Listen&Learn: The History of Santa Claus

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

The origin of the jolly man in the red suit.

Pre-listening vocabulary

deliver: to bring something to someone
legend: a story that is passed down through generations
bishop: a high-ranking member of the Christian clergy
fortune: a large amount of money
tradition: a practice observed by a certain culture or family
symbol: an object or image that represents an idea

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11 — 1.1MB)

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Gapfill exercise

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”19999″]

Discussion/essay questions

People all around the world have different ways of celebrating the holidays. What holidays do you celebrate in the winter? What are some traditions that you have?

Transcript

Children all around the world today know about Santa Claus, the man who delivers gifts to every house on Christmas Eve. The story of Santa has been around for a long time. The legend was based on a bishop named St. Nicholas, who was born in Turkey almost 2,000 years ago. St. Nicholas was a wealthy man who wanted to share his fortune with people who were poor or hungry. Celebrating St. Nicholas was originally a Dutch tradition. Dutch people living in New York City in the 18th century made the legend popular in American culture, and the image of Santa became an important symbol of Christmas. Although “Santa Claus” is his most common name in the United States and Canada, Santa has many different names in different parts of the world, such as Father Christmas, Saint Nick, and Kris Kringle.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

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14 comments

Eltana. L. Rojin says:

I like this game
Brooke Huma says:

this is really fun could you do one on the hopi please
Ismaeil says:

Thank you, but the sound very fast for non-English speakers.
Caridadgomo says:

ok.
mari carmen says:

I didn’t know this story. It’s nice
wissam says:

Thank you so much
VIVIAN AKINYOSOYE says:

It is an entertaining story. We thank you.
Ali SHimal says:

Christmas ceremonies have been popular all around the world.As I know it is about a man called Santa Claus who deliver gifts among poor or hungry people. In Iraq , people celebrate by making cakes as a birthday or playing fire crackers. These things are usually made at midnight.
In this Christmas Eve , 2021 , I bought a delicious cake and celebrated in my son’s birthday and also on the unniversary of our marriage.
An says:

“Dutch people living” is that right? this’s “Dutch people was living”, isn’t this?
John Yancey says:

Fantastic, my 11-year-old son that his primary language is Spanish and who is now learning English was able to read the story very well.
Christine PENNEC says:

Wonderful. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
The King Of Love From IRAN says:

Thank you so much,
Maria Teresa says:

Excellent lesson to share with our students! I love this type of lessons!

Thanks!

Happy New Year!
Nick says:

ho ho ho