Students who do not speak English as their first language are referred to as English as a Second Language students (ESL). ESL students require specific strategies for learning both English and the content of lessons. It is also important to have interesting activities that engage ESL students. A creative way to accomplish this is to design activities based on different seasons. Winter themed activities are a way to make learning fun for ESL students.

Winter Flash Cards
Flashcards are an interesting way to assist ESL students in learning vocabulary. The teacher will draw or print out pictures of winter activities, like sledding or building a snowman, on an index card. They will label the card with a description of the activity. The teacher will model reading the cards and students should echo. Once students have had time to practice, the teacher can make a game out of students reading the cards. Students can work in teams or individually to read the cards correctly, earning points for every correct response.

Create a winter themed book
A winter themed book written by students is a great way to help ESL students practice writing English. The teacher will choose a winter inspired shape, like a Christmas tree or snowflake and create a book template for students. On each page the teacher will write a sentence starter like, "When it is cold I like to________." The teacher will then assist students in choosing words that would appropriately complete the sentences. The student can then illustrate their stories and practice reading them individually or with a partner.

Winter Crossword Puzzles
Winter crossword puzzles are a higher level activity for ESL students. The teacher will choose 7-10 winter themed vocabulary words and create a template for the crossword. The teacher will use the vocabulary word definitions as clues for the crossword. There are also many free options on the Internet for winter themed crossword puzzles.