What is The 12 Days of Christmas English Experience?
This project is a 12-day English learning campaign designed to engage and inspire adult language learners in Elche, Spain, particularly those who are at a pre-intermediate level or higher. It combines practical activities with fun, culturally relevant experiences that help to improve English skills in natural, everyday contexts. If this sounds like you, then please read on!
Day 1 - 25 December , Merry Christmas! Festive Flicks: Master New English Phrases with Classic Christmas Movies
What better way to kick off your English learning journey than with some of the most beloved Christmas movies? Watching films like The Holiday, Love Actually, or When Harry Met Sally isn’t just a great way to celebrate the season—it’s also a fantastic opportunity to improve your English listening skills. The beauty of movies is that they offer authentic language in real contexts, helping you pick up new words, expressions, and the natural flow of conversation.
Why It’s Fun:
Who doesn’t love a Christmas movie marathon? You can enjoy heartwarming stories, cozy up with some popcorn, and sneak in a bit of learning without even realizing it!
The Benefits:
Movies offer diverse accents, vocabulary, and cultural nuances that will help you understand English better and faster. Plus, hearing the language in natural situations can give you new confidence when you speak.
So I have started with an easy one, we don’t want anything too intensive for Christmas day!
Examples & Links: Netflix 2024 Holiday & Christmas Collection: Start Your Holidays Here | Netflix Official Site / IMDB Top 25 Christmas Movies
Also check out Ororo.TV! This is how I do all my telly viewing. It is designed for language learners which means that you can control the playback speed, get instant translations of any new words and even build you own dictionary of the words you like.
Day 2 - 26 December, Boxing Day
Audiobook Adventure: Dive Into English While You Relax
Description:
Audiobooks are a brilliant way to practice your English while on the go or as a way to unwind. With so many stories available—especially Christmas-themed ones—you can immerse yourself in the language while cooking, cleaning, or simply relaxing. It’s like having a private English tutor narrating a fun tale to you!
Why It’s Fun:
Let your imagination wander with a great story, and let the English language seep in as you listen to engaging characters and festive adventures. You can listen while driving, cooking, or even before bed!
The Benefits:
Listening to audiobooks helps improve pronunciation, listening skills, and comprehension. It’s perfect for expanding your vocabulary and getting a better sense of the language’s rhythm and structure.
Feeling Inspired?
Want to share your love of reading? Join an English book club! It’s a fantastic way to practice conversation, improve comprehension, and meet like-minded learners. Keep following these posts to find out about a fantastic English book club in your area who meet every month in Alicante.
Link: Audible – Christmas Audiobooks / Loyal Books – Audiobooks / Online Book Clubs
Day 3 - 27 December,
English in the Kitchen: Bake Your Way to Fluency
Why not practice your English while creating a delicious festive treat? Following a British recipe for mince pies or Christmas pudding will not only enhance your cooking skills but also your language skills. You’ll learn new food-related vocabulary and get to practice imperative verbs (“mix,” “bake,” “stir”) while having fun in the kitchen!
Why It’s Fun:
Christmas cooking is always a fun activity, and with the added bonus of learning English, it’s a win-win! Plus, you get to share your treats with friends and family, giving you plenty of opportunities to practice English in a social setting.
The Benefits:
Cooking with recipes in English teaches you both practical language (like measurements and cooking terms) and cultural context. It’s a natural, hands-on way to improve your language skills and tasty too!
Worried about your waistline, don’t fret! Keep watching to discover ways you can burn off those extra calories in English!
Link: BBC Good Food – Christmas Recipes / delia online – Christmas / youtube@GreatBritishChefs / best-cooking-shows-on-netflix
Day 4 - 28 December,
Speak English with Tourists: Head to Benidorm for the day!
Why not make the most of your day trip to Benidorm or other local tourist spot by engaging in real-life English conversations with tourists? Whether you’re exploring the beaches, shopping, or checking out the local sights, it’s a great way to practice your speaking skills in a relaxed and natural setting.
Why It’s Fun:
Benidorm is a bustling, lively town, filled with visitors from all over the world. You can meet people, practice your English, and have a little fun in the process.
If you prefer to stay closer to home, you could take a trip to La Marina or Gran Alicant! Grab a coffee and get chatting with the other customers who live in these international communities!
The Benefits:
Talking with real people in English boosts your confidence and improves your conversational skills. By immersing yourself in an English-speaking environment, you’ll learn how to communicate in everyday situations.
Keep an eye on our following posts to see how you can experience places outside of Spain from the comfort of your home!
Link: Benidorm Visitor Guide / Free Walking tour in Alicante / Wherever you are travelling, you should check out freetour.com
Day 5 - 29 December,
Get Creative with Language: Test both skills with some Christmas Arts & Crafts
|
Why not bring some extra festive cheer into your home while improving your English? Follow along with easy-to-understand video tutorials in English to make Christmas crafts. It’s a fun, creative way to learn vocabulary related to colours, materials, and instructions—all while getting into the holiday spirit. Why It’s Fun: The Benefits: Go on, give it a go! It would be the prefect activity if you have children or young relatives. Something for everyone to take part in! Link: YouTube – Christmas Crafts Tutorials / TheCozyChristmasCottage / |
Day 6 - 30 December,
A World of English at Your Fingertips: Take a Virtual Tour
Take a virtual trip to your dream destination and practice your English while exploring! Virtual tours are a great way to immerse yourself in new environments, all while hearing English spoken in context. Whether it’s a famous museum or a historical site, you can enjoy a relaxing, educational day from the comfort of your home.
Why It’s Fun:
Exploring new places through virtual tours is exciting and informative. You get to see the world while practicing English—without the need for a plane ticket!
The Benefits:
These virtual experiences will introduce you to cultural topics and enrich your vocabulary while improving your listening and comprehension skills.
Link: World Virtual Tours Today’s tour will take you back in time to journey through the golden age of Hollywood! On a virtual Walking Tour.
If you want a cultural tour there are plenty on offer too. Take a look at this article Taste of Home: free-virtual-tours / getyourguide: best-virtual-museum-tours / Natural History
Day 7 - 31 December Start Strong: Set a New Year’s Resolution for Proactive English Learning
Set yourself clear goals!
The start of a new year is the perfect time to set meaningful goals, and learning English can be one of the most rewarding resolutions you make. Begin 2025 by creating an achievable goal to guide your learning journey. For example, you might aim to practice speaking for 15 minutes every day or learn 10 new words a week. A clear goal will keep you motivated and help you track your progress throughout the year.
Why It’s Fun:
Setting a goal is exciting! It gives you a sense of direction and achievement. Plus, when you reach your milestones, it feels incredibly rewarding. Break your goal into smaller, manageable steps and watch your English skills improve day by day.
The Benefits:
Having a clear goal makes your learning more structured and focused, helping you stay consistent and motivated. It also gives you a clear sense of purpose—making your English practice more enjoyable and productive.
Make English an Easy Habit
Description:
Want to make learning English a part of your daily routine? Download apps like Mondly or HelloTalk to practice anytime, anywhere. Spend just a few minutes each day improving your speaking, vocabulary, and listening skills with interactive lessons, conversations with native speakers, and fun challenges.
Why It’s Fun:
Language apps make learning feel like a game, with points, rewards, and challenges that keep you engaged. You can practice speaking, listening, and writing skills on your phone, making it easy to fit language practice into even the busiest day.
The Benefits:
Using apps consistently helps you reinforce what you’ve learned and stay motivated. They’re an excellent tool for building vocabulary, improving pronunciation, and practicing conversation in a fun, interactive way.
Sign Up for English Conversation Classes in January
Description:
Ready to take your English to the next level? Signing up for English conversation classes is the perfect way to improve your speaking skills. Our English Conversations Classes offer regular sessions where you can practice speaking in a supportive, social environment. It’s an ideal opportunity to engage with fellow learners, share tips, and gain confidence in real-life conversations.
Why It’s Fun:
Our conversation classes are designed to be friendly and interactive, giving you the chance to speak with others while improving your fluency. You’ll enjoy the experience of learning with others who share your goals, creating an encouraging and positive atmosphere.
The Benefits:
Speaking regularly with a teacher’s help lets you overcome the fear of making mistakes and improves your fluency. It’s one of the most effective ways to improve your English quickly and confidently.
Day 8 - 1 January, Happy New Year!
Reflect in English: Use a Diary App to Practice Writing
Start the year by keeping a digital diary in English! Apps like Day One or Journey let you document your thoughts, experiences, and goals—all while practicing your writing skills. Whether you’re writing about your day, your goals, or your reflections, journaling in English is a fun and effective way to boost vocabulary and writing fluency.
Why It’s Fun:
Writing in a diary can be a relaxing and personal activity. Plus, you can look back on your entries and see how much you’ve improved over time!
The Benefits:
Writing regularly improves your spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. It also helps you express yourself more clearly and confidently in English. And, by reflecting in English, you’re actively using the language in a meaningful way.
Link: Day One App | Journey App
Day 9 - 2 January,
Fitness and Fluency: Exercise you English while Working Out.
How many of us have decided to get in shape for the new year? If that’s you, read on! Get your body moving while practicing English! Whether it’s following a Jo Wicks (AKA The Body Coach) workout or doing a yoga session with a native-speaking instructor, exercising in English is a great way to stay active and learn at the same time.
Why It’s Fun:
Exercise routines are often full of action words and easy-to-follow instructions, making them perfect for language learners. Plus, it’s a great way to take care of both your physical and mental health!
The Benefits:
You’ll learn fitness-related vocabulary and phrases, and by following instructions in English, you’ll get comfortable with action verbs and understanding directions. It’s an energizing way to practice the language!
Link: Jo Wicks Workouts | Yoga With Adriene
Day 10 - 3 January,
Taste of Britain: Enjoy a Typical Fish'n'Chip Friday and Chat to the Locals!
British cuisine may not always have the best reputation, but there’s one classic that’s hard to beat—fish and chips! Head to a local restaurant in Gran Alacant or La Marina for this iconic British dish and make the most of the experience by ordering in English. Whether you’re a seasoned English speaker or just learning, this is a fantastic chance to practice your language skills in a relaxed, fun setting.
Why It’s Fun:
Eating out is always enjoyable, but when you add the opportunity to practice speaking English while ordering, it becomes even more rewarding. The friendly staff will be happy to help you, and you might even learn some British slang along the way!
The Benefits:
This is a simple and practical way to practice everyday English, like ordering food, making small talk, and listening to real conversations. It’s a chance to improve both your vocabulary and confidence in using the language in a real-world setting.
Link: My advice is to google ‘fish and chips near me’ and see what pops up. Check out the reviews to see which would be the best choice for you.
Day 11 - 4 January, English Escapes: Meet New People and Speak English in a Fun Setting
Have you heard of Meetup? Meetup.com is a platform that helps you connect with others who share similar interests by organizing local or virtual events. You can join groups based on your passions, including language learning, and attend events to practice your skills, make new friends, and expand your network. It’s a great way for you to engage in social activities while improving your language skills in a supportive environment. What better way to improve your English than by doing the things you enjoy?!
I have been running groups on this site for over a decade now and have met some great people along the way. I run an international hiking group and also English Escapes. Our members form part of the wide international community living in this area and come from all over the world. It’s a great way to make new friends, learn from each other, and get real-time speaking practice without pressure.
On meetup there are also many groups in Alicante including the English language bookclub and various sports groups including Yoga and beach volleyball. Check it out today!
Why It’s Fun:
Meetups are informal, fun, and focused on making language learning enjoyable. You’ll have the chance to practice new phrases, listen to different accents, and share experiences in a relaxed setting. Join us at an event soon!
The Benefits:
Attending a meetup helps you gain confidence and vastly improve your speaking skills in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Plus, socializing in English outside of the classroom speeds up your fluency and makes the learning process feel more natural. What’s more it is free, as are most of the events!
Sign up to meetup: English Escapes Meetup.
Day 12 - 5 January, Treat Yourself to a little Gift from the Three Wise Men: Get an English Magazine Subscription
Want to expand your vocabulary and reading skills in 2025? Get an English-language magazine subscription that interests you! Whether it’s National Geographic, The Economist, or a hobby-related magazine, reading in English is a great way to stay informed and enhance your language skills at the same time. You can get a digital magazine or even have it delivered to your door. Plus, it’s the gift that keeps on giving all year long!
Why It’s Fun:
Reading about topics you love in English will keep you motivated to learn. You’ll not only improve your reading skills but also stay up-to-date with the latest trends and information in areas that interest you. It’s a win-win!
The Benefits:
Regular reading helps you increase your vocabulary, improve your understanding of sentence structure, and become more familiar with the language in context. Over time, you’ll notice your reading comprehension and fluency improving!
Link: magazine.co.uk | Magazine Subscriptions at Great Prices / Magazine Subscriptions At Great Prices | Magazines Direct