ESL Christmas A Charlie Brown Christmas

50 years after it was created, one  of the most beloved Christmas holiday TV specials continues to be the animated cartoon  "A Charlie Brown Christmas"  

Why is it so special? According to Robert Loyd, film critic for the Los Angeles Times, " it isn't about any invented crisis in the life of an imaginary  creature. There are no elves, no reindeer, no Santa. It's just about us. 

The Spirit of Christmas 

 Charles Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts"  wrote a little fable  about how a meaningful  holiday such as Christmas has become so commercialized that it has  lost any meaning. The only magic Christmas now allows  is the kind we create ourselves when we pay attention to someone besides ourselves.  

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" remains true to both the spirit of Christmas and to the spirit of "Peanuts."

Although it t emphasizes the need for hope and love, it still reminds us that for many people around the world the Christmas season can bring anxiety and a feeling of being alone and unloved. 

 "I know nobody likes me," sighs Charlie Brown in the animated special.  "Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?"

The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree 

The sad little Christmas tree he buys for the school play stands for all the world's underfed, unseen, unloved, ( trees, animals, people...) .Yet, it is not beyond rescue. 

In fact, with a little love, care and attention, it can truly be something special and even magic. 

Subtle, slow and quiet — absolutely silent at times — the special is remains as satisfying today as it was when it was first shown in 1965. 

In addition to the wonderful score by Vince Guaraldi's famous jazz piano score, 

the production features the voicers of real children rather than adult actors trying to sound like children. "

Watch the special and learn about one of the most popular idioms about Christmas that comes from the story: A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. 

;

How Well did you Understand? 

Watch the film as many times as you need to. Then see how  many questions you can answer in the quiz below. 

Also, can you answer the question: What is a Charlie Brown Christmas tree?

Read and Listen :Complete Script of Charlie Brown Christmas

Here are a few more  quizzes to try

• Charlie Brown Christmas Quiz 1 (easier) 
• Charlie Brown Comprehension Questions
• Vocabulary Charlie Brown Christmas 
• The Making of Charlie Brown Christmas 
• Ten Things You Didn't know about Charlie Brown Christmas

Now, try this song.

For more information  on Charlie Brown 's christmas as well as other Charlie Brown stories go to  Jennthebenn's Peanut Page

For the complete transcript go to:  Transcript Charlie Brown Christmas

ESL How The Grinch Stole Christmas Part 1: Listening/ Speaking Activities

One of the most loved North American Christmas stories of all time  is the story How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  

Although Dr. Seuss, a well-known children's writer, originally wrote the story for children, it has messages for young and old. 

The story and the animated video ,now shown on television every year  at Christmas time, continues to delight millions of of people whether they are watching it for the first time, or the 30th time. 

Now that we have officially entered the Christmas season, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to watch an important  piece of North American culture.  

It doesn't matter if you live in Australia, Europe, Asia or  the Middle East, you will still enjoy learning a little about a series of Christmas messages that apply to every culture or religion. 

If you plan to live in North America, or if you already live here, it is even more important  that you know about this  story by Dr. Seuss. If you can mention any aspect of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or of Who ville  in casual conversation, people will think you are  a true American or Canada, and really "get us." 

This is also a way you can get your children involved. 

Activity 1#

Pre-listening: 
Read and go through the following power point on your own, or with your children

Power Point Explaining the Basic Story and characters in the Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Listening: 

Watch the video as many times as you need to know and answer the comprehension questions below. 

 
 

Read the Complete Script for the animated version of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

  Activity #2  

1.  Listen to the song without  looking at the gap fill. Try to write down all the negative

     words that describe Mr. Grinch. 

2.  Listen as many times as you need and fill in the gaps. 

3.  Sing-along . This is a great song to practice enunciating. Make sure you open your 
     mouth as wide as you can in order to let your tongue get to the right place. Sing as 
     slowly as the singer. 

   Activity #3: Speaking and Writing Questions: 

1. Dr. Seuss wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas to [point out how the media and 
    marketing  have created a holiday focused on spending money to buy things.  

   Discuss how has the media changed holidays such as Christmas, New Years, Chinese 
   New Year, Valentine's Day, Mother;s Day etc.   and how they are celebrated. 

2. What role does Cindy Lou play in the story. What does she do to change the Grinch? 

3. The Grinch has a serious character flaw. He experiences a crisis and then changes for
     the better. Describe the Grinch's character flaw at the beginning of the story. What crisis 
     changes him? How did he change? 

4. What is the message of the story? 

5.  Would you write a different ending to the story? Explain why or why not. If yes, how 
     would you end it? 

6.   Do you know anyone who had some bad personality characteristics, but who  became a 
     better person after something happened to him or her. This could be you, or anyone 
     you know. Tell what happened, and why this person changed. 

Listening Quizzes: Halloween in TV Comedies

Many regular television situation comedies have a complete Halloween episode where the whole story revolves around some kind of Halloween theme. Sometimes they are funny. Sometimes they are meant to be spooky. 

Watch some special Halloween clips from The Big Bang Theory, Friends, Frasier as often as you need to. Then try the quizzes to see how well you understood.  

Halloween is the second biggest holiday in North America after Christmas, but Americans and Canadians are not the only people who love celebrating. 

Research shows that more than 100 countries around the world have their own forms of Halloween festivities. These countries may not spend as much money on the actual event, but many of them have just as  much fun.  

Many of you may not celebrate Halloween yourselves, but you may enjoy watching Halloween scenes from some of your favourite TV shows or scary movies. 


Sit back, watch the shows and try to answer the questions.  Have a great Halloween.

Here's another listening from the television show "Frasier" 


And finally: 
http://www.learnclick.com/mchoice/create/1624

Learn English Listening With Michelle: BC Teachers Strike: Class Composition and Size

Learn English Listening With Michelle: BC Teachers Strike: Class Composition and Size

BC Teachers Strike: Class Composition and Size

Why We Love Canada

div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">

Canadian Please! Listening for Canada Day

Happy Canada Day! Looking for an  " upbeat" song about Canada?  

 Here's one that should stick with you for a long time. Listen. Enjoy and try the listening quiz.