Free Conversation Topics for the Holiday Season
Upcoming holidays make great free-conversation topics. And celebrations like Christmas and other year-end holidays will probably be common topics of discussion with your students over the coming weeks. To make things easier, we've put together a few questions and discussion points to get you and your students talking and into the holiday spirit.
Respecting differences
Because our students come from many different cultural backgrounds, it's important to be aware that their traditions and beliefs may be different than yours. Don't assume that they celebrate or are even familiar with a holiday that is normal to you. Instead, if you want to discuss the holiday season, a good first step is to simply ask your student some basic questions, so you can get an idea of what directions your free conversation can take.
Do you celebrate a special holiday this time of year?
When is the holiday and how do you celebrate it?
Does this holiday have a special greeting similar to "Merry Christmas" or "Happy New Year"?
The answers you get will help you know which of the suggestions below you'll want to use and how you should phrase them. If you and the student have different holiday traditions, you could also ask if they are familiar with the ones you celebrate.
Once you have done that, here are some more specific topics you could discuss.
Food
Food is an important part of celebrations all over the world, and who doesn't love talking about delicious meals?
What is a typical Christmas/holiday meal in your country?
Can you cook this meal yourself?
One special note here: Asking Japanese students about KFC could result in an interesting discussion, as the fried chicken chain has become a big part of Christmas in Japan. If you also have KFC in your country, talking about how it's different where you live could be a fun exercise.
Decorations
Each holiday has its own special symbols, from Christmas trees to Hanukkah menorahs. Some people don't decorate at all, while others put a lot of effort into making their homes look special. What's your student's opinion of decorations?
Are decorations a part of your holiday celebration? If so, what kind?
When do you put them up and take them down?
Are there any holidays at other times of the year that you celebrate by putting up decorations?
This could also be a good time to introduce the student to our special holiday emojis and Christmas-themed backgrounds, which might lead to conversations on their own, particularly if the student is unfamiliar with Christmas.
Music
Just like food, it's hard to imagine any big celebration without music. If your student celebrates something, there's a very good chance there are special songs that are a part of it.
Do you have a favorite Christmas song?
If your student doesn't know any Christmas carols, you can teach them one of the classics like Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town or — if you must — Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You.
Can you teach me a holiday song from your culture?
This question has the added benefit of giving the student a bit more to do in the lesson; shy students may open up more when suddenly they become the "teacher."
Santa Claus
Santa is widely associated with Christmas in many parts of the world. Students who don't know him well may like to learn more, and those who do might have childhood memories they can tell you about. Students who want to know more can read <this article on Santa> on our students' blog.
Is Santa Claus well known in your country?
Did you believe in him as a child?
(For younger students) Did you ask Santa to bring you anything this year?
Are there any other characters like Santa associated with certain holidays in your country?
Black Friday
As the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season in the US, Black Friday is very closely linked to Christmas there. It's also starting to gain popularity in other parts of the world.
Do you have Black Friday sales in your country?
If so, do you shop on Black Friday?
Are there any special days in your country when shops offer really big discounts or have big sales?
Gifts
Gift-giving is an important aspect of many holiday celebrations - some people may even say it has become too important! Even if it's not part of a holiday tradition, it could still be interesting to discuss presents and the act of giving in general.
What are typical or traditional Christmas/holiday gifts in your country?
What was the best gift you've ever received?
What was the best gift you've ever given?
Some people say it is better to give than receive. What do you think?
Celebrations while abroad
Experiencing familiar things from an unfamiliar perspective can be a real eye-opener. These questions can lead to some hearty discussions depending on your student's experience. You can also share any relevant stories from your own life, particularly if they involve your student's country or culture.
Have you ever celebrated Christmas or another holiday abroad?
What was different or surprising about it?
Have you borrowed any parts from other celebrations to add to your own?
Christmas movie recommendations
If you don't end up discussing Christmas, you can skip this part, or recommend some other holiday movies if you know of them. But movies are a great way to learn more about Christmas for those who aren't familiar with it, to practice English, or to simply get into the holiday spirit. Below are a few holiday movies from different genres, but of course, feel free to suggest others if they're appropriate.
Family
Home Alone (1990)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966, 2000)
Comedy
A Christmas Story (1983)
Elf (2003)
Romance
Love Actually (2003)
The Holiday (2006)
Action
Die Hard (1988)
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
Horror
Gremlins (1984)
Krampus (2015)
Japanese-speaking students who are interested in more recommendations can find them in this DMM Eikaiwa blog post.
Conclusion
Even though it's a common and obvious conversation topic, the holiday season may have more potential for free conversation than you think. And going beyond Christmas into other celebrations from around the world only increases the number of things you can discuss.
Hopefully this article will help you get through a lot of free conversation lessons over the next few weeks, but if you still find yourself at a loss for topics, you can always ask about your student's plans for the new year. Also, don't forget that our holiday season backgrounds and emojis might be a useful discussion starting point.
