The first lessons after the Christmas break are always a delicate moment.
Students are still half in holiday mode, routines feel distant, and motivation can be fragile. At the same time, the New Year offers something powerful: a natural reason to reflect, evaluate, and look ahead.
That’s exactly where Happy New Year – Mini e-book with ideas for the first lessons after Christmas break comes in.
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This compact ebook was created with one clear goal in mind: to help teachers turn those first post-holiday lessons into meaningful speaking opportunities, rather than predictable small talk or filler activities.
More Than “So… How Was Your Holiday?”
What I appreciate most about this ebook is that it avoids surface-level conversation. Instead of asking students to simply describe their holidays or list resolutions, the activities encourage them to:
explain reasons and purposes
compare intentions with reality
evaluate choices and priorities
collaborate and negotiate meaning with others
In other words, students are speaking with purpose, not just producing language to fill time.
Ready-to-Use, Low-Prep, High-Impact
One of the strengths of this ebook is its practical design. Each activity is clearly structured, classroom-tested, and ready to use immediately. You can display the materials on a screen, print them, or laminate them for repeated use — perfect for busy teachers who want quality without extra preparation.
The activities are flexible enough to work with:
mixed-ability groups
teenagers and adults
general English and exam-focused classes
Levels range from B1 to C1, with built-in opportunities to push stronger students further.
A Strong Focus on Speaking Skills That Matter
Rather than isolated speaking drills, the ebook focuses on skills that teachers know students actually struggle with:
extending answers
giving reasons
reacting to others
prioritising and making decisions
speaking collaboratively under time pressure
There is also a clear awareness of exam needs, especially for more advanced learners. One section is directly inspired by Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) Speaking Part 3, giving students structured practice in collaborative discussion without the stress of a full mock exam.
A Calm, Reflective Way to Start the Year
What makes this ebook particularly suitable for January is its tone. The activities invite honesty, reflection, and personal engagement — but without forcing students to share anything uncomfortable. Learners can choose how much to reveal, while still practising sophisticated language and interaction.
It’s the kind of material that helps rebuild classroom rapport after a break and sets a thoughtful, communicative tone for the months ahead.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to:
ease students back into English
prioritise speaking from the first lesson
avoid repetitive New Year clichés
and still keep lessons structured and purposeful
this mini ebook is a very solid place to start.
It doesn’t try to do everything — and that’s its strength. Instead, it offers a small collection of well-designed speaking activities that you can rely on year after year.
A fresh year deserves a fresh conversation.
It can be yours for 35zl. If you are interested, just contact me.
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