If your teenage students are anything like mine, then they’re absolutely exhausted and in desperate need of a fun, festive lesson around this time of year! This low-prep lesson outline uses a task-based learning format to help students tackle a Cambridge FCE/CAE-style speaking task in the context of Christmas presents.
Level: B2 to C1 (Upper-Intermediate to Advanced)
Age: teenagers (preferably working towards FCE or CAE)
Time: 80 minutes
Materials: 1 question sheet per student (comment for files)
Aims:
- By the end of the lesson, students will have practised FCE/CAE Speaking Part 3 in the context of Christmas presents.
- Students will also be better able to use phrases for … [e.g. turn-taking, negotiating, etc. – depending on what your students need to focus on]
Procedure
1. Reading: Put students in A/B pairs. Give each student a question sheet. Individually, students number the questions from 1 to 8 (most to least interesting).
NOTE: Keep the time limit short so that students are forced to skim the questions. They’ll have plenty of time to read in more detail later.
2. Speaking: In pairs, students ask and answer their questions, starting with student A’s number 1 question, then student B’s number 1, then student A’s number 2, and so on.
NOTE: Tell students they have plenty of time to talk (10 to 15 minutes), so they should try to keep the conversation going as long as possible. This should really force them to push their conversation management strategies to the limit, giving you plenty to work with during feedback.
3. Response: In open class, students report back on what they talked about.
4. Feedback: Give some feedback on form. Here, students will need lexis associated with Christmas presents, as well as exponents for any aspects of conversation management that they found difficult. See my #ELTwhiteboard (or should I say #ELTblackboard?) below for some ideas:
5. Prediction: In pairs, students discuss the best and worst Christmas presents they’ve ever given or received. While monitoring, make a note of your favourite five or six ideas, and put these on the board:
6. Speaking: Explain to students that they’re going to practise a task in the style of FCE/CAE Speaking Part 3. In pairs, students have about 2 minutes to consider each present idea and decide: What types of people would like to receive presents like these? After 2 minutes, stop them, and now ask them to decide: Which present would your teacher like best?
7. Response: In open class, students report back on the present they chose.
8. Feedback: Give some feedback on form. Here, students will need some encouragement from you to really exploit the language that you provided during the earlier feedback stage. They might also need some more guidance on exam strategy, including time management and task achievement – particularly if this is the first time your students have ever done this task. (See my #ELTblackboard above for more examples!)
9. Speaking: Move students into different pairs, and have them repeat the same task, with the aim of using your feedback to upgrade their performance.
10. Response: In open class, students report back on the present they chose. You might also like to ask them to reflect on how they did, and whether the second attempt at the task was any better/worse than the first one.
Now all that’s left to do is to wish them a very merry Christmas, and send them off on their (hopefully homework-free) holidays!
HI Sanchia, looks good and would fit in with what I was thinking about doing with just such a class tomorrow. If you don’t mind sharing the material, I’d love a copy. My email is cathybowden@hotmail.com
Merry Christmas! Cathy
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Hi Cathy! Of course I don’t mind – I’ll forward the document to you now. Let me know how it all goes! And a very merry Christmas to you too 🙂
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Hey Sanchia! Great idea for Christmas! Would you mind sharing the material?
Would be really appreciated. Here is my email:
alexandradevita@gmail.com
Thank you so much! And merry Christmas xx
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Hi Alex! Thanks for commenting. I’ve just sent you the materials 🙂
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Hi Sanchia, browsing for Christmas activities I have come across with your lesson plan and it seems really appealing to work with teenagers some days before Christmas break. I would like to carry out it with my students and I was wondering if you could be possible to get the eight questions students must number and discuss.
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Hi Laura! Thanks for your lovely comment. 🙂 Just leave me your email address, and I’ll be happy to send you the questions!
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Of course, just drop me your email address and I’ll send it right over 🙂
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Hi Sanchia!!
What a great post and idea!! I would be very thankful if you could share the questions?
Thanks! This is my email: mmuelasg@gmail.con
Many thanks! 🙂
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All done! If you don’t mind me asking Maria, how did you find my blog? Just curious! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Hi. This is a great lesson plan. I love your ideas. Please could you send the materials over to me? My email is kimzotic@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks
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Just sent them over! Sorry for the delay. Hope the lesson goes well 🙂
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Dear Sanchia,
You’ve listed some great ideas, I would love to have a copy of the material if possible.
Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas!
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Hi! Happy to send them over. Just leave me your email address and I’ll get on it 🙂
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Hi Sanchia,
I´ve found your great post – could you send me the worksheets, please? My email adress is iva.koehnleinova@seznam.cz
Thanks very much Iva
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Just sent them now! Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂 Do you mind me asking how you stumbled upon my blog, just out of curiosity? Thanks!
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Hello Sanchia! I was looking for materials to work on with my FCE students over the holidays, and I found this wonderful lesson plan of yours. So I’d like to ask, would you be so kind as to email me the worksheets? Thank you!
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Hi! Happy to send them over. Just leave me your email address and I’ll get on it 🙂
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Hi Sanchia,
I’d love to do this lesson with my students. Is it possible to get a copy of your materials? Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!,
Jenny
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Hi! Happy to send them over. Just leave me your email address and I’ll get on it 🙂
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jennifer.keller@kftg.ch
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Sent! 🙂
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You are a lifesaver! I’m doing this lesson tomorrow and can’t wait! Thank you so much!
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Haha you’re very welcome! If you don’t mind me asking Jennifer, how did you come across my blog? And good luck with the lesson tomorrow! 🙂
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I just googled “Christmas conversation B2 – C1” and your blog popped up first on the list.
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Hi 🙂 Could I get them as well? Lovely ideas 😀 My email is shiiria97@gmail.com Thanks!
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I’ve just sent them over now! Glad you liked the ideas 🙂 Can I just ask you quickly – how did you find my blog? I’m getting more traffic than usual this week and I’m wondering why!
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Hi Sanchia,
I happened to read your post and I’d really like to try your Xmas lesson with my students. I think they would really appreciate it.
Could you please share it?!!
Thanks in advance
Silvia
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Hi! Happy to send them over. Just leave me your email address and I’ll get on it 🙂
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Hey! I love your lesson plan for my students preparing for FCE, I would love to have the worksheet. My email is nuriavallsr@hotmail.com.
Thanks for sharing!
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All done! If you don’t mind me asking Nuria, how did you find my blog? Just curious! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Hi there! This looks just like what I’d like to use, could I have the questions? Thanks!
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Hi! Happy to send them over. Just leave me your email address and I’ll get on it 🙂
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Hi!
I love your lesson!
Could you send me the questions, please? Cheers!
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Hi! Happy to send them over. Just leave me your email address and I’ll get on it 🙂
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Hi Sanchia. This is a really great and simple lesson that I’d like to do with my C1 classes this week. Could you possibly send me the 8 question sheets that you’ve prepared? My email is: ian.parr4@hotmail.co.uk
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I’ve just hit send, so they should be with you soon! Let me know how it goes with the higher level. And just FYI, there are 2 sheets with 8 questions, so 16 questions in total 🙂
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Hi! Great lesson plan! Please could you send me the questions? My email address is mariacarragher@aol.com. Thanks! 🙂
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I’ve just sent them to you, Maria! Should be with you soon. 🙂 Enjoy!
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Hi! That’s so cool. Could I have a copy, please? MY email address is ismael_marin85@hotmail.com
Congrats for the great work! Thanks a lot!
Izzy
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Of course you can! I’ve just sent the materials over to you. Glad you liked the lesson idea 🙂
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Greetings from Russia!
Thanks, Sanchia for this amazing lesson plan. It saved my life when I was looking for good discussion questions and ideas for Christmas. To be honest, I was using it for New Year (Christmas doesn’t seem to be popular in Russia in terms of celebration). Thanks again!
Merry Christmas!
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That’s great to hear – thanks so much for your feedback! And Merry Christmas to you too 😊
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Hi Sanchia
Would you share your LP with me? I love it
I was looking for cool activities to do my B2 teens before holidays and I found your blog. My email is alicia.moraga@hotmail.es
Thanks so much 🙂
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Thanks for commenting, Alicia! I’ve just sent you the materials. Hope it goes well 🙂
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Hi. This is a great lesson plan. I love your ideas. Please could you send the materials over to me? My email is kimzotic@yahoo.co.uk
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This looks like a great activity! Can you send the questions please?
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Of course I can! What’s your email address?
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Thanks for the great lesson idea. Would appreciate if you send me a question worksheet veronikafertenko@gmail.com
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You’re welcome! I’ve just sent you the materials. Let me know how the lesson goes 😊
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I know it has been a year but I hope you can still send to me! This will be perfect for my FCEs
l_longson@outlook.com
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Sorry for the super-delayed response, Laina! I’ve just sent the materials to you. Thanks for your patience. Hope the lesson goes well!
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Hey! This looks great and perfect for my higher level classes Christmas lesson. Would you be able to send me the worksheet? Many thanks! (My email is kirstywatret@gmail.com)
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Hi Kirsty! I’ve just sent it over. Let me know how the lesson goes 😊
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A brilliant lesson plan! Many fabulous ideas 🙂
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Thanks very much, Jon!
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Hey Sanchia,
I really like this lesson plan – exactly what I desperately needed for my class!
Would you be able to send me the worksheet? My email address is gellenzsuzsi@gmail.com.
Thanks!!
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Thanks for the feedback, Zsu! I’ve just sent you the materials.
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Hi Sanchia! It seems students enjoy the lesson you planned! I’d appreaciate having a copy of it so that I can use it with mine before their christmas break. My email address is torrespancorboi@gmail.com. Thanks a lot in advance! Irene
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Hi Irene! Of course, I’ve just sent a copy over. Let me know how it goes!
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Been looking for a great lesson plan on Christmas. l know my students will really enjoy this one. l was wondering if you could send me the worksheet. A million times thank you. My email is ….( al30@euskalnet.net ) Merry Christmas.
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Glad you like it! I’ve just sent you the worksheet. Enjoy!
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Hi there
I just stumbled across your blog…the lesson looks great and I’d love to try it out with my B2 students. Could you send me the materials elisabetta@sabinaenglish.com
Thanks very much and Merry Christmas
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Hi Elisabetta! Thanks for your comment. I’ve just sent you the materials 🙂
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Hi Sanchia, I really like the look of this class, would you be able to send me the questions? My email is solenalg@gmail.com. Thanks a lot for sharing your ideas!
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Hi Solena! Glad you like it. 🙂 The materials should be in your inbox.
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Hi Sanchia,
I stumbled across this blog (great by the way) while googling Christmas lessons B2. IS there any chance you could send me the questions for student A and B? many thanks
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Hi Alexandra! Of course I can. What’s your email address?
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Sure it’s alexandra.smit@outlook.com
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Hi Sanchia, this lesson plan looks lovely, could I have the materials for it? bea19882009@hotmail.com. thanks!
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Yes, of course! I’ve just sent them over.
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Could you please share the questions? my e-mail is andra_ste@yahoo.co
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I’ve just sent them over. Let me know how the lesson goes!
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Good evening,
Your speaking lesson sounds great. Please could you email the questions over?
rchaffer81@gmail.com
Many thanks!
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Glad you like it! I’ve just sent them over now.
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Hello, Sanchia! It looks brilliant! I’d love to do this lesson plan with my students, too. Could you be so kind and send me the question sheets? My email address: sgmandlikova@seznam.cz Thanks a lot for sharing!!
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Hi Veronika! Glad you like the lesson. 🙂 The materials should be in your inbox.
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Hi Sanchia!
It sounds fun for my teenage C1 students. Could you email the questions over, please?
eorrlingas@gmail.com
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Hi Rocio! I’ve just emailed the materials to you. Let me know how the lesson goes!
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Hi Sanchia,
i’ve just stumbled across your lesson plan and it is really great. Would it be rude to ask you if you would share the 8 questions which should be numbered by the sudents? My email address is laura.lenz@hotmail.com.
Best,
Laura
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Hi Laura! Not rude at all, that’s the point of the blog – haha. I’ve just emailed the materials over to you now.
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Looks like a great class, I would love a copy if possible
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Hi Maeve! Just drop me your email address, and I’ll send it right over. 🙂
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Hi,
I’d also appreciate a copy. It looks well thought out, fun and productive. If it isn’t a hassle, could you send a copy to i@bart.ac?
Happy holidays!
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Hi Bart! Glad you like the lesson. The materials should be in your inbox now. 🙂
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Looks fantastic! Would be perfect for this final week of term with my FCE prep class! Could I have a copy of the question sheet please? My email address is charlotteh@acabri.com
Thank you!
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Hi Charlotte! I’ve just emailed you. Enjoy the last week of term!
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Hello Sanchia!
I was planning a christmas themed lesson for my B2 class and I stumbled upon your lesson plan and I thought it looked great! Would you mind emailing the materials and questions over to me so that I may use or adapt them? Thanks so much!! =)
skylerthomas0@gmail.com
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Hi Skyler! Thanks for your comment. I’ve just sent you the materials. Let me know how the lesson goes!
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Dear Sanchia,
Very good lesson plan.
Would you be able to send me over the material ie. the questions to put in order of importance.
Kind regards,
Nick
(English teacher in the Nort of Spain)
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Hi Nick. So nice to know my blog has reached as far as Spain! Of course I can send you the questions, but I’ll need your email address. 🙂
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Hi Sanchia ,
it´s a great lesson plan . Would be possible for you to send me the material?
agatka1507@yahoo.com
thanks,
Agata
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All sent! Enjoy 🙂
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Hi. This is a great lesson plan. Please could you send the materials over to me? My email is anafbrandao@gmail.com
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Thanks Ana, they should be with you now! Enjoy 🙂
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Hello, this worksheet is really interesting and well done.
I’d like a copy of the questions, if it is possible.
Cheers and Merry Christmas from Italy!
Claudia
claudia.muzzi@pastorangelicus.it
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Sent! Buon natale anche a te 🙂
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Hi there, just made me inspired for my tomorrow´s class of B2 students.:) Could I possibly get the 2 sheets of questions? So wonderful, thank you in advance…And merry Christmas!:)
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Ah, hope this wasn’t too late! I’ve just sent them over now 🙂
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Dear Sanchia, a very good lesson plan. I’m looking for someone like this for my CAE group. Could you please send me the questions for both the A+B group please? My email address is: kathrynosullivan3@gmail.com
Many thanks.
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Sent! Let me know how it goes with your group 🙂
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Hi Sanchia, I just came across your blog in my search for something Christmassy to do with my B2/C1 class this week. Please please send the materials for the All I want for Christmas activity. It will suit them very well as they are preparing for the CAE.
Happy holiday from Sweden!
liselotte.gjorup@procivitas.se
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Always great to know how people stumble across my blog! I’ve just sent the materials. Enjoy the lesson 🙂
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Hi!! I was wondering if i could get the materials for this lesson 🙂 My e-mail address is ChrisGammad@gmail.com 🙂 Thnks so much!
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Sent! Have fun 🙂
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Hi!
Really nice materials. Can I have them by e-mail? gloriasanmu@hotmail.com
Thanks a lot and merry Christmas!
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All sent! Merry Christmas to you too 🙂
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Hi Sanchia 🙂 I adore your lesson plan and would love to get the materials 🙂 Thanks so much!
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Hey Lylly, just drop me your email and I’ll send them right over!
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Hi,
I loved reading this lesson! I’m from Spain and I’d love to get the materials.
My email is laura@hopin.es
Thank you so much!
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Hello from London! I’ve just sent them over, have fun with it 🙂
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Dear Sanchia:
I just love this lesson! it’s perfect for a xmas class.
would you mind sharing the documents with me?
my email address is: rblas80@yahoo.es
thank you in advance
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Of course not, all sent! Enjoy 🙂
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Hi, Sanchia! Excellent lesson plan, I believe my students will love it! 🙂 Would you mind sharing the materials? My email is dorotea.svraka@gmail.com.
Thanks so much!
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Sent! Let me know if they like it 🙂
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