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Conversational / EVERYDAY ENGLISH
Lesson 27
Family Gatherings and Traditions
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Use vocabulary to describe family gatherings and cultural traditions.
2. Talk about how families celebrate holidays and special events.
3. Share personal stories about family traditions using clear sentences.
Exercise 1
News Words & Expressions
Direction: Listen and repeat after your teacher
noun
Tradition
Similar:
similarvocab1.1
similarvocab1.2
similarvocab1.3
similarvocab1.4
/trəˈdɪʃ.ən/
Meaning:
A gathering of family members who haven’t seen each other in a long time
- We had a big family reunion at the park last summer.
Real Life Tip:
American families sometimes organize reunions every few years with dozens of relatives.
phrasal verb
Get together
Similar:
similarvocab2.1
similarvocab2.2
similarvocab2.3
similarvocab2.4
/ɡɛt təˈɡɛð.ər/
Meaning:
To meet and spend time with family or friends
- We usually get together at my grandmother’s house for Easter.
Real Life Tip:
Commonly used when talking about informal family or friend gatherings.
Pass down
phrasal verb
Similar:
similarvocab3.1
similarvocab3.2
similarvocab3.3
similarvocab3.4
/pæs daʊn/
Meaning:
To give something (like traditions, stories, or objects) from one generation to another
- This recipe was passed down from my great-grandmother.
Real Life Tip:
Often used to describe the sharing of cultural practices, heirlooms, or knowledge.
Reunion
noun
Similar:
similarvocab4.1
similarvocab4.2
similarvocab4.3
similarvocab4.4
/riːˈjuː.njən/
Meaning:
A gathering of family members who haven’t seen each other in a long time
- We had a big family reunion at the park last summer
Real Life Tip:
American families sometimes organize reunions every few years with dozens of relatives.
Exercise 2
Conversation
Direction: First, read the conversation aloud. Then, practice by role-playing it with your tutor.
Situation: Two friends are talking about holiday traditions in the U.S.
Hey Mia, do you usually get together with your family for Thanksgiving?
Alex
Yes! We always have a big celebration with turkey and pumpkin pie.
Mia
That sounds delicious. Do you have any special traditions?
Alex
My grandma passed down a recipe for apple pie; we make it every year.
Mia
Nice! My family usually has a reunion in the summer with games and a barbecue.
Alex
Oh, family reunions are fun! Do you see all your cousins there?
Mia
Yeah, we catch up and play football in the yard.
Alex
I love that. Traditions really keep families close.
Mia
Exercise 2.1
Questions.
1. What food does Mia’s family eat at Thanksgiving?
2. What tradition was passed down to Mia?
3. What activity does Alex’s family do at reunions?
Exercise 3
Practice Time
Direction: Complete the exercise by choosing the correct answer.
We usually ______ (get/gets/getting) together on Sundays.
My uncle ______ (pass/passed/passing) down stories from his childhood.
Every year, we ______ (have/has/had) a big Thanksgiving dinner.
The children always ______ (look/looks/looking) forward to family gatherings.
5. My cousin ______ (bring/brings/brought) dessert to the celebration last week.
Exercise 4
Ask Your Tutor
Direction: Ask your tutor these questions. Listen carefully and learn
1. What traditions are common in your culture?
2. Do you have family reunions? How often?
3. Which family tradition do you enjoy the most?
Exercise 5
Discussion
Direction: Use the new words and expression you learnt in this lesson to have a conversation with your tutor.
1. What is your favorite family tradition?
2. Do you usually celebrate holidays with your extended family?
3. How does your family celebrate birthdays?
4. Have you ever been to a big family reunion?
5. Do you have any food traditions in your family?
6. Who usually organizes family gatherings in your family?
7. What’s the most fun activity you do at family gatherings?
8. Do you think traditions are important for families? Why?
9. Which holiday do you enjoy the most with your family?
10. If you could start a new family tradition, what would it be?
