December Week Two

Shopping and Gift Giving
The shops are bustling, it's that time of year -- time to shop and give gifts! Maybe you love shopping for something special for your loved ones, or maybe you hate shopping, but in any case it's a good excuse to practice your English, so get to it.

Listening
Start with something easy for learners, like this exercise about Shopping and Prices.  Then you can move onto this story about Corporate Gift-Giving or The Christmas Gift.  For original version, listen to this podcast about Why Economists Hate Gifts or the Most Wasteful Time of Year.

Reading
Learners should try to see if they can complete this exercise Shopping Dialogue or read about returning an item.  Or read an article about a really expensive birthday present. For original version, I must recommend the classic story by O. Henry, The Gift of the Magi.

Writing
This week to practice writing, please tell about a gift that you would love to receive this year for Christmas and why!  Or you could respond to this prompt: Often giving is much more exciting than receiving, write about such a time.


Best,
Kelly

"Do give books - religious or otherwise - for Christmas. They’re never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal.” - Lenore Hershey