Transcript Workshops in Speaking English

Welcome to Halloween
continue on… if you dare!
Will this be a trick, or a treat?
Maybe both!
Halloween, the word

In pre-Christian Druid tradition,
November 1st was “Samhein” (New Year’s; Feast of the Sun),
with fire celebrations on October 31st.

Early Christians adopted November 1st as “All Saint’s Day”
to honor holy people close to God

All Saints > All Holy (sacred) > All Hallowed

October 31st is the eve (night before) All Hallowed Day

Hallowed’s Eve > Hallowe’en
Halloween, the history

Spirits were supposed to come back from the dead
on October 31st.

People dressed in disguises to scare the spirits away.

In 9th century Europe, people begged for “soul cakes”
(small pieces of cake) in exchange for saying a prayer
for the dead.
Halloween, today

Children dress in costumes, and beg for candy from
neighbors. At the door, they cry “Trick or Treat.”

Biggest time of the year for candy sales!

Parents are concerned about candy “tampering”; often
unwrapped candy gets thrown away.

Adults often party, and often wear costumes.

Some ultra-conservative Christians oppose Halloween as
the “devil’s holiday.”
Halloween, important terms

“Jack o’lantern”: a pumpkin with a face carved out, and a candle
inside to light the face.

Vampire: from Romanian tradition, a dead person who continues
to live if they drink human blood.

Dracula: The name of a vampire in an 1897 novel by English
author Bram Stoker. Often shown with long teeth (fangs) and a
black cape

Bats: Associated with Halloween
because they are nocturnal; also, a form that Dracula turned into so
he could fly, and get
into rooms through small holes.

Black cat: thought to represent bad luck
Halloween, more terms

Skeleton or skull: often used to show death.

Witch: a woman with supernatural powers, usually shown as a
tall thin woman on a broom flying across the night sky.

Ghost: a “disembodied” spirit of someone who has died

Frankenstein: a monster made from parts of dead bodies brought
to life by a lightning strike.

Werewolf: a person who becomes a wolf during a full moon.
Halloween traditions

Dress in costumes

Have a party!

Go “trick or treating” (children only)

Give candy or small toys to trick-or-treaters

Ask about costumes (“What are you going to be for Halloween?”
or “What are you going as?” or “What were you for Halloween?”)

Tell “ghost stories” or other scary tales

Carve a jack o’lantern
Now you try!

What design would you carve on a pumpkin to
create a “jack o’lantern”?
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Usually this is a face, but other designs are okay.