. Racism in Sport - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Racism in Sport - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Racism in Sport - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson

Breaking News English Lesson: Racism in Sport

FIFA, the organization that controls world football (or soccer), wants to make a new rule to stop racism. It wants referees to give a red card to players who cover their mouths when they say things to other players. If a player is shown a red card, they are sent off and must leave the football pitch. Recently, there have been several cases of players being racist. Last month, Brazilian international Vinicius Junior, 25, was playing for Real Madrid against Benfica in the Champions League. The match was suspended for ten minutes after Vinicius Junior claimed that a Benfica player had racially insulted him. Vinicius has faced 20 cases of racial abuse since joining Madrid in 2018.

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants footballers who cover their mouths during arguments to be sent off. Any player receiving a red card for discrimination can face a 10-match ban. Mr Infantino spoke to reporters at Sky News. He said if a player covered their mouth and said something, the comment could be racist, so that player has to be sent off. He added that players who cover their mouths must have said something they shouldn't have, otherwise they wouldn't have had to cover their mouth. Real Madrid is happy that FIFA is thinking about a new red-card rule. It said it would also "continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to get rid of racism, violence, and hate in sport and society".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

  • https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48073911/fifa-boss-gianni-infantino-calls-red-cards-players-cover-mouths
  • https://news.sky.com/story/footballers-who-cover-mouths-during-on-pitch-rows-should-be-sent-off-says-fifa-boss-13513895
  • https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/chelsea-could-rival-newcastle-nunez-223734834.html

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

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News

"Much has been said and written on the utility of newspapers; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publications has been neglected; we mean that of reading them in schools."

The Portland Eastern Herald (June 8, 1795)

"News is history in its first and best form, its vivid and fascinating form, and. history is the pale and tranquil reflection of it."

Mark Twain, in his autobiography (1906)

"Current events provide authentic learning experiences for students at all grade levels. In studying current events, students are required to use a range of cognitive, affective, critical thinking and research skills."

Haas, M. and Laughlin, M. (2000) Teaching Current Events: It's Status in Social Studies Today.

Warm-ups

1. RACISM: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about racism. Change partners often and share your findings. 2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life? organization / football / soccer / racism / red card / football pitch / suspended / abuse arguments / discrimination / bans / collaboration / violence / hate / sport / society Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently. 3. SEASON BAN: Students A strongly believe players who racially abuse other players should be banned for a whole season; Students B strongly believe that's too much. Change partners again and talk about your conversations. 4. FOOTBALL POSITIONS: What must these players do? How important are they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Player Role

Abilities

Goalkeeper

Defender

Midfielder

Captain

Attacker

Winger

MY e-BOOK See a sample
  • Football
  • F1
  • Skiing
  • Rugby
  • Tennis
  • Basketball
  • Ice hockey
  • Cycling
Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. organization a. A group of people who work together for a purpose. 2. rule (noun) b. Times when things/events happen. 3. racism c. An official order about what you must or must not do. 4. sent off d. More than two but not many. 5. several e. Unfair treatment of people because of their race or skin colour. 6. cases f. Told to leave the game by the referee. 7.

suspended g.

Stopped for a short time.

Paragraph 2

8. arguments h. If not. 9. discrimination i. An official order that stops someone from doing something. 10. face (verb) j. Angry disagreements between people. 11. ban (noun) k. Working together with other people. 12. otherwise l. Unfair treatment of someone because of who they are. 13. collaboration m. Physical force that hurts people or damages things. 14.

violence n.

Have to deal with something.

Before reading / listening 1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
  1. FIFA said it wants to control world football. T / F
  2. FIFA wants referees to send off players who make racist comments. T / F
  3. A Real Madrid player said he was racially abused in a World Cup game. T / F
  4. A game stopped for 10 minutes because of a possible racist comment. T / F
  5. Players who racially abuse others could get a 10-match ban. T / F
  6. FIFA's boss said players must cover their mouths in any argument. T / F
  7. Real Madrid is happy about the possibility of a racism red card. T / F
  8. Real Madrid said it would work to end violence, hate, and racism. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
  1. if not
  2. fights
  3. insults
  4. remark
  5. field
  6. wipe out
  7. group
  8. cooperation
  9. halted
  10. prejudice
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
  1. the organization that controls
  2. a player is shown
  3. there have been several cases of
  4. The match was suspended
  5. Vinicius has faced 20
  6. footballers who cover their mouths
  7. face a 10-match
  8. the comment
  9. that player has to be sent
  10. continue working in collaboration
  1. cases of racial abuse
  2. could be racist
  3. during arguments
  4. a red card
  5. off
  6. world football
  7. with all institutions
  8. for ten minutes
  9. ban
  10. players being racist
Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below. cases shown since suspended controls pitch insulted referees

FIFA, the organization that (1) ______________________________________________ world football (or soccer), wants to make a new rule to stop racism. It wants (2) ______________________________________________ to give a red card to players who cover their mouths when they say things to other players. If a player is (3) ______________________________________________ a red card, they are sent off and must leave the football (4) ______________________________________________. Recently, there have been several (5) ______________________________________________ of players being racist. Last month, Brazilian international Vinicius Junior, 25, was playing for Real Madrid against Benfica in the Champions League. The match was (6) ______________________________________________ for ten minutes after Vinicius Junior claimed that a Benfica player had racially (7) ______________________________________________ him. Vinicius has faced 20 cases of racial abuse (8) ______________________________________________ joining Madrid in 2018.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

something working ban violence otherwise arguments something rule

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants footballers who cover their mouths during (9) ______________________________________________ to be sent off. Any player receiving a red card for discrimination can face a 10-match (10) ______________________________________________. Mr Infantino spoke to reporters at Sky News. He said if a player covered their mouth and said (11) ______________________________________________, the comment could be racist, so that player has to be sent off. He added that players who cover their mouths must have said (12) ______________________________________________ they shouldn't have, (13) ______________________________________________ they wouldn't have had to cover their mouth. Real Madrid is happy that FIFA is thinking about a new red-card (14) ______________________________________________. It said it would also "continue (15) ______________________________________________, in collaboration with all institutions, to get rid of racism, (16) ______________________________________________, and hate in sport and society".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) give a red card to players who cover their mouths when they say things ______ a. to another players b. to other player c. to other players d. to the other player 2) If a player is shown a red card, they are sent off and must leave ______ a. the football pitch b. the football patch c. the football porch d. the football putsch 3) Recently, there have been several cases of ______ a. players been racist b. players be in racist c. players be racist d. players being racist 4) suspended for ten minutes after Vinicius Junior claimed that a Benfica player had _____ a. racially insult him b. racially insulted him c. racially insulted his d. racially insulted them 5) Vinicius has faced 20 cases of racial abuse since joining ______ a. Madrid on 2018 b. Madrid at 2018 c. Madrid in 2018 d. Madrid by 2018

6) Infantino wants footballers who cover their mouths during arguments to ______ a. been sent in b. be send off c. be sent on d. be sent off 7) Any player receiving a red card for discrimination can face a ______ a. 10-match band b. 10-match bin c. 10-match ban d. 10-match bond 8) He said if a player covered their mouth and said something, the comment ______ a. could be racism b. could be racist c. could be racial d. could be racially 9) players who cover their mouths must have said something ______ a. they shouldn't of b. they shouldn't has c. they shouldn't had d. they shouldn't have 10) in collaboration with all institutions, to get rid of racism, violence, and ______ a. hate in sport b. hating sport c. hate tin sport d. hat in sport

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

FIFA, the organization (1) __________________________________________________ football (or soccer), wants to make a new rule (2) __________________________________________________. It wants referees to give a red card to players who cover their mouths when they say things to other players. If a player is (3) __________________________________________________ card, they are sent off and must leave the football pitch. Recently, there have been several cases of (4) __________________________________________________. Last month, Brazilian international Vinicius Junior, 25, was playing for Real Madrid against Benfica in the Champions League. The match (5) __________________________________________________ ten minutes after Vinicius Junior claimed that a Benfica player had racially insulted him. Vinicius has (6) __________________________________________________ of racial abuse since joining Madrid in 2018.

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants footballers who cover their mouths (7) __________________________________________________ be sent off. Any player receiving a red card for discrimination can face a (8) __________________________________________________. Mr Infantino spoke to reporters at Sky News. He said if a player covered their mouth and said something, the comment (9) __________________________________________________, so that player has to be sent off. He added that players who cover their mouths must have said something they shouldn't have, (10) __________________________________________________ have had to cover their mouth. Real Madrid is happy that FIFA is thinking about a new (11) __________________________________________________. It said it would also "continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to (12) __________________________________________________ racism, violence, and hate in sport and society".

Comprehension questions
  1. What is the name of the organization that controls world football?
  2. Who might have to give racist players a red card?
  3. For how long was a Real Madrid match suspended after possible racism?
  4. How many times has Vinicius Junior been racially abused at Madrid?
  5. When did Vinicius Junior join Real Madrid?
  6. For how long could a player be banned if they get a red card?
  7. Which news agency did Gianni Infantino talk to?
  8. How does Real Madrid feel about a possible red card for racism?
  9. Who will Real Madrid continue to work with?
  10. What does Real Madrid want to get rid of besides racism?
Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of the organization that controls world football? a) FIFA b) UEFA c) EFL d) CONCACAF 2) Who might have to give racist players a red card? a) spectators b) FIFA c) referees d) team captains 3) For how long was a Real Madrid match suspended after possible racism? a) 8 minutes b) 10 minutes c) 13 minutes d) 21 minutes 4) How many times has Vinicius Junior been racially abused at Madrid? a) 5 times b) 10 times c) 15 times d) 20 times 5) When did Vinicius Junior join Real Madrid? a) 2018 b) 2019 c) 2020 d) 2021

6) For how long could a player be banned if they get a red card? a) for 3 matches b) for 5 matches c) for 8 matches d) for 10 matches 7) Which news agency did Gianni Infantino talk to? a) BBC b) Sky News c) ESPN d) Aljazeera 8) How does Real Madrid feel about a possible red card for racism? a) good b) surprised c) angry d) happy 9) Who will Real Madrid continue to work with? a) Barcelona b) youth teams c) institutions d) FIFA 10) What does Real Madrid want to get rid of besides racism? a) corruption b) violence and hate c) video assistant referees d) plastic pitches

Role play

Role A – Football You think football is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sport. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): tennis, skiing or cycling.

Role B – Tennis You think tennis is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sport. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): football, skiing or cycling.

Role C – Skiing You think skiing is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sport. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): tennis, football or cycling.

Role D – Cycling You think cycling is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sport. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): tennis, skiing or football.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words.

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Racism in Sport

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

  1. What did you think when you read the headline?
  2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'red card'?
  3. What do you know about FIFA?
  4. Which word is best, 'football' or 'soccer'?
  5. What do you think of racism in sport?
  6. What can FIFA do to completely end racism in football?
  7. Why are people racist?
  8. Do you think a red card for covering your mouth is good?
  9. What do you think of football?
  10. What advice do you have for Vinicius Junior?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

  1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
  2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'racism'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. Is a 10-match ban long enough for making racist comments?
  5. Why is there so much racism in football?
  6. What should happen to soccer fans who are racist?
  7. What would you do if you heard a racist comment?
  8. How can we get rid of violence in society?
  9. What do you think of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
  10. What questions would you like to ask the FIFA boss?
Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

FIFA, the organization that (1) ____ world football (or soccer), wants to make a new rule to stop racism. It wants referees to (2) ____ a red card to players who cover their mouths when they say things to (3) ____ players. If a player is shown a red card, they are sent off and must leave the football pitch. Recently, there have been several cases (4) ____ players being racist. Last month, Brazilian international Vinicius Junior, 25, was playing for Real Madrid against Benfica in the Champions League. The match was (5) ____ for ten minutes after Vinicius Junior claimed that a Benfica player had racially insulted him. Vinicius has faced 20 cases of racial abuse since (6) ____ Madrid in 2018.

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants footballers who cover their mouths (7) ____ arguments to be sent off. Any player receiving a red card for discrimination can (8) ____ a 10-match ban. Mr Infantino spoke to reporters at Sky News. He said if a player covered their mouth and said something, the comment could be racist, so that player has to be sent (9) ____. He added that players who cover their mouths must have said something they shouldn't have, (10) ____ they wouldn't have had to cover their mouth. Real Madrid is happy that FIFA is (11) ____ about a new red-card rule. It said it would also "continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to get rid (12) ____ racism, violence, and hate in sport and society".

Which of these words go in the above text?

  1. (a) control (b) controlling (c) controls (d) controller
  2. (a) give (b) send (c) take (d) out
  3. (a) other (b) another (c) others (d) othered
  4. (a) of (b) to (c) at (d) by
  5. (a) suspension (b) suspended (c) suspends (d) suspender
  6. (a) joins (b) join (c) joint (d) joining
  7. (a) daring (b) enduring (c) during (d) endearing
  8. (a) cheek (b) skull (c) head (d) face
  9. (a) off (b) on (c) out (d) in
  10. (a) wisely (b) otherwise (c) wise (d) wisdom
  11. (a) thinks (b) thinking (c) thought (d) think
  12. (a) at (b) by (c) of (d) on
Spelling Paragraph 1
  1. the nirnigozoata that controls world football
  2. It wants freesere to give a red card
  3. leave the football thpic
  4. there have been arevesl cases
  5. The match was eesdusdpn for ten minutes
  6. 20 cases of lraiac abuse
Paragraph 2
  1. cover their mouths during armtsgneu
  2. a red card for mtinriiadonics
  3. otehieswr they wouldn't
  4. continue working in tolracnioalbo
  5. oneceliv and hate
  6. sport and etscyoi
Put the text back together

( ) be racist, so that player has to be sent off. He added that players who cover their mouths must have said ( ) Champions League. The match was suspended for ten minutes after Vinicius Junior claimed that a Benfica ( ) collaboration with all institutions, to get rid of racism, violence, and hate in sport and society". ( ) FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants footballers who cover their mouths during arguments to be sent ( 1 ) FIFA, the organization that controls world football (or soccer), wants to make a new rule to stop ( ) happy that FIFA is thinking about a new red-card rule. It said it would also "continue working, in ( ) international Vinicius Junior, 25, was playing for Real Madrid against Benfica in the ( ) off. Any player receiving a red card for discrimination can face a 10-match ban. Mr Infantino spoke to ( ) pitch. Recently, there have been several cases of players being racist. Last month, Brazilian ( ) player had racially insulted him. Vinicius has faced 20 cases of racial abuse since joining Madrid in 2018. ( ) racism. It wants referees to give a red card to players who cover their mouths when they say ( ) reporters at Sky News. He said if a player covered their mouth and said something, the comment could ( ) something they shouldn't have, otherwise they wouldn't have had to cover their mouth. Real Madrid is ( ) things to other players. If a player is shown a red card, they are sent off and must leave the football

Put the words in the right order
  1. a Make new racism rule stop to .
  2. a card give It red referees to wants .
  3. other players say they things to When .
  4. been being cases have of players racist There .
  5. for match minutes suspended ten The was .
  6. arguments cover during Footballers mouths their who .
  7. a Any card discrimination for player receiving red .
  8. be has off player sent That to .
  9. a about FIFA is new red-card rule thinking .
  10. collaboration continue in institutions It with working would .
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

FIFA, the organization that controlling / controls world football (or soccer), wants to make a new rule to stop racist / racism. It wants referees to give a red card to players who cover their mouths what / when they say things to other players. If a player is showing / shown a red card, they are sent off / on and must leave the football pitch / patch. Recently, there have been several cases / case of players being racist. Last month, Brazilian international Vinicius Junior, 25, was play / playing for Real Madrid against Benfica in the Champions League. The match was suspend / suspended for ten minutes after Vinicius Junior claimed that a Benfica player had racially insulted him. Vinicius has faced / headed 20 cases of racial abuse since joining Madrid in 2018.

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants footballers who cover their mouths during argument / arguments to be sent off. Any player receiving a red card for discrimination can face a 10-match bin / ban. Mr Infantino spoke to / for reporters at Sky News. He said if a player covered their mouth and said something, the meant / comment could be racist, so that player has to be sent off. He subtracted / added that players who cover their mouths must have said something they shouldn't have / do, otherwise they wouldn't have had to cover their mouth. Real Madrid is happy / happily that FIFA is thinking / thought about a new red-card rule. It said it would also "continue working, in / on collaboration with all institutions, to get rid of racism, violence, and hate in / at sport and society".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

F_F_, th_ _rg_n_z_t__n th_t c_ntr_ls w_rld f__tb_ll (_r s_cc_r), w_nts t_ m_k_ _ n_w r_l_ t_ st_p r_c_sm. _t w_nts r_f_r__s t_ g_v_ _ r_d c_rd t_ pl_y_rs wh_ c_v_r th__r m__ths wh_n th_y s_y th_ngs t_ _th_r pl_y_rs. _f _ pl_y_r _s sh_wn _ r_d c_rd, th_y _r_ s_nt _ff _nd m_st l__v_ th_ f__tb_ll p_tch. R_c_ntly, th_r_ h_v_ b__n s_v_r_l c_s_s _f pl_y_rs b__ng r_c_st. L_st m_nth, Br_z_l__n _nt_rn_t__n_l V_n_c__s J_n__r, 25, w_s pl_y_ng f_r R__l M_dr_d _g__nst B_nf_c_ _n th_ Ch_mp__ns L__g__. Th_ m_tch w_s s_sp_nd_d f_r t_n m_n_t_s _ft_r V_n_c__s J_n__r cl__m_d th_t _ B_nf_c_ pl_y_r h_d r_c__lly _ns_lt_d h_m. V_n_c__s h_s f_c_d 20 c_s_s _f r_c__l _b_s_ s_nc_ j__n_ng M_dr_d _n 2018.

F_F_ b_ss G__nn_ _nf_nt_n_ w_nts f__tb_ll_rs wh_ c_v_r th__r m__ths d_r_ng _rg_m_nts t_ b_ s_nt _ff. _ny pl_y_r r_c__v_ng _ r_d c_rd f_r d_scr_m_n_t__n c_n f_c_ _ 10-m_tch b_n. Mr _nf_nt_n_ sp_k_ t_ r_p_rt_rs _t Sky N_ws. H_ s__d _f _ pl_y_r c_v_r_d th__r m__th _nd s__d s_m_th_ng, th_ c_mm_nt c__ld b_ r_c_st, s_ th_t pl_y_r h_s t_ b_ s_nt _ff. H_ _dd_d th_t pl_y_rs wh_ c_v_r th__r m__ths m_st h_v_ s__d s_m_th_ng th_y sh__ldn't h_v_, _th_rw_s_ th_y w__ldn't h_v_ h_d t_ c_v_r th__r m__th. R__l M_dr_d _s h_ppy th_t F_F_ _s th_nk_ng _b__t _ n_w r_d-c_rd r_l_. _t s__d _t w__ld _ls_ "c_nt_n__ w_rk_ng, _n c_ll_b_r_t__n w_th _ll _nst_t_t__ns, t_ g_t r_d _f r_c_sm, v__l_nc_, _nd h_t_ _n sp_rt _nd s_c__ty".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

fifa the organization that controls world football or soccer wants to make a new rule to stop racism it wants referees to give a red card to players who cover their mouths when they say things to other players if a player is shown a red card they are sent off and must leave the football pitch recently there have been several cases of players being racist last month brazilian international vinicius junior 25 was playing for real madrid against benfica in the champions league the match was suspended for ten minutes after vinicius junior claimed that a benfica player had racially insulted him vinicius has faced 20 cases of racial abuse since joining madrid in 2018

fifa boss gianni infantino wants footballers who cover their mouths during arguments to be sent off any player receiving a red card for discrimination can face a 10match ban mr infantino spoke to reporters at sky news he said if a player covered their mouth and said something the comment could be racist so that player has to be sent off he added that players who cover their mouths must have said something they shouldnt have otherwise they wouldnt have had to cover their mouth real madrid is happy that fifa is thinking about a new redcard rule it said it would also continue working in collaboration with all institutions to get rid of racism violence and hate in sport and society

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

FIFA,theorganizationthatcontrolsworldfootball(orsoccer),wantstom akeanewruletostopracism.Itwantsrefereestogivearedcardtoplayers whocovertheirmouthswhentheysaythingstootherplayers.Ifaplayeri sshownaredcard,theyaresentoffandmustleavethefootballpitch.Rece ntly,therehavebeenseveralcasesofplayersbeingracist.Lastmonth,Br azilianinternationalViniciusJunior,25,wasplayingforRealMadridagai nstBenficaintheChampionsLeague.Thematchwassuspendedforten minutesafterViniciusJuniorclaimedthataBenficaplayerhadraciallyins ultedhim.Viniciushasfaced20casesofracialabusesincejoiningMadridi n2018.FIFAbossGianniInfantinowantsfootballerswhocovertheirmou thsduringargumentstobesentoff.Anyplayerreceivingaredcardfordis criminationcanfacea10-matchban.MrInfantinospoketoreportersatS kyNews.Hesaidifaplayercoveredtheirmouthandsaidsomething,thec ommentcouldberacist,sothatplayerhastobesentoff.Headdedthatpla yerswhocovertheirmouthsmusthavesaidsomethingtheyshouldn'tha ve,otherwisetheywouldn'thavehadtocovertheirmouth.RealMadridis happythatFIFAisthinkingaboutanewred-cardrule.Itsaiditwouldalso" continueworking,incollaborationwithallinstitutions,togetridofracism ,violence,andhateinsportandsociety".

Free writing

Write about racism red card for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

Academic writing

All sports players should get a red card and a long ban for racist comments. Discuss.

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word. 2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson. 3. RACISM: Make a poster about racism. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things? 4. RED CARD: Write a magazine article about giving sports players for making racist, exist, homophobic, and other hurtful comments. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s). 5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles. 6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on racism. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can end it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also.

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

$US 9.99

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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