Halloween is a festival that takes place on October 31. In the United States children wear costumes and masks and go trick-or-treating. Many of them carve jack-o"-lantens out of pumpkins. Fortunetelling and storytelling about ghosts and witches are popular activities.

Halloween developed from new year festivals and festivals of the dead. Christian church established a festival on November 1 called All Saints" Day so that people could continue to celebrate their festivals.

The Mass said on All Saints" Day was called Allhallowmass. The day before All Saints" Day was known all hallows" Eve or All Hallow e"en.

The main Halloween activity for children is trick-or-treating. Children dress in costumes and masks and go from door to door saying "trick or treat". The neighbors give children such treats as candy, fruit and pennies so that children do not play tricks on them.

Jack-o"-lanterns are hallowed-out pumpkins with face carved into one side. Most jack-o"-lanterns contain a candle inside. An Irish legend says that jack-o"-lanterns are named after the man called Jack.

He could not enter heaven because he was a miser, and he could not enter hell because he had played jokes on devil. As a result, Jack has to walk on the earth with his lantern until Judgment Day.

Fortunetelling is an important part of Halloween. For example, a coin, a ring, and a thimble were baked into a cake. It was believed that the person who found the coin would become wealthy. The one who found the ring would marry soon. And the person who found the thimble would never get married. Today people practice cardreading or palmistry.

People once believed that there were many ghosts and witches on the Earth and that they met on October 31 to worship the devil. Today, people do not believe in ghosts and witches but they like to tell stories about them on Halloween.

Text translation: Halloween - Halloween

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on October 31st. In the United States, children dress up in fancy dress and masks and go door to door asking for candy. Many of them carve jack-o'-lanterns. Popular pastimes include fortune telling and stories of witches and ghosts.

Halloween evolved from New Year's Day and celebrations honoring the dead. The Christian Church established a holiday on November 1st, called All Saints' Day, so that people could continue to celebrate their holidays.

The Mass celebrated on All Saints' Day was called Allhallowmas. The day before All Hallows' Day was called All Hallows' Eve or "All Hallows' Eve."

The main entertainment for children on Halloween is begging for sweets. Children dress up in fancy dress and masks, go from house to house and say: “Give me a treat, or we’ll play a joke.” Neighbors give children treats such as candy, fruit, and change to prevent children from playing tricks on them.

Halloween lanterns are empty pumpkins with a face carved on one side. Most lanterns have a candle inside. Irish legend says that Halloween lanterns (jack-o"-lanterns in English) are named after a man named Jack.

He couldn't go to heaven because he was a miser, and he couldn't go to hell because he played tricks on the devil. As a result, Jack is forced to wander the earth with his lantern until Judgment Day.

Fortune telling is an important part of Halloween. For example, a coin, a ring and a thimble are baked into a pie. It was believed that whoever found the ring would soon get married. Whoever finds the coin will become rich. And the one who finds the thimble will never marry or be married. Today people use card fortune telling and palm reading.

People once believed that the earth was full of witches and that they met on October 31st to worship the devil. Today people don't believe in ghosts and witches, but they love to tell stories about them on Halloween.

References:
1. 100 topics of English oral (Kaverina V., Boyko V., Zhidkikh N.) 2002
2. English for schoolchildren and those entering universities. Oral exam. Topics. Texts for reading. Exam questions. (Tsvetkova I.V., Klepalchenko I.A., Myltseva N.A.)
3. English, 120 Topics. English language, 120 conversation topics. (Sergeev S.P.)

Despite the fact that in our country Halloween is not considered a holiday, more and more lovers of the English language and culture are striving to learn a lot about its customs and traditions. In addition to bright orange jack-o'-lanterns, cobwebs and witch figures against the backdrop of the full moon, scary stories, which sound even more mysterious and colorful in English, give Halloween a special atmosphere.

A ghost

Once there lived a good English family in a small village. But they never celebrated Halloween. One Halloween night they sat round the table and prepared to have a special food. And suddenly they heard a low voice - yyyyeeehhhhaaa! They looked - it was a ghost! They didn't believe their eyes but it was there. With screams they ran away to their neighbors and when they went back they saw, that ghosts ate every sweet thing from the table and on the chairs there sat three happy boys with white sheets in their hands.

The story about the ghost is suitable for telling in elementary grades - it is simple and funny

Ghost

In one small village there lived an English family who did not like to traditionally celebrate Halloween. One day, on the eve of All Saints' Day, a delicious dinner was prepared and everyone gathered at the table, when suddenly they heard a frightening exclamation in the yard -uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul! Seized by wild horror, they saw a ghost outside the window, which was slowly approaching their house. In fear, everyone ran out the back door and rushed to the neighbors. Having come to their senses after some time, the family decided to return to their home. Entering the living room, people discovered that literally all the goodies prepared for dinner had been eaten... While three happy boys were sitting at the table with white sheets in their hands!

The Monkey's Paw

One man called Morris owns a monkey’s paw that has magical powers. He tells his friend Mr. White and his family, the wife and son, about their powers. It grants its owners any three wishes they ask for; Morris warns Mr. White that although it grants the wishes, only disaster comes with them. Nevertheless, the family buys the monkey paw from him, and the sergeant leaves.

The son holds the paw and asks for some money. The next day, after the son goes to work, an employee of his company comes and informs Mr. White and his wife about the demise of their son in an accident, and gives them the monetary compensation - the same amount they wished for.

Mrs. White wishes that their son comes back home, alive. A knock at the door is heard, and the knocks get violent slowly as someone wants to come in and get hold of the paw. Mr. White understands where it is going. He makes a final wish. The wife opens the door, and there is nobody.

The story about the monkey's paw is rather instructive. This could be used in a middle school lesson.

Monkey's paw

One man named Morris had a monkey's paw with magical powers. One day he told his friend, Mr. White, his wife and son about this. The man explained that the paw is capable of fulfilling any three wishes of its owner, but always with some sad consequences. However, the inspired Whites rushed to buy an unusual thing, not paying attention to their friend’s warning.

The son was the first to take his paw in his hands and wished for money. The very next day, his parents received a message that their son was no longer alive as a result of an accident, and they would receive monetary compensation in the amount that the guy had wished for...

Heartbroken, Mrs. White was about to take her paw and ask that it all turn out to be a misunderstanding and that her son would live, but at that time she heard a strange knock on the door. Over time it became slower, quieter, and someone tried to enter the house. The woman was afraid that an unknown person wanted to steal the magic paw, and quickly wished for the uninvited guest to disappear. Opening the door, she found no one, but suddenly realized with horror that she had spent her last wish...

Hide and Seek

Two young brothers were at home alone in the apartment while their parents visited their neighbors next door for a while. To keep themselves occupied the boys decided to play a game of hide and seek. The older boy turned his head to the wall and began to count.

“Ready or not I’m coming,” cried the older brother and off he went looking for his brother. The apartment was eerily silent. He heard a scraping sound coming from the wardrobe. The boy went anyway and called out, “Come out I’ve found you!” but there was only silence.

Opening the door, the boy began to rise up and put his hand out into the mass of clothing to feel for his little brother when a small, white, icy cold hand came out, grabbed his wrist, and tried to pull him into the closet . As he is trying to pull himself free, he hears a noise behind him, looks over his shoulder, and sees his brother behind him. "Couldn't you find me?" asks the boy.

The motif of the game of hide and seek has been used in more than one horror film

Peekaboo

The two brothers were home alone while their parents were visiting neighbors. To have fun, the boys decided to play hide and seek. The elder immediately turned to the wall and began to count. “It’s time, it’s not time, I’m going to look!” - he exclaimed after he counted to ten and went in search of his little brother. The apartment was eerily quiet. Suddenly he heard some kind of creaking from the side of the dressing room and immediately went there. “Come out, I found you!” – the boy shouted, but there was no answer.

After waiting a little, he opened the door and began to sort through his clothes to find his brother hidden in it. Suddenly, a small cold hand stuck out from the folds, grabbed the boy’s wrist tightly and began to forcefully pull him deeper into the dressing room. Trying to free himself, the frightened boy heard a noise behind him, and turned around to see his younger brother, who slowly asked: “Could you find me?”

The hitchhiker that never was

A girl in a pretty white dress and embroidered sweater flags down an old man for a ride. He gives her a ride to her great-grandmother’s house and they have a lovely conversation, talking about the old days, and the elderly man shares some great stories with her. He drops her off at her geema’s house and he goes home. The following day when he gets into his car to pick up some milk and the paper, he realizes the sweater is still in his car. He swings by the young girl’s geema’s house to drop off the sweater, and her geema answers the door. He explains why he’s there.

“I'm sorry Sir. I think you have the wrong address. My great-granddaughter died many, many years ago, wearing her favorite white dress, after a night out dancing.”

The fellow traveler who never existed is not a story for young children

The fellow traveler who wasn't there

A young girl in a snow-white dress and a bright sweater stopped an elderly man on the road and asked him to take her to her great-grandmother’s house. The old man gladly took his companion. On the way, a heartfelt conversation ensued between them with memories of old times and funny stories. Having delivered the girl to the address, the man went home.

Getting into his car the next day, he saw that the stranger had forgotten her sweater in the front seat and decided to take it to her. Knocking on the door of the house where he had dropped the girl off the day before, the man explained the situation and asked to give his yesterday’s companion a sweater, to which he heard the old woman’s stunning response:

- I'm very sorry sir, but you most likely have the wrong address. My great-granddaughter has been dead for many years. She died on the way home after a night of dancing. She was wearing her favorite snow-white dress.

The ghostly maid

Once upon a time, a man and a boy who had lost their wife and mother moved into a new house. They were told by the locals in the village that the house was haunted, but neither the man nor the boy believed in ghosts, and they moved into the house quite happily. The child went downstairs and asked the maid of the home for a glass of water and some fruit, and she happily obliged. She also told the boy that there could be ghosts.

Later that day, the little boy struck up a conversation with his father. “Daddy, I’ve been thinking. I could believe in ghosts. The maid told me there might be ghosts in the house."

“Son, we don’t have a maid.”

Stories like the one about the ghostly maid make your blood run cold

Phantom Maid

Once upon a time, a man who lost his wife moved with his son to a new house. Local residents whispered and warned that the house was haunted, but the widower, who decided to start a new life, did not pay attention to this, and he and his son boldly went inside.

A little later the boy became thirsty and went downstairs. Seeing a girl in uniform, he asked her for a glass of water and a couple of fruits. She happily treated him and quietly told him that there might be ghosts in this house.

After some time, the boy spoke to his father about ghosts, conveying to him the words of the maid. To which he responded in horror: “Son, we don’t have a maid”...

Every story told on Halloween is fraught with mystery. Sometimes the ending turns out to be funny, sometimes unpredictable. But all these “horror stories”, together with bright and slightly terrifying paraphernalia, allow us to feel the atmosphere of a holiday unknown to us and introduce us to its customs and traditions.

Topic (essay) in English on the topic “Halloween”

History of Halloween

Halloween, name applied to the evening of October 31, preceding the Christian feast of Hallowmas, Allhallows, or All Saints" Day. The observances connected with Halloween are thought to have originated among the ancient Druids, who believed that on that evening, Saman, the lord of the dead, called forth hosts of evil spirits.

The Druids customarily lit great fires on Halloween, apparently for the purpose of warding off all these spirits. Among the ancient Celts, Halloween was the last evening of the year and was regarded as a propitious time for examining the portents of the future. The Celts also believed that the spirits of the dead revisited their earthly homes on that evening. After the Romans conquered Britain, they added to Halloween features of the Roman harvest festival held on November 1 in honor of Pomona, goddess of the fruits of trees.

The Celtic tradition of lighting fires on Halloween survived until modern times in Scotland and Wales, and the concept of ghosts and witches is still common to all Halloween observances. Traces of the Roman harvest festival survive in the custom, prevalent in both the United States and Great Britain, of playing games involving fruit, such as ducking for apples in a tub of water. Of similar origin is the use of hollowed-out pumpkins carved to resemble grotesque faces and lit by candles placed inside.

Translation:

Halloween, the name applied to the evening of October 31st, preceding the Christian feast of All Saints, or All Saints' Day. The rituals associated with Halloween are believed to have originated with the ancient Druids, who believed that on that evening, Saman, the lord of the dead, summoned the hosts of evil spirits.

The Druids used to have big bonfires on Halloween, presumably to ward off all those spirits. Among the ancient Celts, Halloween was the last evening of the year and was considered an auspicious time to study omens of the future. The Keults also believed that the spirits of the dead visited their earthly homes on this evening. After the Romans conquered Britain, they added Halloween features to the Roman harvest festival, held on November 1st in honor of Pomona, the goddess of tree fruit.

The Celtic tradition of lighting fires at Halloween survives in Scotland and Wales, and the concept of ghosts and witches is still common to all Halloween rituals. Traces of the Roman harvest festival developed into the custom, common in both the United States and Great Britain, of playing games involving fruit, such as dipping apples in a bath of water. Of similar origin is the use of carved pumpkins, resembling carved grotesque faces and illuminated by candles placed inside.

The Halloween holiday has recently become familiar in our country. You can start a story about Halloween in English with what you associate it with and what history it has.

Halloween symbols

You can use the following vocabulary.

• Pumpkin - pumpkin.
• Symbol – symbol.
• Ghosts - ghosts.
• Witches - witches.
• Vampires - vampires.
• Evil spirits - evil spirits.
• Festival - holiday.
• Holiday - holiday.
• Creatures - creatures.
• To take place - to pass.
• To be dedicated to - to be dedicated.
• To be created by – to be created.
• Celts - Celts.
• Superstitious - superstitious.
• To be celebrated - celebrated, celebrated.
• To be afraid of - to be afraid.
• To wear masks - wear masks.
• To recognize - to recognize.

Examples

Let's see what we can say with these words when composing an essay about Halloween in English.

Pumpkin is a symbol of Halloween. – Pumpkin is a symbol of Halloween.

It is dedicated to witches, vampires and ghosts. – It is dedicated to vampires, witches and ghosts.

This is a festival of evil spirits. – This is the holiday of evil spirits.

Halloween was created by Celts. – Halloween was created by the Celts.

Once superstitious people believed that evil spirits met on this day. – Once upon a time, superstitious people thought that evil spirits met on this day.

This holiday is celebrated in many countries in the world. – This holiday is celebrated in many countries around the world.

People were afraid of evil witches, they were wearing masks so the witches wouldn’t be able to recognize them. – People were afraid of evil witches and wore masks so that the witches could not recognize them.

Please note: if we say holiday, festival, the article is used, but with the name of the holiday itself - Halloween, it is not needed.

Trick or Treat game

Traditions

Let's see how people celebrate this day and what they do.

• To wear costumes and masks - put on costumes and masks.
• To dress as - dress like.
• To cry “Trick or Treat” - shout “trick or treat”.
• To carve jack-o-lantern - carve a jack-o-lantern.
• To visit neighbors - visit neighbors.
• To go from house to house - walk from house to house.
• To give candies - give candies.
• To accompany children – accompany children.
• It is time for run - this is time for fun.
• To take pictures - take photographs.

Examples

New English words on the theme of Halloween need to be immediately memorized using the text, let's make examples.

Usually on this day people wear costumes and masks and play “Trick or Treat”. – Usually on this day people wear costumes and masks and play Trick or Treat.

When children go from house to house they can have carved jack-o-lantern. – When children move from house to house they can have a Jack-o'-lantern.

Children can go to visit their neighbors. – Children can visit their neighbors.

After the children cried “Trick or Treat” they were given candies. – After the children shouted “Trick or treat,” they received candy.

My friend likes to dress as a vampire, I prefer dressing as a fairy. – My friend likes to dress like a vampire, but I prefer a fairy costume.

Children don’t go by themselves, they are often accompanied by adults. – Children do not walk on their own; they are often accompanied by adults.

It is time for fun – a lot of people take pictures with children dressed as witches, vampires or other creatures. – It's a fun time - many people take pictures with children dressed as witches, vampires or other creatures.

Please note: to make a passive voice from an active voice, you need to use the verb to be (in the required form) and the third form of the verb. For example, we celebrate this holiday (we celebrate this holiday) – this holiday is celebrated (this holiday is celebrated).

Halloween holiday

Halloween story

Now let's make a short story about the Celtic holiday with already known expressions.

Halloween is celebrated on the 31st of October. It is an old holiday, which was created by Celts. Once people were very superstitious and believed that on this day all evil spirits meet together. People were afraid to be recognized by these spirits and were wearing masks. Nowadays it is the day of fun. Children are wearing the costumes of witches, vampires, fairies, ghosts and other creatures. They go from house to house and visit their neighbors. They cry “Trick or Treat” and receive candies. As a rule children are accompanied by the adults. The traditional symbol of this festival is Jack-o-lantern or carved pumpkin.

Halloween is celebrated on October 31st. This is an old holiday that was created by the Celts. Once upon a time, people were very superstitious and believed that all evil spirits met on this day. People were afraid that these spirits might recognize them and wore masks. Today it is a holiday of fun. Children dress up as witches, vampires, fairies, ghosts and other creatures. They go from house to house or visit their neighbors. They shout "Trick or Treat" and get candy. As a rule, children are accompanied by adults. The traditional symbol of this holiday is a Jack-o'-lantern or a carved pumpkin.

Hi all!

You know, I realized a long time ago that teaching English to small children or schoolchildren is easiest when you know how to attract them. Very young children are attracted to everything new, bright and unusual. And those who are older will be hooked by everything related to their interests and hobbies. Do you agree, friends?

When it comes to holiday themes, especially Halloween, they always attract children and motivate them to learn new English words and phrases. That’s why the theme of Halloween in English today will be revealed by me to the maximum: a lot of new words, some facts and history, a topic with translation, pictures and videos with songs, as well as interesting tasks for memorizing words from this topic.

Let's start quickly...

Milana with our Jack-o"-lantern)). Baked afterwards, it turned out to be very tasty!

A little history and traditions:

1. Halloween originated from a pagan holiday of All Saints’ Day. The name "Halloween" is a shortened version of “All Hallows’ Eve”. Halloween has its roots in the pagan holiday of All Saints' Day. Name "Halloween" is a shortened version of the phrase All Hallows' Eve.
2. Today it has lost its religious roots and is just a fun day for children and some adults. Today, the holiday has lost its religious roots and is now simply a fun day for children and some adults.
3. Halloween is celebrated on October the 31st every year and is most famous in the U.S.A. Halloween is celebrated annually on October 31 and is most famous in the United States.

Data

1. Orange and black colors are symbols of this holiday, in particular, orange pumpkins and black witches, cats and costumes. Orange and black colors are symbols of this holiday, in particular orange pumpkins and black witches, cats and costumes.
2. One of the most popular Halloween activities is trick-or-treating. One of the most popular activities during Halloween is trick-or-treating.
3. Toffee apples and anything made from pumpkin are very popular on this day. Sugar baked apples and anything made from pumpkin are very popular on this day.
4. On October the 31st people often go to the parties where they read fortunes and tell ghosts stories. On October 31st, people often go to parties where they tell fortunes and tell scary stories to each other.
5. In Hollywood many horror movies have been made about Halloween, so it is now known in many countries all over the world. Hollywood has made many horror films about Halloween, so now the holiday is known in many countries around the world.

Words on the topic:

pumpkin - pumpkin

pumpkin pie - pumpkin pie

jack-o'-lantern - jack-o'-lantern

toffee apples - apples in caramel

candy - candy, lollipop

treat - treat

ghost - ghost, specter

ghoul - ghost in a cemetery

witch - sorceress, witch

monster - monster

vampire - vampire

mummy - mummy

werewolf - werewolf

devil - damn, demon

bat - bat

spider - spider

black cat - black cat

rat - rat

owl - owl

tomb - grave, tomb

skeleton - skeleton

graveyard - cemetery

haunted house - haunted house

trick-or-treat - joke-or-treat

candle - candle

bonfire - fire

costume - suit

witch's broom - broom

skull - skull

scary - creepy, terrible

spooky - ominous, frightening

phrases:

witches fly on their broomsticks- witches fly on brooms

skeletons rattle their bones - skeletons rattle their bones

ghosts frighten people - ghosts scare people

Jack-o'-Lanterns walk around houses— Jack-o-lanterns walk around the house

black Halloween cats play tricks on us - h black cats joke on us

people tell fortunes- people tell fortunes (predict fate)

Interesting aphorisms:

The devil is not so bad as he is painted.
The devil is not as scary as he is painted.

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween.
If there are black cats wandering around and pumpkins flickering around, expect good luck on Halloween.

Possible tasks:

To reinforce words on the Halloween theme, you can play the game:

1. Using this picture, you can arrange a competition between students: whoever signs the most memory words under the pictures wins and receives, for example, candy)).
2. You can number 17 pieces of paper, put them in a hat, and the children will take turns pulling them out, trying to remember this or that object in English. Whoever names the most wins.
3. Practice any grammar with words in a picture, for example, with a missing word, make a sentence in Present Simple, Present Continuous, Past Simple, etc. (the word “skeleton” - The skeleton is dancing on the table)))...

Topic with translation and phrases:

This is an educational text in English about Halloween, on which you can write an essay or simply make an interesting report. It can be found

Halloween videos and songs:

• I would like to start with a song that I personally strongly associate with the theme of Halloween. This song is well known to my generation, but some children have probably heard it too (for example, my Milana) - after all, it is from the well-known film of the same name Ghostbusters. The fun begins...))

• A slow and clear video song in which you will hear the words: pumpkin, jack-o'-lantern, ghosts, ghouls, witches. It also allows you to remember and repeat words associated with the face. In this regard, you can also give a useful task to the children, which will also entertain them - K As soon as they hear one of the words written above in the song, they must draw something, or shout, or do something else...

• And here all the sentences can be seen on the screen as the song progresses. I would also draw the children’s attention to the combination "too spooky" and the associated grammatical rule, as well as the question "What's that?", which, by the way, can be played out in this topic by pointing to pictures and expecting an answer from students. Or give the children the opportunity to ask each other questions and answer them. In addition, you can add the question “Who's that?” to animate objects.

• We repeat again and admire the beautiful characters)).