レッスンを予約する
Step 1
Read the Article
Read the article to understand the main idea.
記事を読んで、おおよその内容をつかみましょう。
World’s Santas gather in Denmark for a midsummer congress
Every summer, Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and elves from around the world gather in Aalborg, Denmark's fourth-largest city, for the World Santa Claus Congress, a midsummer tradition held for decades. First staged in 1957 near Copenhagen, the event moved to Aalborg in 2024, and will mark its 70th anniversary in 2027.
The gathering was created to entertain children, but it has become a popular meeting for professional Santas who work in stores and malls during Christmas. They also compete in lighthearted contests, such as gingerbread eating and gift wrapping, and take part in noisy parades. "The grandmas say, 'Oh, it's too early to come here,'" said organizer Peter Gislund, a Santa in Aalborg at Christmas. "The kids say, 'Hooray! Santa's here already.'"
About three dozen Santas attended this year, mostly from Scandinavia. Paradise Yamamoto flew in from Tokyo, Japan. "This is very fun, so many children ... Ho, ho, ho!" Yamamoto said, laughing, after parading through the city with a Japanese flag.
Robert Hercz, a 64-year-old Santa from Oslo, Norway, said Santas everywhere share the same spirit. "It's all about giving, sharing, and putting a little bit of joy in people's hearts," he explained. Simon Brøns, a 33-year-old Danish Santa, agreed. "Christmas is not a season. It's a feeling you have in your stomach," he noted. "So if you want, you can have Christmas the whole year."
(AP)
Step 2
Check the Vocabulary and Phrases
Check the following vocabulary and phrases.
以下の単語やフレーズの発音、意味、使い方を確認しましょう。
elf （複数形：elves）
小さな妖精
a small imaginary creature with pointed ears, often shown in stories helping Santa Claus at Christmas
In the fantasy movie, elves helped the young hero find his way through the forest.
そのファンタジー映画では、妖精たちが若い主人公が森の中で道を見つける手助けをした。
gather
集まる
to come together in one place, often for a particular purpose
A large crowd gathered outside the stadium before the concert began.
コンサートが始まる前に、スタジアムの外に大勢の人が集まった。
stage
(行事などを)開催する
to organize and hold an event or performance for people to watch or take part in
The school is going to stage a small concert at the end of the term.
学校は学期末に小さなコンサートを開催する予定です。
dozen
1ダース、12個
a group or set of twelve
She bought a dozen eggs at the grocery store.
彼女はスーパーで卵を1ダース買った。
spirit
精神
an attitude or feeling that makes someone behave in a certain way, especially a positive or kind way
Even though her team lost the game, Mia showed great spirit and cheered for the winners.
試合に負けたにもかかわらず、ミアは素晴らしい精神を見せ、勝者に声援を送った。
Step 3
Comprehension Questions
Answer the following questions based on the article.
理解度問題に挑戦しましょう。
What does the article say about the history of the congress, including how and when it began and what milestone is coming up?
According to the article, how has the purpose of the congress changed since it first began?
Step 4
Discussion
Share your opinions on the following questions.
以下の質問について、自分の考えを述べてみましょう。
Do you enjoy any festivals or events that happen every year where you live? What do you like about them?
What do you think about people who work as Santa Claus during the holidays? Would you like to try that job? Why or why not?
Do you agree that a holiday feeling can last beyond its usual season? Why or why not?
Have you ever met people from several different countries at the same event? What was that experience like?
What are some common ways people celebrate or prepare for Christmas where you live?