Offering insights into other cultures is one of the unique ways in which languages can contribute to the curriculum as it not only opens up the outside world to students but also gives them the chance to reflect on their own culture and values.
Almost any context can be given a ‘cultural’ twist, but looking at traditions or holidays such as Halloween can be particularly fruitful.
This is not only a theme that students can relate to (anything ghoulish and grim always seems to go down well) but is also one that can be linked to many festivals around the world that share some common elements, such as La Toussaint in France, Día de los Muertos in Mexico and other Central and South American countries, Walpurgisnacht in Northern Germany and Nordic countries, and Qing Ming and/or the Hungry Ghosts festivals in China.
