The Listening & Speaking & Talking part aims at talking about the experiences and feelings or emotions about the festivals and celebrations. This section aims at detecting the reason why the people celebrate the festivals, the time, the places, the types and the way of celebrations. It also explains why some traditions in the old celebrations are disappearing, like the firecrackers in the big cities and some new things are appearing like the prosperity of business or commerce.

Students can talk about what festivals they know and the reasons and the way of celebrating them.

2. Students should learn the reading skills such as the headline and get the topic sentences, the structures of articles.

3. Students can understand the past, the present situation of some festival around the world and why there are some changes about them.

4. Students can have the international awareness about the festivals.

1. Students should learn the reading skills such as the headline and get the topic sentences, the structures of articles.

2. Students can understand the past, the present situation of some festival around the world and why there are some changes about them.

Step 1 Lead in---Small talk

What festival do you like best ? Why ?

I like the Spring Festivals because I can set off the fireworks, receive the lucky money and enjoy the Gala with my families.

Step 2 Before reading---Pair work

Why do people celebrate different festivals ?

The Spring Festivals is to celebrate the end of winter and the coming of spring and new life.

The Mid-autumn Day is to celebrate the harvest and admire the moon.

The Tomb Sweeping Day is in memory of the ancestors/to honour the dead.

Step 3. Analyze the title
Why do we celebrate festivals ?

The subjects: the reason(s) Chinese or the people of other countries some festivals

From the title, we can know that the article might be about detecting some festivals in China, even around the world and the reasons why the people celebrate them. So we can know that it is an exposition.

Step 4 While reading --- Task 1

Read the text quickly and find the topic sentences in each paragraph.

Para 1 Festivals are celebrated all around the world for the different reasons and the same spirit.

Para 2 Of all the traditional festivals, the harvest festival can be found in almost every culture.

Para 3 Customs play a significant role in festivals, but sometimes they can change over time.

Para 4 Festivals are becoming more and more commercial.

Para 5 Festivals are an important part of society.

Step 5 While reading---Task 2

Read the text and answer the following questions.

Q1: What do most festivals seem to have in common ?

The spirit of sharing joy, gratitude, love or peace

Q2: What festival can be found in almost every culture?

The harvest festival

Q3: Why do people celebrate the harvest festival ?

To show that they are grateful for the year’s supply of food

Q4: How do you feel about festival customs that have already faded away ?

The development of modern society and the spread of new ideas

Q5: What is the writer’s attitude towards the commercialisation of festivals ?

Not mentioned/neutral

Q6: Why do you think people around the world find the festivals are important ?

They reflect people’s wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life and allow them to relax and enjoy life, and forget about their work for a little while. They also can help them understand where they came from, who they are and what to appreciate.

Step 6 Post reading---Consolidation

Complete the following passage using suitable words from the text.

Today’s festivals have a wide 1._______ of origins, including the seasons of the year, famous 2.________, important events, and religions. The 3._________ festival is one of the most popular festivals and is celebrated in many cultures. Customs play a 4.________ role in festivals, but they can change over time. For example, some Chinese cities no longer allow firecrackers during the Spring Festival, as they can increase air pollution. These days, festivals are becoming more 5.________, with people spending more money on gifts. Festivals 6.___________ people’s wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life. They are 7.________ to spend time with family, and to relax and enjoy life.