The Reading / Listening - Premier League - Level 3

Being a football fan in England is expensive. The cost of going to a match is high. The price of football shirts also adds to the expense of following your favourite team. The latest soccer jerseys for the top English teams cost over $100. England's national team top for the Euros tournament this summer cost over $160. Teams from England's Premier League are cashing in on selling shirts. "The Sun," a UK newspaper, has revealed that some teams have increased the cost by 56 per cent over the past five years. A spokesperson for the London team Tottenham explained the high prices. He said it was because of a rise in the price of manufacturing, materials and shipping costs.

Consumer expert Jane Hawkes said the jerseys were overpriced and "not remotely justifiable". She told The Sun: "This is an own goal by mega-rich football clubs. Shirt prices have been soaring since the [coronavirus] pandemic." She added that: "Pricing [shirts] out of the reach of loyal fans in a cost-of-living crisis is unfair." She said it could "backfire on clubs". Fans are unhappy with the increasing prices. Manchester United fan Shane Hopkins was fed up with his team changing its kit every year. He said: "Naturally, my children want the latest shirts. They love their club. But that means I have to spend over $400 at the start of each season. Clubs are too greedy."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

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

Sources
  • https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/29936752/shock-surge-price-replica-premier-league-shirts/
  • https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13754889/Cost-replica-shirts-rockets-past-five-years-one-Premier-League-club-charging-56-2019.html
  • https://news.sky.com/story/money-blog-most-expensive-premier-league-jerseys-as-26-gap-between-teams-revealed-13040934


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 :-)

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, 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 / fan / favourite team / jersey / tournament / manufacturing / materials /
       consumer / expert / mega-rich / pandemic / loyal / fed up / kit / season / greedy
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PRICES: Students A strongly believe the prices of football shirts should be the same as any other shirts; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TEAMS: What are your favourite teams or athletes? Why do you like them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Favourite Team / Athlete

Why

Football    
Tennis    
Olympics    
Winter sports    
National sport    
In history    
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. TEAM: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "team". 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.

  • Football
  • Skiing
  • Cycling
  • Basketball
  • Tennis
  • Formula 1
  • Baseball
  • Surfing

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. fan  (noun) a. Shown or made known.
      2. expense b. The money you need to pay for something.
      3. jersey c. A series of games where teams or players compete to win.
      4. tournament d. Someone who likes and supports a team, person, or thing.
      5. cashing in on e. The process of making things in a factory.
      6. revealed f. A shirt worn by a player on a sports team.
      7. manufacturing g. To make money from something.

    Paragraph 2

      8. consumer h. Going up very quickly.
      9. expert i. Something that can be explained as right or reasonable.
      10. justifiable j. When something you plan goes wrong.
      11. soaring k. A person who buys and uses things.
      12. loyal l. A person who knows a lot (everything) about something.
      13. backfire m. Wanting and taking more than you need (so other people have less / none).
      14. greedy n. Being faithful or true to someone or something.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says playing football in England is expensive.     T / F
  2. The England national shirt is cheaper than a Premier League shirt.     T / F
  3. Some teams put up the price of their shirts by over 50% in five years.   T / F
  4. A London team said shipping costs were one reason for higher prices.     T / F
  5. A consumer expert said the price of shirts was justified.     T / F
  6. The expert said Premier League teams score lots of own goals.    T / F
  7. The expert said the cost-of-living crisis made high shirt prices unfair.     T / F
  8. A Manchester United fan said Premier League clubs were greedy.     T / F

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

  1. fan
  2. expensive
  3. cashing in on
  4. rise
  5. manufacturing
  6. expert
  7. justifiable
  8. fed up
  9. backfire
  10. greedy
  1. acceptable
  2. making money from
  3. specialist
  4. go wrong
  5. costly
  6. money-grabbing
  7. production
  8. supporter
  9. tired
  10. hike

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

  1. Being a football fan
  2. adds to the expense of following
  3. cashing
  4. because of a rise in the price
  5. shipping
  6. This is an own goal by mega-
  7. She said it could backfire
  8. Hopkins was fed
  9. my children want the
  10. Clubs are too
  1. in on selling shirts
  2. latest shirts
  3. of manufacturing
  4. on clubs
  5. greedy
  6. your favourite team
  7. rich football clubs
  8. in England is expensive
  9. costs
  10. up with his team

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
national
expense
team
cashing
fan
rise
jerseys
revealed

Being a football (1) _____________________ in England is expensive. The cost of going to a match is high. The price of football shirts also adds to the (2) _____________________ of following your favourite team. The latest soccer (3) _____________________ for the top English teams cost over $100. England's (4) _____________________ team top for the Euros tournament this summer cost over $160. Teams from England's Premier League are (5) _____________________ in on selling shirts. "The Sun," a UK newspaper, has (6) _____________________ that some teams have increased the cost by 56 per cent over the past five years. A spokesperson for the London (7) _____________________ Tottenham explained the high prices. He said it was because of a (8) _____________________ in the price of manufacturing, materials and shipping costs.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
crisis
overpriced
pandemic
club
goal
greedy
kit
increasing

Consumer expert Jane Hawkes said the jerseys were (9) _____________________ and "not remotely justifiable". She told The Sun: "This is an own (10) _____________________ by mega-rich football clubs. Shirt prices have been soaring since the [coronavirus] (11) _____________________." She added that: "Pricing [shirts] out of the reach of loyal fans in a cost-of-living (12) _____________________ is unfair." She said it could "backfire on clubs". Fans are unhappy with the (13) _____________________ prices. Manchester United fan Shane Hopkins was fed up with his team changing its (14) _____________________ every year. He said: "Naturally, my children want the latest shirts. They love their (15) _____________________. But that means I have to spend over $400 at the start of each season. Clubs are too (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Being a football fan in ______
     a.  England is inexpensive
     b.  England is expensive
     c.  England is expensively
     d.  England is expansive
2)  The price of football shirts also adds to the expense of following ______
     a.  your favourite teamster
     b.  your favourite teem
     c.  your favourite teamed
     d.  your favourite team
3)  revealed that some teams have increased the cost by 56% over the ______
     a.  passed five years
     b.  parsed five years
     c.  past five years
     d.  post five years
4)  A spokesperson for the London team Tottenham explained ______
     a.  the high crosses
     b.  the high prices
     c.  the high bars
     d.  the high kicks
5)  because of a rise in the price of manufacturing, materials ______
     a.  and shopping costs
     b.  and shooting costs
     c.  and swerving costs
     d.  and shipping costs

6)  Pricing [shirts] out of the reach of loyal fans in a cost-of-living ______
     a.  throw-in is unfair
     b.  drop kick is unfair
     c.  crisis is unfair
     d.  kick-off is unfair
7)  She said it could "backfire on clubs". Fans are unhappy with ______
     a.  the transfer prices
     b.  the hot dog prices
     c.  the increasing prices
     d.  the programme prices
8)  Manchester United fan Shane Hopkins was fed up with his team changing its ______
     a.  kit at half time
     b.  kit every year
     c.  kit when away
     d.  kit to blue
9)  He said: "Naturally, my children want ______
     a.  the latest shirts
     b.  the Arsenal shirts
     c.  the fake shirts
     d.  the signed shirts
10)  that means I have to spend over $400 at the start of each season. Clubs ______
     a.  are too boring
     b.  are too negative
     c.  are too greedy
     d.  are too dirty

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Being a (1) ____________________ England is expensive. The cost of going to a match is high. The price of football shirts also adds (2) ____________________ of following your favourite team. The latest soccer jerseys for the top English teams cost over $100. England's national team top for the Euros tournament (3) ____________________ over $160. Teams from England's Premier League are (4) ____________________ selling shirts. "The Sun," a UK newspaper, has revealed that some teams have increased the cost by 56 per cent over the past five years. A spokesperson for the London team Tottenham (5) ____________________ prices. He said it was because of a rise in the price of manufacturing, materials (6) ____________________.

Consumer expert Jane Hawkes said (7) ____________________ overpriced and "not remotely justifiable". She told The Sun: "This is (8) ____________________ by mega-rich football clubs. Shirt prices have been soaring since the [coronavirus] pandemic." She added that: "Pricing [shirts] out of the (9) ____________________ fans in a cost-of-living crisis is unfair." She said it could "(10) ____________________". Fans are unhappy with the increasing prices. Manchester United fan Shane Hopkins was (11) ____________________ his team changing its kit every year. He said: "Naturally, my children want the latest shirts. They love their club. But that means I have to spend over $400 at the start of each season. Clubs (12) ____________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. How much do Premier League shirts cost?
  2. What costs over $160?
  3. By how much have some shirts risen in price in the past five years?
  4. Where is the team Tottenham based?
  5. What caused higher prices besides manufacturing and materials costs?
  6. What is Jane Hawkes' job?
  7. Who did Jane Hawkes say scored an own goal?
  8. Who are shirt prices out of the reach of?
  9. What is Shane Hopkins fed up with?
  10. What did Shane Hopkins call clubs?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How much do Premier League shirts cost?
a) exactly $100
b) over $100
c) around $100
d) just under $100
2) What costs over $160?
a) a ticket to see a football game
b) a special football
c) a season ticket
d) the England national shirt
3) By how much have some shirts risen in price in the past five years?
a) 54%
b) 55%
c) 56%
d) 57%
4) Where is the team Tottenham based?
a) London
b) Birmingham
c) Manchester
d) Liverpool
5) What caused higher prices besides manufacturing and materials costs?
a) transfer fees
b) shipping costs
c) agents' fees
d) ground prices

6) What is Jane Hawkes' job?
a) She's a consumer expert.
b) She's a referee.
c) She's a journalist.
d) She's a commentator
7) Who did Jane Hawkes say scored an own goal?
a) Tottenham
b) Manchester United
c) mega- rich football clubs
d) a famous goalkeeper
8) Who are shirt prices out of the reach of?
a) loyal fans
b) children
c) babies
d) referees
9) What is Shane Hopkins fed up with?
a) his children
b) his team losing
c) no goals
d) his team changing its kit every year
10) What did Shane Hopkins call clubs?
a) the best
b) exciting
c) too greedy
d) amazing

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 exciting of these (and why): skiing, cycling or Formula 1.
Role  B – 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 exciting of these (and why): football, cycling or Formula 1.
Role  C – 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 exciting of these (and why): skiing, football or Formula 1.
Role  D – Formula 1
You think Formula 1 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 exciting of these (and why): skiing, cycling or football.

After reading / listening

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

'football'

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

    • and 'shirt'.

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

    • • 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:

    • adds
    • national
    • cashing
    • 56
    • London
    • shipping
    • jerseys
    • own
    • since
    • fed
    • latest
    • season

    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

    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 'football'?
    3. What do you know about the Premier League in England?
    4. Why do people buy football shirts?
    5. How much would you spend on the shirt of your favourite team?
    6. Why are the football shirts so expensive?
    7. Should teams make cheap shirts for poorer fans?
    8. Is it better to watch a football match on TV or at a stadium?
    9. Why is football the most popular game in the world?
    10. What advice do you have for Premier League teams?

    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 'shirt'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of football?
    5. Is the word 'football' or 'soccer' better?
    6. Is the Premier League the best in the world?
    7. Why might expensive shirts be an 'own goal' by mega-rich clubs?
    8. Will Arsenal win the Premier League this season?
    9. Are clubs being too greedy?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Premier League bosses?

    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)

    Being a football fan in England is expensive. The (1) ____ of going to a match is high. The price of football shirts also adds (2) ____ the expense of following your favourite team. The latest soccer jerseys for the top English teams cost over $100. England's national team (3) ____ for the Euros tournament this summer cost over $160. Teams from England's Premier League are cashing in on (4) ____ shirts. "The Sun," a UK newspaper, has (5) ____ that some teams have increased the cost by 56 per cent over the past five years. A spokesperson for the London team Tottenham explained the high prices. He said it was because of a (6) ____ in the price of manufacturing, materials and shipping costs.

    Consumer expert Jane Hawkes said the jerseys were overpriced and "not remotely (7) ____". She told The Sun: "This is an own goal by mega-rich football clubs. Shirt prices have been (8) ____ since the [coronavirus] pandemic." She added that: "Pricing [shirts] out of the (9) ____ of loyal fans in a cost-of-living crisis is unfair." She said it could "backfire on clubs". Fans are unhappy with the increasing prices. Manchester United fan Shane Hopkins was (10) ____ up with his team changing its kit every year. He said: "Naturally, my children want the (11) ____ shirts. They love their club. But that means I have to spend over $400 at the start of each season. Clubs are too (12) ____."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     costs     (b)     cost     (c)     costed     (d)     costly    
    2. (a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     by     (d)     in    
    3. (a)     middle     (b)     side     (c)     bottom     (d)     top    
    4. (a)     shooting     (b)     selling     (c)     swerving     (d)     saving    
    5. (a)     shot     (b)     booked     (c)     fouled     (d)     revealed    
    6. (a)     free kick     (b)     red card     (c)     rise     (d)     corner    
    7. (a)     justifiable     (b)     goals     (c)     officials     (d)     refereed    
    8. (a)     soars     (b)     soared     (c)     soaring     (d)     soar    
    9. (a)     studs     (b)     shin pads     (c)     whistle     (d)     reach    
    10. (a)     fed     (b)     heads     (c)     match     (d)     toss    
    11. (a)     latest     (b)     away     (c)     keeper's     (d)     signed    
    12. (a)     greedy     (b)     offside     (c)     onside     (d)     dirty

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Being a football fan in England is ieenvpxes
    2. adds to the pensexe
    3. soccer srsyjee
    4. the Euros untreaotnm this summer
    5. eearvled that some teams have increased the cost
    6. a rise in the price of ruaacnfugtnim

    Paragraph 2

    1. overpriced and not lremteoy justifiable
    2. Shirt prices have been sairngo
    3. in a cost-of-living csrsii
    4. it could ecarikfb on clubs
    5. spend over $400 at the start of each ensoas
    6. Clubs are too egreyd

    Put the text back together

    children want the latest
    (...)  are cashing in on selling shirts. "The Sun," a UK newspaper, has revealed that some teams have increased
    (...)  since the [coronavirus] pandemic." She added that: "Pricing [shirts] out of the reach of loyal fans in a cost-of-
    (...)  team Tottenham explained the high prices. He said it was because
    (...)  the cost by 56 per cent over the past five years. A spokesperson for the London
    (...)  of a rise in the price of manufacturing, materials and shipping costs.
    (...)  with the increasing prices. Manchester United fan Shane Hopkins was fed
    (...)  to the expense of following your favourite team. The latest soccer jerseys for the top English teams cost
    (...)  justifiable". She told The Sun: "This is an own goal by mega-rich football clubs. Shirt prices have been soaring
    (...)  living crisis is unfair." She said it could "backfire on clubs". Fans are unhappy
    (...)  shirts. They love their club. But that means I have to spend over $400 at the start of each season. Clubs are too greedy."
    (..1..) Being a football fan in England is expensive. The cost of going to a match is high. The price of football shirts also adds
    (...)  over $100. England's national team top for the Euros tournament this summer cost over $160. Teams from England's Premier League
    (...)  Consumer expert Jane Hawkes said the jerseys were overpriced and "not remotely

    Put the words in the right order

    1. England   Being   is   expensive.   a   in   football   fan
    2. is   high.   The   to   matches   of   going   cost
    3. favourite   of   expense   team.   The   following   your
    4. latest   soccer   the   The   jerseys   top   teams.   for
    5. manufacturing   rise   of   the   price   A   in   materials.
    6. own   goal   clubs.   An   mega-rich   by   football
    7. backfire   it   on   She   said   clubs.   could
    8. unhappy   are   increasing   with   the   Fans   prices.
    9. up   changing   Fed   his   with   kit.   its   team
    10. children   latest   my   shirts.   want   Naturally,   the

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Being a football fun / fan in England is expensive. The cost of going to a match is height / high. The price of football shirts also adds to the expense of following / followed your favourite team. The latest / least soccer jerseys for the top English teams cost over $100. England's national team bottom / top for the Euros tournament this summer cost over $160. Teams from England's Premier League are crashing / cashing in on selling shirts. "The Sun," a UK newspaper, has revealed that some teams have increased the cost of / by 56 per cent over the past five years. A spokesperson to / for the London team Tottenham explained the high prices. He said it was because of a rise in / to the price of manufacturing, materials and shopping / shipping costs.

    Consumer expert / expat Jane Hawkes said the jerseys were overpriced and "not remotely justify / justifiable". She told The Sun: "This is an own / touchdown goal by mega-rich football clubs. Shirt prices have been soaring / scoring since the [coronavirus] pandemic." She added that: "Pricing [shirts] out of the reach of royal / loyal fans in a cost-of-living crisis is offside / unfair." She said it could "backfire on clubs". Fans are unhappy with the increasing penalties / prices. Manchester United fan Shane Hopkins was fed up with his team substituting / changing its kit every year. He said: "Naturally, my children want the latest shirts. They love their club. But that means I have to spend / tackle over $400 at the start of each season. Clubs are much / too greedy."

    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)

    B__ng  _  f__tb_ll  f_n  _n  _ngl_nd  _s  _xp_ns_v_.  Th_  c_st  _f  g__ng  t_  _  m_tch  _s  h_gh.  Th_  pr_c_  _f  f__tb_ll  sh_rts  _ls_  _dds  t_  th_  _xp_ns_  _f  f_ll_w_ng  y__r  f_v__r_t_  t__m.  Th_  l_t_st  s_cc_r  j_rs_ys  f_r  th_  t_p  _ngl_sh  t__ms  c_st  _v_r  $100.  _ngl_nd's  n_t__n_l  t__m  t_p  f_r  th_  __r_s  t__rn_m_nt  th_s  s_mm_r  c_st  _v_r  $160.  T__ms  fr_m  _ngl_nd's  Pr_m__r  L__g__  _r_  c_sh_ng  _n  _n  s_ll_ng  sh_rts.  "Th_  S_n,"  _  _K  n_wsp_p_r,  h_s  r_v__l_d  th_t  s_m_  t__ms  h_v_  _ncr__s_d  th_  c_st  by  56  p_r  c_nt  _v_r  th_  p_st  f_v_  y__rs.  _  sp_k_sp_rs_n  f_r  th_  L_nd_n  t__m  T_tt_nh_m  _xpl__n_d  th_  h_gh  pr_c_s.  H_  s__d  _t  w_s  b_c__s_  _f  _  r_s_  _n  th_  pr_c_  _f  m_n_f_ct_r_ng,  m_t_r__ls  _nd  sh_pp_ng  c_sts.

    C_ns_m_r  _xp_rt  J_n_  H_wk_s  s__d  th_  j_rs_ys  w_r_  _v_rpr_c_d  _nd  "n_t  r_m_t_ly  j_st_f__bl_".  Sh_  t_ld  Th_  S_n:  "Th_s  _s  _n  _wn  g__l  by  m_g_-r_ch  f__tb_ll  cl_bs.  Sh_rt  pr_c_s  h_v_  b__n  s__r_ng  s_nc_  th_  [c_r_n_v_r_s]  p_nd_m_c."  Sh_  _dd_d  th_t:  "Pr_c_ng  [sh_rts]  __t  _f  th_  r__ch  _f  l_y_l  f_ns  _n  _  c_st-_f-l_v_ng  cr_s_s  _s  _nf__r."  Sh_  s__d  _t  c__ld  "b_ckf_r_  _n  cl_bs".  F_ns  _r_  _nh_ppy  w_th  th_  _ncr__s_ng  pr_c_s.  M_nch_st_r  _n_t_d  f_n  Sh_n_  H_pk_ns  w_s  f_d  _p  w_th  h_s  t__m  ch_ng_ng  _ts  k_t  _v_ry  y__r.  H_  s__d:  "N_t_r_lly,  my  ch_ldr_n  w_nt  th_  l_t_st  sh_rts.  Th_y  l_v_  th__r  cl_b.  B_t  th_t  m__ns  _  h_v_  t_  sp_nd  _v_r  $400  _t  th_  st_rt  _f  __ch  s__s_n.  Cl_bs  _r_  t__  gr__dy."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    being a football fan in england is expensive the cost of going to a match is high the price of football shirts also adds to the expense of following your favourite team the latest soccer jerseys for the top english teams cost over 100 englands national team top for the euros tournament this summer cost over 160 teams from englands premier league are cashing in on selling shirts the sun a uk newspaper has revealed that some teams have increased the cost by 56 per cent over the past five years a spokesperson for the london team tottenham explained the high prices he said it was because of a rise in the price of manufacturing materials and shipping costs

    consumer expert jane hawkes said the jerseys were overpriced and not remotely justifiable she told the sun this is an own goal by megarich football clubs shirt prices have been soaring since the coronavirus pandemic she added that pricing shirts out of the reach of loyal fans in a costofliving crisis is unfair she said it could backfire on clubs fans are unhappy with the increasing prices manchester united fan shane hopkins was fed up with his team changing its kit every year he said naturally my children want the latest shirts they love their club but that means i have to spend over 400 at the start of each season clubs are too greedy

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    BeingafootballfaninEnglandisexpensive.Thecostofgoingtoamatchis
    high.Thepriceoffootballshirtsalsoaddstotheexpenseoffollowingyour
    favouriteteam.ThelatestsoccerjerseysforthetopEnglishteamscostov
    er$100.England'snationalteamtopfortheEurostournamentthissum
    mercostover$160.TeamsfromEngland'sPremierLeaguearecashingi
    nonsellingshirts."TheSun,"aUKnewspaper,hasrevealedthatsomete
    amshaveincreasedthecostby56percentoverthepastfiveyears.Aspok
    espersonfortheLondonteamTottenhamexplainedthehighprices.Hes
    aiditwasbecauseofariseinthepriceofmanufacturing,materialsandshi
    ppingcosts.ConsumerexpertJaneHawkessaidthejerseyswereoverpri
    cedand"notremotelyjustifiable".ShetoldTheSun:"Thisisanowngoalb
    ymega-richfootballclubs.Shirtpriceshavebeensoaringsincethe[cor
    onavirus]pandemic."Sheaddedthat:"Pricing[shirts]outofthereachof
    loyalfansinacost-of-livingcrisisisunfair."Shesaiditcould"backfireon
    clubs".Fansareunhappywiththeincreasingprices.ManchesterUnitedf
    anShaneHopkinswasfedupwithhisteamchangingitskiteveryyear.He
    said:"Naturally,mychildrenwantthelatestshirts.Theylovetheirclub.B
    utthatmeansIhavetospendover$400atthestartofeachseason.Clubsa
    retoogreedy."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Football shirts should be the same price as non-football shirts. 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. FOOTBALL SHIRTS: Make a poster about football shirts. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. SAME PRICE: Write a magazine article about requiring football shirts to be the same price as non-football shirts. 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 shirts. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on the high price of soccer shirts. 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

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

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