Valentine’s Day
(beginner level)
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Copyright 2008. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Library.com, in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details.
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VALENTINE’S DAY READING
Valentine’s Day is February 14. It is not a holiday, but it is a special day for many people in different countries
around the world. On Valentine’s Day, friends and lovers exchange valentine’s cards, chocolates, candy, flowers
and other gifts.
In elementary schools in Canada and the US, children make valentines for their classmates and put them in a
large decorated mailbox. On February 14, the teacher opens the box and distributes the cards to the students.
Many schools also celebrate Valentine’s Day with parties.
Some people like to go to a romantic restaurant on Valentine’s Day to celebrate. People of all ages love to send
and receive valentines. According to the Canadian Post Office, Canadians send approximately 90 million cards
on Valentine’s Day.
There are many symbols of Valentine’s Day, such as hearts, roses, and cupids. The symbol of cupid comes from
ancient Roman times. Cupid was the son of the love goddess, Venus. Cupid was a playful child who flew
around shooting love arrows into people’s hearts, making them fall in love.
VALENTINE’S DAY DISCUSSION
Discuss the questions below in pairs or small groups. Then share your answers with the class.
1. Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? If so, what are the customs? If not, do you have any
similar celebrations?
2. Do you think Valentine’s Day was created for commercial purposes?
3. How do most couples meet in your country?
4. Are arranged marriages common in your country?
5. What is the average age for marriage in your country?
6. Do most couples go on a honeymoon?
7. In your country, is it acceptable for couples to live together before marriage?
8. Are there any dates that are considered lucky (or unlucky) for a wedding?
9. Are you planning to do anything special this Valentine’s Day?
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READING COMPREHENSION
Practice asking and answering the following questions with your partner. Then write the correct answers
in the spaces below.
1. When is Valentine’s Day? __________________________________________________________________
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2. Is Valentine’s Day a holiday? _______________________________________________________________
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3. What are some of the symbols of Valentine’s Day? ______________________________________________
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4. What do people exchange on Valentine’s Day? _________________________________________________
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5. What do elementary school children do to celebrate Valentine’s Day? _______________________________
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6. What do some people like to do to celebrate on Valentine’s Day? ___________________________________
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7. How many Valentine’s cards are sent each year in Canada? _______________________________________
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Your Thoughts on Valentine’s Day
What do you think about Valentine’s Day? Do like it or not? If yes, what do you like about it. If no, what don’t
you like about it. Write your thoughts on Valentine’s Day below, and then share them with the class.
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Copyright 2008. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Library.com, in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details.
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VOCABULARY REVIEW
A. Unscramble the words on the right, and then find them in the Valentine’s Reading.
1. vntineale
2. uaryfebr
3. idhoayl
4. lersov
5. colatecho
6. ndyca
7. ersoflw
8. roanticm
9. arthe
10. sero
11. uidpc
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B. There are eight words from the exercise above in the word-search below. Can you find them?
AROMANTICNHAM
IVPKPIRGMICSF
SSAAVARIIIHEE
DTSLGSOMLPOVB
FLOWERSCYRCIR
GCNVINEUNAOTU
ILHEARTPEYLAA
FIOSNORIHPALR
TNEVRAHDNRTHY
SGHFEFOZPEETR
ESBEJRWEWKNTE
TURKEYSBYIOSC
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photocopied by members of ESL-Library.com, in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details.
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REVIEW AND FUN
Cut the sheet along the dotted line to make two Valentine’s Day cards. Compose a personal greeting for
your teacher, friend or classmate.
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Dear Nina,
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Have a happy valentine’s Day.
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May your day be filled with peace
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and happiness.
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from your friend Hector
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Copyright 2008. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Library.com, in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details.
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Copyright 2008. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Library.com, in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details.
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Copyright 2008. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Library.com, in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details.
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Copyright 2008. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Library.com, in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details.
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Teacher’s Notes / Answer Key
These activities are designed for lower level ESL learners, but can be adapted to suit your students’ needs.
Activity One - Warm Up, Introduction to Valentine’s Day
You can begin by bringing to class hearts, chocolates, cards, flowers, or pictures and symbols of Valentine’s Day. Ask the
students to share any information they may already have about this celebration.
Reading - Have your students read the article about Valentine’s Day. You can ask them to read aloud to monitor
pronunciation, or silently on their own. When they are finished the reading put them into small groups or pairs to discuss
the follow up questions.
Comprehension - Comprehension Questions from the Reading (oral and written)
Have the students practice asking and answering the questions in pairs and then write the answers.
1. Valentine’s Day is February 14.
2. No, it is not a holiday.
3. Some of the symbols of Valentine’s Day include hearts, roses and cupids.
4. People exchange cards, gifts, flowers, chocolate and candy.
5. Children make Valentine’s Day cards for their classmates and put them in large decorated mailboxes.
6. Some people like to go to a romantic restaurant on Valentine’s Day to celebrate.
7. Approximately 90 million cards are sent each year.
Writing - Your thoughts on Valentine’s Day
Ask your students to write their opinion about Valentine’s Day, and then share their feelings with a partner or the class.
Vocabulary
1. valentine
2. february
3. holiday
4. lovers
5. chocolate
6. candy
7. flowers
8. romantic
9. heart
10. rose
11. cupid
AROMANTICNHAM
IVPKPIRGMICSF
SSAAVARIIIHEE
DTSLGSOMLPOVB
FLOWERSCYRCIR
GCNVINEUNAOTU
ILHEARTPEYLAA
FIOSNORIHPALR
TNEVRAHDNRTHY
SGHFEFOZPEETR
ESBEJRWEWKNTE
TURKEYSBYIOSC
Making Valentine’s Cards - Use the extra pages at the end of this lesson to make Valentine’s cards. You can cut the page
in half and fold each half in the middle to have a Valentine image on the front of the card. Have your students write a
Valentine and give it to someone in the class. Students can also read their Valentine’s greetings aloud to the rest of the
class.
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Copyright 2008. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Library.com, in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details.
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