Festivals & Celebrations This is the Festival & Celebration element of your Spoken English Portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of evidence that represents achievement and learning within a topic. Portfolios require both the gathering and presentation of evidence and an element of critical reflection or commentary.

Pronunciation Pronounce the following words. Please speak clearly. Festival Statues Bonfires Firecrackers Fireworks Procession Traditional dress Parade Fancy Guest Invitation Atmosphere Mingle Greet Host Dustpan

Fun Facts Speak coherently, use language to describe, and comment on a festival or cultural event that is important in your country? You should say: ( no more than 2 minutes) What is the name of the festival? When the festival occurs? Is there a special reason for it? And explain why this festival is important?

Experience Use good English to discuss and describe what in your own opinion is your favourite festival and why? You can say: ( no more than 2 minutes) A past experience (reflection). Reason for it (decision). How do you feel (personal). How do you see it (Interpretation). What makes a good party / celebration?

Comparison You have talked about your favourite festival, now compare it with another festival from your country or abroad giving your opinion and reasons. You can say: ( no more than 2 minutes) What's different? Importance? Cultural differences? Gifts and traditions?

Overview Now speak for up to 5 minutes on festivals. Remember its your talk, you decided on what to say.

Dictionary Festival /ˈfɛstɪv(ə)l/ - a day or period of celebration, typically for religious or cultural reasons. An organized series of concerts, plays, or films, typically one held annually in the same place. Statues /ˈstatjuː,-tʃuː/ - a carved or cast figure of a person or animal, especially one that is life-size or larger. Bonfires /ˈbɒnfʌɪə/ - a large open-air fire used for burning rubbish or as part of a celebration Firecrackers /ˈfʌɪəkrakə/ - a loud, explosive firework; a banger. Fireworks /ˈfʌɪəwəːk/ - a device containing gunpowder and other combustible chemicals which causes spectacular effects and explosions when ignited, used for display or in celebrations. Procession /prəˈsɛʃ(ə)n/ - a number of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion, especially as part of a ceremony. Traditional dress /trəˈdɪʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ /drɛs/ - Folk costume expresses an identity through costume which is usually associated with a geographic area or a period of time in history, but can also indicate social, marital and/or religious status Parade /pəˈreɪd/ - a public procession, especially one celebrating a special day or event Fancy /ˈfansi/ - elaborate in structure or decoration, feel a desire or liking for. Guest /gɛst/ - a person who is invited to visit someone's home or attend a particular social occasion. Invitation ɪnvɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ - a written or verbal request inviting someone to go somewhere or to do something. Atmosphere /ˈatməsfɪə/- the pervading tone or mood of a place Mingle /ˈmɪŋg(ə)l/ - move among and engage with others at a social function Greet /griːt/ - give a polite word of recognition or sign of welcome when meeting (someone). Host /həʊst/ - a person who receives or entertains other people as guests Dustpan /ˈdʌs(t)pan/ - a flat handheld receptacle into which dust and waste can be swept from the floor.