Activity 1: vocabulary

Write down some words related to love that you know. Here are a few selected by members of staff here in CELT:

• Verbs: to flirt, to love, to admire, to propose
• Nouns: candlelight, darling, sweetheart, fiancé, relationship
• Phrases: have a crush on someone, to go out with someone, to get engaged, to fall in love

Activity 2: Reading about history

How did this holiday become popular? Let us tell you a bit about the history of this famous day that is celebrated in many countries, for instance in Canada, Mexico, France, Denmark, Italy and Australia as well as the USA and the UK.

• Valentine’s day has been celebrated in one way or another for about 600 years.
• First Valentine’s messages appeared in early 1400s.
• The exact history of this day is, however, not known, as there are three saints with the name of Valentine.
  • The first one was a priest who performed marriages.
  • The second story presents Valentine who helped Christians escape from Roman prisons.
  • The third story says that Valentine sent a letter to a girl while he was in prison and signed it ‘From your Valentine’.
• The Catholic Church chose 14 February for St Valentine’s Day in the year 270.

activity 3: Love quotes

• “Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” — Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• “Love is like the wind, you can’t see it, but you can feel it.” ― Nicholas Sparks, “A Walk To Remember”
• “Love loves to love love.” ― James Joyce, “Ulysses”
• “Love is a smoke and is made with the fume of sighs.” — William Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet”
• “Love is the answer to everything. It’s the only reason to do anything.” — Ray Bradbury

Do you know any other famous love quotes?

Activity 4: Valentine’s day gifts

Did you know that in the UK we spend about £503m on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts for Valentine’s Day? Here is the list of the most common gifts:

• Valentine’s day card
• Dinner at favourite restaurant
• Bouquet of flowers
• Box of chocolates
• Vouchers – for literally anything!

Have you ever given anything special to your other half?

activity 5: romeo and juliet

Do you know any famous love stories? The most famous one in the world is probably Romeo and Juliet written by English poet and playwright William Shakespeare in the 16^th century.

It is a tragic story about two young lovers who come from two different families, the fact that costs them their lives.

Watch the summary of the story at the British Council website and try to answer the quiz questions!

Activity 6: fill in the blanks

As the last activity, we have chosen a love song for you – Your Song by Elton John. Try to fill in the gaps in the lyrics below by listening to the song here. You can check your answers here.

It’s a little bit _______ this feeling inside
I’m not one of those who can ______ hide, I
Don’t have much _______ but boy if I did
I’d buy a big _______ where we both could live

If I was a _______, but then again no
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show
Oh I know it’s not much but it’s the best I can do
My gift is my _______
And this one’s for you

And you can tell _______ this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it’s done
I _______ you don’t mind
I hope you don’t mind

That I put down in words
How _______ life is while you’re in the world

I sat on the _______ and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they’ve got me quite cross
But the sun’s been quite kind
While I wrote this song
It’s for _______ like you that
Keep it turned on

So excuse me forgetting
But these things I do
You see I’ve forgotten
If they’re green or they’re _______
Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest _______ I’ve ever seen