
6574
points

Merry Christmas to all!

We, here in Ukraine, have two Christmasses: one - for Catholics, who live for the most part in the West of the country, - on the 24-th of December, and another - for Orthodox Christians, who are Easterners mostly, on the 7-th of January.  We also enjoy two New Years: the second is "the Old New Year", on the 13-th of January. :-)  


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
24/12/2020 20:22
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

Merry Christmas to all!

We, here in Ukraine, have two Christmasses: one - for Catholics, who live for the most part in the West of the country, - on the 24-th of December, and another - for Orthodox Christians, who are Easterners mostly, on the 7-th of January.  We also enjoy two New Years: the second is "the Old New Year", on the 13-th of January. :-)  

elghoul's picture
elghoul
23/12/2020
DZ
3988
points

1. Celebrating christmas has turned rare these days in Algeria. Something for the little minority.

 


elghoul's picture
elghoul
23/12/2020 18:20
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

1. Celebrating christmas has turned rare these days in Algeria. Something for the little minority.

 

Vic
23/12/2020
MX
817
points

Dear speakers

Merry christmas for each one, Rich, Jack and Rowan!! You stay with me alog this large curfew, but is greater good, stay health and stay safe, and have the hope that one day will be at UK at Christmas.
Tank you for all ypur time, and help me to improve my english.

1. Yes, We do, in Mexico in the world before-covid-19, people celebretae Christmas in many different ways, someones visit their parents, uncles, cousins, or dinner with their friends at designated house.
Also in Mexico from 16 to 24 december celebrate "posadas" its a little party, in each one day, visit a designated house, first people outside the house sing carols, but no any carol, a special carol like a rhyme or verse, and the people that stay at house respond the rhyme or verse, after all, open de doord and everybody get in at house, eat tamales, atole, ponche, and give candy for the children, its important mentioned, at house, the people gather around the "nacimiento" and sing praise for the son of God, its a part of catholic religion.
This activity repeat every day, ultil 24 last day of posadas, each day remember the holy Biable, and the travel of Mary and Joseph to born of Christ.
The dinner in Mexico, its 24 at night, and 25 is public holiday, at this day also knows "dia del recalentado", the meal can´t you eat last night, its cook again and serve for the familiy, always has a special taste, delicious!!!
We have a christmas tree, at each house is put a special place, and decorate with spheras or fuuny and little toys, depend each person.
In the main square of CDMX, the public offices, put a christmas light and ice rink, but not this year, avoid crowds and avoid covid.

2. Well, this year will be different, less meal, less shops, less contact with friend, but the most important its stay safe, health and wit my parents.
At house, we´ll eat turkey and pye of lemon, do you want?
The gifts we reserve to 6 of january, because its "dia de reyes" ans its more nice this days has a gift for us.

I have one question, Rich hate Crhistmas, its a Grinch?


Vic
23/12/2020 17:34
Mexico
Liverpool
817

Dear speakers

Merry christmas for each one, Rich, Jack and Rowan!! You stay with me alog this large curfew, but is greater good, stay health and stay safe, and have the hope that one day will be at UK at Christmas.
Tank you for all ypur time, and help me to improve my english.

1. Yes, We do, in Mexico in the world before-covid-19, people celebretae Christmas in many different ways, someones visit their parents, uncles, cousins, or dinner with their friends at designated house.
Also in Mexico from 16 to 24 december celebrate "posadas" its a little party, in each one day, visit a designated house, first people outside the house sing carols, but no any carol, a special carol like a rhyme or verse, and the people that stay at house respond the rhyme or verse, after all, open de doord and everybody get in at house, eat tamales, atole, ponche, and give candy for the children, its important mentioned, at house, the people gather around the "nacimiento" and sing praise for the son of God, its a part of catholic religion.
This activity repeat every day, ultil 24 last day of posadas, each day remember the holy Biable, and the travel of Mary and Joseph to born of Christ.
The dinner in Mexico, its 24 at night, and 25 is public holiday, at this day also knows "dia del recalentado", the meal can´t you eat last night, its cook again and serve for the familiy, always has a special taste, delicious!!!
We have a christmas tree, at each house is put a special place, and decorate with spheras or fuuny and little toys, depend each person.
In the main square of CDMX, the public offices, put a christmas light and ice rink, but not this year, avoid crowds and avoid covid.

2. Well, this year will be different, less meal, less shops, less contact with friend, but the most important its stay safe, health and wit my parents.
At house, we´ll eat turkey and pye of lemon, do you want?
The gifts we reserve to 6 of january, because its "dia de reyes" ans its more nice this days has a gift for us.

I have one question, Rich hate Crhistmas, its a Grinch?

Vic
23/12/2020
MX
817
points

cracker match


Vic
23/12/2020 17:06
Mexico
Liverpool
817

cracker match

Yoshichika's picture
Yoshichika
23/12/2020
JP
76
points

1. Yes, of cause.
Many Japanese people celebrate Christmas. Eat Christmas dinner and Christmas cakes. We usually eat chicken. Also we do getting / giving Christmas presents. Family, close friends and lovers exchange Christmas presents.

2. No, unfortunately, I can't enjoy Christmas this year... I am very busy this Christmas.

3. In Japan, many people celebrate the New Year's holiday rather than Christmas.
Japanese New Year's holiday usually start from 29th of December to 3rd of January.
A lot of people go back their hometown during New Year's holiday.
And eat specially prepared Japanese traditional New Year dishes called "Osechi" with family.
Don't forget, Japanese people go shrine or temple, the New Year's first visit to shrine or temple called "Hatsu - Moude"

There are many other traditional custom during New Year's holiday.


Yoshichika's picture
Yoshichika
23/12/2020 03:01
Japan
Liverpool
76

1. Yes, of cause.
Many Japanese people celebrate Christmas. Eat Christmas dinner and Christmas cakes. We usually eat chicken. Also we do getting / giving Christmas presents. Family, close friends and lovers exchange Christmas presents.

2. No, unfortunately, I can't enjoy Christmas this year... I am very busy this Christmas.

3. In Japan, many people celebrate the New Year's holiday rather than Christmas.
Japanese New Year's holiday usually start from 29th of December to 3rd of January.
A lot of people go back their hometown during New Year's holiday.
And eat specially prepared Japanese traditional New Year dishes called "Osechi" with family.
Don't forget, Japanese people go shrine or temple, the New Year's first visit to shrine or temple called "Hatsu - Moude"

There are many other traditional custom during New Year's holiday.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/06/2020
TR
6539
points

Merry Christmas to my teachers and all my mates in the Premier Skills English. Much love and respect from Turkey :)


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/06/2020 16:04
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Merry Christmas to my teachers and all my mates in the Premier Skills English. Much love and respect from Turkey :)

Vic
23/12/2020
MX
817
points

Merry Christmas to you.

You are a great speaker, and a great rival every week in the football phrase!!
Grestings to Turkey from Mexico.


Vic
23/12/2020 17:42
Mexico
Liverpool
817

Merry Christmas to you.

You are a great speaker, and a great rival every week in the football phrase!!
Grestings to Turkey from Mexico.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/12/2020
TR
6539
points

That's very nice to here from you Vic :)
Enjoy the holidays and Happy New Year.
Wish 2021 brings normal life again back to earth.

Really appreciate your kind words and looking forward to competing you again in 2021 and having fun while learning on this splendid website :)

Cheers from Turkey to all lovely people in Mexico , the country of our beloved Chicharito <3


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/12/2020 11:00
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

That's very nice to here from you Vic :)
Enjoy the holidays and Happy New Year.
Wish 2021 brings normal life again back to earth.

Really appreciate your kind words and looking forward to competing you again in 2021 and having fun while learning on this splendid website :)

Cheers from Turkey to all lovely people in Mexico , the country of our beloved Chicharito <3

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/06/2020
TR
6539
points

I think this week's football phrase is ********* *******


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/06/2020 15:53
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I think this week's football phrase is ********* *******

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/06/2020
TR
6539
points

1. Some people in Turkey celebrate Christmas
2. People always celebrate Christmas here by buying beautiful Christmas trees , having a dinner out at Christmas Eve , bringing presets to colleagues at work by choosing names from papers randomly , children give to their parents and teachers Christmas cards with colourful pictures and writings
3. A special custom in Turkey is always between colleagues and work mates that someone writes down all the names of the organisation and fold them up then choose one from the box in turns so you should bring a gift for that person and hand it to him/her on Christmas Day


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/06/2020 15:35
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

1. Some people in Turkey celebrate Christmas
2. People always celebrate Christmas here by buying beautiful Christmas trees , having a dinner out at Christmas Eve , bringing presets to colleagues at work by choosing names from papers randomly , children give to their parents and teachers Christmas cards with colourful pictures and writings
3. A special custom in Turkey is always between colleagues and work mates that someone writes down all the names of the organisation and fold them up then choose one from the box in turns so you should bring a gift for that person and hand it to him/her on Christmas Day

jcbl
23/02/2020
CO
15
points

I'm from Colombia, and a christmas custom at our country, is to open the christmas gifts at midnight.

Other christmas custom would be a giant doll dressed like an iconic person of the year, and almost at twelve it is fired with fireworks inside.


jcbl
23/02/2020 02:06
Colombia
Manchester United
15

I'm from Colombia, and a christmas custom at our country, is to open the christmas gifts at midnight.

Other christmas custom would be a giant doll dressed like an iconic person of the year, and almost at twelve it is fired with fireworks inside.

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
25/12/2019
GH
4779
points

1. Most people in Ghana celebrate Christmas.
2. My team sells ice cream, so I will be at Afro Nation an event organized in connection with the year of return for Africans in the diaspora.
3. Preparation and sharing of foods among neighbours.


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
25/12/2019 16:50
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

1. Most people in Ghana celebrate Christmas.
2. My team sells ice cream, so I will be at Afro Nation an event organized in connection with the year of return for Africans in the diaspora.
3. Preparation and sharing of foods among neighbours.

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
25/12/2019
GH
4779
points

Merry Christmas to the Premier skills team and everyone on here


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
25/12/2019 16:44
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Merry Christmas to the Premier skills team and everyone on here

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
25/12/2019
GH
4779
points

This week's phrase is ******** ********


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
25/12/2019 16:43
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

This week's phrase is ******** ********

ldzingirai's picture
ldzingirai
25/12/2019
ZW
1749
points

Football Phrase

The missing phrase is ********* ********.


ldzingirai's picture
ldzingirai
25/12/2019 14:41
Zimbabwe
Chelsea
1749

Football Phrase

The missing phrase is ********* ********.

ldzingirai's picture
ldzingirai
25/12/2019
ZW
1749
points

Task

Christmas is such a big day in Zimbabwe. Many Zimbabweans prefer to spent the day in rural areas. On this day everybody puts on new clothes, down to top. Food and drinks are shared with neighbours...and the main event people go out to shopping centres for song and dance. At shops they meet other villages and compete in dancing.

Then on Boxing Day we open gift boxes and eat and drink leftovers.


ldzingirai's picture
ldzingirai
25/12/2019 14:26
Zimbabwe
Chelsea
1749

Task

Christmas is such a big day in Zimbabwe. Many Zimbabweans prefer to spent the day in rural areas. On this day everybody puts on new clothes, down to top. Food and drinks are shared with neighbours...and the main event people go out to shopping centres for song and dance. At shops they meet other villages and compete in dancing.

Then on Boxing Day we open gift boxes and eat and drink leftovers.

elghoul's picture
elghoul
25/12/2019
DZ
3988
points

1. In today's Algeria there are very few Christmas celebrations. Perhaps in somepeople deep hearts.

2. Absolutely not. In fact our country is mourning for 3 days after the Chief of Military state death.

3. Our traditional and very old celebration in Algeria and others northern Africa societies happens on January the twelveth. 'Yannayer' the popular rural celebration is well practised all over the country. All the family meets after a specific meal with basic nutrients and enjoy having eggs, sweeties ... together while hoping a happy and hopeful year.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
25/12/2019 13:03
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

1. In today's Algeria there are very few Christmas celebrations. Perhaps in somepeople deep hearts.

2. Absolutely not. In fact our country is mourning for 3 days after the Chief of Military state death.

3. Our traditional and very old celebration in Algeria and others northern Africa societies happens on January the twelveth. 'Yannayer' the popular rural celebration is well practised all over the country. All the family meets after a specific meal with basic nutrients and enjoy having eggs, sweeties ... together while hoping a happy and hopeful year.

wsanta's picture
wsanta
24/12/2019
AR
5086
points

We get together for dinner at Christmas eve and for lunch at Christmas with family and friends, we eat a lot as if we were in winter but we are in summer. The trees are artificial here too. When it is 0 o'clock in the 25th, we make a toast and generate a distraction for the children, when the gifts magically appear on the tree. There is always a woman who gives pink panties, in the pine, for the rest of the women, those panties should use them at New Year eve.
Merry Christmas!!!


wsanta's picture
wsanta
24/12/2019 23:27
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

We get together for dinner at Christmas eve and for lunch at Christmas with family and friends, we eat a lot as if we were in winter but we are in summer. The trees are artificial here too. When it is 0 o'clock in the 25th, we make a toast and generate a distraction for the children, when the gifts magically appear on the tree. There is always a woman who gives pink panties, in the pine, for the rest of the women, those panties should use them at New Year eve.
Merry Christmas!!!

lakerwang
24/12/2019
CN
337
points

You know China is not a traditional Christian country. Christmas is just a shopping and entertainment day for young people in China. It is Spring Festival(Chinese New Year) that is similar to Christmas. People have a 7-day vacation during the Spring Festival period. Most of people go back to their hometown to spend the festival with their parents. So It's always extremely difficult to order a train or flight ticket during this period.
Families sit down together and have a big meal in the Eve and won't go to bed until the Chinese New Year 0 o'clock strikes. People visit their neighbors and say "Happy New Year" to each other on the morning of the first day of the festival. They usually visit relatives on the second day or the third day.

The football phrase is "******** *******".


lakerwang
24/12/2019 15:52
China
Chelsea
337

You know China is not a traditional Christian country. Christmas is just a shopping and entertainment day for young people in China. It is Spring Festival(Chinese New Year) that is similar to Christmas. People have a 7-day vacation during the Spring Festival period. Most of people go back to their hometown to spend the festival with their parents. So It's always extremely difficult to order a train or flight ticket during this period.
Families sit down together and have a big meal in the Eve and won't go to bed until the Chinese New Year 0 o'clock strikes. People visit their neighbors and say "Happy New Year" to each other on the morning of the first day of the festival. They usually visit relatives on the second day or the third day.

The football phrase is "******** *******".

Liubomyr's picture
Liubomyr
23/12/2019
UA
4417
points

I think that the phrase is '******** *******'


Liubomyr's picture
Liubomyr
23/12/2019 13:36
Ukraine
Watford
4417

I think that the phrase is '******** *******'

elghoul's picture
elghoul
22/12/2019
DZ
3988
points

Merry Christmas all christians.

Football phrase '******** *******'


elghoul's picture
elghoul
22/12/2019 13:03
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

Merry Christmas all christians.

Football phrase '******** *******'

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
20/12/2019
BR
615
points

Lovely podcast. Great top ten countdown.

Most Brazilians celebrate Christmas. Decorating an artificial tree (almost no pines here), giving presents and eating Christmas dinner are the most common Christmas habits. Towns centres are also often decorated with lights. Unfortunately there is not a Boxing Day. By the way, I will celebrate Christmas watching a bunch of Premier League matches on the 26th.

A quite popular celebration in Brazil, especially in the Northeast, is the 'Festa Junina' (June's party) celebrated every year in June. It is associated with the rural area and its traditions (aka as 'caipira' culture).

I think the phrase is '********* *******' and Merry Christmas from Brazil!


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
20/12/2019 19:40
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

Lovely podcast. Great top ten countdown.

Most Brazilians celebrate Christmas. Decorating an artificial tree (almost no pines here), giving presents and eating Christmas dinner are the most common Christmas habits. Towns centres are also often decorated with lights. Unfortunately there is not a Boxing Day. By the way, I will celebrate Christmas watching a bunch of Premier League matches on the 26th.

A quite popular celebration in Brazil, especially in the Northeast, is the 'Festa Junina' (June's party) celebrated every year in June. It is associated with the rural area and its traditions (aka as 'caipira' culture).

I think the phrase is '********* *******' and Merry Christmas from Brazil!

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/12/2019
UA
6574
points

The phrase this week is a ********* *******.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/12/2019 18:16
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

The phrase this week is a ********* *******.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/12/2019
UA
6574
points

Merry Christmas to all of the Premier Skills English team !


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/12/2019 18:10
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

Merry Christmas to all of the Premier Skills English team !

admin's picture
admin
21/12/2019
GB
560
points

Merry Christmas to you too Alex! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and wish you all the best for the new year!


admin's picture
admin
21/12/2019 00:35
United Kingdom
Arsenal
560

Merry Christmas to you too Alex! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and wish you all the best for the new year!

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/12/2019
UA
6574
points

Yule is an old-fashioned word for Christmas.

Yuletide or Christmastide is the season of Christmas extending from December 24 (Christmas Eve) to January 6 (the festival of the Epiphany or Twelfth Night)

 


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
20/12/2019 18:07
Ukraine
Liverpool
6574

Yule is an old-fashioned word for Christmas.

Yuletide or Christmastide is the season of Christmas extending from December 24 (Christmas Eve) to January 6 (the festival of the Epiphany or Twelfth Night)

 

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1Alex_from_Ukraine6574
2mobeckham6539
3hsn5557
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4779
6Liubomyr4417
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia74670
2Ukraine33837
3Spain29457
4Serbia27426
5Brazil23449
6Albania20578
7Vietnam20437
8Turkey20098
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United146650
2Liverpool111316
3Chelsea90159
4Arsenal86333
5Manchester City58767
6Tottenham Hotspur19422
7Newcastle United10560
8West Ham United7667
9AFC Bournemouth4915
10Everton4533

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Skills: Listening

Vocabulary: Christmas vocabulary

Task: Tell us about a custom in your country