Spring is in the air, and with it comes the colorful, joyful celebration of Easter! For many around the world, Easter is a time of renewal, family, and tradition. But did you know that Easter can also be a wonderful opportunity to improve your English skills? Yes, you heard that right! From seasonal vocabulary and fun idioms to cultural expressions and storytelling, Easter is full of language-learning treasures—like hidden Easter eggs, waiting to be discovered.
In today’s post, we’re going to explore how English learners can use Easter to grow their vocabulary, boost their listening and speaking skills, and connect with the cultural richness of the English-speaking world. Whether you’re just beginning your language journey or you’re an advanced learner looking for a fresh take, this post is for you.
Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It usually falls in March or April, depending on the lunar calendar. However, over the centuries, Easter has grown to include a mix of religious, cultural, and even commercial traditions—many of which are celebrated by people of all backgrounds.
In English-speaking countries, Easter is known for symbols like:
Easter eggs (often painted or filled with chocolate)
The Easter Bunny (a rabbit who “hides” eggs for children)
Spring flowers like lilies, daffodils, and tulips
Hot cross buns (spiced sweet bread with a cross on top)
These symbols might seem simple or fun, but they also carry rich meanings and language you can explore.
Let’s begin with some common Easter-themed vocabulary. Try to use these words in your conversations or writing this week!
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Resurrection | Rising from the dead (especially Jesus) | Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. |
| Egg hunt | A game where children look for hidden eggs | The kids had an egg hunt in the garden. |
| Bunny | A small rabbit, often linked with Easter | The Easter Bunny brought me a chocolate egg! |
| Bloom | When flowers open | The garden is in full bloom during Easter. |
| Lent | The 40-day period before Easter | Many people give up something for Lent. |
| Hot cross bun | A sweet bun with a cross on top, eaten at Easter | We baked hot cross buns on Good Friday. |
Challenge: Can you write a short paragraph using at least three of these words? Share it with me in the comments or on Instagram @englishwithjanet!
English is full of idioms—expressions that don’t always mean what they say. Some of them connect beautifully with Easter themes, even if they aren’t directly about Easter.
Here are a few fun ones:
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
Meaning: Don’t depend on just one thing for success.
Example: “If you’re applying for jobs, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to several companies.”
“To walk on eggshells.”
Meaning: To be very careful not to upset someone.
Example: “Ever since the argument, I’ve been walking on eggshells around him.”
“A good egg.”
Meaning: A kind or reliable person.
Example: “Thanks for helping me with my homework—you’re a good egg!”
“Like a rabbit out of a hat.”
Meaning: Something surprising that happens suddenly.
Example: “He came up with the answer like a rabbit out of a hat!”
These idioms are not only fun, but they also help you sound more natural in everyday English. Try using them in conversations or journaling exercises.
Now let’s talk about how to use the Easter season to improve your English.
Some gentle, family-friendly options include:
Hop (a fun animated film about the Easter Bunny)
Peter Rabbit (great for listening and vocabulary)
Episodes of children’s shows like Peppa Pig or Bluey that feature Easter celebrations
Try this:
Turn on English subtitles.
Write down new words or phrases.
Pause and repeat sentences to practice pronunciation.
Storytelling is a powerful way to learn a language.
Here’s a prompt: “Imagine you woke up as the Easter Bunny. What would your day look like?”
Write a short story (100–150 words) and practice reading it aloud. Focus on sentence structure, past tense verbs, and description.
Write new words on paper “eggs” and collect them in a basket or jar. Every day, pull out one egg and try to:
Define the word
Use it in a sentence
Teach it to a friend or classmate
This is great for visual learners!
Did you know that Easter isn’t celebrated the same way everywhere? In the UK, for example, Easter Monday is a public holiday, and children often roll eggs down hills (a symbol of the stone being rolled away from Jesus’s tomb).
In the US, the White House Easter Egg Roll is a big event on the lawn of the President’s home.
In Australia, they’ve replaced the Easter Bunny with the Easter Bilby, a native animal, to protect their environment.
Learning about different Easter traditions can also help you with:
Cultural vocabulary
Listening and reading comprehension
Understanding diverse English accents
Here’s a short Easter-themed paragraph. Try reading it out loud. Then, answer the questions below.
Reading:
Every Easter Sunday, Lily and her cousins visit their grandmother’s farm. They decorate eggs with bright colors, hide them in the garden, and then race to find them. This year, Lily found the golden egg, which was filled with jelly beans. After the egg hunt, they shared hot cross buns and listened to their grandmother’s Easter stories.
Comprehension Questions:
Where do Lily and her cousins go for Easter?
What is special about the golden egg?
What do they eat after the egg hunt?
Can you answer all three? If yes—great job! You’re building reading fluency.
Holidays are more than just special days on the calendar. They are moments of joy, connection, and reflection—and also perfect opportunities to live the language you’re learning.
So this Easter, whether you’re celebrating it or simply enjoying the arrival of spring, use the season as a chance to connect with English in a new, creative way. Sing an Easter song. Try a recipe in English. Share an idiom with a friend. And most of all—have fun with it!
Happy Easter from me to you. 🌸🐣
See you in the next post!
Want more tips like this?
Subscribe to my newsletter at English with Janet, follow me on Instagram
Leave a Reply