THE BOY AND THE PIANO B1/B2

TEENAGERS, ADULTS

LEVELS B1/B2 

1.       Describe the picture above. How do you think the people are feeling? Do you think the parents are as happy as the children? Does it look like a typical Christmas morning in your country?

2.     Discussion

·         Do you prefer getting or giving presents?

·         Does your family have any interesting Christmas gift-giving traditions? 

·         What are some best/worst Christmas presents do you think?

·         Is it easy for you to decide on Christmas presents for your family and friends?

·         Is it a good idea to give money as present?
·         Have you ever re-gifted something?

·         Do you start looking for presents in advance?

·         Do you know what presents you’ll give to your family and friends this year?

·         What presents do you expect to get?

3.      John Lewis & Partners is a chain of high-end department stores operating throughout the United Kingdom. Every year the retailer releases a big budget Christmas campaign. Read the article about the commercial and answer the questions.

·         What’s the plot of the commercial?

·         What song has been chosen as the soundtrack for the commercial?

·         Why did Elton John enjoy working on the commercial?

·         What were the speculations about the commercial’s budget and what statement did the department store issue regarding these speculations?

·         What does the article say about John Lewis’s rivalry with another department store, Marks & Spencer?

4.       Watch the commercial. What do you think about its slogan "Some gifts are more than just a gift"?

5.       Divide the phrases into 3 groups: positive, negative and neutral

a tear-jerker

charming

fascinating

unconvincing

clichéd

moving

entertaining

exhilarating

far-fetched

hilarious

gripping

intricate

light-hearted

predictable

thought-provoking

upsetting

first-rate

enjoyable

tender

distasteful

powerful

riveting

imaginative

unpretentious

absorbing

insightful

disappointing

big-budget

low-budget

6.       Which phrases would you use to describe the commercial you've just seen?

7.       Imagine you’re a journalist and the magazine you work for asked you to write a review of this commercial.

8.       Discussion

Do you think Christmas has become too commercialized? Look at the chart below. How would you answer the survey question?

9.       Writing

Read what the people wrote on a forum and write your own comment

Is Christmas becoming too commercialized?

Christmas is losing its meaning. Call me old fashioned but traditionally it was to celebrate the birth of Christ. Historically people were more religious and it was a loving time where friends and family collaborated to celebrate the birth of Christ with good food and drink. Now it is just an excuse for commercialism and competitiveness among retailers.

It is what you make it. You can choose what to focus on during Christmas. There is fun in purchasing gifts for those who you love and for those who are in need. So, Christmas can be too commercial if we see it as what we will receive for ourselves, but it is also a time when we can focus on giving to those who have a need.

It is but we can't help it Christmas is way too commercialized, but we just can't help it. What business wouldn't try to cease the opportunity and  ride the 'Christmas spirit' to sell. On the one hand, I cringe when I start seeing Christmas items on sale when it's still October/November but then again, I also enjoy the whole feel of Christmas because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy on the actual day.