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Players say racism and homophobia common in football (20th March, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Players from England's professional football leagues have told a campaign group that racism and homophobia are common in the game. Over 200 professionals playing in the Premier League, and the three divisions below it, took part in a survey conducted by the campaigners Kick It Out. The organization said both racism and homophobia were everywhere in English football. Over half of those who answered the survey said they regularly see racism and homophobia. A quarter said they have had racist or homophobic comments from fans or other players. One in five said they have seen it from their own teammates. Many players said there should be better policing at football matches.

Kick It Out said things were improving but progress was too slow. It said many players complained about the slow progress. Its website said: "During the 2012/13 season, a number of players publicly displayed their discontent at what they believed to be a lack of progress in tackling racism and discrimination across the game." Former Premier League player Paul Mortimer said there was less racism and homophobia now than there was in the 1980s and 1990s. He said: "If you pick any club in the country, any stadium or any training ground, everything in a club has moved on. But some of the discriminatory vocabulary used is from a bygone era. This kind of mentality is still in the dark ages. It has to move on."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2582945/Premier-League-stars-reveal-racism-homophobia-rife-game.html
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/mar/18/kick-it-out-survey-racism-rule-rooney
http://www.kickitout.org/news/200-current-premier-league-and-football-league-stars-undertake-kick-it-out-consultation/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. FOOTBALL: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about football. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

football / campaign group / racism / homophobia / survey / teammates / policing / progress / discontent / training ground / vocabulary / mentality / the dark ages

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. DISCRIMINATION: What can these people do to kick racism and homophobia out of sport (and society)? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What can they do?	Will (d0) they do it? Why (not)?
National team captain
FIFA boss
Your country's leader
You
Police chiefs
TV commentators

4. RED CARD: Students A strongly believe racist/homophobic players should get a red card for life and never play again; Students B strongly believe a five-game ban is enough. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. HURTFUL: Rank these with your partner. Put the most hurtful or damaging ways to discriminate against someone at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• online comments

• banners at football games

• comments from players

• comments from home fans

• "jokes" from sports chiefs

• remarks from teammates

• not taking action

• not selecting a player

6. PROFESSIONAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "professional". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Players from leagues all over the world spoke about discrimination.	T / F
b.	Over 200 players participated in a survey.	T / F
c.	More than half of those who participated regularly see discrimination.	T / F
d.	Players said they never see their teammates making bad comments.	T / F
e.	Players complained that the fight against discrimination was too slow.	T / F
f.	A player said there was less discrimination now than 30 years ago.	T / F
g.	The player said it was rare to see discrimination at training grounds.	T / F
h.	The player said people's mentality was from the 19th century.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	common	a.	steps forward
2.	took part	b.	replied to
3.	survey	c.	remarks
4.	answered	d.	widespread
5.	comments	e.	choose
6.	improving	f.	questionnaire
7.	progress	g.	challenging
8.	tackling	h.	way of thinking
9.	pick	i.	participated
10.	mentality	j.	getting better

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	England's professional	a.	who answered
2.	took part	b.	vocabulary
3.	Over half of those	c.	at football matches
4.	they have had racist or homophobic	d.	improving
5.	there should be better policing	e.	their discontent
6.	things were	f.	comments from fans
7.	a number of players publicly displayed	g.	football leagues
8.	a lack	h.	in the dark ages
9.	discriminatory	i.	in a survey
10.	This kind of mentality is still	j.	of progress

GAP FILL

Players from England's professional football leagues have told a (1) ____________ group that racism and homophobia are common in the game. Over 200 professionals (2) ____________ in the Premier League, and the three divisions (3) ____________ it, took part in a survey conducted by the campaigners Kick It Out. The organization said both racism and homophobia were (4) ____________ in English football. Over half of those who answered the (5) ____________ said they regularly see racism and homophobia. A quarter said they have had racist or homophobic (6) ____________ from fans or other players. One in five said they have seen it from their (7) ____________ teammates. Many players said there should be better (8) ____________ at football matches.

survey
below
own
campaign
comments
playing
policing
everywhere

Kick It Out said things were (9) ____________ but progress was too slow. It said many players complained about the slow progress. Its website said: "During the 2012/13 season, a (10) ____________ of players publicly displayed their discontent at what they believed to be a lack of (11) ____________ in tackling racism and discrimination across the game." Former Premier League player Paul Mortimer said there was (12) ____________ racism and homophobia now than there was in the 1980s and 1990s. He said: "If you (13) ____________ any club in the country, any stadium or any training ground, everything in a club has (14) ____________ on. But some of the discriminatory (15) ____________ used is from a bygone era. This kind of mentality is still in the (16) ____________ ages. It has to move on."

pick
vocabulary
number
less
improving
dark
moved
progress

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Players from England's professional ______
	a. football leagues b. football leaves c. football league d. football leave
2)	racism and homophobia are ______
	a. commonly in the game b. commoner in the game c. commons in the game d. common in the game
3)	The organization said both racism and homophobia _____ English football
	a. was everywhere in b. were everywhere in c. were anywhere in d. was anywhere in
4)	One in five said they have seen it from ______
	a. their own teammate b. their own tea mate c. their own teammates d. their own tea mates
5)	Many players said there should be ______ football matches
	a. better police in at b. better policies at c. better police inner d. better policing at
6)	Kick It Out said things were improving but ______ slow
	a. progress was too b. pre-grass was too c. progression was too d. pro grass was too
7)	During the 2012/13 season, a number of players publicly ______
	a. displayed they're discontent b. displayed their discontents c. displayed their discontent d. display their discontent
8)	a lack of progress in ______
	a. tackled racism b. tackle in racism c. tracking racism d. tackling racism
9)	But some of the discriminatory vocabulary used is from ______
	a. a buy gone era b. a bye, gone era c. a bygone era d. a be gone era
10)	This kind of mentality is still ______
	a. in the dark ages b. in the dark age c. in the dark aged d. in the dark aging

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Players from England's professional (1) ___________________ told a campaign group that racism and homophobia (2) ___________________ game. Over 200 professionals playing in the Premier League, and the three divisions below it, took part in a (3) ___________________ the campaigners Kick It Out. The organization said both racism and homophobia were everywhere in English football. Over (4) ___________________ answered the survey said they regularly see racism and homophobia. A quarter said they (5) ___________________ homophobic comments from fans or other players. One in five said they have seen it from their own teammates. Many players said there should (6) ___________________ football matches.

Kick It Out said things were improving but (7) ___________________. It said many players complained about the slow progress. Its website said: "During the 2012/13 season, a number of (8) ___________________ their discontent at what they believed to be a (9) ___________________ in tackling racism and discrimination across the game." Former Premier League player Paul Mortimer said there was less racism and homophobia (10) ___________________ the 1980s and 1990s. He said: "If you pick any club in the country, any stadium (11) ___________________, everything in a club has moved on. But some of the discriminatory vocabulary used is from a bygone era. This kind of mentality is still (12) ___________________. It has to move on."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who did professional players talk to about racism and homophobia?
2.	How many players answered the survey?
3.	Where in English football did the players see discrimination?
4.	How many of the players said they regularly saw discrimination?
5.	What did the players say needed to be better at football matches?
6.	What did the players say about the speed of progress?
7.	When did players express their unhappiness in public?
8.	Who is Paul Mortimer?
9.	When did Mr Mortimer compare today's discrimination to?
10.	What period of history did Mortimer say discrimination belonged to?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who did professional players talk to about racism and homophobia?	6.	What did the players say about the speed of progress?
	a) a campaign group b) the head of FIFA c) a sports newspaper d) a footballers' union		a) it was at a snail's pace b) it was like the speed of light c) it was at a good pace d) it was too slow
2.	How many players answered the survey?	7.	When did players express their unhappiness in public?
	a) over 2,000 b) around 20,000 c) more than 200 d) exactly 12,000		a) last month b) between 2012 and 2013 c) a few days ago d) at the beginning of this season
3.	Where in English football did the players see discrimination?	8.	Who is Paul Mortimer?
	a) at away grounds b) everywhere c) in the dressing room d) only at matches		a) the England team's assistant manager b) the boss of Kick It Out c) the owner of a soccer website d) an ex-Premier league player
4.	How many of the players said they regularly saw discrimination?	9.	When did Mr Mortimer compare today's discrimination to?
	a) around two-thirds b) 632 c) just over a quarter d) more than half		a) a few years ago b) the 1966 World Cup Finals c) the 1980s and 1990s d) the nineteenth century
5.	What did the players say needed to be better at football matches?	10.	What period of history did Mortimer say discrimination belonged to?
	a) policing b) hot dogs c) tackles d) the grass		a) the time when football was invented b) the dark ages c) the years between 1354 to 1899 d) the Victorian period

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Elementary school

You think elementary school is the best place to educate people about discrimination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them some problems with their places. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): the Internet, the workplace or sports grounds.

Role B – Internet

You think the Internet is the best place to educate people about discrimination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them some problems with their places. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): elementary school, the workplace or sports grounds.

Role C – At work

You think the workplace is the best place to educate people about discrimination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them some problems with their places. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): the Internet, elementary school or sports grounds.

Role D – Sports grounds

You think sports grounds are the best places to educate people about discrimination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them some problems with their places. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): the Internet, the workplace or elementary school.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

campaign

group

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:

told
three
everywhere
regularly
fans
better

complained
lack
former
1980s
moved
dark

DISCRIMINATION SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about discrimination 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

DISCRIMINATION DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'discrimination'?
c)	Why is there discrimination in sport?
d)	Why do people think skin colour is important?
e)	Should the Premier League get fined for discrimination?
f)	When will racism and homophobia disappear from sport?
g)	Should more gay sports stars say they are gay?
h)	What should happen to fans who make racist or homophobic comments?
i)	What should happen to racist or homophobic players?
j)	Would better policing at football matches help?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Is it good that there is progress, even if it is slow?
c)	What can players do to kick discrimination out of the game?
d)	What do you think of the name "Kick It Out"?
e)	Why don't some people like a player who is gay or lesbian?
f)	Is there racism and homophobia in sport in your country?
g)	What do you do if you hear racist or homophobic comments?
h)	Should players walk off the pitch (field) if they get comments?
i)	Should football clubs be fined if fans make discriminatory comments?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the head of Kick It Out?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Players from England's professional football leagues have told a (1) ____ group that racism and homophobia are (2) ____ in the game. Over 200 professionals playing in the Premier League, and the three divisions (3) ____ it, took part in a survey conducted by the campaigners Kick It Out. The organization said (4) ____ racism and homophobia were everywhere in English football. Over half of those who answered the survey said they (5) ____ see racism and homophobia. A quarter said they have had racist or homophobic comments from fans or other players. One in five said they have seen it from their own teammates. Many players said there should (6) ____ better policing at football matches.

Kick It Out said things were improving but progress was (7) ____ slow. It said many players complained about the slow progress. Its website said: "During the 2012/13 season, (8) ____ number of players publicly displayed their discontent at what they believed to be a lack of progress in (9) ____ racism and discrimination across the game." Former Premier League player Paul Mortimer said there was less racism and homophobia (10) ____ than there was in the 1980s and 1990s. He said: "If you pick any club in the country, any stadium or any training ground, everything in a club has moved (11) ____. But some of the discriminatory vocabulary used is from a bygone era. This kind (12) ____ mentality is still in the dark ages. It has to move on."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	campaign	(b)	campaigned	(c)	campaigning	(d)	campaigner
2.	(a)	commonly	(b)	commoner	(c)	common	(d)	commons
3.	(a)	lower	(b)	less	(c)	below	(d)	down
4.	(a)	every	(b)	all	(c)	between	(d)	both
5.	(a)	regularly	(b)	regular	(c)	regulars	(d)	regulate
6.	(a)	have	(b)	be	(c)	do	(d)	meet
7.	(a)	over	(b)	enough	(c)	much	(d)	too
8.	(a)	a	(b)	big	(c)	the	(d)	nine
9.	(a)	tackled	(b)	tackles	(c)	tackling	(d)	tackle
10.	(a)	at once	(b)	present	(c)	timely	(d)	now
11.	(a)	to	(b)	in	(c)	out	(d)	on
12.	(a)	or	(b)	of	(c)	oh	(d)	on

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	England's afneosriopsl football leagues
2.	mgapnaic group
3.	took part in a uvrsye
4.	they yelluagrr see racism and homophobia
5.	racist or homophobic mtosmenc from fans
6.	there should be better nlcgiopi
Paragraph 2
7.	things were oimnipgrv
8.	complained about the slow peogsrrs
9.	racism and ioiinidsnctram
10.	any itsmuda or any training ground
11.	dyoaisinrirmtc vocabulary
12.	This kind of aetinmylt

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	divisions below it, took part in a survey conducted by the campaigners Kick It Out. The organization said both racism
( )	across the game." Former Premier League player Paul Mortimer said there was less racism and homophobia now
( )	vocabulary used is from a bygone era. This kind of mentality is still in the dark ages. It has to move on."
( )	had racist or homophobic comments from fans or other players. One in five said they have seen it from their own
( 1 )	Players from England's professional football leagues have told a campaign group that racism and homophobia are
( )	Kick It Out said things were improving but progress was too slow. It said many players complained
( )	than there was in the 1980s and 1990s. He said: "If you pick any club in the country, any stadium
( )	answered the survey said they regularly see racism and homophobia. A quarter said they have
( )	or any training ground, everything in a club has moved on. But some of the discriminatory
( )	about the slow progress. Its website said: "During the 2012/13 season, a number of players publicly displayed their discontent
( )	common in the game. Over 200 professionals playing in the Premier League, and the three
( )	and homophobia were everywhere in English football. Over half of those who
( )	teammates. Many players said there should be better policing at football matches.
( )	at what they believed to be a lack of progress in tackling racism and discrimination

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	League playing in Over the 200 Premier professionals.
2.	those who Over answered half the of survey.
3.	or fans from comments Homophobic players other.
4.	teammates it from They their have own seen.
5.	better said policing there should Many be players.
6.	but progress Things was were too improving slow.
7.	their of discontent players publicly A displayed number.
8.	racism tackling in progress of lack A.
9.	the in was there than now racism less was There 1980s.
10.	of mentality is still in the dark ages This kind.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Players from England's professional / professionally football leagues have told a campaign group that racism and homophobia are commonly / common in the game. Over 200 professionals playing in the Premier League, and the three divisions before / below it, took part in a survey conducted by the campaigners Kick It Out. The organization said all / both racism and homophobia were everywhere in English football. Over half of those / them who answered / answering the survey said they regularly see racist / racism and homophobia. A quarter said they have had racist or homophobic comments / commentators from fans or other players. One in / into five said they have seen it from their own teammates. Many players said there should be better policed / policing at football matches.

Kick It Out said things were improvement / improving but progress was too slow. It said many players compliant / complained about the slow progress. Its website said: "During the 2012/13 season, a number for / of players publicly displayed their discontent / contents at what they believed to be a lack of progress in / on tackling racism and discrimination across the game." Former Premier League player Paul Mortimer said there was less / lesser racism and homophobia now than there was in / at the 1980s and 1990s. He said: "If you pick any club in the country, any stadium or any train / training ground, everything in a club has moved / movement on. But some of the discriminatory vocabulary used is from a bygone ear / era. This kind of mentality is still in the dark ages. It has to move on."

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

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

pl_y_rs fr_m _ngl_nd's pr_f_ss__n_l f__tb_ll l__g__s h_v_ t_ld _ c_mp__gn gr__p th_t r_c_sm _nd h_m_ph_b__ _r_ c_mm_n _n th_ g_m_. _v_r 200 pr_f_ss__n_ls pl_y_ng _n th_ pr_m__r l__g__, _nd th_ thr__ d_v_s__ns b_l_w _t, t__k p_rt _n _ s_rv_y c_nd_ct_d by th_ c_mp__gn_rs k_ck _t __t. th_ _rg_n_z_t__n s__d b_th r_c_sm _nd h_m_ph_b__ w_r_ _v_rywh_r_ _n _ngl_sh f__tb_ll. _v_r h_lf _f th_s_ wh_ _nsw_r_d th_ s_rv_y s__d th_y r_g_l_rly s__ r_c_sm _nd h_m_ph_b__. _ q__rt_r s__d th_y h_v_ h_d r_c_st _r h_m_ph_b_c c_mm_nts fr_m f_ns _r _th_r pl_y_rs. _n_ _n f_v_ s__d th_y h_v_ s__n _t fr_m th__r _wn t__mm_t_s. m_ny pl_y_rs s__d th_r_ sh__ld b_ b_tt_r p_l_c_ng _t f__tb_ll m_tch_s.

k_ck _t __t s__d th_ngs w_r_ _mpr_v_ng b_t pr_gr_ss w_s t__ sl_w. _t s__d m_ny pl_y_rs c_mpl__n_d _b__t th_ sl_w pr_gr_ss. _ts w_bs_t_ s__d: "d_r_ng th_ 2012/13 s__s_n, _ n_mb_r _f pl_y_rs p_bl_cly d_spl_y_d th__r d_sc_nt_nt _t wh_t th_y b_l__v_d t_ b_ _ l_ck _f pr_gr_ss _n t_ckl_ng r_c_sm _nd d_scr_m_n_t__n _cr_ss th_ g_m_." f_rm_r pr_m__r l__g__ pl_y_r p__l m_rt_m_r s__d th_r_ w_s l_ss r_c_sm _nd h_m_ph_b__ n_w th_n th_r_ w_s _n th_ 1980s _nd 1990s. h_ s__d: "_f y__ p_ck _ny cl_b _n th_ c__ntry, _ny st_d__m _r _ny tr__n_ng gr__nd, _v_ryth_ng _n _ cl_b h_s m_v_d _n. b_t s_m_ _f th_ d_scr_m_n_t_ry v_c_b_l_ry _s_d _s fr_m _ byg_n_ _r_. th_s k_nd _f m_nt_l_ty _s st_ll _n th_ d_rk _g_s. _t h_s t_ m_v_ _n."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

players from england's professional football leagues have told a campaign group that racism and homophobia are common in the game over 200 professionals playing in the premier league and the three divisions below it took part in a survey conducted by the campaigners kick it out the organization said both racism and homophobia were everywhere in english football over half of those who answered the survey said they regularly see racism and homophobia a quarter said they have had racist or homophobic comments from fans or other players one in five said they have seen it from their own teammates many players said there should be better policing at football matches

kick it out said things were improving but progress was too slow it said many players complained about the slow progress its website said "during the 2012/13 season a number of players publicly displayed their discontent at what they believed to be a lack of progress in tackling racism and discrimination across the game" former premier league player paul mortimer said there was less racism and homophobia now than there was in the 1980s and 1990s he said "if you pick any club in the country any stadium or any training ground everything in a club has moved on but some of the discriminatory vocabulary used is from a bygone era this kind of mentality is still in the dark ages it has to move on"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

PlayersfromEngland'sprofessionalfootballleagueshavetoldacamp
aigngroupthatracismandhomophobiaarecommoninthegame.Ove
r200professionalsplayinginthePremierLeague,andthethreedivisio
nsbelowit,tookpartinasurveyconductedbythecampaignersKickItO
ut.Theorganizationsaidbothracismandhomophobiawereeverywhe
reinEnglishfootball.Overhalfofthosewhoansweredthesurveysaidt
heyregularlyseeracismandhomophobia.Aquartersaidtheyhaveha
dracistorhomophobiccommentsfromfansorotherplayers.Oneinfiv
esaidtheyhaveseenitfromtheirownteammates.Manyplayerssaidth
ereshouldbebetterpolicingatfootballmatches.KickItOutsaidthings
wereimprovingbutprogresswastooslow.Itsaidmanyplayerscompl
ainedabouttheslowprogress.Itswebsitesaid:"Duringthe2012/13s
eason,anumberofplayerspubliclydisplayedtheirdiscontentatwhatt
heybelievedtobealackofprogressintacklingracismanddiscriminati
onacrossthegame."FormerPremierLeagueplayerPaulMortimersai
dtherewaslessracismandhomophobianowthantherewasinthe198
0sand1990s.Hesaid:"Ifyoupickanyclubinthecountry,anystadiumo
ranytrainingground,everythinginaclubhasmovedon.Butsomeofth
ediscriminatoryvocabularyusedisfromabygoneera.Thiskindofmen
talityisstillinthedarkages.Ithastomoveon."

FREE WRITING

Write about discrimination for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Players who make discriminatory comments should never play again. 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 discrimination in sport. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. DISCRIMINATION: Make a poster about discrimination. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. RED CARD: Write a magazine article about discrimination in football. Include imaginary interviews with people who think anyone (fans or players) who makes racist or homophobic comments should get a red card and never play or go to a stadium again.

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 discrimination. Ask him/her three questions about discrimination. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to "kick it out". 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

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	common	a.	widespread
2.	took part	b.	participated
3.	survey	c.	questionnaire
4.	answered	d.	replied to
5.	comments	e.	remarks
6.	improving	f.	getting better
7.	progress	g.	steps forward
8.	tackling	h.	challenging
9.	pick	i.	choose
10.	mentality	j.	way of thinking

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	A campaign group (Kick It Out)
2.	Over 200
3.	Everywhere
4.	Over half
5.	Policing
6.	It was too slow
7.	During the 2012/13 season
8.	A former Premier League player
9.	The 1980s and 1990s
10.	A bygone era (or the dark ages)

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

a

F

b

T

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Players say racism and homophobia common in football (20th March, 2014)

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