Transcription
Hello everyone. Learning to speak a language is like a baby learning from their mother. Don't worry too much about grammar. The key is to keep speaking and practicing. Just 10 minutes a day and you'll start to see progress.
Now, let's enjoy today's story. Hi, Billy. I didn't expect to see you here in the park today.
>> Oh, hi Amy. What a nice surprise. How are you?
>> I'm fine, thanks. It's a bit cold today, isn't it?
>> Yes, it's really cold, but at least it's not raining.
>> True. I quite like winter, though. I enjoy walking in the park when the air feels fresh.
>> Me too. Winter feels calm and peaceful. And it also means lots of special occasions and festivals, doesn't it?
>> Yes. Do you celebrate any festivals around this time?
>> Yes, of course. Mostly Christmas. What about you, Amy? Did you celebrate Christmas in your home country?
>> Yes, I did. I used to celebrate Christmas in Hong Kong. People usually went to Victoria Harbor to see the Christmas lights.
>> Was it busy?
>> Very busy. There were always so many people. Sometimes it was hard to walk.
>> That sounds lively. Did you enjoy it?
Yes, but mostly because I liked being out with friends. We took photos and listened to Christmas songs. The lights were beautiful.
>> That sounds lovely. Did you get presents as well?
>> Not really. In Hong Kong, Christmas isn't a family holiday like in the UK. We didn't exchange many gifts.
Well done. Let's take a moment to go through some useful words from this scene. Word one. It's a bit cold today, isn't it? A bit. A bit. Word two. True. I quite like winter though. Quite. Quite word three. Winter feels calm and peaceful. Calm. Calm. Word. Four. Winter feels calm and peaceful. Peaceful. Peaceful. Word five. And it also means lots of special occasions and festivals, doesn't it? Special occasions. Special occasions. Word six. Yes. Do you celebrate any festivals around this time? Festival. Festival. Word seven. Did you celebrate Christmas in your home country? Celebrate. Celebrate. Word eight. Yes, of course. Mostly Christmas. Mostly. Mostly.
So, how do you celebrate Christmas in the UK?
Now, >> here it's more about staying in with friends. We decorate a Christmas tree, hang lights, exchange gifts, and have dinner together. It feels warmer and more festive. We also keep some traditional decorations like candles and wreaths.
>> Do you also listen to Christmas music?
Yes, we play songs while decorating the tree. It makes the house feel warm and comfortable.
>> How long do the celebrations usually last?
>> From early December until Boxing Day, sometimes until New Year's Eve, shops start selling decorations very early.
>> That's true. I always see Christmas lights in the city from November.
I know. It makes everything feel festive.
>> Do you usually cook a lot of food?
>> Oh, yes. Too much. We roast a turkey, make potatoes and vegetables, and of course, mince pies. There's always plenty [music] to eat.
>> Which do you prefer, Christmas in Hong Kong or in the UK?
I prefer Christmas in the UK because it feels warmer and more festive. In Hong Kong, it's more like a shopping season than Christmas itself.
>> Have you ever been to a Christmas market here?
>> Yes, I went to the Manchester Christmas [music] Market last year. It was very crowded, but I really enjoyed it. There were so many food stalls. I loved the smell of chocolate and cinnamon.
>> That sounds great. Did you buy anything?
>> Yes, some handmade candles and biscuits. Everything looked beautiful.
>> Will you celebrate Christmas again next year?
>> Of course. I'll probably invite more friends and try to make a new dessert. What about you, Billy? Do you celebrate Christmas in the UK?
>> Yes, I usually go to a friend's house on Christmas Day. We eat, play games, and relax together. Sometimes we watch films, too.
>> Nice one. Now, let's look at a few key words together. Say them aloud with me. Word one. We decorate a Christmas tree, hang lights, exchange gifts, and have dinner together. Hang lights. Hang lights. Word two. We decorate a Christmas tree. Hang lights. Exchange gifts. And have dinner together. Exchange gifts. exchange gifts. Word three. It feels warmer and more festive. Festive. Festive. Word. Four. We also keep some traditional decorations like candles and wreaths. Traditional decorations. traditional decorations. Word five. There were so many food stalls. Food stalls. Food stalls. Word six. Yes. I usually go to a friend's house on Christmas day. Usually. Usually. Word seven. Sometimes we watch films too. Sometimes sometimes.
>> Do you celebrate any festivals with your family?
>> Yes, I celebrate Luna New Year. Is the most important festival for us. How do you usually celebrate it?
>> We decorate the house with red paper and flowers. In Hong Kong, we often went to the flower market before New Year's Eve to buy traditional decorations and flowers. These are part of our customs to bring good luck for the new year.
>> That sounds interesting. What kind of decorations do people usually buy?
mainly flowers like orchids and peach blossoms. People also buy red paper decorations with lucky words and couplets to put up on doors and walls. Some families buy sweets and snacks for guests, too.
>> Do many people go out to celebrate, [music] too?
>> Yes. On the second day of Luna New Year, many people go to Victoria Harbor to watch the big fireworks display. It's very crowded, but really exciting. The fireworks light up the sky and create a really nice festive atmosphere. Everyone's happy, excited, and taking photos.
>> Do people usually give gifts during Luna New Year?
Yes, we give red envelopes with money to children and younger relatives. It's a tradition to wish them good luck.
>> Oh, that's interesting. Do you miss that part now you're in the UK?
>> A little, yes. But I still call my relatives and send them good wishes online. I think it's important to keep our culture alive even when we live in another country.
Great effort. Time to review some of the words you've just heard. Word one. It's the most important festival for us. The most. The most. Word two. We decorate the house with red paper and flowers. Decorate. Decorate. Word three. These are part of our customs to bring good luck for the new year. Customs. Customs. Word four. People also buy red paper decorations with lucky words and couplets to put up on doors and walls. Couplets. Couplets. Word five. People also buy red paper decorations with lucky words and couplets to put up on doors and walls. Put up. Put up. Word six. The fireworks light up the sky and create a really nice festive atmosphere. Light up. Light up. Word seven. Yes, we give red envelopes with money to children and younger relatives. Red envelopes. Red envelopes. Word eight. It's a tradition to wish them good luck. Tradition. Tradition. Word. Nine. But I still call my relatives and send them good wishes online. Relatives. Relatives. Word 10. I think it's important to keep our culture alive even when we live in another country. Culture. Culture.
What about food? We eat dumplings and fish because they mean luck and wealth. These are traditional dishes. Each one is a symbol of happiness and good fortune.
>> What dishes do you usually make?
>> Dumplings, noodles, and sweet rice balls. They all have lucky meanings.
>> That sounds delicious.
>> It is. I think food is the best part of [music] the festival.
>> Which festival do you like the most?
>> Definitely Luna New Year because it reminds me of home and I can talk to my family online.
>> Have you ever celebrated Luna New Year somewhere else?
>> Yes, once in Singapore. The atmosphere was great. Lion dances, lots of fireworks, and music everywhere. I felt really happy.
>> I'd love to see that one day.
>> You should. It's colorful, exciting, and full of energy.
>> Oh, look at the time. I didn't realize we've been talking for so long.
>> Me neither. It was lovely chatting with you about these festivals.
>> Yes, I really enjoyed it too.
>> Let's talk again next time. Maybe about another festival.
>> Sounds great. Have a safe journey home.
>> Thanks. You too. Bye >> bye.
You've made it to the end. Let's finish off by going through the important words from the story. Word one, we eat dumplings and fish because they mean luck and wealth. Wealth. Wealth. Word two. These are traditional dishes. Traditional dishes. Traditional dishes. Word three. Each one is a symbol of happiness and good fortune. Symbol. Symbol. Word for dumplings, noodles, and sweet rice balls. Dumplings. Dumplings. Word five. That sounds delicious. Delicious. Delicious. Word six. The atmosphere was great. Atmosphere. Atmosphere.
Thanks for watching. Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and tap the bell. Come back everyday to practice with me and we'll improve together. Take care and see you in the next video.