I've seen a few movies where mothers call their sons 儿子， but I haven't noticed parents calling their daughters 女儿。 Is it because Chinese parents don't call their daughters 女儿？If so, why??

What I'm about to say is supposed to be a friendly suggestion and not a complaint, so please don't take it as whining.  It seems to me, and correct me if I am wrong, that Western holidays are are usually dealt with at the newbie or elementary levels, and at highest the intermediate level.  How about sometimes doing some holiday lessons at the upper-intermediate or advanced level?  I think there would be loads to talk about, and I also think it would be useful.

That said, I think there is still a bit of life left in the Elementary lessons, and perhaps opposite to xiaophil's comments, maybe you could do some Ellie lessons on some previous Intermediate/Upper-Intermediate topics - opening a bank account and global warming for example?

Yeah, absolutely.  I think it is a good idea to get lower-level listeners familiar with some vocabulary from what normally would be considered an advanced topic.  That way students will be less overwhelmed by new vocabulary when they reach the higher-levels.

Conversely, some topics that are so-called beginner topics are never revisited again in the advanced levels.  For example, inviting a guest to one's house.  Just because we know how to say 请进，请坐，你想喝茶吗?  doesn't mean we will feel comfortable entertaining guests. 

Anyway... I think I made my point.

Xiaophil.

It seems we want different things - I would like more challenging topics at the Elementary level and you want more what might be considered 'beginner level' topics but in more detail and depth at more advanced levels.

ChinesePod to the rescue!!

Not many parents would call their kids '儿子' or '女儿'. Your reference about calling '儿子' in films, I suppose  traditionally sons are valued more and parents express their pride by saying 儿子 out aloud.

@waiguoren and xiaophil,

Thank you for your great suggestions! Two sides of the arguments and both very valid. Regarding easy ele lessons, we keep some varying degrees of difficulty within each level because that tends to be the reality of learners' levels. Having said that, you will find most lessons in the same level are at the more difficult side.

What's the special food for Thanksgiving? Turkey?