There are many special holidays in the world: Chinese New Year (its date changes every year, usually between late January and February), Holi (a colourful spring festival in India and Nepal), Basant (a kite-flying festival in Pakistan) and May Day (a spring festival in Britain). In Uzbekistan: New Year (1 January), Women’s Day (8 March), Navruz (21 March), Memorial Day (9 May), Independence Day (1 September), Teachers’ Day (1 October), Constitution Day (8 December), as well as Ramadan Hayit and Qurbon Hayit. Dates: “Independence Day is on the first of September.” Plans: “I would like to see Holi because the colours are beautiful.” “On Navruz we will cook sumalak.” Greetings: “Happy holiday!”, “Best wishes!”
Worked examples
Our favourite holiday is Navruz. It is on the twenty-first of March. Families cook sumalak, wear bright clothes and visit each other. There are concerts and games in the parks, and children are very happy.
— Which holiday would you like to see? — I’d like to see Holi in India. — Why? — Because people throw coloured powder and the colours are fantastic. — What is special about Basant? — People fly kites.
Class activity
“Holiday calendar”: the class builds a year calendar of holidays: month, date, name, what people do.
Practice
1
Say the date in words: 8 March.
the eighth of March
2
Make a sentence: Independence Day / 1 September.
Independence Day is on the first of September.
3
Say what you would like: see Holi / colours.
I would like to see Holi because the colours are beautiful.
4
Why are holidays important?
They keep a nation’s culture and history alive and bring families together.