Festivals and celebrations – speaking topic

5 words to use

• celebrate – do something special for an occasionHindi meaning
• tradition – custom passed downHindi meaning
• decorate – make beautifulHindi meaning
• gather – come togetherHindi meaning
• fireworks – crackers in the skyHindi meaning

Sentence starters

• “My favourite festival is……”
• “We usually……”
• “The best part is……”

Sample answer (read it aloud, then make it yours)

My favourite festival is Diwali. We start a week early by cleaning the whole house. On the day, we celebrate with the family: my mother makes sweets, we light diyas on every wall, and we wear new clothes. In the evening we do the puja together and then meet the neighbours. The tradition I like most is my grandmother telling the same old story every year. Diwali is not about the crackers for me. It is about the whole family in one house.

Follow-up questions to ask your partner

1. Which festival do you enjoy most?
2. How does your family celebrate it?
3. Is there a tradition in your family that is special?
4. Do you think festivals have become too commercial?
5. Which festival from another religion have you joined?