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Caroling

Caroling

Date: Dec 21 2009

Themes: Holidays

Grammar: Third Conditional Progressive

Intro

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Drunken singing in the streets is usually frowned upon, unless it’s Christmastime and you’ve been drinking eggnog. Then it’s caroling.

Of course, you don’t have to get drunk to go caroling. You just have to have a whole lot of Christmas spirit. But a few sips of spiked eggnog might help you get over the embarrassment of singing in front of complete strangers.

Caroling is an old-fashioned tradition that used to be much more common about 100 years ago. These days, it’s pretty unusual to see carolers going door to door. Listen to Marni tell Dale why she’s bringing caroling back.

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Dale

Dale

Marni

Marni

Dale:  So, where were you last night?

Marni:  Well, I would have been caroling if the weather hadn’t been so bad.

Dale:  Um, caroling?

Marni:  Yeah, I love to go caroling.

Dale:  Like door to door Christmas cheer?

Marni:  Spreading Christmas cheer door to door, singing my heart out. Absolutely.

Dale:  Wow. I didn’t know people still do that.

Marni:  You know, I think there’s kind of a resurgence. But I got together with a group of friends and we did it a few years ago, and now it’s become this tradition.

Dale:  How long do you do this for?

Marni:  We usually start after the Thanksgiving holiday, so usually early December we’ll start, and we usually do it on weekend nights. Friday nights are a really good night to do it.

Dale:  Do you take money? Do they give you money?

Marni:  Oh no, we just go and we sing a song, and if they’re really responsive we’ll sing another song, but if we go and people are like “Oh that was great,” we’ll just go on to the next door. We really want people to get into the spirit, so if they’re feeling it we’ll stay a while, but part of it is just roaming around the streets singing.

Dale:  Wow.

 

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Dale is surprised to hear that Marni goes caroling. He didn’t think people went caroling anymore. But Marni says she loves to do it.

Marni and a group of her friends go door to door and sing Christmas songs for people every year, from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Some of the people they sing for love it, so Marni and her friends sing more songs for them. But if they get a less positive reaction, they move on to the next house.

Carolers don’t sing for money. They just do it out of love for the holidays.

Have you ever gone caroling? Have you ever seen carolers? What is your favorite part of the holidays?

 

Comments

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Brown1985new

Brazil

If I had been reading this text before, I would have got good grades in my tests. lol

08:12 PM Dec 21 2009 |

qq104716934

China

I am don't understand that what is caroling at all,but I would like to feel it.Who can share with me.

08:07 PM Dec 21 2009 |

optuantuan

optuantuan

China

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  • 05:37 PM Dec 21 2009 |

    jgarzon

    jgarzon

    Colombia

    I think this cativity called "caroling" is very interesting because you have the opportunity to express your Christmas feelings, especially when the weather is your friend.

    04:54 PM Dec 21 2009 |

    dedewk

    dedewk

    Malaysia

    hye!:)

    04:22 PM Dec 21 2009 |

    rosendo

    rosendo

    Mexico

    04:07 PM Dec 21 2009 |

    rebel lee

    rebel lee

    China

        I neither go caroling,nor see carolers.We don't have that kind of thing here in China.I think caroling is sort of out of times,but sweet.I like to sing with friends,so if I have a chance to do it,I will.But not here in China,or they will think I am crazy.

        Chrismas is coming,Merry Christmas everybody!Keep on learning English and making friends.

    02:08 PM Dec 21 2009 |

    vivivi^^

    vivivi^^

    China

    Christmas,like our Spring Festival,is a time for us to get away from our busy lives,a time for family gathering,and a time to have some fun.i like the holidays,it's my favorite.

    12:19 PM Dec 21 2009 |

    mickee85

    mickee85

    Philippines

    Caroling is fun. When I was young, I and my friends used to visit all the houses in the subdivision and the proceeds went to charity. It's really cool and I loved it_ you are having fun at the same time helping needy people. 

     

    10:56 AM Dec 21 2009 |

    TulipS

    Philippines

    i am a muslim but when i was a kid i used to go for caroling with my friends.we go to different houses muslims or christians it's okay for us…it is accepted already if somebody is singing in front of each houses…

    i love christmas eve 'coz it's my birthday!..hehehe

    10:43 AM Dec 21 2009 |

    L_a_d_a

    L_a_d_a

    Ukraine

    i was caroling when i was a kid

    i like Christmas eve

    08:54 AM Dec 21 2009 |

    mudurnali

    mudurnali

    Turkey

    Great

    08:07 AM Dec 21 2009 |

    Ahn Soo-hyun

    South Korea

    It is customary to stay ina a house in the Eve of Christmas in Korea. And on the Christmas day, we all together sing a song in dawn in front of someone house.

    Nowadays, we, Korean christian, normally stay in the church and play game and talk ech other in all night. It is really unforgetable experiences. This Christmas     I ' ll trip with my family and four families. It will be so exciting. We will talk and play and eat… all night. This is a life. And I really welcome Jesus Christ.

    04:08 AM Dec 21 2009 |

    david25m

    david25m

    Peru

    when i was 6 or 7 i belonge to a coro in a church and in my school too..it was funn, sing is freedom,, every human have a little child inside,,,e- luv cristmas and carols, why? i dont mind,, but it makes me feel fine….thats enough….

    03:29 AM Dec 21 2009 |

    julywidiawati

    Indonesia

    I never gone caroling, I never seen carolers here in Indonesia, my favorite part is when the silence is in the air, and people go to church.

    01:39 AM Dec 21 2009 |

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