Nacell - Christmas

Since the festive season is nearly here, and many of you are searching for new ideas and resources for seasonal activities, we have created this Christmas page with details of specific resources which can be used to liven up language teaching in the primary classroom. For more festivals from around the world, please take a look at our festivals and celebrations page.

The following topical teaching materials are selected from the NACELL Collection currently held in the CILT Resources Library:

Voeux de Noël This title provides wide range of information for teachers (including non-specialists) who wish to incorporate seasonal themes into their French programmes. It includes details of online resources for cultural information, and for exchanges with French primary schools. As well as free-standing games, puzzles and other activities, the material is arranged around several stories to provide various opportunities for cross-curricular activities, including links to literacy work. Publisher: Merryman Primary Resource

Chante Noël Chante Noël (2nd Edition), published in April 2005, is a CD (72min 54sec) of 16 Christmas songs for young learners of French. It is suitable for use with 4 - 11/12 year olds and by specialist and non-specialist teachers. The songs, both traditional and original, have been chosen for their suitability for young language learners. They are a good language model for children and non-specialist teachers to copy and instrumental versions have also been included. Publisher: Merryman Primary Resources

Fêtes and Festivals This photocopiable resource book for teachers of Primary French is packed with information, activities and pictures. Publisher: Merryman Primary Resources
“Fêtes et festivals” can be combined with “Chante Noël” and “Voeux de Noël”. These three titles together make up Merryman's Seasonal Pack. See the Merryman website for details.

Karaoke di Natale This 20 minute animated video contains 6 songs in Italian. Each song is played twice, once with lyrics and melody, then with musical accompaniment, plus subtitles for children to sing along. Lyric sheets supplied. Publisher: ELI distributed by European Schoolbooks

Das Weihnachts-Karaoke This 20 minute animated video contains 7 German songs. Each is played twice, once with lyrics and melody, then with musical accompaniment, plus subtitles for children to sing along. Lyric sheets supplied. Publisher: ELI distributed by European Schoolbooks

Joyeux Noël Christmas stories, songs and activities in French for 4 -11 year olds. Updated version with CD and photocopiable resource pack. Includes board games, recipes, crosswords and craft activities. Publisher: La Jolie Ronde

Jeux de Noël This photocopiable file contains games & activities based on Christmas themes and is suitable for 7 - 12 year old learners of French. Publisher: Merryman Primary Resources

Let's Sing Noel Christmas songs in French for children aged 4 upwards Publisher: Mini Lingo

Allons vite à Bethléem Video: Learn four traditional French carols and four Ecole Alouette French Christmas Songs, whilst watching the nativity story unfold. Audio CD containing 10 Christmas carols in French, plus 'Danse de la Nativité'. Publisher: Ecole Alouette/Skoldo

Préparons Noël Provides instructions and materials for craft activities relating to Christmas. Not strictly a language-learning book, but could be used judiciously by experienced teacher for spin-off language activities, as well as for cultural references. Intended for use with children aged 6+ Publisher: b small publishing

The following items are also available to purchase from UK distributors. The list includes several Christmas themed stories aimed at French children aged three years and above and young learners of French may also enjoy their colourful presentation and simple text:

Le Karaoké de Noël Video of seven traditional French Christmas songs for sing-a-long fun. Publisher: ELI distributed by European Schoolbooks.

Comptines de Noël et de Neige An illustrated book and CD pack with 20 French counting rhymes based around the themes of Christmas and snow. Publisher: Nathan distributed by European Schoolbooks.

Feliz Navidad A bilingual celebration of Christmas tradition aimed at all ages and abilities. The pack includes an illustrated book with an accompanying CD which narrates the book and includes 21 Spanish Christmas songs with English translations and full lyrics. Publisher: Teach Me distributed by Little Linguist.

Le Premier Noël de Spot French version of the popular children’s book by Eric Hill, ‘Spot’s First Christmas’. Publisher: Nathan distributed by European Schoolbooks.

Le Père Noël et Le Fourmis An illustrated story following Father Christmas and his reindeers’ attempt to navigate hazardous television aerials and solve the problem of delivering presents. Publisher: Poche distributed by European Schoolbooks.

Mimi Prépare Noël An illustrated French storybook featuring the popular children’s character Mimi, who invites all her friends to celebrate Christmas. Publisher: Album Jeunesse distributed by European Schoolbooks.

Christmas Activity Book from b small publishing.
Activities include making Christmas cards and gift tags, Christmas paper chains, stained glass windows and paper lanterns, Christmas gift wrap, chocolate snowballs, dressing up as a Christmas present. In the centre of the book, there is a mouth-watering press-out Advent Calendar (a gingerbread house!)

Christmas stickers from Lingua Tots.
For books, Christmas cards or an end of term treat.

Joyeux Noel! - Sticker Sheet from Skoldo.
31 Christmas stickers, 24 Nativity related pictures + French words.

Also on the above web-site, David Phin has created various plays in German and French, including Christmas plays, available to download from the drama page.

British Council - An adaptable language-general lesson plan with suggested activities and resources based on Christmas.

The TES Resource Bank includes various Christmas themed resources submitted and reviewed by teachers. Resources for KS2 are predominantly French with some Italian whilst KS3 downloads are available for Spanish.

Aux Petits Mains - Songs, games and ideas for making christmas cards, decorations and more.

Momes.net - Christmas activities and 'mini-dossiers' including Saint Nicolas and Père Noël.

L'Atelier du Père Noël - Write a letter to Père Noël, plus Christmas games, songs and recipes.

Perenoel.com - Christmas games, activities and presents.

Primary Resources - Downloadable Christmas resources including word searches, display materials, Jingle Bells lyrics and vocabulary learning activities.

Resources for Primary Languages - A bank of resources for teachers, including Christmas themed word searches, colouring and grammar activities.

BBC Languages - A German Christmas.

The Voyage and Voyage Kids - Find out about Christmas in Germany

Die Seite mit der Maus - Fun website with advent calender, games, activities and virtual Christmas cards.

Das Weihnachtsmanndorf - Lots of Christmas resources, including advent calender, virtual Christmas cards, recipes, games and activities.

BBC Languages - An Italian Christmas.

Junior Rai - Create a nativity scene, Christmas decorations and write a letter to Babbo Natale.

Filastrocche - Includes Christmas jukebox, recipes, games, virtual cards and e-books, plus online advent calenders in Italian, English, French, Geman and Spanish.

Navidad Digital - Spanish Christmas recipes, Christmas carols and images of a Spanish Christmas.

DCSF Standards site - A framework for planning a KS2 Spanish lesson which focuses on traditional Spanish Christmas food and celebrations.

A collection of posts from the ELL Forum on the topic of free Christmas resources. Includes links to many activities and worksheets as well as ideas for lessons from ELL forum users. Download a full list of ELL forum Christmas resources posts (pdf 40 kB)

If you have any suggestions for Christmas resources for any language we would love to hear from you. Please e-mail nacell@cilt.org.uk

Christmas Corner