Introduction

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It commemorates the poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Miluo River to protest the corruption of the state. To make the celebration more engaging and educational for English language learners, incorporating interactive games into the English class can be both fun and effective. This article will provide a detailed guide on creating an English class focused on the Dragon Boat Festival, complete with interactive games and activities.

Preparations

1. Thematic Decorations

  • Objective: Create an immersive environment that reflects the Dragon Boat Festival.
  • Materials: Red and green streamers, dragon boat cutouts, and Chinese lanterns.
  • Instructions: Decorate the classroom with these items to set the festive mood.

2. Cultural Handouts

  • Objective: Provide students with background information about the festival.
  • Materials: Handouts with facts about the Dragon Boat Festival, including its history and customs.
  • Instructions: Distribute the handouts and encourage students to read them before the class.

3. Vocabulary List

  • Objective: Introduce new vocabulary related to the festival.
  • Materials: A list of vocabulary words such as dragon boat, dumplings, dragon, and dragon boat races.
  • Instructions: Go over the list with the students and use them in various activities.

Interactive Games

1. Dragon Boat Relay

  • Objective: Engage students in physical activity while practicing English commands.
  • Materials: Two teams, a dragon boat obstacle course, and a set of commands.
  • Instructions:
    • Divide the class into two teams.
    • Create a dragon boat obstacle course using cones and other classroom items.
    • The first student in each team will receive a command card with an English instruction.
    • The student must complete the command before passing the dragon boat to the next student.
    • The first team to finish the course wins.

2. Word Search Puzzle

  • Objective: Reinforce vocabulary learned during the class.
  • Materials: A word search puzzle with words related to the Dragon Boat Festival.
  • Instructions:
    • Provide each student with a word search puzzle.
    • Give students a limited amount of time to find all the words.
    • Discuss the words found and their meanings.

3. Dragon Boat Craft

  • Objective: Encourage creativity and teamwork.
  • Materials: Cardstock, markers, glue, and scissors.
  • Instructions:
    • Provide students with cardstock to create their own dragon boat.
    • Students can decorate their boats with markers and glue.
    • After the boats are completed, have a “boat race” using a ruler as the finish line.

4. Traditional Food Tasting

  • Objective: Introduce students to Chinese cuisine.
  • Materials: Samples of traditional Chinese foods such as zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and mooncakes.
  • Instructions:
    • Offer samples of traditional Chinese foods to the students.
    • Discuss the names of the foods in English and their significance during the festival.

5. Role-Play

  • Objective: Practice speaking and listening skills in a fun context.
  • Materials: A script based on the Dragon Boat Festival story.
  • Instructions:
    • Divide the class into groups and assign roles.
    • Students will perform a short play based on the script, which includes historical facts and cultural elements.
    • After the performance, discuss the story and its relevance to the festival.

Conclusion

By incorporating these interactive games into an English class focused on the Dragon Boat Festival, students can learn about Chinese culture while practicing their English language skills. The activities are designed to be engaging and educational, providing a memorable experience for both students and teachers.