The Reading / Listening - Premier League - Level 3

Football players in the UK's Premier League clubs were paid over $3.7 billion last season. An annual report on football finances showed a 15 per cent increase in revenue for the League's 20 clubs. The report is from the international accountancy company Deloitte. It reported that the wage bill for Premier League teams went above $3.5 billion for the first time ever. The report said that almost 60 per cent of all the revenue earned by the League goes towards wages. This is up from 55 per cent in the 2016/17 season. The Premier League's top six clubs, which include Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, have the highest wage bills in the League.

The Premier League is the top level of English football leagues. It is the most-watched sports league in the world. People in 212 countries and territories, in 643 million homes worldwide watch it. This means it makes a lot of money from television rights and merchandising. However, the increase in the wage bill has reduced the profits earned by the clubs. Deloitte said: "With the emphasis now on clubs to generate revenue growth...it may be that we see the levels of pre-tax profit [go down] over the next few years." The teams in the lower half of the League are finding it more difficult to make a profit. The bottom three teams can lose up to $130 million if they are relegated from the Premier League.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Premier League - Level 0,  Premier League - Level 1   or  Premier League - Level 2

Sources
  • https://news.sky.com/story/premier-league-clubs-wage-bill-almost-3bn-last-season-11702927
  • https://www.ft.com/content/d0855c6c-668f-11e9-9adc-98bf1d35a056
  • https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league-money-rising-wages-sees-gap-widen-between-big-six-and-the-rest-a4125491.html


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. SALARIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about salaries. 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?
       football / report / finances / international / accountancy / wages / company / clubs /
       top level / sports / television / merchandising / emphasis / growth / profit / relegated
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. THE GREATEST GAME: Students A strongly believe football is the world's greatest game; Students B strongly believe otherwise.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. PAY: How important are these jobs and how much should they get paid? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Importance

Salary

Football star

 

 

Soldier

 

 

Country's leader

 

 

Teacher

 

 

Software engineer

 

 

Plumber

 

 
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. CLUB: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "club". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SPORTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best sports at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • cricket
  • F1
  • athletics
  • darts
  • football (soccer)
  • American football
  • tennis
  • basketball

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. season a. The money and business of a country, organization, or person.
      2. annual b. At any time in the past; at any time.
      3. finances c. A fixed time in the year when a particular sport is played.
      4. revenue d. Happening once every year.
      5. bill e. The money a person, organization or country gets.
      6. ever f. An amount of money owed for goods supplied or services.
      7. top g. The highest or most important rank, level, or position.

    Paragraph 2

      8. level h. Special importance or value given to something.
      9. territory i. A position on a real or imaginary scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality.
      10. rights j. Branded products used to promote a particular movie, popular music group, football team, etc., or linked to a particular fictional character.
      11. merchandising k. Money made from the difference between the amount earned and the amount spent in buying, operating, or producing something.
      12. emphasis l. An area of land controlled by a ruler or state.
      13. profit m. Moved down to a lower position.
      14. relegated n. Being able to perform, publish, film, or televise a particular work, event, etc.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Premier League club revenues increased by 15% from last season.     T / F
  2. It is the second time the wage bill has gone above $3.5 billion.     T / F
  3. Wages make up around 60% of clubs' revenues.     T / F
  4. Manchester United has the lowest wage bill.     T / F
  5. People in 212 countries and territories watch the Premier League.     T / F
  6. Premier League clubs make a lot of money from merchandising.     T / F
  7. Teams in the lower half of the league find it easier to make a profit.     T / F
  8. The bottom four clubs can lose up to $500 million.     T / F

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

  1. clubs
  2. annual
  3. above
  4. revenue
  5. include
  6. top
  7. money
  8. reduced
  9. generate
  10. relegated
  1. demoted
  2. income
  3. highest
  4. cash
  5. yearly
  6. cut
  7. teams
  8. comprise
  9. cut
  10. over

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

  1. An annual report on
  2. The report is from the international
  3. went above $3.5 billion for
  4. all the revenue earned by the League
  5. have the highest wage
  6. The Premier League is the top
  7. makes a lot of money from
  8. generate revenue
  9. The teams in the lower
  10. The bottom
  1. level of English football
  2. goes towards wages
  3. growth
  4. half of the League
  5. football finances
  6. three teams
  7. the first time ever
  8. bills in the League
  9. television rights
  10. accountancy company

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
revenue
paid
include
ever
wage
annual
bill
towards

Football players in the UK's Premier League clubs were (1) ____________ over $3.7 billion last season. An (2) ____________ report on football finances showed a 15 per cent increase in (3) ____________ for the League's 20 clubs. The report is from the international accountancy company Deloitte. It reported that the wage (4) ____________ for Premier League teams went above $3.5 billion for the first time (5) ____________. The report said that almost 60 per cent of all the revenue earned by the League goes (6) ____________ wages. This is up from 55 per cent in the 2016/17 season. The Premier League's top six clubs, which (7) ____________ Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, have the highest (8) ____________ bills in the League.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
profit
territories
relegated
level
lose
emphasis
half
rights

The Premier League is the top (9) ____________ of English football leagues. It is the most-watched sports league in the world. People in 212 countries and (10) ____________, in 643 million homes worldwide watch it. This means it makes a lot of money from television (11) ____________ and merchandising. However, the increase in the wage bill has reduced the profits earned by the clubs. Deloitte said: "With the (12) ____________ now on clubs to generate revenue growth...it may be that we see the levels of pre-tax (13) ____________ [go down] over the next few years." The teams in the lower (14) ____________ of the League are finding it more difficult to make a profit. The bottom three teams can (15) ____________ up to $130 million if they are (16) ____________ from the Premier League.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Football players in the UK's Premier League clubs were paid over $3.7 billion ______
     a.  last seasons
     b.  past seize on
     c.  last seasoned
     d.  last season
2)  An annual report on football finances showed a 15 per cent increase ______
     a.  on revenue
     b.  in revue
     c.  in revenue
     d.  in revving you
3)  the wage bill for Premier League teams went above $3.5 billion for the ______
     a.  firsts time ever
     b.  first time ever
     c.  first times ever
     d.  firstly timed ever
4)  almost 60 per cent of all the revenue earned by the League goes ______
     a.  forwards wages
     b.  forwards wage is
     c.  toward waged
     d.  towards wages
5) Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have the highest ______ the League
     a.  wage bill sin
     b.  wage bills in
     c.  wage bills inn
     d.  wage bills sin

6)  People in 212 countries and territories, in 643 million homes worldwide ______
     a.  watch it
     b.  watch them
     c.  watch chit
     d.  watch itch
7)  However, the increase in the wage bill has reduced the profits ______ clubs
     a.  earned buy then
     b.  earned by them
     c.  earned buy the
     d.  earned by the
8)  Deloitte said: "With the emphasis now on clubs to generate ______"
     a.  revenue grown
     b.  revenue growl
     c.  revenue growth
     d.  revenue oath
9)  The teams in the lower half of the League are finding it more difficult _______ profit
     a.  tomb ache a
     b.  tomb make a
     c.  tomb maker
     d.  to make a
10)  The bottom three teams can lose up to $130 million if they ______
     a.  your relegated
     b.  are relegated
     c.  are really grated
     d.  your regulated

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Football players in the UK's Premier League clubs (1) ___________________ $3.7 billion last season. An (2) ___________________ football finances showed a 15 per cent increase in revenue for the League's 20 clubs. The (3) ___________________ the international accountancy company Deloitte. It reported that the wage bill for Premier League teams went above $3.5 billion for the (4) ___________________. The report said that almost 60 per cent of all the revenue earned by the League goes towards wages. This (5) ___________________ 55 per cent in the 2016/17 season. The Premier League's top six clubs, which include Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, have the highest (6) ___________________ the League.

The Premier League is the (7) ___________________ English football leagues. It is the most-watched (8) ___________________ the world. People in 212 countries and territories, in 643 million homes worldwide watch it. This means it (9) ___________________ of money from television rights and merchandising. However, the increase in the (10) ___________________ has reduced the profits earned by the clubs. Deloitte said: "With the emphasis now on clubs to generate revenue growth...it may be that we see the levels of pre-tax profit [go down] (11) ___________________ few years." The teams in the lower half of the League are finding it more difficult to make a profit. The bottom three teams can lose up to $130 million if (12) ___________________ from the Premier League.

Comprehension questions

  1. By how much did Premier League finances increase last season?
  2. What is the name of the company that created the report?
  3. How many times has the wage bill gone over $3.5 billion?
  4. How much of revenue goes towards paying wages?
  5. How many teams did the article say had the highest wage bills?
  6. In how many homes worldwide do people watch the Premier League?
  7. What kind of rights does the Premier League make money from?
  8. What has the increased wage bill reduced?
  9. What are teams in the lower half of the league finding it difficult to do?
  10. How much can the bottom three teams lose if they are relegated?

Multiple choice quiz

1) By how much did Premier League finances increase last season?
a) 10%
b) 15%
c) 20%
d) 25%
2) What is the name of the company that created the report?
a) Nike
b) Adidas
c) Amazon
d) Deloitte
3) How many times has the wage bill gone over $3.5 billion?
a) three times
b) twice
c) once
d) never
4) How much of revenue goes towards paying wages?
a) almost 60%
b) exactly 60%
c) just over 60%
d) around 60%
5) How many teams did the article say had the highest wage bills?
a) five
b) six
c) three
d) four

6) In how many homes worldwide do people watch the Premier League?
a) 643 million
b) 212 million
c) 130 million
d) 55 million
7) What kind of rights does the Premier League make money from?
a) human rights
b) players' rights
c) merchandising rights
d) wrongs and rights
8) What has the increased wage bill reduced?
a) profits
b) games
c) competition
d) the length of matches
9) What are teams in the lower half of the league finding it difficult to do?
a) beat the top teams
b) win
c) score goals
d) make a profit
10) How much can the bottom three teams lose if they are relegated?
a) $140 million
b) $180 million
c) $130 million
d) $150 million

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 sports. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): tennis, F1 or darts.

Role  B – Tennis
You think tennis is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sports. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): football, F1 or darts.

Role  C – F1
You think F1 is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sports. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): tennis, football or darts.

Role  D – Darts
You think darts is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sports. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): tennis, F1 or football.

After reading / listening

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

'premier'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'league'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • most
    • 212
    • rights
    • emphasis
    • pre
    • lose
    • last
    • international
    • reported
    • almost
    • 55
    • include

    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 - Premier League footballers earned $3.7bn last season

    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 'premier'?
    3. What do you know about the Premier League?
    4. Should there be a limit on a football player's salary?
    5. Is the Premier League the best football league in the world?
    6. Should a football player earn more than a country's president?
    7. What is your favourite sport, and why?
    8. What would it be like to be a top football player?
    9. Who is the best football player in the world?
    10. What is the best football team in the world?

    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 'league'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of football?
    5. Why is football so popular around the world?
    6. What do you think of the FIFA World Cup?
    7. Do football players deserve such high wages?
    8. What kind of salary would you be happy with?
    9. What is the most exciting game of football ever?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a Premier League player?

    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)

    Football players (1) ____ the UK's Premier League clubs were paid over $3.7 billion last season. An annual report on football finances (2) ____ a 15 per cent increase in revenue for the League's 20 clubs. The report is from the international accountancy company Deloitte. It reported that the wage (3) ____ for Premier League teams went above $3.5 billion for the first time (4) ____. The report said that almost 60 per cent of all the revenue earned by the League goes towards wages. This is up from 55 per cent in the 2016/17 season. The Premier League's (5) ____ six clubs, which include Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, have the highest wage bills in (6) ____ League.

    The Premier League is the top level of English football leagues. It is the most- (7) ____ sports league in the world. People in 212 countries and territories, in 643 million homes worldwide watch it. This (8) ____ it makes a lot of money from television rights and merchandising. However, the increase in the wage bill has reduced the profits earned (9) ____ the clubs. Deloitte said: "With the emphasis now on clubs to generate revenue (10) ____...it may be that we see the levels of pre-tax profit [go down] over the next few years." The teams in the lower half of the League are finding it more difficult to (11) ____ a profit. The bottom three teams can lose up to $130 million if they are (12) ____ from the Premier League.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     in     (b)     on     (c)     as     (d)     to    
    2. (a)     shows     (b)     showing     (c)     showed     (d)     show    
    3. (a)     dill     (b)     bill     (c)     till     (d)     will    
    4. (a)     eventually     (b)     even     (c)     every     (d)     ever    
    5. (a)     top     (b)     topping     (c)     topped     (d)     tops    
    6. (a)     a     (b)     the     (c)     thus     (d)     all    
    7. (a)     watching     (b)     watches     (c)     watch     (d)     watched    
    8. (a)     meaning     (b)     means     (c)     meanings     (d)     meanies    
    9. (a)     of     (b)     as     (c)     by     (d)     to    
    10. (a)     grower     (b)     growing     (c)     grown     (d)     growth    
    11. (a)     clean     (b)     mix     (c)     do     (d)     make    
    12. (a)     regulated     (b)     relegated     (c)     regaled     (d)     regurgitated

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. paid over $3.7 billion last nseaso
    2. An aannul report
    3. football nfnseiac
    4. a 15 per cent increase in ruveeen
    5. which deiclun Manchester City
    6. the ghhtsei wage bills

    Paragraph 2

    1. the top velle
    2. 212 countries and roerirttsei
    3. reduced the ofsitpr
    4. the pmsshaei now on clubs
    5. tifulcidf to make
    6. dgtelreae from the Premier League

    Put the text back together

    (...)  in the world. People in 212 countries and territories, in 643 million homes worldwide watch it. This means it makes a lot
    (...)  bill has reduced the profits earned by the clubs. Deloitte said: "With the emphasis now on clubs to
    (...)  generate revenue growth...it may be that we see the levels of pre-tax profit [go down] over
    (  1  ) Football players in the UK's Premier League clubs were paid over $3.7 billion last season. An annual
    (...)  report on football finances showed a 15 per cent increase in revenue for the League's 20 clubs. The report is from
    (...)  by the League goes towards wages. This is up from 55 per cent in the 2016/17
    (...)  $3.5 billion for the first time ever. The report said that almost 60 per cent of all the revenue earned
    (...)  the next few years." The teams in the lower half of the League are finding it more difficult to make
    (...)  of money from television rights and merchandising. However, the increase in the wage
    (...)  season. The Premier League's top six clubs, which include Manchester City, Manchester
    (...)  The Premier League is the top level of English football leagues. It is the most-watched sports league
    (...)  the international accountancy company Deloitte. It reported that the wage bill for Premier League teams went above
    (...)  a profit. The bottom three teams can lose up to $130 million if they are relegated from the Premier League.
    (...)  United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, have the highest wage bills in the League.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the   clubs   .   Premier   in   League   players   Football   UK's
    2. increase   for   in   clubs   .   League   A   15%   revenue
    3. towards   League   goes   earned   the   wages   .   Revenue   by
    4. is   percent   55   from   up   2016/17   .   This   in
    5. bills   League   .   the   Have   the   highest   in   wage
    6. money   .   This   of   makes   lot   means   a   it
    7. profits   .   bill   increase   wage   reduced   The   in   the
    8. go   down   .   profit   of   the   See   levels   pre-tax
    9. the   the   League   .   half   of   in   Teams   lower
    10. they   from   are   relegated   Premier   If   the   League   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Football players in the UK's Premier League clubs were paying / paid over $3.7 billion last season. An annual report on / in football finances showed a 15 per cent increase in revues / revenue for the League's 20 clubs. The report is from the international accountancy company Deloitte. It reported that the wager / wage bill for Premier League teams went above $3.5 billion for the first time every / ever. The report said that almost 60 per cent of all the revenue earned / earn by the League goes towards / forwards wages. This is up from 55 per cent in the 2016/17 season / seasoning. The Premier League's atop / top six clubs, which include Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, have the highest wage bills in / on the League.

    The Premier League is the top revel / level of English football leagues. It is the most-watched sports league in the world. People in 212 countries / centuries and territories, in 643 million homes worldly / worldwide watch it. This means it makes a lot / loads of money from television rights and merchandising. However, the increase in the wage bill has reduced / induced the profits earned by the clubs. Deloitte said: "With the emphasis now / know on clubs to generate revenue grown / growth...it may be that we see the levels of pre-tax profit [go down] over / overly the next few years." The teams in the lower halve / half of the League are finding it more difficult to make a profit. The bottom three teams can lose up to $130 million if they are regulated / relegated from the Premier League.

    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)

    F__ t b_l l p l_y_r s _n t h_ U K ' s P r_m__ r L__ g__ c l_b s w_r_ p__ d _v_r $ 3 . 7 b_l l__ n l_s t s__ s_n . A n _n n__ l r_p_r t _n f__ t b_l l f_n_n c_s s h_w_d _ 1 5 p_r c_n t _n c r__ s_ _n r_v_n__ f_r t h_ L__ g__ ' s 2 0 c l_b s . T h_ r_p_r t _s f r_m t h_ _n t_r n_t__ n_l _c c__ n t_n c y c_m p_n y D_l__ t t_. I t r_p_r t_d t h_t t h_ w_g_ b_l l f_r P r_m__ r L__ g__ t__ m s w_n t _b_v_ $ 3 . 5 b_l l__ n f_r t h_ f_r s t t_m_ _v_r . T h_ r_p_r t s__ d t h_t _l m_s t 6 0 p_r c_n t _f _l l t h_ r_v_n__ __ r n_d b y t h_ L__ g__ g__ s t_w_r d s w_g_s . T h_s _s _p f r_m 5 5 p_r c_n t _n t h_ 2 0 1 6 / 1 7 s__ s_n . T h_ P r_m__ r L__ g__ ' s t_p s_x c l_b s , w h_c h _n c l_d_s M_n c h_s t_r C_t y , M_n c h_s t_r U n_t_d , C h_l s__ , L_v_r p__ l _n d A r s_n_l , h_v_ t h_ h_g h_s t w_g_ b_l l s _n t h_ L__ g__ .

    T h_ P r_m__ r L__ g__ _s t h_ t_p l_v_l _f E n g l_s h f__ t b_l l l__ g__ s . I t _s t h_ m_s t - w_t c h_d s p_r t s l__ g__ _n t h_ w_r l d . P__ p l_ _n 2 1 2 c__ n t r__ s _n d t_r r_t_r__ s , _n 6 4 3 m_l l__ n h_m_s w_r l d w_d_ w_t c h _t . T h_s m__ n s _t m_k_s _ l_t _f m_n_y f r_m t_l_v_s__ n r_g h t s _n d m_r c h_n d_s_n g . H_w_v_r , t h_ _n c r__ s_ _n t h_ w_g_ b_l l h_s r_d_c_d t h_ p r_f_t s __ r n_d b y t h_ c l_b s . D_l__ t t_ s__ d : " W_t h t h_ _m p h_s_s n_w _n c l_b s t_ g_n_r_t_ r_v_n__ g r_w t h . . ._t m_y b_ t h_t w_ s__ t h_ l_v_l s _f p r_- t_x p r_f_t [ g_ d_w n ] _v_r t h_ n_x t f_w y__ r s . " T h_ t__ m s _n t h_ l_w_r h_l f _f t h_ L__ g__ _r_ f_n d_n g _t m_r_ d_f f_c_l t t_ m_k_ _ p r_f_t . T h_ b_t t_m t h r__ t__ m s c_n l_s_ _p t_ $ 1 3 0 m_l l__ n _f t h_y _r_ r_l_g_t_d f r_m t h_ P r_m__ r L__ g__ .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    football players in the uks premier league clubs were paid over 37 billion last season an annual report on football finances showed a 15 per cent increase in revenue for the leagues 20 clubs the report is from the international accountancy company deloitte it reported that the wage bill for premier league teams went above 35 billion for the first time ever the report said that almost 60 per cent of all the revenue earned by the league goes towards wages this is up from 55 per cent in the 201617 season the premier leagues top six clubs which include manchester city manchester united chelsea liverpool and arsenal have the highest wage bills in the league

    the premier league is the top level of english football leagues it is the mostwatched sports league in the world people in 212 countries and territories in 643 million homes worldwide watch it this means it makes a lot of money from television rights and merchandising however the increase in the wage bill has reduced the profits earned by the clubs deloitte said with the emphasis now on clubs to generate revenue growthit may be that we see the levels of pretax profit go down over the next few years the teams in the lower half of the league are finding it more difficult to make a profit the bottom three teams can lose up to 130 million if they are relegated from the premier league.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    FootballplayersintheUK'sPremierLeagueclubswerepaidover$3.7billi
    onlastseason.Anannualreportonfootballfinancesshoweda15percent
    increaseinrevenuefortheLeague's20clubs.Thereportisfromtheintern
    ationalaccountancycompanyDeloitte.ItreportedthatthewagebillforP
    remierLeagueteamswentabove$3.5billionforthefirsttimeever.There
    portsaidthatalmost60percentofalltherevenueearnedbytheLeagueg
    oestowardswages.Thisisupfrom55percentinthe2016/17season.The
    PremierLeague'stopsixclubs,whichincludeManchesterCity,Manches
    terUnited,Chelsea,LiverpoolandArsenal,havethehighestwagebillsin
    theLeague.ThePremierLeagueisthetoplevelofEnglishfootballleague
    s.Itisthemost-watchedsportsleagueintheworld.Peoplein212count
    riesandterritories,in643millionhomesworldwidewatchit.Thismeansi
    tmakesalotofmoneyfromtelevisionrightsandmerchandising.Howeve
    r,theincreaseinthewagebillhasreducedtheprofitsearnedbytheclubs.
    Deloittesaid:"Withtheemphasisnowonclubstogeneraterevenuegrow
    th...itmaybethatweseethelevelsofpre-taxprofit[godown]overthene
    xtfewyears."TheteamsinthelowerhalfoftheLeaguearefindingitmore
    difficulttomakeaprofit.Thebottomthreeteamscanloseupto$130milli
    oniftheyarerelegatedfromthePremierLeague.

    Free writing

    Write about Premier League for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    It is wrong for football players to earn more than world leaders. Discuss.

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    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. SALARIES: Make a poster about salaries. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. FOOTBALLERS' SALARIES: Write a magazine article about footballers' salaries being less than the salaries of world leaders. 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 football. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make it more exciting. 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

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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