ESL Discussion Questions – Holidays

A2 Level (Elementary)

1. What is your favorite holiday and why?
2. How do you celebrate your birthday?
3. What do people eat on holidays in your country?
4. Do you decorate your home for any holidays?
5. How do you celebrate New Year’s Eve?
6. What gifts do you give for holidays?
7. Do you have a holiday for remembering family or friends?
8. What is the most important holiday in your country?
9. Do you like holidays in the winter or summer more? Why?
10. Have you ever celebrated a holiday in another country?
11. What holiday games do you play with your family?
12. Do you have a special outfit for holidays?
13. How do holidays make you feel?
14. What is the best holiday you ever had?
15. Do you prefer to stay at home or travel during holidays?
16. What holiday would you like to learn more about?
17. Do you think holidays are important for children? Why?
18. How do you say “Happy New Year” in your language?
19. What holiday food do you like the most?
20. Have you ever made a holiday gift by yourself?

B1 Level (Intermediate)

1. How do holidays differ around the world?
2. Why are some holidays more popular than others?
3. Discuss the importance of family during holidays.
4. How have holidays changed in the last 50 years?
5. What is an unusual holiday that you know of?
6. How do holidays affect the economy?
7. What holiday traditions do you have?
8. Should holidays always be days off work? Why or why not?
9. How do movies and media influence holidays?
10. What role does religion play in holidays?
11. Can holidays bring communities together? How?
12. How do you feel about commercialization of holidays?
13. What is the history of a holiday you celebrate?
14. Do you think holidays are too commercialized?
15. How can holidays be more environmentally friendly?
16. What is a traditional song or dance for a holiday in your country?
17. How do tourists celebrate holidays in your country?
18. What new holiday would you create and why?
19. How do holidays reflect cultural values?
20. Discuss the importance of holiday decorations.

B2 Level (Upper-Intermediate)

1. Analyze the cultural significance of a major holiday in your country.
2. Discuss how globalization has affected traditional holidays.
3. Evaluate the impact of holidays on national identity.
4. How do holidays promote cultural exchange?
5. Discuss the balance between tradition and modernity in holidays.
6. Can holidays be a tool for political expression?
7. How do holidays reflect societal changes?
8. Examine the role of holidays in preserving history.
9. Discuss the environmental impact of holiday celebrations.
10. How do holidays influence global tourism?
11. Analyze the role of holidays in the education system.
12. Discuss the psychological effects of holiday celebrations.
13. How do holidays impact interpersonal relationships?
14. Evaluate the economic benefits and drawbacks of holidays.
15. How have digital technologies changed holiday celebrations?
16. Discuss the role of holidays in religious and secular societies.
17. Can holidays reinforce stereotypes? How?
18. How do holidays shape children’s understanding of culture?
19. Discuss the future of traditional holidays in a globalized world.
20. Can holidays serve as a platform for social justice issues?

C1 Level (Advanced)

1. Critique the role of holidays in consumer culture.
2. Explore the interplay between holidays and cultural preservation.
3. Analyze the socio-political dimensions of national holidays.
4. Discuss the globalization of traditionally regional holidays.
5. Evaluate the ethical aspects of holiday tourism.
6. Discuss the concept of invented holidays and their societal impact.
7. Analyze the role of holidays in fostering international relations.
8. How do holidays contribute to the shaping of national narratives?
9. Discuss the balance of religious and secular elements in holidays.
10. Examine the role of holidays in collective memory and identity.

C2 Level (Proficiency)

1. Debate the statement: “Holidays are more about commerce than culture.”
2. Analyze the philosophical underpinnings of holiday traditions.
3. Discuss the impact of holidays on global cultural homogenization.
4. Evaluate the statement: “Holidays are essential for societal cohesion.”
5. How do holidays interact with the dynamics of power and politics?
6. Analyze the transformation of holidays in the digital era.
7. Explore the role of holidays in the narrative of cultural resistance.
8. Discuss the potential of holidays in shaping a global culture.
9. Critically assess the impact of holidays on environmental sustainability.
10. Examine the future trajectory of holiday observances in a changing world.