Thanksgiving Day

An interview in which Randall and Aubrey discuss the food and traditions of Thanksgiving Day in the United States. A natural starting point for this path and a practical introduction to the vocabulary and culture of the American holiday season.

Black Friday Shopping

A short culture video in which Randall explains Black Friday: the shopping day that follows Thanksgiving and marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. Good practice for following informal spoken English and for understanding how Americans talk about consumer culture and the holiday season.

Modals of Advice (should, ought to, had better, must)

Advice modals come up throughout holiday conversations: what you should give, what you had better not forget, what you ought to prepare. This lesson covers the key forms so you can follow that language in the listening activities ahead.

Gift Giving

Randall and Emily talk through the art of choosing the right gift for different people and occasions. A warm, natural interview that builds vocabulary around gift-giving and puts the advice modal grammar you just studied to work in a real conversation.

Christmas is Coming!

A short conversation between Randall and his two young children about what they want from Santa and how to prepare for his visit. A lighthearted introduction to Christmas vocabulary and the kind of family dialogue you will hear throughout the holiday season.

Grin from Ear to Ear

“Grin from ear to ear” means to smile very broadly, and it is exactly the kind of expression you need for talking about holiday excitement and celebrations. This activity teaches you the meaning and gives you practice using it in context.

Holiday Traditions

A street interview in which a reporter asks children at a city mall about their Christmas traditions. Good practice for following a natural interview format and for building familiarity with Christmas celebrations and family traditions in the United States.

The Christmas Season

A brief culture video in which Randall describes the many ways Americans celebrate the Christmas season, from putting up lights and nativity scenes to giving to those in need. A warm close to the Christmas section of this path.

Simple Past Tense (Regular and Irregular Verbs)

Simple past is essential for talking about holiday memories and traditions. This lesson covers regular and irregular verb forms so you can follow and tell your own stories about past celebrations and traditions.

Happy New Year

A personal monologue in which Randall compares his New Year celebrations as a young man with his approach today. A warm, reflective listening activity that puts the simple past grammar you just studied to work in a real personal narrative.

Simple Future with “be going to”

New Year’s conversations are full of plans and predictions: what people are going to do differently, what goals they are going to set, and which resolutions they are going to keep. This lesson covers “be going to” so you can follow and join those conversations naturally.

New Year’s Resolution

A brief culture video in which Randall gives three tips for keeping New Year’s resolutions: be realistic, set short-term goals, and be forgiving when you fall short. A practical follow-up to the grammar you just studied and a natural lead-in to the New Year’s Day interview ahead.

New Year’s Day

A candid interview in which Aubrey and Randall talk honestly about New Year’s resolutions: what people plan to do, why those plans rarely last, and what that says about human nature. A natural, unscripted conversation to close out the holiday season.