Holiday safety made simple

This intermediate-level ESL lesson explores common hazards during the Christmas period and practical tips to avoid accidents and injuries. Through vocabulary building, discussions, and video-based activities, students will enhance their understanding of holiday safety while developing their English skills. Other interesting lessons are “Winter sports” and “Idioms: risk and danger”

Speaking: The lesson begins with a set of discussion questions about holiday safety. Students reflect on their own experiences and habits, sharing ideas about potential risks during the festive season. This activity warms up the class and introduces the topic in a relatable way.

Vocabulary: Next, students examine several common holiday-related items, such as Christmas trees, fireplaces, space heaters, ladders, and candles. They discuss the potential risks associated with each. This discussion leads into a vocabulary activity, where students learn safety-related adjectives such as slippery, flammable, fragile, overloaded, unstable, and frayed. Students practice these adjectives by completing six sentences, reinforcing their understanding.

Building on the vocabulary section, students complete a collocation exercise, choosing the correct verbs to form common safety-related expressions. Examples include leave unattended, put up/take down decorations, preheat the oven, water the Christmas tree, and catch fire. Students then use these expressions in discussion questions, sharing their thoughts and practices in pairs or small groups.

Speaking: To deepen their understanding, students evaluate 15 holiday-related situations, deciding whether each is safe or unsafe. For unsafe scenarios, they explain why and suggest safer alternatives. This activity helps solidify vocabulary and encourages critical thinking.

Listening: The listening component involves watching a video titled “Holiday Fire Safety Tips.” Students complete two comprehension activities, identifying key tips and safety measures mentioned in the video. This task reinforces listening skills and provides practical knowledge applicable to real life.

Speaking: For additional practice, students are tasked with giving safety advice to children using provided keywords. This activity is interactive and encourages students to apply their learning in a creative and meaningful way.

The lesson concludes with a discussion of dos and don’ts for emergency situations, such as what to do if a Christmas tree or stove catches fire.

This lesson is ideal for intermediate-level learners interested in practical, everyday topics and anyone keen to improve their safety awareness and vocabulary.
By the end of the lesson, students will feel confident discussing holiday safety, identifying potential risks, and offering practical solutions in English.