TEACHING CULTURE: BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS

First ◦Ask students how they used to celebrate their birthdays when they were children. ◦What were the things that you couldn’t miss having in a party? For example: birthday cake, piñatas, birthday song. ◦Afterwards ask them if they think other countries have the same things or traditions when celebrating. ◦Try to come up with differences. For example: the birthday song in the USA is a lot shorter than “Las mañanitas”

Difference between 15 and 16 ◦Talk to them about Quinceañeras. This is a very important and huge tradition for mexican girls. There is a lot of meaning between every part of this party. ◦Discuss with your students if they think it is the same in other countries. ◦Afterwards, tell them that in the USA they don’t have quinceañeras, but Sweet Sixteens, that is celebrated when, as its name says, when they turn sixteen. ◦Ask students if they have ever heard of this party. ◦Tell them that is different from a quinceañera, since it is more relaxed, they don’t have the escorts, they don’t dance a waltz with their fathers, etc.