Holidays & Events

Nauruz (Norooz)
Festival
Intermediate Level

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Vocabulary Preview
Match the words on the left with the correct meanings on the right.

1. renewal a) a religious teacher or leader

2. vernal equinox b) the making of something new again

3. prophet c) the person who created something

4. founder d) representing the other side

5. sorrow e) a large outdoor fire to gather around in celebration

6. opposing f) sadness

7. prosperity g) spring equinox, when the equator passes the sun’s center

8. ceremonial h) wealth and good fortune

9. bonfire i) fair or white in color

10. pale j) related to a celebration or ritual

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Reading
GOOD THOUGHTS, GOOD WORDS, GOOD DEEDS

1.  he Persian New Year celebration is called Nauruz (Norooz). When

T
translating from Persian to English, no means new and rooz means
day: The New Day. There are many different English spellings for this
festival, including Nowruz and Nourooz. Over 300 million people around
the world celebrate Nauruz. It is an official holiday in Iran, as well as in
other countries such as Turkey and Afghanistan.

2.  ike the Lunar New Year celebration, Nauruz celebrates the first day
L
of spring and the renewal of nature. Instead of the Lunar calendar
or the Gregorian calendar (Western), Iranians use the Solar Hijri
calendar, which begins at the vernal equinox. The vernal equinox is
the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere (approx March 20).
The Solar Hijri calendar is also the official calendar in Afghanistan.

3. N
 auruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. It is sometimes
called Zoroastrian New Year because it is closely associated with
Zoroastrianism. Zoroaster was an ancient Persian prophet who is
often credited as the founder of the world’s first religion. In ancient
times, Zoroastrians held a ten-day festival at the end of the solar
year called Farvardgan. It was a festival filled with sorrow in honor
of the dead. Over time, Nauruz, an opposing festival celebrating joy,
prosperity, and rebirth, took its place. In 2010, the United Nations
declared March 21 as International Day of Nowruz.

4. B
 efore the new year, Persians perform many renewal rituals. Most
importantly, they clean their homes from top to bottom. They also
make or buy new clothes and plant seeds indoors. Before visitors
arrive for Nauruz meals and get-togethers, they set a ceremonial
table called Haft Seen. Each item on the table symbolizes what
people hope for in the new year. The last Wednesday before Nauruz
is called Red Wednesday (Chaharshanbe Suri). On the night before Red
Wednesday, children dress in sheets and bang pots and pans around
their neighborhoods. They knock on neighbors’ doors asking for treats,
just as Westerners do on Halloween. Bonfires are held, and family
members sing songs and jump over the flames, shouting “Give me
your beautiful, red color.” Red symbolizes healthy skin, while pale skin
symbolizes sickness. Everyone makes a wish for the new year!

5. A
 fter the New Year’s countdown, families gather around the Nauruz
table. They take pictures and enjoy sweets. The celebration continues
for the next 13 days. Happy Nauruz!

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Comprehension
 ractice asking and answering the following questions with your partner.
P
Then write the answers in the spaces below. Use full sentences.

1. What does the word Nauruz mean in English?

2. Which countries celebrate Nauruz?

3. Approximately when does this annual festival take place?

4. Who was Zoroaster?

5. How do Farvardgan and Nauruz differ?

6. Why is Red Wednesday like Halloween?

7. What do Persians say after jumping over bonfires the night before Red Wednesday?

8. What does pale skin symbolize according to Persians?

9. What usually happens after the New Year’s countdown in Iranian households?

10. How long does the Nauruz festival last?

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Vocabulary Review
A. C
 hoose the Closest Meaning

Choose the word closest in meaning to the

underlined word in the following sentences.

1. The crowd will become violent 3. I wish you joy, hope, 5. The founder of the
if the opposing team wins. and prosperity. ancient religion is still
well known today.
a) opposite a) future
b) popular b) wealth a) beginning
c) aggresive c) love b) creator
c) prophet

2. The people were full of 4. After she fell off her bike, 6. Before the church service,
sorrow to hear that their the child looked pale. there was a ceremonial
priest had died. lunch in the hall.
a) okay
a) spirit b) afraid a) celebratory
b) grief c) white b) delicious
c) prayers c) buffet

B. Complete the Sentences

Choose the correct word from the list to complete the following sentences.
A few of the words will not be used. Each word can only be used once.
Word List
1. The length of day and night are equal on the spring .
• bonfire
2. Cleaning the house from top to bottom is a ritual of . • equinox
• pale
3. During the , the kids dressed up in costumes and ate a lot of treats. • renewal
• festival
4. The word “vernal” to spring.
• translate
5. Zoroaster was the who founded the first religion. • founded
• prophet
6. The family prayed for in the new year. • prosperity
• opposing
7. Be careful not to burn yourself when you gather around the .

8. The goalie refused to shake hands with our captain.

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Pair Work 1 (Student A)

THE “SEVEN S” SPREAD

You and your partner each have a short reading passage about a Nauruz
tradition. Read your passage and then share your information with your
partner. Work together to complete the questions that follow.

A. Reading B. Sharing

Did you know that the word “spread” can be used as a noun or a verb? Teach your partner a few
A “spread” refers to the layout of many types of food. In English, it is new words from your reading:
common to say “Nice spread!” when you see a table of food that looks
appetizing. Persians spread out a ceremonial table for Nauruz each year. appetizing (adjective):
This ceremonial spread is called Haft Seen. The word “haft” translates appearing delicious
to the number “seven” while “seen” is the letter “s”. The Haft Seen table
contains seven symbolic items that start with the letter s (in the Persian eternal (adjective):
alphabet). These seven items represent the seven eternal laws from the lasting for a lifetime
teachings of Zoroastrianism. The table is set up prior to the new year.
After the clock strikes twelve, and spring officially begins, the family
gathers around the Haft Seen table to eat and celebrate the new year.

C. Questions

Write your answers in your notebook.

1. What does the word Haft Seen translate to? 6. I f you pray to God for eternal
peace, what are you hoping for?
2.  hat compliment can you use when you’re
W
a party guest and the food looks good? 7. Why is vinegar on the Haft Seen table?

3. C
 omplete the sentence: The food on the table 8. W
 hy are there seven main
looks so ! I can’t wait to try it all. items on the Haft Seen table?

4. W
 hich item on the Haft Seen 9. W
 hat happens at the Haft Seen
table symbolizes love? table on New Year’s Day?

5. W
 hich reading discusses additional items 10. Why does one of the readings mention goldfish?
that aren’t in the main seven? A or B?

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Pair Work 1 (Student B)

THE “SEVEN S” SPREAD

You and your partner each have a short reading passage about a Nauruz
tradition. Read your passage and then share your information with your
partner. Work together to complete the questions that follow.

A. Reading B. Sharing

The ceremonial table for Nauruz is called Haft Seen. There are seven Teach your partner a few
symbolic items placed on the table. Each one begins with the Persian new words from your reading:
letter “s”. The first is “Sabzeh” (sprouts from many seeds). The sprouts
symbolize rebirth. The second is “Samnau” (sweet pudding). This appetizing (adjective):
symbolizes wealth. Next is “Senjed” (dried fruit), which symbolizes appearing delicious
love. The fourth and fifth items are “Sir” (garlic) and “Sib” (apples).
The garlic symbolizes medicine and the apples are for health and eternal (adjective):
beauty. The sixth item, “Somāq” (sumac juice), symbolizes the sunrise. lasting for a lifetime
Finally, you will see “Serkeh” (vinegar) for patience. In addition to these
seven symbolic items, there are a few other items often found on the
Haft Seen table. For example, you will probably see a mirror for self-
reflection, decorated eggs for fertility, and a bowl of swimming
goldfish to symbolize life itself.

C. Questions

Write your answers in your notebook.

1. What does the word Haft Seen translate to? 6. I f you pray to God for eternal
peace, what are you hoping for?
2.  hat compliment can you use when you’re
W
a party guest and the food looks good? 7. Why is vinegar on the Haft Seen table?

3. C
 omplete the sentence: The food on the table 8. W
 hy are there seven main
looks so ! I can’t wait to try it all. items on the Haft Seen table?

4. W
 hich item on the Haft Seen 9. W
 hat happens at the Haft Seen
table symbolizes love? table on New Year’s Day?

5. W
 hich reading discusses additional items 10. Why does one of the readings mention goldfish?
that aren’t in the main seven? A or B?

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Pair Work 2 (Student A)

IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS ABOUT NATURE

A. Sharing Information

The 13th day of Nauruz is a celebration of nature. On Sizdah Bedar,

Persians must spend time outdoors. Complete the definitions of these
common English idioms and expressions by sharing information with
your partner. Your idioms and definitions are in a different order
than your partner’s.

Idiom Definition

Mother Nature

a feeling of newness in a stale or familiar environment

to be in trouble

second nature

let nature take its course

to make a situation worse than it already is

come into bloom

to follow in the same way

B. Idiom Practice

Practice the idioms in Part A by drawing or acting them out for your
classmates. Can they guess which idiom you are drawing or acting out?

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Pair Work 2 (Student B)

IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS ABOUT NATURE

A. Sharing Information

The 13th day of Nauruz is a celebration of nature. On Sizdah Bedar,

Persians must spend time outdoors. Complete the definitions of these
common English idioms and expressions by sharing information with
your partner. Your idioms and definitions are in a different order
than your partner’s.

Idiom Definition

go with the flow

to add fuel to the fire

let something happen naturally without intervention

to develop into one’s full beauty or potential

a breath of fresh air

the natural world personified as a woman

to be in hot water

a strong feeling of familiarity

B. Idiom Practice

Practice the idioms in Part A by drawing or acting them out for your
classmates. Can they guess which idiom you are drawing or acting out?

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Group Assignment
CREATE YOUR OWN CEREMONIAL TABLE!

1.  auruz celebrates spring and the renewal of life. Work as a group to

N
choose another thing to celebrate at this time of year. Get creative!
(Our focus)
2. C
 hoose one letter from the English alphabet that you want to use.
Choose a letter that is common (e.g., not Q, X, or Z).
(Our focus)
3. Y
 ou are going to create a ceremonial spread based on this
information. Come up with an English name for your table.
(Our ceremonial spread’s name)
4. W
 ork together to come up with 7 symbolic items that can go
on your ceremonial table. Each item must begin with the letter
you chose in step 2.

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

g)

Add up to 3 additional items (can be a different letter):

5. G
 ather items for your table at home. Make sure each group member
brings in at least one of the items. (Alternatively, you can draw the
table and items on paper.)

6. S
 pread your items on a table at the front of the classroom, and present
your table to the classroom. Each group member should have at least
one chance to speak. Be sure to tell the class the following:
Class Discussion
a) the name of your ceremonial table
Which table looked the
b) the focus word or subject for the celebration most appetizing, and why?

c) the focus letter

d) the items on the table and what they symbolize

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Listening – Gap Fill

 http://blog.esllibrary.com/2014/03/12/podcast-nauruz/

Fill in the blanks as you listen to the recording.

NAURUZ FESTIVAL
Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds

1.  he Persian New Year

T is called Before the new year, Persians perform many
Nauruz (Norooz). When translating from Persian rituals. Most importantly, they
to English, no means new and rooz means day: clean their homes from top to bottom. They also
The New Day. There are many different English make or buy new clothes and plant seeds indoors.
spellings for this festival, including Nowruz and Before visitors arrive for Nauruz meals and get-
Nourooz. Over 300 million people around the world togethers, they set a ceremonial table called
celebrate Nauruz. It is an official holiday in Iran, Haft Seen. Each item on the table symbolizes
as well as in other countries such as Turkey what people hope for in the new year. The
and Afghanistan. last Wednesday before Nauruz is called Red
Wednesday (Chaharshanbe Suri). On the night
2.  ike the Lunar New Year celebration, Nauruz
L
before Red Wednesday, children dress in sheets
celebrates the first day of spring and the renewal
and pots and pans around
of nature. Instead of the Lunar calendar or the
their neighborhoods. They knock on neighbors’
Gregorian (Western), Iranians use
doors asking for treats, just as Westerners do on
the Solar Hijri calendar, which begins at the vernal
Halloween. Bonfires are held, and family members
equinox. The vernal equinox is the beginning
sing songs and jump over the flames, shouting
of spring in the northern hemisphere (approx
“Give me your beautiful, red color.” Red symbolizes
March 20). The Solar Hijri calendar is also the
healthy skin, while pale skin symbolizes sickness.
official calendar in .
Everyone makes a wish for the !
3. N
 auruz has been celebrated for over 3,000
4. A
 fter the New Year’s countdown, families gather
years. It is sometimes called Zoroastrian New
around the Nauruz table. They take pictures and
Year because it is closely associated with
enjoy sweets. The celebration continues for the
Zoroastrianism. Zoroaster was an ancient Persian
next 13 days. Happy Nauruz!
prophet who is often credited as the founder
of the world’s first religion. In ancient times,
Zoroastrians held a ten-day festival at the end
of the called Farvardgan. It
was a festival filled with sorrow in honor of the
dead. Over time, Nauruz, an opposing festival
celebrating joy, prosperity, and rebirth, took 4. renewal, bang, new year
its place. In 2010, the United Nations declared 3. solar year, International
March 21 as Day of Nowruz. 2. calendar, Afghanistan
1. celebration

ANSWERS:

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 Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events

Answer Key
NOTE: LESSON DESCRIPTION: LEVEL: Intermediate

These activities are designed for In this lesson, students read about the TIME: 2–3 hours
intermediate-level adult ESL learners, but Persian New Year’s festival (New Day).
TAGS: Turkey, festival, holiday,
they may also be suitable for junior and They learn about the ceremonial table, and
Iran, March, Nauruz,
senior high school ESL students. create their own in small groups. Students
Persian, New Year, Nowruz,
also learn idioms related to nature.
Nourooz, Afghanistan

Vocabulary Preview 7. After jumping over bonfires on Red Wednesday eve

Persians say, “Give me your beautiful, red color.“

1. b 3. a 5. f 7. h 9. e 8. Pale skin symbolizes illness.

2. g 4. c 6. d 8. j 10. i 9. After the New Year’s countdown, families gather

around the Nauruz table to eat and celebrate.
10. After New Year’s Eve, the Nauruz festival lasts 13 days.
Reading

You may choose to have the students read the passage silently, Vocabulary Review
or have the students take turns reading aloud in order to monitor
pronunciation. After reading the passage, break the students A. CHOOSE THE CLOSEST MEANING

into pairs and have them practice asking and answering the 1. a 2. b 3. b 4. c 5. b 6. a
comprehension questions. At the end of the oral practice, have
the students write the answers. Review again orally with the whole B. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
class. You can also use this reading as a listening task. A gap-fill
1. equinox 5. prophet
version of the reading is available on page 11.
2. renewal 6. prosperity
3. festival 7. bonfire
Comprehension 4. translates 8. opposing

1. The word Nauruz means “new day”. (continued on the next page...)
2. Nauruz is an official holiday in Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan.
People in many other countries celebrate Nauruz as well.
3. The annual festival takes place on
the vernal equinox, approximately March 20.
4. Zoroaster was an ancient Persian prophet who is often
credited for founding the first official religion.
5. Farvardgan was a sorrowful festival honoring the dead while
Nauruz is a happy festival celebrating rebirth and life.
6. Red Wednesday is like Halloween because
children dress up as old spirits and knock
on doors for candy the night before.

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Answer Key cont.
Pair Work 1
Divide the class into pairs. Each student has a different reading
about the Seven S Spread for Nauruz. Have the students read
their paragraphs silently and then share the information with their
partner by completing the comprehension questions together. They
should also teach each other the vocabulary beside their reading.
1. The word Haft Seen translates to 7 S’s.
2. When you’re a party guest and the food looks good, you
can say “Nice spread!” or “This looks so appetizing.”
3. Complete the sentence: The food on the table looks
so appetizing! I can’t wait to try it all.
4. T he dried fruit (Senjed) symbolizes love.
5. Reading B discusses additional
items that aren’t in the main seven.
6. If you pray to God for eternal peace, you are
hoping for peace for your entire lifetime.
7. V inegar is on the Haft Seen table
because it symbolizes patience.
8. T he seven main items on the Haft Seen table
represent the seven eternal laws of Zoroastrianism.
9. On New Year’s Day families gather around the
Haft Seen table to eat and celebrate the new year.
10. One of the readings mentions goldfish because this
is an additional item often found on the Haft Seen
table. It symbolizes life itself.
Pair Work 2
Keep students in the same pairings or
have them switch for this second pair activity.
A. SHARING INFORMATION
second nature: a strong feeling of familiarity
let nature take its course:
to let something happen naturally without intervention
Mother Nature: the natural world personified as a woman
come into bloom: to develop into one’s full beauty or potential
add fuel to the fire: to make a situation worse than it already is
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms.
Nauruz Festival
Holidays & Events
a breath of fresh air:
a feeling of newness in a stale or familiar environment
in hot water: to be in trouble
go with the flow: to follow in the same way
B. IDIOM PR ACTICE
Challenge your students to practice these idioms by drawing
posters of them or playing guessing games. Students can take
turns going up to the board to try to act out or draw the idiom.
If it’s nice outside, take the game outdoors!
Group Assignment
Place the students in small groups, and give them some time to
come up with their own ceremonial table. They will have to choose
a theme and letter, and then will list a set of items to go on the
table. Encourage each student to bring something in that will go on
their table. Set up a schedule for students to present their tables.
Take some pictures and share them with ESL Library. You can
share them on our blog, Twitter, or Facebook page.
SPELLING NOTE:
This lesson shows the American spelling of the words Center,
Color, Neighborhood, Neighbors, Honoring, and Honor. Most other
English-speaking countries spell these words this way: Centre,
Colour, Neighbourhood, Neighbours, Honouring, and Honour.
Make it a challenge for your students to find these words
in the lesson and see if they know the alternate spellings.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
In the reading, New Year is capitalized in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and
5 but the lowercased (new year) in paragraph 4. We use inital
capital letters for the holiday and lowercase letters for the year
in general. For more information and examples, see the related
blog post. http://blog.esllibrary.com/2012/12/28/when-to-write-
new-years-new-year-and-new-year/
13