Gift Giving
This intermediate-level lesson explores gift-giving traditions and etiquette across different cultures. Students learn about appropriate and inappropriate gifts through video analysis and vocabulary practice. The lesson helps B1 learners discuss cultural differences in gift exchange while building conversational skills about traditions and social customs.
Lesson overview
- Explore gift-giving customs and cultural taboos across different countries
- Learn vocabulary related to presents, superstitions, and social etiquette
- Practice listening comprehension through a video about international gift traditions
- Develop speaking skills by creating and presenting a personal wish list
Student's Version (Light/Dark)
Teacher's Version (Answer Keys)
Printable Classroom Version (A4)
| Level | Vocabulary | Video Length | Lesson Time |
| B1 / Intermediate | 10 words | 4:52 min | 60 min |
Vocabulary
- Break up
- Bonds
- Greedy
- Superstition
- Blessing
- Potted plant
- Sharp object
- To spit
- Wrap
- Brooch
Contents
- Lead-in
- Discussion
- Vocabulary
- Video
- Questions
- Idiom
- Reading
- Speaking
Start with the warm-up questions on page 2 about gift-giving occasions and preferences. Students usually have opinions about handmade versus store-bought gifts, which gets discussion going. The second lead-in on page 3 asks students to choose between gift images like headphones, clothing, and gift cards. This helps lower-level students participate more easily.
On page 4, students brainstorm five gift ideas for different personality types. Put them in pairs or small groups. They often struggle with the workaholic category, so have a few suggestions ready like desk organizers or coffee subscriptions. Pre-teach vocabulary on pages 5-6 before the video. Focus on “superstition,” “bond,” and “greedy” since these come up in the video and follow-up activities.
Play the 1:52 video about gift-giving around the world. Students watch once without stopping, then answer comprehension questions on pages 8-9. Play it again if needed. The idiom activity on page 10 explains “kept under wraps” and connects it to culturally inappropriate gifts. Students complete the gap-fill transcript on pages 11-12.
For the speaking task on page 13, students create wish lists with 5-10 gift images and explanations. Works well as homework with presentations the next class. Students like seeing what others chose and asking questions. Wrap up by discussing how gift-giving customs in the video compare to their own culture.
