Learn English with the News: “Unofficial Start of Christmas?”

Hello and Happy Monday!

It’s still only November but people around the world have begun preparing for their favourite season of the year: Christmas.

Find out in this news video where the preparations have started!

1. Read the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the video

Text

Its arrival at Rockefeller Center ushers in the holiday season in New York City. But there are challenges to relocating an 80-foot or 24-meter-tall Norway Spruce.

Weighing in at around 10 tons, the tree was donated by Joseph Balku of New Jersey.

-I was very happy and sad because now I’m going to lose the tree but in the meantime I’m going to come in here where it’s great, where everybody can see it, everybody can enjoy it because it’s a beautiful tree.

Onlookers braved hours of chilly weather to watch the tree-raising.

– It’s wonderful, it really is. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

– I think is just, it’s amazing. So it really just does feel like everything is coming together and it’s just…

– Highlight of the honeymoon really.

– It is really, so far.

The Spruce will be adorned with 30,000 LED lights in time for the ceremony on November 28th when the tree will be lit.

Vocabulary

Ushers – to happen at the beginning of (something, such as a period of activity) and usually to help cause it.

Relocating – to move to a new place.

Spruce – a type of tree that has long, thin needles instead of leaves and that stays green throughout the year.

Onlookers – a person who watches an activity or event without being involved in it.

Highlight – something (such as an event or a detail) that is very interesting, exciting, or important : the best part of something.

Video