Memorial Day is a great time to teach students about American culture and history. This U.S. holiday honors the brave people who have served—and still serve—in the military. It’s also a good chance to build vocabulary and help ESL students learn about this special day in a respectful way.
Memorial Day is a time to remember and show respect. It’s also a good chance to teach ESL students new words. Let’s look at some important Memorial Day vocabulary your students should learn.
First up, we have the word “sacrifice.”
When we say someone made a sacrifice, it means they gave up something valuable or important to achieve a goal or gain something else. Memorial Day is a day when we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to protect our country and our freedoms.
Next, we have the word “honor.”
To honor someone means to show respect or say thank you. On Memorial Day, we honor people who gave their lives while serving in the military. We remember them and thank them for their service.
Another important word for Memorial Day is “remember.”
To remember someone means to keep them in your thoughts, even if they are no longer with us. We remember those who fought for our freedom by visiting memorials, attending parades, and decorating gravesites with American flags.
The “armed forces” is another essential term for Memorial Day.
The armed forces are groups of people whose job is to protect the nation from enemies, and they are often referred to as the military. On Memorial Day, we honor all branches of the armed forces—the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard—for their service and sacrifice.
Lastly, we have the word “veteran.”
A veteran is someone who has served in the military during wartime or peacetime, and they can be either active-duty members or retired members of the armed forces. Veterans are highly respected on Memorial Day, and some communities have special parades just for them!
Teaching your ESL students Memorial Day words helps them understand the meaning of the holiday and the sacrifices made by those in the military. Encourage students to share stories about family members who have served. It’s a great way to connect with American culture and history. Celebrate Memorial Day by learning new words and honoring those who gave their lives for our country!
Get organized for next year and make it your best year ever!
