Surviving the Countdown to Christmas: Keeping Students Engaged Without Losing Your Mind
Let’s face it: when we’re just a couple of weeks away from the Christmas break, neither our students nor us are brimming with energy for intensive learning or grammar drills. The countdown to the holidays is real, and the excitement is hard to contain. So, how do we survive teaching until December 20th without losing our minds—or our students’ attention?
The answer? Speaking activities. This time of year is perfect for focusing on communication skills in a fun, festive way. These activities not only keep the holiday spirit alive in the classroom but also help students practise real-life English while letting their creativity shine. Plus, they require less prep than full-blown lesson plans, which is always a win when you’re running on fumes!
Why Speaking Activities Work So Well in December
- They’re Engaging and Low-Pressure: After weeks of hard work, students appreciate a change of pace. Speaking activities encourage interaction and creativity without the pressure of tests or written work.
- They Build Confidence: Many students struggle with speaking in English, but role plays and games help them practise in a supportive, light-hearted environment.
- They’re Perfect for the Holidays: Christmas-themed topics are universally loved and relatable. From family traditions to holiday shopping, these topics spark meaningful conversations and cultural exchange.
Festive Speaking Activities for Your ESL Classroom
Here are some of my favourite Christmas-speaking activities that have worked wonders with my students, and they’re ready to use straight away!
1. Christmas Dinner Role Play
This activity is perfect for older students (B2 level) who love a good challenge. Each student takes on a character with unique traits and relationships (think quirky family dynamics at a holiday party). They have to interact, improvise, and keep the party drama-free—or not! It’s a brilliant way to practise vocabulary related to family, relationships, and personality while embracing the festive spirit.
👉 Get the Christmas Role Play resource here!
Teaching Primary?
Check out these drama / role play activities with Christmas themes that our students have loved to perform in front of their parents or other students.
2. Christmas Speaking Maze
Designed for intermediate learners, this interactive activity challenges students to navigate a holiday-themed maze by answering questions and making choices. It’s a great way to keep the whole class engaged while building fluency.
👉 Find the Speaking Maze here!
3. Holiday Traditions Discussion
Pair students or form small groups and have them share their own holiday traditions. You can guide them with prompts like:
- What’s the most popular dish at Christmas in your country?
- Do you exchange gifts or do something different?
- What’s your favourite Christmas memory?
This activity promotes cultural awareness and gets everyone talking.
4. Plan a Christmas Party
Give students a budget and have them plan a class Christmas party. They’ll discuss food, decorations, and activities, practising practical language skills like budgeting, negotiating, and presenting ideas.
Check out this blog post about stress-free ready-to-use lesson plans based on Christmas TV ads, they’re great!
Good luck with your Christmas lessons and enjoy the well-deserved break, teachers!