Celebrations and Special Occasions

Celebrations and special occasions In this first learning activity of English Dot Works 4, you will learn about describing celebrations and special occasions around the world, how to make arrangements and predictions and how to order food in a restaurant.

Fuente: Fotolia Fuente: Fotolia (s.f.)

Introductory material Dear learner, This material will help you study the topics related to learning activity 1. You will learn about: 1. Describing Des cribing celebrations and special occasions around the world. 2. How to make arrangements and predictions. 3. How to order food in a restaurant. Let’s begin!

1. Describing celebrations and special occasions around the world A. Richard wants to travel. He is reading a website about celebrations around the world. Read the following article he is interested in. It will help you learn how to describe celebrations.

Fuente: SENA

Considering all this diversity, Richard decided to make his own list of celebrations around the world to select the next country he is going to visit. These are the options he has. Country

Celebration

Carnival in de Janeiro.

Brazil Germany China

Description

Rio

The

biggest

parade

in

the

. world 

Samba schools prepare performances and costumes.

Oktoberfest in The biggest beer celebration in the world. Munich. Chinese New People dance and celebrate they wear Year. . It is full of fireworks. costumes  ,

Saint day.

USA

Patrick’s

Everything is green from clothes to food.

La tomatina Buñol.

Spain

India

Colombia

This holiday commemorates the . arrival of Christianity to Ireland 

in P e o p l e t h r o w t o m a t o e s t o e ac h o t h e r  ju s t fo r f u n .

Holi.

People throw colorful powder to commemorate a new season. It is celebrated in spring.

Black and White Carnival in Pasto.

It is a cultural celebration which merges religion, history and art.

When you want to describe a celebration, it is important to keep in mind the following aspects: Aspects

What celebrated. What wear.

Vocabulary

is Festival, carnival, parade, mass, holiday.

people Costumes, hats, scarves, gloves, boots, glasses.

Examples This holiday commemorates the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. They wear costum es.

What people do.

Sing, dance, swim, throw, drink, eat, play.

People throw to matoes a t e ac h o t h e r j u s t f o r fun.

Why it is special celebration.

The most important, the biggest, the most colorful, the most famous.

The biggest parade in the world.

a

The most common celebrations around the world are shown in the next calendar.

Calendar January

February

March

April

New Year

Valentine’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day

Holy Week

May

June

July

August

Mother’s Day 

Father’s Day

Festival of San Fermin

La Tomatina

September

October

November

December

International Peace Day

Halloween

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Let’s practice how to talk about celebrations: 

When is Christmas celebrated? It is celebrated in December.

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What is celebrated in June? Father’s day  is celebrated.

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When is Valentine’s Day celebrated? It is celebrated on February 14 th.

When you talk about specific dates use the preposition on. When you talk about dates using only the month, use the preposition in. Examples: 

International Peace Day is celebrated on September 21 st.



Holly Week is celebrated in April.

B. Johana’s birthday was a family event. Her family decided to celebrate her birthday with a surprise party. Richard took photos and uploaded them to his social network. Read Richard ’s status and his friends posts that will help you to learn how to describe special occasions .

Fuente: SENA

There are some special occasions we celebrate around the world in a common way such as birthdays, weddings and graduations. Here you can find how they are celebrated and the common expressions we use. Birthdays

Common expressions

Sing Happy Birthday.

Congratulations!

Blow out the candles on a cake.

Make a wish!

Give presents/gifts.

I picked this gift especially for you.

Weddings

Common expressions

Get engaged to somebody.

We’re gonna get hitched!

Have a bachelor party.

This is your last night as a single man.

Make a guest list.

Have you RSVPed to the wedding?

Wear a dress.

You look so beautiful in that dress.

Exchange wedding rings / vows.

Until death do us part. Speak now or forever hold your peace. I now pronounce you, man and wife! You may kiss the bride.

Have a wedding reception.

We tied the knot! Now welcome, Mr. and Mrs…

Make a toast.

I’d like to propose a toast to the bride and groom…

Graduation

Common expressions

Pass final exams.

I got my final grades… And I passed!

Wear a cap and gown.

The big day is finally here…

Get a diploma.

You did it! Now, it is time to celebrate.

Hug your relatives and friends.

I would like to thank my family for all their support.

2. How to make arrangements and predictions A. Richard continues planning his trip. He is still looking for more information about places to visit. He has made a holiday itinerary based on Black and White Carnival in Pasto. He is going there soon. Richard’s itinerary

January 2nd

 Arrive to Pasto.

January 3rd

Meet Johana.

January 4th

Go to Castañeda Family Parade.

January 5th

Put on makeup for the Day of the Blacks.

January 6th

Take photos on the Day of the Whites.

Fuente: Fotolia (s.f.)

Based on his agenda, his week of vacations is busy because: He is arriving to Pasto on January 2 nd. He is meeting Johana on January 3 rd.

He is going to the Castañeda Family Parade on January 4 th. He is putting on makeup for Day of the Blacks on January 5 th. He is taking photos for Day of the Whites on January 6 th. We use present continuous to talk about things that we have already arranged to do at a specific time or place. It is a way to express future actions in specific time and place, keeping in mind your agenda or itinerary. Look at John ’s agenda.

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday

Dentist appointment 6:30 a.m.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Meeting with Joe at the coffee shop at 10:00 a.m.

Presentation at IBM 7:00 a.m. Lunch with Lucy at Luigi’s at 2 p.m. Dinner at Jenny’s Pizza 8:00 p.m.







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Movie at Columbia cinema with Johana 9:00 p.m.

Shakespe are theater Romeo and Juliet at 7:00 p.m.

What is John doing on Monday? He is going to a dentist appointment. What is John doing on Wednesday? He is doing a presentation for IBM at 7:00 a.m. and he is having a family dinner at Jenny’s pizza in  the evening. What is John doing on Thursday? He is watching a movie with Johana. What is John doing on Saturday? He is meeting Joe at the coffee shop at 10:00 a.m.

We can see how John expresses his arrangements for the week using present continuous. The following chart gives more examples on how to use the present continuous. Affirmative

Negative

Question

I am having a party on Friday at Richard’s.

I am not having a party on Friday at Richard’s.

What are you doing on Friday?

You are traveling to Melgar next Saturday.

You are not traveling to Melgar next Saturday.

Where are you traveling next Saturday?

She is watching a play at Shakespeare Theater on Thursday.

She is not watching a play at Shakespeare Theater on Thursday.

What is she doing on Thursday?

He is taking photos on Sunday at the Botanical Garden.

He is not taking photos on Sunday at the Botanical Garden.

What is he doing on Sunday?

It is flying to London on Monday.

It is not flying to London on Monday.

Where is it flying?

They are buying new curtains on Wednesday.

They are not buying new curtains on Wednesday.

What are they doing on Wednesday?

We are sunbathing next Friday.

We are not sunbathing next Friday.

What are you doing next Friday?

We also use going to in order to talk about things that we have planned for the future. The next chart explains this use of going to. Affirmative

Negative

Question

I am going to study next  August. You are going to take the test tomorrow. She is going to travel next year. He is going to have great memories of this trip. It is going to be a great wedding. They are going to come to your birthday.

I am not going to study next August. You are not going to take the test tomorrow. She is not going to travel next year. He is not going to have great memories of this trip. It is not going to be a great wedding. They are not going to come to your birthday.

What are you going to do next August?  Are you going to take the test tomorrow? What is she going to do next year? Is he going to have great memories of this trip? Is it going to be a great wedding?  Are they going to come for your birthday?

We are going to study hard this summer.

We are not going to study hard this summer.

What are you going to do this summer?

Remember the sentence structure:

Affirmative

Subject

To be

Main verb -ing

Situation, time, place

Example

I

am

having

a party on Friday at Richard’s house.

Negative

Subject

To be negative

Main verb  –ing

Situation, time, place

Example

I

am not

having

Question

Wh question

To be

Subject

Example

What

are

you

a party on Friday at Richard’s house. Main verb – Time, place ing

doing

on Friday?

B. We know some information about Richard’s plan for his trip to Pasto. So, we can make some predictions about it. Predictions are what we expect or imagine will happen. They are not certainties. We use the present continuous to express predictions, too.

He is arriving to Pasto on January 2 nd. He is meeting Johana on January 3rd. He is going to the Castañeda family parade on January 4 th. He is putting on makeup for Day of the blacks on January 5 th.

He is going to feel excited with his first arrive. He is going to talk for a long time with his friend. He is going to dance at the parade.

He is taking photos of the Day of the whites on January 6 th.

He is going to have great memories of his trip.

He is going to enjoy the Day of the blacks.

We also use going to to talk about predictions. Remember the sentence structure: Affirmative

Subject

To be

Going to

Main verb

Situation, time, place

Example

I

am

going to

travel

next year.

Negative

Subject

To be negative

Going to

Main verb

Situation, time, place

Example

I Wh – question

am not

going to

travel

To be

Subject

Going to

Question

next year. Time, Main verb place

Example

What

are

you

going to

do

next year?

3. How to order food in a restaurant Richard booked a table at Luigi’s restaurant. Read the menu.

Fuente: SENA

This restaurant offers several dinner possibilities. Richard is hungry, so he is going to ask for a full meal which is composed of three courses: an appetizer, a main course and a dessert. In Richard ’s case he is going to eat Cesar salad, lasagna and chocolate cake. Here you can learn more vocabulary about menus.

Appetizers

Main courses

Salmon cakes

Stuffed pork chops

Warm squid salad

Baked fish

Pork pot stickers

Deep fried clams

Spring rolls

Ravioli

Fresh oysters

Grilled lamb

Pancakes with smoked salmon

Grilled salmon

Lentil soup

Barbecue ribs

Parmesan bruschetta

Lasagna

Blue cheese focaccia

Spicy grilled rib eye

Chicken soup

Barbecued lamb

Desserts

Beverages

Ice cream

Apple juice

Chocolate ice cream

Grape frappe

Creme brulee

Lemonade

Cheesecake

Soda

Chocolate mousse

Cappuccino

There are some common expressions we can use in a restaurant. I'd like to book a table for two at 8, please. I'd like to see the menu please. What is the house special today? Could I have mayonnaise instead of mustard, please? Which wine would you recommend? Could we have some more bread, please? Could I have the check, please?

Contextualization Read to the conversation between Richard and John. Richard, do we order now?

What would you like to drink?

Yes, please. I’m hungry. 

Waiter! We would like to order.

I am going to have a green salad and a steak.

I am going to have a hamburger and a chocolate ice cream.

Good afternoon. What would you like?

Ok. Sir, what would you like to order?

Lemonade is fine.

Yes, I’ll try this local beer.

 Anything else?

Ok. Thanks. So, what’s new?

I will be back shortly with your food.

Yes, I heard. The girls told me yesterday.

I have some good news. I am travelling to Pasto next month. Of course, Johana and Nicole helped me with my itinerary.

How long are you going to stay there?

What are you doing in Pasto?

 Almost a week, I want to relax.

That is a big celebration. I heard there is a wonderful parade.

I am attending Black and White Carnival. Yeah. That’s why I decided to visit Pasto. I want to see it.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Comprehension A. Read the conversation again. Select true or false about the statements based on the conversation. True False 1. John is traveling to Pasto.

2. Richard ordered a steak. 3. John likes vegetables. 4. John does not know about Richard’s trip. 5. Richard is excited about the carnival. 6. Richard is traveling next week. 7. John did not have any help for his trip. 8. Nicole is traveling with John. 9. Richard is traveling to Cartagena. 10. John likes meat.

B. Complete the sentences with the words from the box.

parade - going to - staying - would you like - traveling - hungry - have - enjoying 1. Yes, please. I am  ___________ . 2. What ____________  to order? 3. I am going to  ________ a hamburger. 4. I am _________ try the local beer. 5. I am ___________ to Pasto. 6. How long are you  __________ ? 7. I am _________ the parade. 8. There is a big  __________ .

Practice 1 A. Match Colombian celebrations in the box with the calendar according the month they take place.

- National beauty pageant - Bambuco folk festival - Black and White Carnival - Villavicencio world coleo encounter - Bogota international book fair - Cali fair - Barranquilla carnival - Bogota Jazz in the park festival - Colombiamoda - Barranquilla International film festival - Iberoamerican theater festival - Medellin flower fair

Calendar January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

B. Match the dates in the box with the celebrations.

October 31st - December 25th - January 1st - February 14th - May 1st

1. Valentine’s day is celebrated on ______________. 2. Halloween is celebrated on ________________. 3. Christmas is celebrated on ________________. 4. New year is celebrated on ______________. 5. Labor day is celebrated on ______________. C. Match the months in the box with the celebrations.

November - January - August - May - October - April - June - December - March - September - February - July

1. La Tomatina is celebrated in ____________. 2. Christmas is celebrated in ___________. 3. Holy Week is celebrated in __________. 4. Thanksgiving is celebrated in ___________. 5. Festival de San Fermin is celebrated in ________. 6. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in  __________. 7. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in  _________. 8. Father’s Day is celebrated in __________ . 9. Halloween is celebrated in ____________. 10. International Peace Day is celebrated in ___________. 11. New Year is celebrated in ___________. 12. Mother’s day is celebrated in __________ . D. Classify the actions in the box according to the traditions they belong to.

Get engaged to somebody - Sing Happy Birthday - Approve final exams - Have a bachelor party - Blow out the candles on a cake 4 - Wear a gown and a cap - Exchange rings - Ask for a wish - Get a diploma

Wedding

Birthday

Graduation

E. Look at the map and match the sentences to the places.

1. John is having a meal tonight.

2. Johana is doing some exercise this afternoon.

3.

Richard is meeting some friends for a cup of coffee.

4. Nicole is playing with her team.

5. Tim is seeing a play this evening.

6. Lucy is watching a movie tonight.

Fuente: SENA

F. Classify the sentences in the box with their intentions.

1. I love Italy. I’m going to spend my holidays in Rome next year. 2. Nicole is having a dinner party with John next Friday. 3. My parents are going to buy a new house this year. 4. Richard can’t meet us tomorrow. 5. He is seeing his doctor. 6. She has more free time in December. She is going to clean the kitchen then. 7. She is taking her dog to the vet this afternoon. 8. She is going to study engineering at the university next year. 9. She is flying to London next Friday for a meeting with the real estate agent.  You decided before now

You made an arrangement with

Practice 2 A. Select the answer according to the question.

1. What are you doing for your next holiday? 2. Are you going out tonight? 3. What are you going to study? 4. When is she going to move to her new apartment? 5. Is he going to live alone next year?  ___ He is going to move out by himself.  ___ I’m visiting some relatives in Villavicencio.  ___She is going to move to her new apartment next year.  ___ I’m staying home. I feel sick.  ___ I’m going to be a vet. B. Organize the words to make sentences.

1. morning - I - Richard - am - meeting - tomorrow  _________________________________________. 2. When - going - visit - is - she - to - you - ?  ____________________________________________. 3. England - Are - going - Madona’s - concert - for - Nicole - be - and - in Johana - to - ?  ______________________________________________________________. 4. up - he - driver - be - bus - going - When - is - he - to - grows - a  ___________________________________________________. 5. 2:00 - p.m. - Monday - What - at - doing - are - on - you - ?  _______________________________________________.

C. Organize the conversation.

- Where are they going to live? Their apartment is too small. - Oh look! Steve and his wife are going to have a baby next month. - Ummm, that ’s something you should ask them. - They are going to ask Steve’s mother for some help. - For sure. I am going to do it next time I see them. - Who is going to look after the baby? 1. _________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________ 4. _________________________________________________ 5. _________________________________________________ 6. _________________________________________________ D. Match each course with the category.

- Spring rolls. - Chocolate ice cream. - Deep fried clams. - Grape frappe. - Fresh oysters. - Creme brulee. - Ravioli. - Banana berry smoothie. - Pancakes with smoked salmon. - Cheesecake. - Grilled lamb. - Chocolate milkshake. - Lentils soup. - Chocolate mousse. - Barbecue ribs. - Cappuccino.

Main courses

Appetizers

Deserts

Beverages

E. Complete the dialogue with words from the box.

going to - one - appetizer - house special - way - glass - menu - else - main - wine Waiter: Good evening. Can I help you? Johana: Yes please. Table for _____. Waiter: This ____ please. Johana: I’d like to see the  _____. Waiter: Here you have. Johana: What is the ____________ today? Waiter: Steak and mushrooms sauce. Johana: I’m ________ order it. Waiter: Anything _____? Johana: Which _______ do you recommend? Waiter: With your ___________ a Bordeaux wine.

Johana: Ok, please a _______ of wine. Waiter: Would you like any ________ ? Johana: Just, some bread. Thanks.

Pronunciation practice

Note:  This practice must be completed using the multimedia version of the study material. There you will find the corresponding sound files. A. Look at the transcription of the following words. Write the words. Note: The symbol ˈ represents the stressed syllable. If the word has three or more syllables, a secondary stress ˌ can also appear.

For example:

morning

ˈmɔr·nɪŋ

Transcription

Word

mathematician

ˌmæθ·ə·məˈtɪʃ·ən

Transcription

ˈæp·ɪˌtɑɪ·zər 

ˈ bev·r ɪdʒ

k əˈmem·əˌreɪt

ɪksˈtʃ eɪndʒ

ɡrum

hɑʊˈev·ər 

ɑɪˈtɪn·əˌrer·i

ˈmʌʃ ·rum

ˈɔɪ·stə

ˈreɪnˌdir 

Word

B. Go to the multimedia and listen to the following words. Notice the stress patterns in the following nouns which are composed by noun + noun  or by an adjective + noun.

Noun + Noun

A d j e c t i v e   + N o u n

Bachelor party

Holy week

Now, classify the words on the following list according to their stress pattern . Greek dressing

Special occasion

Wedding dress

Nativity scene

Main course

Labor day

Rib eye

Blackboard

Touristic guide

Guest list

Pot stickers

Colorful lanterns

Noun + Noun

A d j e c t i v e   + N o u n

C. Go to the multimedia and listen to the pronunciation of the following sentences. Then, say them aloud. Try to imitate the intonation pattern used.

Congratulations! I brought you a present. My brother sent me a birthday card. Make a wish, it’s your birthday!

I brought you a present.  Are you coming to my weeding? The groom and the bride are happy. I would like to thank my family. You made me feel so proud. What are you doing for your next holiday? When are you going to buy a new house? I’m going to spend my holidays in Rome next year.

She is taking her dog to the vet this afternoon. I'd like to book a table for two at 8, please. I'd like to see the menu please. What is the house special today? Could I have mayonnaise instead of mustard, please? Which wine would you recommend? Could we have some more bread, please? Could I have the check, please?

References 

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Fotolia. (s.f.). Carnaval de Nice . Consultado el 17 de Octubre de 2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/62463709 Fotolia. (s.f.). Carnaval . Consultado http://co.fotolia.com/id/60524060

el

17

de

Octubre

de

2014,

en

Document control

Author 

Adaptation

Name

Position

Dependence

Johana Méndez Sarmiento

Theme expert  Asesor English Dot Works Programa de bilingüismo

Dirección de formación profesional. Dirección General

Copy editor – Línea de producción

Centro  Agroindustrial. Regional Quindío

Luz Clarena  Arias González

Date

October 2014

October 2014