We can classify English holidays into several groups: holidays concerning the Englishmen’s private life (child’s birth, wedding, marriage, wedding anniversary), which are connected with families incomes; state holidays; national holidays, religious holidays, public festival, traditional ceremonies.

    Some historical and colorful customs belong essentially to a particular town or community because they sprang, originally, from some part of the local history, or from some deep-seated local tradition. No doubt, such customs, along with various religious customs and traditions, attached to certain calendar dated, constitute the soul of British social culture and are of great interest for a researcher.

    We have to conclusion that Britain people are very conservative. They are proud of their holidays and carefully keep them up. It was interesting to know that foreigns coming to England are stuck at once by quite a number of customs and peculiarities.

    So we think of Britain as a place a lot of different types of people who observe their holidays. 
 
 

Bibiliography

 
 

1. Е.Д. Михайлова, А.Ю. Романович /Brush up your English /Москва/2001г.

2. Е.Н. Соловова, О.В. Ольховая/ Репетитор. Английский язык/2003г.

3. Материалы с сайта angl.com.ru

4. Ю.Голицынский /“Great Britain”/изд. «Каро»/г. С.-Петербург/1999г.;

5. Hole, Christina. English traditional customs. London - Sydney, Batsford, 1975.

6. Hogg, Garry. Customs and traditions of England. Newton Abbot, David & Charles, 1971.

7. Baker, Margaret. Folklore and customs of rural England. Newton Abbot, David & Charles, 1974.

8. Rabley, Stephen. Customs and traditions in Britain. Harlow (Essex), Longman, 1989.

9. Murphy Raymond. English Grammar in Use. -  Cambridge University Press, 1997.

10. Швейцер  А.Д. Американский вариант литературного английского языка: пути формирования и современный статус.//Вопросы языкознания,1995, №6,стр. 3-17.

11. Подласый  И.П. Педагогика. т.1. Москва, Владос, 2001.

12. Bowle, John. England: A portrait. London, Benn, 1966.

13. Bryant, Arthur. A history of Britain and the British people. London, Collins, 1990.

14. Clark, George. English history: A survey. London, Oxford univ. Press, 1971. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Additional materials

Read and translate  

    Every country and every nation has own traditions and customs. It's very important to know traditions and customs of other countries. It helps to know more about the history and line of different nations.

    English are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up as I know all English people celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December. It's the season of good will. It's the most beautiful time of the year - the time of love, joy and hopes. Christmas Day is a family holiday. All the people look forward to it, expecting something special. It is the time when all the family gets together round the Christmas tree decorated with toys and sweets. Little children believe that when they are asleep Santa Claus comes with a big bag of toys. They often hang up large stockings for the presents. All families have Christmas dinners. They eat traditional dishes - turkey, duck, pudding. On the New Year's Day they watch the old year out and the new year in.

    There are some traditions on New Year's Day. One of them is the old First Footing. The first man to come into the house is very important. The Englishmen believe that he brings luck. This man (not a woman) must be healthy, young, pretty-looking. He brings presents - bread, a piece of coal or a coin. Another best-loved holiday is St.Valentine's Day on the 14th of February - the holiday of love and affection, the day of sending and giving presents to those you love - Englishmen with these word ask to become friends or companion Valentines often are decorated with symbols of love - red hearts and roses, ribbons and laces . In England tradition of celebrating Easter is deep-rooted in the history of the nation . Easter is a church holiday . There is a popular belief that wearing 3 new things on Easter will bring good luck.

    Traditionally Easter parades of people in bright new spring clothes are held on this day. Another custom is decorating eggs for children. Eggs are hidden in the yards little children believe that the Easter rabbit comes and leaves eggs for them. Easter candies are maid in the form of eggs, little chickens and rabbits. Halloween is the day or evening before all Saent's Day. Children dress up in Halloween costumes and masks over their faces. They go out into the streets to beg. People give them sweets, cookies and apples. A favourite Halloween custom is to make a jack-o-lantern (the children scrape our a pumpkin and cut the eyes, nose and mouth). They light a candle inside the pumpkin to scare their friends. A few words about superstitions in Britain. The people believe that if they put shoes on the table, they will have bad luck. The English won't kill a spider, especially money spiders (small red ones). This is very unlucky Some animals are also lucky (black cats brihg good luck, white horses are also lucky. The most unlucky thing is to break a mirror. This brings 7 years of bad luck. The number 13 is the most unlucky number especially Combination Friday, the 13th.

    According to the Act of Parliament of 1871 there are 4 bank holidays Easter Monday, whit-Monday, Des 26th - Boxing Day. Obher pablic holiday are Good Friday, May Day, Also there is a Pancake Day, April's Fool Day, Mother's Day.

    Перевод текста: Holidays in Great Britain

    Каждая  страна и каждая нация имеют собственные  традиции и таможню. Очень важно  знать традиции и таможню других стран. Это помогает знать больше об истории и линии различных  наций.

    Англичане гордятся их традициями и тщательно продолжают их, поскольку я знаю, что все английские люди празднуют Рождество 25-ого декабря. Это - сезон доброй воли. Это - самое красивое время года - время любви, радости и надежд. Рождество - семейный праздник. Все люди с нетерпением ждут этого, ожидая кое-что специальное. Это - время, когда вся семья собирается вокруг Рождественской елки, украшенной игрушками и конфетами. Маленькие дети полагают, что, когда они спят, Санта Клаус идет с большой сумкой игрушек. Они часто повесили большие чулки для подарков. Все семьи обедают. Они едят традиционные блюда - индейку, утку, пудинг. На Новый год они напряженно ожидают старый год и новый год в.

    На  Новый год есть некоторые традиции. Один из них - старая Первая Опора. Первый человек, который войдет в дом очень важен. Англичане полагают, что он приносит удачу. Этот человек (не женщина) должен быть здоровым, молодым, симпатично-выглядящим. Он приносит подарки - хлеб, часть угля или монеты. Другой лучше-всего-любивший праздник - день святого Валентина 14-ого февраля - праздник любви и привязанности, день посылки и давая подарки тем Вы любите - Англичане с ними, слово просит становиться друзьями или компаньоном Вейлнтайнсом часто, украшаются символами любви - красных сердец и роз, лент и шнурков . В традиции Англии празднования Пасхи является закоренелым в истории нации . Пасха - церковный праздник . Есть популярная вера, что ношение одежды 3 новых вещей на Пасхе принесет удачу.

    Традиционно Пасхальные парады людей в яркой  новой весенней одежде проведены  в этот день. Другая традиция украшает яйца для детей. Яйца скрыты во дворах, маленькие дети полагают, что Пасхальный кролик приезжает и оставляет яйца для них. Пасхальные леденцы - девица в форме яиц, небольших цыплят и кроликов. Хэллоуин - день или вечер передо Днем всего Саента. Дети наряжаются в костюмах Хэллоуина и масках по их лицам. Они выходят в улицы просить. Люди дают им конфеты, печенье и яблоки. Любимая традиция Хэллоуина должна сделать jack-o-lantern (дети очищают наш тыква и сокращают глаза, нос и рот). Они освещают свечу в тыкве, чтобы испугать их друзей. Несколько слов о суеверии в Великобритании. Люди полагают, что, если они помещают ботинки в стол, они будут иметь неудачу. Англичане не будут убивать паука, особенно пауки денег (маленькие красные). Это очень неудачно, Некоторые животные также получают шанс (черные коты brihg удача, белые лошади также получают шанс. Самая неудачная вещь должна нарушить зеркало. Это приносит 7 лет неудачи. Номер 13 - самое неудачное число особенно Комбинация в пятницу, 13-ое.

    Согласно  парламентскому акту 1871 есть 4 Пасхи  выходных дней в понедельник, в понедельник  йоты, 26-ой Des - День подарков. Obher pablic праздник - Великая пятница, Первый Май, Также  есть вторник на масленой неделе, Глупый День апреля, День Матери.  

Exercise 1. the aim to increase the vocabulary.

Topical vocabulary

New Year day (January 1) –  Новый год

Good Friday – страстная пятница

Easter Monday- Пасхальный понедельник

May Day – первый понедельник мая

Spring bank Holiday – последний понедельник августа

Christmas (December 25)- Рождество

Boxing Day (December 26, or December 27 if December 26 is Sunday)- 2-й день рождества

April fool’s day (April 1) - день смеха

Halloween (October 31)- хэллуин

Guy fawkey night (November 5)

St. Valentine’s day (February 14)- День Святого валентина

St. Stephen’s Day (December 26)

Pancake Day (usually in March or April)-

The Eve of all Saints’Day (October 31) Канун дня всех Святых

The Twelfh Night and Twelfth Day (5 and 6 January)

Remembrance day  

 Exercise 2. the aim to develop skills of mind.

Answer to the following questions.

1. From what countries came to Great Britain Christmas Tree?
2. What the most exciting day for most children?
3. From which word come from holiday Boxing Day?
4. On what holiday practical jokes?
5. What three holidays remain as official do you know?
6. What holiday one of the most popular festivals in Great Britain?
7. How postcards often are decorated with symbols?
8. On what day celebrate the Boxing Day?
9. On what day celebrate the Guy Fakes Night?
10. On what day celebrate the Fool’s Day?

 

Exercise 3. The aim to keep in mid details of text.

Text 1

    Artistic and cultural life in Britain is rather rich, like in most of the European countries. It has passed several main stages in its development.

    The Saxon King Alfred encouraged the arts and culture. The chief debt owed to him by English literature is for his translations of and commentaries on Latin works. Art, culture and literature flourished during the Elizabethan age, during the reign of Elizabeth I; it was the period of English domination of the oceans and colonies, and, due to the strong political and economic position of the country, there were few obstacles in the way of the cultural development. This time is also famous for the fact that William Shakespeare lived and worked then.

    The empire, which was very powerful under Queen Victoria, saw another cultural and artistic hey-day as a result of industrialisation and the expansion of international trade during the so-called industrial age.

    However, German air raids caused much damage during the First World War and then during the Second World War. The madness of the wars briefly inhibited the development of British culture.

    Immigrants who have arrived from all parts of the Commonwealth since 1945 have not only created a mixture of nations, but have also brought their cultures and habits with them. Monuments and traces of past greatness are everywhere. There are buildings of all styles and periods. A great number of museums and galleries display precious and interesting finds from all parts of the world and from all stage in the development of nature, man and art. London is one of the leading world centres for music, drama, opera and dance. Festivals held in towns and cities throughout the country attract much interest. Many British playwrights, composers, sculptors, painters, writers, actors, singers and dancers are known all over the world.

True or False

1. The Saxon King Arthur encouraged the arts and culture.
2. Art culture and literature florashed  during the Elizabethan age, during the reign of Ekaterina I.
3. This time is also famous for the fact that Bernard Show lived and worked then.
4. The empire which was very powerful under queen Victoria, saw another cultural and artistic hey day.
5. However, German air raids caused much damage during the second world war and during the first World War.
6. Immigrants who have arrived from all parts of the Commonwealth since 1945.
7. Britain  is one of the leading world centers for music, drama, opera and dance.

 

Exercise 4. The aim to increase the vocabulary.

Read the text.

Text 2.

    December 26 is called the Boxing Day. It takes its names from the old custom of giving workers an annual present in christmas box. Today it is the day to visit friends, go for a drive or a long walk or just sit around recovering from too much food. In the country there are usually Boxing Day Meets (hunts-fox-hunting). In the big cities and towns, tradition on that day demands a visit to the pantomime. One of the more familiar pantomimes recalls the adventures of Dick Wittington (and his cat) who lived 600 years ago. He became London’s chief citizen, holding office as Mayor 3 times. Other popular pantomime characters are: Robinson Crusoe, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Red-Riding-Hood and Puss in the Boots.

    New Year in England is not so enthusiastically observed as Christmas. The most common type of celebration is a family party. At midnight everyone hear the chimes of Big Ben and a toast is drunk to the New Year. The most famous celebration are in London in trafalgar Square where there is a big Christmas tree (an annual present from Norway), a big crowd is usually gathered and someone usually falls into the fountain. 

Vocabulary

Annual – годовой, ежегодный;

Recovery – выздоровление, восстановление;

Demand – требовать, спрашивать; требование;

Familiar – знакомый, общеизвестный;

Adventure – приключение;

Citizen – горожанин, гражданин;

Holding – руководить;

Observe – наблюдать, замечать, соблюдать;

Midnight – полночь;

Chime – звонить (в колокола)

Crowd – толпа; толпиться, тесниться;

Gather – набирать, собирать. 

Exercise 5. The aim to develop grammatical skills.

Insert the correct articles wherever necessary.

    Christmas Day – is _ probably the most exciting day of _ year _ most children. _ English children enjoy receiving presents which are tradiioally put into the stocking, and have the pleasure of giving presents. Most houses are decorated with coloured paper or holly, and there is usually Christmas tree in the corn of _ front room. _ Christmas is usually time to be with family, to feast and to merry.

    _ traditional _ Christmas Dinner includes roastes turkey or goose accompanied by potatoes, peas and carrots, pudding – usually a coin or two will have been hidden inside it, and a part of the fun is to see who finds it.

    _ essential part of Christmas is carol singing. No church or school is without its carol service. 

Exercise 6. Choose the correct word in brackets.