Why Teaching Chinese New Year Matters for ESL and Multilingual Learners
In many ESL and multilingual classrooms, Chinese New Year is not a new or unfamiliar celebration — it’s part of students’ experiences. Many of our learners have celebrated Chinese New Year with their families, friends, or communities, even if they are not from China.
Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year) is celebrated in many countries and regions around the world, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, and in communities across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
When we recognize this holiday in the classroom, we are not just teaching about a tradition — we are honoring our students’ backgrounds and giving them the opportunity to see their cultures reflected in school.
For students who are less familiar with the holiday, Chinese New Year can also be a powerful way to build global awareness. With the right visuals, vocabulary support, and hands-on activities, all students can understand why this celebration matters and how it is observed around the world.
This year, Chinese New Year is celebrated from February 17 through March 3.
In this blog, the terms ESL students (English as a Second Language), ELLs (English Language Learners), and MLs (Multilingual Learners) are used interchangeably. While Multilingual Learners is becoming the more widely used term, ESL and ELL are still common in many schools. My goal is to be inclusive and clear for all readers.
Introducing the Holidays Around the World: China Unit
This resource is carefully scaffolded to help students from Kindergarten through upper elementary and older ESL learners explore Chinese New Year traditions with confidence. The unit blends culture, geography, vocabulary, reading, writing, and hands-on activities so students can truly engage with the celebration — not just memorize facts.
Building Cultural and Geographic Context
The unit begins with a visual PowerPoint that introduces students to China, its location on a map, and key facts connected to Chinese New Year. Picture-rich slides and clear explanations build essential background knowledge before students are asked to read or write. Vocabulary cards focus on key terms such as: zodiac calendar, lanterns, dragon dance, Chinese characters, etc.
These visuals help students feel confident as they encounter new words in context.
Travel-Inspired Learning That Boosts ESL Engagement
Just like other units in the series, students "travel" using boarding passes and passports. They draw self-portraits, fill in simple personal information, and add a China stamp to their passport. This travel theme turns cultural learning into an immersive experience and helps students feel like active participants in their learning.
Differentiated ESL Chinese New Year Writing Activities
Writing activities are offered in five differentiated levels, making this unit ideal for mixed-grade and ESL classrooms. Students can move from drawing and labeling to sentence writing and short paragraphs as they are ready.
Students write about:
- Chinese New Year foods
- Holiday traditions
- Symbols and colors
- Family celebrations
- Geography and location
Each activity reinforces both language development and cultural understanding.
Emergent Reader for Early Literacy and ESL Support
An emergent reader supports early readers and ESL students by reinforcing vocabulary and key ideas using simple, predictable text. The reader helps students revisit concepts in a low-stress, accessible way.
Chinese New Year Postcards for Authentic Writing
Students also complete postcard writing activities, pretending they are visiting China during Chinese New Year. Templates range from drawing-only options to independent writing, making them perfect for varied ability levels.
These postcards encourage authentic communication and student voice.
Hands-On Chinese New Year Crafts
Hands-on crafts help bring Chinese New Year traditions to life while reinforcing vocabulary:
- Paper Lantern Crafts
- Zodiac Animals Calendar Craft (animals vocabulary)
- Holidays Around the World Chinese Glass Ball Writing Craft
These crafts provide a creative break while still supporting meaningful learning.
Supporting Mixed-Grade and ESL Classrooms
In my classroom, this unit has helped students become more confident, engaged, and curious — especially multilingual learners who benefit from the visual and hands-on supports.
- Everyone studies the same theme at their own level
- Vocabulary is reinforced through visuals, reading, writing, and crafts
- Mixed-grade groups work smoothly together
- Students practice reading, writing, speaking, and cultural awareness
Teaching Chinese/ Lunar New Year doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or superficial. With strong visuals, scaffolded writing, and hands-on activities, students can build both language skills and cultural understanding in a meaningful way.
If you’re looking for an inclusive, engaging way to teach Chinese New Year as part of a Holidays Around the World unit, this resource is designed to help every student feel confident, connected, and excited to learn.
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