It’s that time of year again. Students are heading off on their winter breaks to spend time with their friends and family. It’s the perfect time to think about what we can do to keep our students motivated to practice their English during the break.

Reading is a great way for students to expand their vocabulary and improve their language skills from the comfort of their sofas. The problem learners often have, however, is finding a book that is both suitable for their level and entertaining enough to hold their attention.

Here are three festive readers that you can recommend to your students to keep them busy this holiday season. We have also included downloadable teaching notes and audio samples so you can introduce them in your classes and get an idea of how these could be used as teaching materials. 

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that educators who lead with heart, ingenuity and resilience help students thrive. Your creativity drove the momentum. Your learners set the direction. Our role at Pearson was to support your journey with tools that save time, create impact and open more opportunities for your students.

Here’s your Educator Wrapped for 2025.

Across classrooms, holidays show up as stories, songs, recipes, colors and customs. For English educators, they also offer language tasks that build communication, intercultural understanding and community. The key is to celebrate in a way that’s inclusive, academically rich, and respectful of diverse beliefs and backgrounds. Here are some activities you can do this festive season with minimal fluff and maximum impact, each tied to clear language objectives.

Principles for inclusive festive learning

• Student choice: Invite learners to showcase their traditions, for example, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid, Hanukkah, Christmas, Día de los Muertos, Nowruz or a seasonal theme without a religious focus.
• Language-first design: Anchor activities in explicit objectives – for example, “Can describe customs and traditions,” “Can compare events,” “Can write instructions” – to ensure measurable progress.
• Do-no-harm approach: Provide opt-in alternatives, avoid stereotyping and create space for students who do not celebrate holidays.
• Representation: Use materials that reflect multiple regions and voices. Encourage translanguaging to deepen understanding and honor identity.
• Accessibility: Scaffold with visuals, sentence frames and leveled texts so every learner can contribute meaningfully.