Are you looking for something to do with your classes before the Christmas break? Whether it’s an exam class or just a normal one, you can never go wrong with a lively Christmas songs listening activity.
These have been designed to look the same as a Cambridge exam listening, but the content all comes from the songs. There aren’t any nasty distractors either!
Check out our Christmas speaking activities and Rudolph reading task too! Or a Christmas themed Find Someone Who activity!
Contents
All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
Level – B1
There’s no escaping this Christmas song whether you’d like to or not, but its popularity and repetitive, catchy lyrics make it a great candidate for lower levels.
This song was released in 1994 and has risen to the top 100 songs every holiday season since, being covered by a variety of artists. There’s no replacing the queen of Christmas, though!
The Song
The gaps in this song activity are all filled with Christmas vocabulary, so turn it into a full lesson by pre-teaching some words and bringing out the festive spirit!
The Materials
This task is made to be similar in format to a PET (B1) Part 3 listening. There’s no reason not to use it with any class though. Anyone who loves a cheesy Christmas classic will love this song.
Download
Do they know it’s Christmas? – Band Aid
Level – B2+ or higher
This is a modern classic Christmas song and would be great for B2 level classes or higher. The lyrics aren’t too difficult and the message is pretty clear. Some of the singers can be difficult to understand, so give your students fair warning.
The song was first recorded in the 80s to promote relief efforts for a famine in Ethiopia. Since then, it’s been covered many times, but nothing quite compares to the original.
The Song
You could extend this listening into a class that discusses the meaning of Christmas and whether we still maintain the positive, community-based concept that is expressed in things like Christmas songs. Or has it become nothing more than a commercialised holiday?
The Materials
Designed like an FCE Part 2 listening (but usable for C1) with 10 gaps, it should feel familiar to students preparing for an exam, but could be used with any group.
Download
Fairytale of New York – The Pogues
Level – C1+ or higher
Perhaps less known globally than some Christmas songs, this is in fact the most played Christmas Song in the UK in the 21st century despite being recorded in the 80s. The lyrics, style and speed are quite difficult, so I’d recommend it for a strong C1 level or higher. It’s got some explicit lyrics also, so make sure it’s appropriate for your group!
The songs tells the story of a man and woman who are remembering the Christmases they spent together and the ups and downs of their relationship.
The Song
Extend the listening into a discussion about the song itself, how Christmas can be a stressful time for many and whether the positive elements of Christmas outweigh the negatives. You could even have a debate!
The Materials
Designed as a CAE Part 2 listening (challenging even at C2) with 8 gaps, students should know more or less what to expect. Not limited to exam preparation groups though, as anyone can enjoy this curious Christmas classic.
Download
CAUTION: Some explicit lyrics
Merry Christmas from Breakout English!
