Entry Level 2 ESOL: Festivals in the UK

Learning aims

By the end of this activity, you should be able to write a short message or email about a celebration in the UK.

VocabularyUse words for festivals, food, visits, greetings and traditions.

GrammarUse prepositions of time and place: on Christmas Day, at Eid, in December.

WritingPlan and write a clear message with capital letters, punctuation and paragraphs.

Eid
Family, food, greetings, prayer, charity

Christmas
Family, food, visits, decorations, cards

Real UK life
College, neighbours, work, community

Teacher choice: learners can write about Eid, Christmas or another celebration they know. Keep discussion respectful: not everyone celebrates the same festivals.

1. Diagnostic starter - What do you know? 6 marks

Choose Eid, Christmas or Both.

2. Vocabulary input and practice 10 marks

Read the words. Then match each word to the correct meaning.

Word bank: celebrationdecoratetraditioninviteguestprayercharityneighbourgreetingdish

Examples

We decorate the room with lights.
Our neighbour brought a plate of food.
My family has a tradition of visiting relatives.

3. Pronunciation mini-practice

Listen and repeat. Notice the strong syllable.

celebration - cel-e-BRA-tion

tradition - tra-DI-tion

decorate - DEC-or-ate

neighbour - NEIGH-bour

Speaking tip: say the final consonant clearly in guest, card and meal.

4. Grammar focus in context 8 marks

Choose the best word. Think about time and place.

Language note

Use on with special days: on Christmas Day. Use in with months: in December. Use at with festival times: at Eid, at Christmas. Use to for movement: go to a friend's house.

5. Reading or listening text 12 marks

Read the text, or press listen. Then answer the questions.

6. Sentence correction 10 marks

Type the corrected sentence. Use capital letters, apostrophes and punctuation carefully.

7. Writing preparation 6 marks

You are going to write a short message or email. Choose the best phrase for each part.

8. Final writing or speaking task 8 self-check marks

Task: Write 80-100 words to a friend about an Eid or Christmas celebration in the UK. You can also use this plan for a short speaking task.

Useful language: Last year...At Eid...At Christmas...We visited...First...After that...I felt...Would you like to...?

Plan

Greeting: Dear..., Hi...
When and where was the celebration?
Who was there?
What food or activities did you enjoy?
How did you feel?
Ask your friend one question or invite them.
Close the message politely.

Your writing

Learner self-check

I wrote 80-100 words. I used a greeting and a closing. I used capital letters for Eid, Christmas, London and names. I used full stops or question marks. I used at least three festival words. I used time words such as first, then, after that or finally. I checked spelling of difficult words. I asked my friend one question or included an invitation.

Tick the boxes after you check your writing.

Teacher writing rubric

Area	Marks	Look for
Content	2	Clear information about celebration, people and activities.
Organisation	2	Greeting, order, short paragraphs, closing.
Grammar and vocabulary	2	Festival vocabulary and correct time/place phrases.
Spelling and punctuation	2	Capital letters, full stops, question mark and apostrophe where needed.

Support version

Use this if you need more help.

Sentence starters

Hi ______,

Last year, I celebrated ______ in ______. I was with ______. We ate ______. First, we ______. After that, we ______. I felt ______ because ______. Would you like to come next time?

Best wishes,
______

Extra word bank: happy, excited, busy, delicious, special, family, neighbours, mosque, church, community centre, restaurant, home.

Extension challenge

Write 4-5 sentences comparing Eid and Christmas. Use at least two linking words.

Linking words: bothalsohoweverwhilesimilardifferent

Final feedback summary

Total score
0 / 60

Progress
0%

Feedback
Start

Complete each section, then check your writing.

Teacher notes and answer key

Teacher notes

Level: Entry Level 2 ESOL Skills for Life. Adapt down for Entry 1 using the support version; adapt up for Entry 3 using the extension challenge.
Timing: 60-90 minutes online; 90-120 minutes with peer discussion and final writing feedback.
Main skill: writing. Secondary skills: reading/listening, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation and pronunciation.
Classroom use: learners complete sections on phones. Pair-check before pressing answer buttons. Discuss respectful language around different beliefs and celebrations.
Assessment: automated sections give 52 marks. Final writing/self-check gives 8 marks. Teachers can replace self-check marks with the rubric marks.

Answer key