Merry Christmas ESL lesson thumbnail
Book 0B · Unit 18Starter · Ages 4–6

Merry Christmas

This Christmas ESL lesson teaches tree, star, bauble, present and simple decorating instructions. Children sing, act out putting decorations on a tree and complete colourful worksheet tasks. They design their own tree, draw a special present and share it with the sentence 'This is my gift.'

7-day trial · Card required · €0 today · Cancel before renewal

Lesson format

2 × 45 minutes

Level

Starter

Age group

Ages 4–6

Main focus

Speaking first

What students will learn

• Learn and review vocabulary: tree, star, gift, ball, Santa
• Practise listening and colouring following instructions
• Move and sing along with festive songs
• Practise giving vocabulary: 'This is for you!'
• Develop creativity through drawing
• Explore holiday traditions

Lesson flow

Children discuss a Christmas tree and sing along to a decorate-the-tree song, acting out 'put on the star' and 'hang the ball', then colour a tree worksheet and stick decorations as they're named. The second lesson has children decorate their own tree worksheet, draw and describe a Christmas present ('A doll!' 'A robot!'), and share their drawing in a circle saying 'This is my gift!'

Target language

  • • Christmas vocabulary
  • • 'This is for you!'
  • • 'What's inside?'
  • • Simple descriptions

Key vocabulary

  • Santa
  • Christmas tree
  • present
  • gift
  • reindeer
  • star
  • bells
  • snowman
  • carol
  • chimney

Speaking questions students answer

  • • What is this?
  • • What do you put on the tree?
  • • What's inside your present?
  • • What colour is your star?
  • • Who is this present for?

Recommended teaching contexts

• Starter ESL and EFL classes• Ages 4–6• Primary school classrooms• Language schools• Private and small-group lessons• Teaching holidays vocabulary• Pair and whole-class speaking• Interactive whiteboards and online teaching

Why this lesson works

The lesson follows a clear progression: Sing and act out decorating a Christmas tree, colour and decorate a tree worksheet, draw and describe a Christmas present. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.

This lesson includes

• Interactive lesson slides
• Teacher guide
• Printable worksheets
• Speaking practice: "What is this?"
• Classroom games
• Videos
• Vocabulary practice
• Pair work
• Extension activities

More Holidays lessons