Football World Cup Lesson Idea

Author: Dennis Delany

Page 1 of 2

2

r: Katie Jones.

© Pearson Education 2010

PHOTOCOPIABLE

Preparation Time: None

Learning Objectives: In the context of the

football World Cup – use of abstract nouns and

adjectives; awareness of word class and

structures used with each; language of discussion

Skill: Speaking

Completion Time: 45–60 minutes or a

sequence of lessons using a project-

based approach with stronger classes

Grammar: Word class, it takes/you need/you have to

Age/Level: Teenager–Adult/Intermediate

Resources: Images of the World Cup, South Africa, famous footballers, etc.

Warm-Up (15 minutes)

Have a look at Football World Cup Stats Warmer for some statistics on the World Cup.

Presentation (5–10 minutes)

•

Ask the questions: What does it take to win the World Cup? and What do you need to

win the World Cup?

•

Elicit some answers, then highlight the forms:

‘It takes strength/determination/stamina/talent/bravery/courage/passion, etc.’

‘You need to be/strong/determined/fit/talented/brave/passionate, etc.’

•

Draw a two column table on the board (or use a wall poster) and put the examples in

each column.

•

Ask the students what each column is (one for nouns and the other for adjectives)

Practice (10–15 minutes)

Students copy a two-column table and fill it in with as many nouns and adjectives as they can.

They can work by themselves or with their classmates.

Discussion (in pairs or groups 15+ minutes)

What does a team need to win the World Cup?

Why have Brazil won it so many times?

Why have England won it only once, and not since 1966?

What is the role of the captain of the team?

What is the role of the manager?

Can supporters make a difference?

What about refereeing decisions?

Football World Cup Lesson Idea

Author: Dennis Delany

Page 2 of 2

2

r: Katie Jones.

© Pearson Education 2010

PHOTOCOPIABLE

Business Classes can discuss these questions:

What qualities does it take to be a successful football manager?

What lessons can business managers learn from football managers?

Should business managers run their departments like a football team? Why/why not?

What business opportunities does the World Cup offer?

Closure

Ask pairs or groups to give feedback in open class or summarise the main points yourself on the board.

Other ideas

Ask the class to cut out and bring in pictures of players illustrating qualities such as fitness, bravery,

passion, team spirit, fair play, strength, etc. and make a wall poster.

Ask each student to write a biography of their favourite player and give a five-minute

presentation in the next class, using pictures or PowerPoint slides.

Extension activities

For more activities on football and the World Cup have a look at:

Football Gaffes

Football Gaffes Answer Key

Football Idiom Pictionary

Sports Expressions Matching Cards Game

Eight Famous Managers Reading

Eight Famous Managers Reading Answer Key

Football Pundits’ Predictions Dialogue

The Not-So-Serious World Cup Quiz