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Vocabulary lesson plan & materials

Birthdays

The fourth Birthdays lesson: an A2–B1 integrated lesson with birthday vocabulary, reading, video comprehension, speaking and writing, plus revision of useful grammar for talking about past, present and future events.

  • Vocabulary
  • Reading
  • Video
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Grammar Review
1

Lesson overview

A communicative Birthday lesson that brings earlier grammar into one topic.

Objectives

Students expand birthday vocabulary, read for detail, work with a birthday video, discuss different attitudes to birthdays, and write about personal and cultural celebrations.

This part is primarily vocabulary and communication. Present Simple, Present Progressive for future arrangements, Present Perfect, Past Simple, Future Simple, there is / are, and modal verbs are revised naturally rather than taught as separate new grammar topics.

2

Active Vocabulary

Twenty useful words and phrases for birthday celebrations.

gift
cake
balloons
party
celebrate
age
blow out candles
make a wish
birthday card
toast
surprise
guest
play
sing
prepare
dance
decorate
food
exciting
delicious
3

Grammar in Birthday Contexts

A quick review of structures students already know.

Present Simple

I usually celebrate with my family.

Present Progressive for Future

My friends are coming later.

Present Perfect

I have received several birthday cards.

Past Simple

We had a small party last year.

Future Simple

We will play games and sing songs.

There Is / Are + Modals

There is a cake. Guests can dance. We may go outside. You should thank your guests.
4

My Birthday

A2–B1 reading using several familiar grammar forms naturally.

My Birthday

A2–B1

Today is my birthday and I am very excited! My family has prepared a surprise party for me. They have decorated the living room with balloons and put up a banner that says “Happy Birthday”. There is also a big cake on the table with candles. I can't wait to blow them out and make a wish!

My friends are coming later to celebrate with me. They will bring gifts, and we will play games and sing songs together. My mom has prepared delicious food for us, and we will toast to my health. My dad will take pictures of me blowing out the candles and opening my presents.

I have received many birthday cards from relatives who live far away. They wrote kind messages and wished me a happy birthday. It makes me feel loved and special.

I am now a year older, and it feels exciting to be growing up. I hope this year will be full of new adventures and good memories.

My Birthday — Vocabulary Gap-fill

Complete the text with words from the reading.

surprisepartydecoratedballoonscakecandlesblowwishcelebrategiftsplaysingdeliciousfoodpicturespresentsbirthday cardsrelativeskindspecialexcitingadventures
  1. My family has prepared a ______ ______ for me.
  2. They have ______ the living room with ______.
  3. There is a big ______ with ______.
  4. I will ______ out the candles and make a ______.
  5. My friends are coming to ______ with me.
  6. They will bring ______, ______ games and ______ songs.
  7. My mom has prepared ______ ______.
  8. My dad will take ______ while I open my ______.
  9. I have received many ______ from ______.
  10. Their ______ messages make me feel ______.
  11. Growing up feels ______, and I hope for new ______.

My Birthday — Choose the Correct Answer

Choose A, B, C or D.

  1. What is the narrator celebrating?
    • AChristmas
    • BHalloween
    • CA birthday
    • DGraduation
  2. Who prepared the surprise party?
    • AFriends
    • BFamily
    • CClassmates
    • DNeighbours
  3. What is in the living room?
    • ABalloons and a banner
    • BFlowers only
    • CToys only
    • DNothing special
  4. What is on the table?
    • AA cake with candles
    • BA computer
    • CSchool books
    • DClothes
  5. Who prepared the food?
    • ADad
    • BMom
    • CFriends
    • DRelatives
  6. What will the guests toast to?
    • AHealth
    • BMoney
    • CSchool
    • DTravel
  7. Who will take pictures?
    • AMom
    • BDad
    • CA friend
    • DA relative
  8. What has the narrator received from relatives?
    • ABirthday cards
    • BTickets
    • CFlowers
    • DBooks
  9. How do the messages make the narrator feel?
    • AAngry
    • BLoved and special
    • CBored
    • DWorried
  10. What does the narrator hope for?
    • ANo changes
    • BNew adventures and good memories
    • CA new school
    • DA long holiday

My Birthday — True or False

Choose True or False.

1. The narrator is excited about the birthday.
TrueFalse
2. The living room is decorated with balloons and a banner.
TrueFalse
3. There is no cake on the table.
TrueFalse
4. The narrator's friends are coming later.
TrueFalse
5. The narrator's mom has prepared food.
TrueFalse
6. The narrator will make a wish.
TrueFalse
7. The narrator has received birthday cards.
TrueFalse
8. The narrator feels unhappy about growing up.
TrueFalse
9. The narrator hopes for new adventures.
TrueFalse
10. The narrator's dad will take pictures.
TrueFalse

My Birthday — Answer the Questions

Write short answers.

  1. What is happening in the text?
  2. Who prepared the party, and what did they do?
  3. What is on the table?
  4. Who is coming later?
  5. What will the friends do together?
  6. How did the birthday cards make the narrator feel?
  7. What does the narrator hope for this year?
5

Birthday Video Comprehension

Watch for gist and specific details.

Happy Birthday — This Is for You

Open video ↗
  1. What is the main theme?
    • AChristmas
    • BHalloween
    • CBirthday
    • DThanksgiving
  2. What kind of party does the character have?
    • ADance party
    • BSwimming party
    • CMovie party
    • DDinner party
  3. Can the character swim?
    • AYes
    • BNo
    • CThe video does not make this clear
  4. What kinds of birthday gifts appear in the video?
    • AA ball
    • BA robot
    • CA picture
    • DSeveral different gifts
  5. What is the overall tone?
    • ASad
    • BHappy
    • CAngry
    • DConfused
6

Birthdays: Positive and Difficult Sides

A balanced speaking prompt.

Positive Sides

  1. You may receive gifts from friends and family.
  2. Birthdays can be a fun way to celebrate growing older.
  3. They bring people together.
  4. They are a chance to enjoy special food and cake.
  5. They can create lasting memories.

Possible Difficulties

  1. Parties and gifts can be expensive.
  2. High expectations can make the day stressful.
  3. Some people may feel lonely.
  4. Not everyone enjoys being the centre of attention.
  5. Some celebrations can become too noisy or tiring.
7

Four Opinions About Birthdays

Read different attitudes and compare them.

Sophie

“I love birthdays. I enjoy having one special day when friends and family celebrate with me. My favourite birthdays are the ones with a surprise.”

Mike

“Birthdays are not very important to me. I don't enjoy big parties, so I usually prefer a normal day or a small meal with a few people.”

Jessica

“I like birthdays, but planning them can create pressure. Sometimes people expect everything to be perfect, and that can make the day less enjoyable.”

Ben

“Birthdays can be difficult for some people because they bring back strong memories. I think we should respect people who prefer a quiet celebration.”

8

Birthday Facts and Quotes

Corrected and simplified for A2–B1.

1. Birthday cakes have a long history. Ancient Greeks made round cakes for religious celebrations, although modern birthday cakes developed much later.
2. Popular birth months vary by country and by year, so there is no single “most common” month everywhere.
3. The song “Happy Birthday to You” is in the public domain in the United States; the old claim that it still earns copyright royalties is outdated.
4. In Mexico and some other Latin American communities, a quinceañera marks a girl's 15th birthday.
5. In several South Asian traditions, a child's first solid-food ceremony is important, but it is not the same thing as a first-birthday celebration.
6. Birthday customs are different around the world and may focus on family, age milestones, religion or community traditions.
7. People born on 29 February often celebrate on 28 February or 1 March in non-leap years.
8. Some people feel sad or anxious around birthdays. “Birthday blues” is an informal expression, not a specific medical diagnosis.
9. Some people use birthdays to raise money for charities instead of receiving presents.
10. Jeanne Calment of France remains the oldest verified person on record; she lived to 122.

Quotes for discussion

  • “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” — Oprah Winfrey
  • “The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.” — Brian Tracy
  • “Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” — commonly attributed to Mark Twain
9

Discussion

Twenty prompts organised by difficulty.

Core A2

  1. When is your birthday?
  2. How do you usually celebrate it?
  3. What was your favourite birthday?
  4. Do you prefer a big party or a small gathering?
  5. Have you ever received a surprise gift?
  6. What is a memorable present you have given?
  7. Do you like birthday cards?
  8. What is your favourite birthday cake?
  9. Who do you usually celebrate with?
  10. Is there a special birthday tradition in your family?

B1 Extension

  1. Do birthdays become less important as people get older?
  2. How are birthdays celebrated in your culture?
  3. Have you ever forgotten someone's birthday?
  4. Are birthday gifts important? Why?
  5. What makes a good birthday present?
  6. Would you prefer a surprise party or to plan your own?
  7. Can birthday celebrations become too expensive?
  8. Why do some people dislike birthdays?
  9. Should milestone birthdays be celebrated differently?
  10. What makes a perfect birthday for you?
10

Creative Writing

Personal and general topics for A2–B1.

Personal Topics

  1. My favourite birthday celebration.
  2. The best birthday gift I have ever received.
  3. How I celebrate with friends and family.
  4. The most memorable birthday party I have attended.
  5. My dream birthday celebration.

B1 Extension

  1. Are birthdays important celebrations?
  2. Can birthday celebrations become too commercial?
  3. Why are some birthdays more important than others?
  4. Is a simple celebration better than an expensive one?
  5. How can birthdays be a time for reflection and new goals?
11

Answer key

Collapsed by default.

My Birthday — Gap-fill Answers
  1. surprise party
  2. decorated; balloons
  3. cake; candles
  4. blow; wish
  5. celebrate
  6. gifts; play; sing
  7. delicious food
  8. pictures; presents
  9. birthday cards; relatives
  10. kind; special
  11. exciting; adventures
My Birthday — Multiple-choice Answers

1. C · 2. B · 3. A · 4. A · 5. B · 6. A · 7. B · 8. A · 9. B · 10. B

My Birthday — True / False Answers

1. True · 2. True · 3. False · 4. True · 5. True · 6. True · 7. True · 8. False · 9. True · 10. True

My Birthday — Short Answers
  1. The narrator is celebrating a birthday.
  2. The family prepared a surprise party, decorated the room and put up a birthday banner.
  3. There is a big cake with candles on the table.
  4. The narrator's friends are coming later.
  5. They will play games, sing songs, eat together and celebrate.
  6. The cards made the narrator feel loved and special.
  7. The narrator hopes for new adventures and good memories.
Birthday Video — Suggested Answers

1. C · 2. B · 3. Check against the video · 4. D · 5. B

The source answer key contains contradictions in several detailed video questions, so the shortened activity keeps only questions that can be checked directly while watching.

Birthdays · Vocabulary, Reading & Communication · A2–B1 · AllEnglishStudy

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