April Fool's Day (Intermediate)

День смеха, День дураков (April Fools' Day или All Fool's Day) — всемирный праздник, отмечаемый 1 апреля во многих странах. Во время этого праздника принято разыгрывать друзей и знакомых, или просто подшучивать над ними.

Приколы и поздравления — это всегда смешные и прикольные слова, которые часто вперемешку с розыгрышами дарят друг другу люди, чтобы в этот день у всех точно было хорошее настроение. А вы разыгрываете своих друзей? Как разыгрывают друг друга люди разных стран?

Warm up activity

Do you celebrate April Fool’s Day?

Do you know how they celebrate it in the UK?

Reading

Most people aim to complete their pranks before noon, but some people stretch it out for the day. All you should remember is that the goal is laughs — not tears

Read an article and find out interesting facts about April Fools' Day

April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way. Americans play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on the first of April. One common trick is pointing down to a friend s shoe and saying: "Your shoe-lace is untied."

In England, jokes are played only in the morning. Fools are called ‘gobs’ or ‘gobbv’ and a victim of a joke is called a ‘noodle’. It was considered bad luck to play a practical joke on someone after noon. In Scotland, April Fool’s Day is 48 hours long and you are called an "April Gowk", which is another name for a cuckoo bird. The second day in Scotland's April Fool's is called Taily Day and is dedicated to pranks involving the buttocks. Taily Day's gift to kids is the cheerful "Kick Me" sign.

In France the April Fool's is called "April Fish". The French fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends’ backs and when someone discovers this trick, they call: "April Fish". In Portugal, April Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before Lent. In this celebration, many people throw flour at their friends. The Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31 in India.

People play jokes on one another and smear colours on one another celebrating the arrival of spring. So, no matter where you happen to be in the world on April 1, don't be surprised if April fools fall playfully upon you.

Answer the questions:

What is the second day in Scotland’s April Fool’s dedicated to? Why?

Why is the April Fool’s called April Fish in France?

What trick do people play in Portugal?

What does smearing colours mean in India?

Listening

Watch the videos on April Fools' Day

The History of April Fools Day

Discuss the following:

Have you ever put a joke on anybody?

How did you try to play anybody up?