"Kupalle – A Magic Belarusian Holiday "

English Lesson: "Kupalle – A Magic Belarusian Holiday "

Lesson Objectives:

• Learn vocabulary related to traditional celebrations.

• Practice listening comprehension.

• Discuss cultural traditions and compare them with other holidays.

Materials Needed: pictures of Kupalle celebrations, whiteboard for vocabulary, presentation, Pupils Book Magic Box 4, recording of the text about Kupalle.

1. Warm-up

Discussion Questions:

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Do you know any traditional summer celebrations in your country?

Have you ever celebrated near a river or a forest?

Picture Description:

Show an image of people dancing around a fire in traditional clothes. Ask:

What do you see in the picture?

What do you think they are celebrating?

Do you think nature (flowers, trees, etc.) can bring luck? Why?

2. Vocabulary Presentation

Use the pictures from the exercise: This is a river. This is a fire. You can dance around the fire. Girls can pick flowers. They make flower garlands. Write these words on the board pupils need this vocabulary to understand the text.

New Words:

garland – a circle of flowers

traditional clothes – special clothes from the past

dance around the fire – move in a circle near a fire

magic flower – a special flower with powers

Matching: Match words with pictures (fire, garland, forest, etc.).

3. Listening

Task 1: Listen to the recording and put the pictures in the right order.

Tapescript

My favourite holiday is Kupalle. We celebrate it on the 6th of July. In the evening people come to a river or to a lake. Men make a fire. Girls pick flowers and make flower garlands. Then boys and girls put on traditional clothes and the flower garlands. They dance around the fire, sing songs and play games. Then girls put the garlands on the water. At night some people go to the forest. They look for a magic flower. It’s called paparats-kvetka. You can find this flower only on Kupalle night. If you see this flower, you’ll be happy all your life.

Key: C, F, H, D, G, A, E, B.

Task 2: Answer the questions:

When is Kupalle celebrated?

Where do people go to celebrate Kupalle?

What do girls make from flowers?

What do people do around the fire?

What is special about the paparats-kvetka?

True/False:

Kupalle is celebrated in winter.

Boys and girls wear modern clothes.

Men make a fire, while girls weave flower garlands.

You can find this flower only on Kupalle night.

If you find the magical flower, you’ll have bad fortune.

4. Speaking Practice

• Role-Play:

Student A: A person celebrating Kupalle.

Student B: A foreigner asking about the holiday.

(Example: "What do people do on Kupalle night?")

• Create a Holiday Poster

In groups, design a poster advertising Kupalle. Include: date, 3 activities, 1 magical belief.

• Compare Kupalle with another summer festival (e.g., Brazilian Carnival).

5. Round-up

Review vocabulary (quick flashcard game).

Would you like to celebrate Kupalle? Why or why not?

6. Writing Task (homework)

Imagine you found the paparats-kvetka. Write a short story (5 sentences).

This lesson combines listening, speaking, and cultural discussion while keeping it engaging. 😊