Breaking News English Lesson: World Football

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Carlo Ancelotti leaves Real Madrid to coach Brazil (15th May 2025)

The Reading / Listening - World Football - Level 3

Legendary soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti, 65, has decided to leave Spanish giants Real Madrid to become manager of Brazil. His final match for Madrid will be on the 25th of May. He will start his new position with Brazil on the following day. Mr Ancelotti told reporters: "From the 26th, I will be the Brazil coach, and it's an important challenge. Right now, I'm the Real Madrid coach, and I want to finish this final stretch and this fantastic adventure here." Brazil will be Ancelotti's first role as a manager of a national team. Ancelotti is one of the most successful football managers ever. He is the only coach to win the top five leagues in Europe. He has also won the UEFA Champions League a record five times.

Brazil is the world's most successful international team. It is the only country to have won the FIFA World Cup five times. However, the last time was in 2002. Since then, it has not reached the final. In 2014, the team was beaten 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of Brazil's football federation, hopes Ancelotti can change Brazil's fortunes. Mr Rodrigues said: "Ancelotti is the greatest coach in history, and now he is at the head of the greatest national team on the planet. Together we will write new glorious chapters in Brazilian football." Ancelotti will be in charge of Brazil's team for the World Cup qualifying games against Paraguay and Ecuador next month.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

World Football - Level 0, World Football - Level 1 or World Football - Level 2

Sources

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13366661/carlo-ancelotti-brazil-appoint-real-madrid-boss-as-new-head-coach-from-may-26
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45112969/brazil-appointment-carlo-ancelotti-real-madrid-world-cup-analysis-marcotti
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/brazil-signs-real-madrid-coach-carlo-ancelotti-ahead-2026-world-cup

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 / SOCCER: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about football / soccer. 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?
soccer / coach / giants / Real Madrid / Brazil / challenge / adventure / manager /
international / team / the last time / president / history / the planet / World Cup
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. THE BEST SPORT: Students A strongly believe football is the best sport; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SPORTS TOURNAMENTS: What do you know about these sports events? What do you want to know? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	What I Want to Know
FIFA World Cup
Formula 1
Summer Olympics
Winter Olympics
Wimbledon
Baseball World Series

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.

Soccer
American football
Sumo
Golf
Skiing
Sailing
Athletics
Boxing

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	legendary	a.	A short time or part of something.
2.	giants	b.	Something that is hard to do but you try to do it.
3.	challenge	c.	Very big and strong teams or people.
4.	final	d.	Best ever; the best number or result ever.
5.	stretch	e.	Very famous and well known for a long time.
6.	fantastic	f.	The last one; at the end.
7.	record	g.	Very good or great.

Paragraph 2

8.	successful	h.	About a whole country.
9.	reached	i.	Very beautiful or very good.
10.	fortunes	j.	A big round thing in space, like Earth.
11.	national	k.	Got to a place or level.
12.	planet	l.	To be the boss or leader of something.
13.	glorious	m.	Doing very well; getting what you want.
14.	be in charge of	n.	Good or bad things that happen to someone or a team.

Before reading / listening

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

The article said Carlo Ancelotti was a legendary coach. T / F
Ancelotti starts his new job as Brazil coach on the 25th of May. T / F
Ancelotti called his time at Real Madris a "fantasy misadventure". T / F
Ancelotti is the only manager to win the top five leagues in Europe. T / F
Brazil has won the soccer world cup five times. T / F
Brazil's football federation hopes Ancelotti can turn around Brazil's luck. T / F
The head of Brazil's football federation called Ancelotti a glorious coach. T / F
Ancelotti will miss Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. T / F

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

coach
final
following
fantastic
ever
reached
fortunes
head
in charge of
games

managing
next
got to
last
boss
in history
matches
manager
great
luck

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

He will start his new position with Brazil
I want to finish this final
Ancelotti's first role as a manager of
one of the most successful football managers
won the UEFA Champions League a
the only country to have won the FIFA World Cup
the team was beaten
head of the greatest national team on
we will write new glorious chapters
Ancelotti will be in charge

a national team
five times
record five times
in Brazilian football
stretch
the planet
ever
of Brazil's team
on the following day
7-1 by Germany

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

final
here
record
position
win
giants
most
important

Legendary soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti, 65, has decided to leave Spanish (1) ______________________________________________ Real Madrid to become manager of Brazil. His (2) ______________________________________________ match for Madrid will be on the 25th of May. He will start his new (3) ______________________________________________ with Brazil on the following day. Mr Ancelotti told reporters: "From the 26th, I will be the Brazil coach, and it's an (4) ______________________________________________ challenge. Right now, I'm the Real Madrid coach, and I want to finish this final stretch and this fantastic adventure (5) ______________________________________________." Brazil will be Ancelotti's first role as a manager of a national team. Ancelotti is one of the (6) ______________________________________________ successful football managers ever. He is the only coach to (7) ______________________________________________ the top five leagues in Europe. He has also won the UEFA Champions League a (8) ______________________________________________ five times.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

reached
planet
beaten
charge
successful
last
write
change

Brazil is the world's most (9) ______________________________________________ international team. It is the only country to have won the FIFA World Cup five times. However, the (10) ______________________________________________ time was in 2002. Since then, it has not (11) ______________________________________________ the final. In 2014, the team was (12) ______________________________________________ 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of Brazil's football federation, hopes Ancelotti can (13) ______________________________________________ Brazil's fortunes. Mr Rodrigues said: "Ancelotti is the greatest coach in history, and now he is at the head of the greatest national team on the (14) ______________________________________________. Together we will (15) ______________________________________________ new glorious chapters in Brazilian football." Ancelotti will be in (16) ______________________________________________ of Brazil's team for the World Cup qualifying games against Paraguay and Ecuador next month.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Legendary soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti, 65, has decided to leave Spanish ______
     a. gigantic Real Madrid
     b. gyro-ants Real Madrid
     c. giants Real Madrid
     d. grants Real Madrid
2) He will start his new position with Brazil on ______
     a. the following day
     b. the followed day
     c. the follow in day
     d. the followed in day
3) I want to finish this final stretch and this ______
     a. fan tasty adventure here
     b. fantasy adventure here
     c. fantastical adventure here
     d. fantastic adventure here
4) He is the only coach to win the top five ______
     a. league in Europe
     b. leagues in Europe
     c. leagues on Europe
     d. leagues in Europa
5) He has also won the UEFA Champions League a ______
     a. record five time
     b. record five times
     c. record fifth times
     d. records five times

6) It is the only country to have won the FIFA World ______
     a. Cup fifth times
     b. Cup fifths time
     c. Cup fiftieth time
     d. Cup five times
7) However, the last time was in 2002. Since then, it has not ______
     a. retched the final
     b. reach the final
     c. reached the finality
     d. reached the final
8) the president of Brazil's football federation, hopes Ancelotti can ______
     a. changes Brazil's fortunes
     b. changed Brazil's fortunes
     c. change Brazil's fortunes
     d. charge Brazil's fortunes
9) he is at the head of the greatest national team ______
     a. of the planet
     b. at the planet
     c. in the planet
     d. on the planet
10) Ancelotti will be in charge of Brazil's team for the World ______
     a. Cup qualify in games
     b. Cup qualifies in games
     c. Cup qualifying games
     d. Cup qualify Ying games

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Legendary soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti, 65, has (1) __________________________________________________ Spanish giants Real Madrid to become manager of Brazil. His (2) __________________________________________________ Madrid will be on the 25th of May. He will start his new position with Brazil (3) __________________________________________________ day. Mr Ancelotti told reporters: "From the 26th, I will be the Brazil coach, and it's (4) __________________________________________________. Right now, I'm the Real Madrid coach, and I want to finish this final stretch and this fantastic adventure here." Brazil will be Ancelotti's first role as a manager of a national team. Ancelotti is (5) __________________________________________________ most successful football managers ever. He is the only coach to win the top five leagues in Europe. He has also won the UEFA Champions League a (6) __________________________________________________.

Brazil is the world's most successful international team. It is the only country (7) __________________________________________________ the FIFA World Cup five times. However, the last time was in 2002. Since then, it has not (8) __________________________________________________. In 2014, the team was beaten 7-1 by Germany (9) __________________________________________________. Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of Brazil's football federation, hopes Ancelotti can change Brazil's fortunes. Mr Rodrigues said: "Ancelotti is the greatest (10) __________________________________________________, and now he is at the head of the greatest national team on the planet. Together we (11) __________________________________________________ glorious chapters in Brazilian football." Ancelotti will be (12) __________________________________________________ Brazil's team for the World Cup qualifying games against Paraguay and Ecuador next month.

Comprehension questions

How old is Carlo Ancelotti?
When will Ancelotti start as Brazil's manager?
What kind of adventure did Ancelotti call managing Real Madrid?
How many coaches have won the top five leagues in Europe?
How many times has Ancelotti won the UEFA Champions League?
How many teams have won the FIFA World Cup five times?
What was the score when Brazil played Germany in 2014?
What does Brazil's football federation want Ancelotti to change?
What did Ednaldo Rodrigues call Carlo Ancelotti?
Who does Brazil play next month?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How old is Carlo Ancelotti?
a) 63
b) 64
c) 65
d) 66
2) When will Ancelotti start as Brazil's manager?
a) the 26th of May
b) the 25th of May
c) the 25th of May
d) the 25th of May
3) What kind of adventure did Ancelotti call managing Real Madrid?
a) a good adventure
b) a fantastic adventure
c) a long adventure
d) an interesting adventure
4) How many coaches have won the top five leagues in Europe?
a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 1
5) How many times has Ancelotti won the UEFA Champions League?
a) 3
b) 4
c) 5
d) 6

6) How many teams have won the FIFA World Cup five times?
a) 4
b) 1
c) 3
d) 2
7) What was the score when Brazil played Germany in 2014?
a) 4-1
b) 5-1
c) 6-1
d) 7-1
8) What does Brazil's football federation want Ancelotti to change?
a) Brazil's kit
b) Brazil's fortunes
c) Brazil's tactics
d) Brazil's attackers
9) What did Ednaldo Rodrigues call Carlo Ancelotti?
a) his hero
b) the greatest coach in history
c) the perfect coach for Brazil
d) a genius
10) Who does Brazil play next month?
a) Paraguay and Ecuador
b) England and Wales
c) Korea and Japan
d) Canada and Mexico

Role play

Role A – Soccer
You think soccer is the most exciting sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sports. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): golf, boxing or baseball.

Role B – Golf
You think golf is the most exciting sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sports. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): soccer, boxing or baseball.

Role C – Boxing
You think boxing is the most exciting sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sports. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): golf, soccer or baseball.

Role D – Baseball
You think baseball is the most exciting sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sports. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): golf, boxing or soccer.

After reading / listening

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

'soccer'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'coach'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

leave

start

important

finish

role

record

only

reached

beaten

change

planet

charge

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 - World Football

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'football'?
What do you know about football?
What do you know about Real Madrid?
What is the world's best football team?
Is it better to be manager of a league or national team?
What is the best soccer team in your country?
How important is football to you?
What fantastic adventure would you like to go on?
What has been the biggest challenge in your life?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'coach'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of football?
What do you know about the Brazil football team?
What do you know about the FIFA World Cup?
Do you prefer the word 'football' or 'soccer'?
What advice do you have for Carlo Ancelotti?
Who do you think will win the 2026 World Cup?
What questions would you like to ask Carlo?

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)

Legendary soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti, 65, has (1) ____ to leave Spanish giants Real Madrid to become manager of Brazil. His (2) ____ match for Madrid will be on the 26th of May. He will start his new position with Brazil on the (3) ____ day. Mr Ancelotti told reporters: "From the 26th, I will be the Brazil coach, and it's an important challenge. (4) ____ now, I'm the Real Madrid coach, and I want to finish this final stretch and this fantastic adventure here." Brazil will be Ancelotti's first role (5) ____ a manager of a national team. Ancelotti is one of the most successful football managers ever. He is (6) ____ only coach to win the top five leagues in Europe. He has also won the UEFA Champions League a record five times.

Brazil is the world's most successful international team. It is the (7) ____ country to have won the FIFA World Cup five times. However, the last time was in 2002. Since then, it has not (8) ____ the final. In 2014, the team was beaten 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president (9) ____ Brazil's football federation, hopes Ancelotti can change Brazil's fortunes. Mr Rodrigues said: "Ancelotti is the greatest coach (10) ____ history, and now he is at the head of the greatest national team on the (11) ____. Together we will write new glorious chapters in Brazilian football." Ancelotti will be in charge of Brazil's team for the World Cup qualifying games (12) ____ Paraguay and Ecuador next month.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) decision (b) decided (c) decides (d) deciding
(a) finally (b) final (c) finals (d) finalize
(a) follows (b) followed (c) follow (d) following
(a) Wrong (b) Right (c) Left (d) In
(a) was (b) has (c) is (d) as
(a) an (b) one (c) the (d) this
(a) only (b) once (c) just (d) that
(a) get (b) arrive (c) reached (d) go
(a) down (b) up (c) at (d) of
(a) in (b) at (c) on (d) of
(a) planet (b) plant (c) plane (d) plans
(a) against (b) for (c) again (d) fair

Spelling

Paragraph 1

eladynerg soccer coach
decided to leave Spanish tnsgia Real Madrid
on the lgnoolwif day
it's an important ceganlleh
fantastic ueeadnvtr
the only coach to win the top five esgeula

Paragraph 2

the world's most sseucfulsc international team
the team was ebtnae 7-1 by Germany
Ancelotti can change Brazil's tosefrun
the greatest national team on the epnlta
write new lorusiog chapters
World Cup fulqniaiyg games

Put the text back together

(    )    adventure here." Brazil will be Ancelotti's first role as a manager of a national team. Ancelotti is one of the most
(    )    beaten 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of Brazil's football
(    )    Brazil is the world's most successful international team. It is the only country to have won the FIFA World Cup five
(    )    day. Mr Ancelotti told reporters: "From the 26th, I will be the Brazil coach, and it's an
(    )    federation, hopes Ancelotti can change Brazil's fortunes. Mr Rodrigues said: "Ancelotti is the greatest coach
(    )    important challenge. Right now, I'm the Real Madrid coach, and I want to finish this final stretch and this fantastic
(    )    in history, and now he is at the head of the greatest national team on the
(    )    leagues in Europe. He has also won the UEFA Champions League a record five times.
( 1 )   Legendary soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti, 65, has decided to leave Spanish giants Real Madrid to become manager
(    )    of Brazil. His final match for Madrid will be on the 25th of May. He will start his new position with Brazil on the following
(    )    of Brazil's team for the World Cup qualifying games against Paraguay and Ecuador next month.
(    )    planet. Together we will write new glorious chapters in Brazilian football." Ancelotti will be in charge
(    )    successful football managers ever. He is the only coach to win the top five
(    )    times. However, the last time was in 2002. Since then, it has not reached the final. In 2014, the team was

Put the words in the right order

He leave has Spanish to giants the decided .
He start Brazil with new will his position .
I this final want finish stretch to .
One successful the of managers most football ever .
The to leagues win top only coach the .
Brazil international team the world's successful is most .
Since final reached not has then it the .
In the beaten team 2014 7-1 was , .
Head team planet the on of greatest the .
Together glorious new will we write chapters .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Legendary / Legend soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti, 65, has decided to leave Spanish giants Real Madrid to become / became manager of Brazil. His finally / final match for Madrid will be on the 25th of May. He will start his new position with Brazil on the followed / following day. Mr Ancelotti told reporters: "From the 26th, I will be the Brazil coach, and it's an importance / important challenge. Right now, I'm the Real Madrid coach, and I went / want to finish this final stretch and this fantastic adventure there / here." Brazil will be Ancelotti's first role was / as a manager of a national team. Ancelotti is one of the most successful football managers never / ever. He is the only coach to win the top five leagues in Europe. He has also won the UEFA Champions League a record five timings / times.

Brazil is the / a world's most successful international team. It is an / the only country to have won the FIFA World Cup five times. However, the last time was in 2002. Since then / there, it has not reached the final. In 2014, the team was beaten / beat 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president by / of Brazil's football federation, hopes / hope Ancelotti can change Brazil's fortunes. Mr Rodrigues said: "Ancelotti is the greatest coach on / in history, and now he is at the head of the greatest national team on / in the planet. Together we will write new glorious chapters in Brazilian football." Ancelotti will be in / on charge of Brazil's team for the World Cup qualifying games again / against Paraguay and Ecuador next month.

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)

L_g_nd_ry s_cc_r c__ch C_rl_ _nc_l_tt_, 65, h_s d_c_d_d t_ l__v_ Sp_n_sh g__nts R__l M_dr_d t_ b_c_m_ m_n_g_r _f Br_z_l. H_s f_n_l m_tch f_r M_dr_d w_ll b_ _n th_ 25th _f M_y. H_ w_ll st_rt h_s n_w p_s_t__n w_th Br_z_l _n th_ f_ll_w_ng d_y. Mr _nc_l_tt_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "Fr_m th_ 26th, _ w_ll b_ th_ Br_z_l c__ch, _nd _t's _n _mp_rt_nt ch_ll_ng_. R_ght n_w, _'m th_ R__l M_dr_d c__ch, _nd _ w_nt t_ f_n_sh th_s f_n_l str_tch _nd th_s f_nt_st_c _dv_nt_r_ h_r_." Br_z_l w_ll b_ _nc_l_tt_'s f_rst r_l_ _s _ m_n_g_r _f _ n_t__n_l t__m. _nc_l_tt_ _s _n_ _f th_ m_st s_cc_ssf_l f__tb_ll m_n_g_rs _v_r. H_ _s th_ _nly c__ch t_ w_n th_ t_p f_v_ l__g__s _n __r_p_. H_ h_s _ls_ w_n th_ __F_ Ch_mp__ns L__g__ _ r_c_rd f_v_ t_m_s.

Br_z_l _s th_ w_rld's m_st s_cc_ssf_l _nt_rn_t__n_l t__m. _t _s th_ _nly c__ntry t_ h_v_ w_n th_ F_F_ W_rld C_p f_v_ t_m_s. H_w_v_r, th_ l_st t_m_ w_s _n 2002. S_nc_ th_n, _t h_s n_t r__ch_d th_ f_n_l. _n 2014, th_ t__m w_s b__t_n 7-1 by G_rm_ny _n th_ s_m_-f_n_ls. _dn_ld_ R_dr_g__s, th_ pr_s_d_nt _f Br_z_l's f__tb_ll f_d_r_t__n, h_p_s _nc_l_tt_ c_n ch_ng_ Br_z_l's f_rt_n_s. Mr R_dr_g__s s__d: "_nc_l_tt_ _s th_ gr__t_st c__ch _n h_st_ry, _nd n_w h_ _s _t th_ h__d _f th_ gr__t_st n_t__n_l t__m _n th_ pl_n_t. T_g_th_r w_ w_ll wr_t_ n_w gl_r___s ch_pt_rs _n Br_z_l__n f__tb_ll." _nc_l_tt_ w_ll b_ _n ch_rg_ _f Br_z_l's t__m f_r th_ W_rld C_p q__l_fy_ng g_m_s _g__nst P_r_g__y _nd _c__d_r n_xt m_nth.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

legendary soccer coach carlo ancelotti 65 has decided to leave spanish giants real madrid to become manager of brazil his final match for madrid will be on the 25th of may he will start his new position with brazil on the following day mr ancelotti told reporters from the 26th i will be the brazil coach and its an important challenge right now im the real madrid coach and i want to finish this final stretch and this fantastic adventure here brazil will be ancelottis first role as a manager of a national team ancelotti is one of the most successful football managers ever he is the only coach to win the top five leagues in europe he has also won the uefa champions league a record five times

brazil is the worlds most successful international team it is the only country to have won the fifa world cup five times however the last time was in 2002 since then it has not reached the final in 2014 the team was beaten 71 by germany in the semifinals ednaldo rodrigues the president of brazils football federation hopes ancelotti can change brazils fortunes mr rodrigues said ancelotti is the greatest coach in history and now he is at the head of the greatest national team on the planet together we will write new glorious chapters in brazilian football ancelotti will be in charge of brazils team for the world cup qualifying games against paraguay and ecuador next month

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

LegendarysoccercoachCarloAncelotti,65,hasdecidedtoleaveSpanis
hgiantsRealMadridtobecomemanagerofBrazil.HisfinalmatchforMadr
idwillbeonthe25thofMay.HewillstarthisnewpositionwithBrazilonthef
ollowingday.MrAncelottitoldreporters:"Fromthe26th,IwillbetheBraz
ilcoach,andit'sanimportantchallenge.Rightnow,I'mtheRealMadridco
ach,andIwanttofinishthisfinalstretchandthisfantasticadventurehere
."BrazilwillbeAncelotti'sfirstroleasamanagerofanationalteam.Ancel
ottiisoneofthemostsuccessfulfootballmanagersever.Heistheonlycoa
chtowinthetopfiveleaguesinEurope.HehasalsowontheUEFAChampio
nsLeaguearecordfivetimes.Brazilistheworld'smostsuccessfulinterna
tionalteam.ItistheonlycountrytohavewontheFIFAWorldCupfivetime
s.However,thelasttimewasin2002.Sincethen,ithasnotreachedthefin
al.In2014,theteamwasbeaten7-1byGermanyinthesemi-finals.Edna
ldoRodrigues,thepresidentofBrazil'sfootballfederation,hopesAncelo
tticanchangeBrazil'sfortunes.MrRodriguessaid:"Ancelottiisthegreat
estcoachinhistory,andnowheisattheheadofthegreatestnationaltea
montheplanet.TogetherwewillwritenewgloriouschaptersinBrazilianf
ootball."AncelottiwillbeinchargeofBrazil'steamfortheWorldCupquali
fyinggamesagainstParaguayandEcuadornextmonth.

Free writing

Write about Carlo Ancelotti for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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Academic writing

Soccer is the best game in the world. 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 / SOCCER: Make a poster about football / soccer. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. NATIONAL TEAMS: Write a magazine article about national football teams only being managed by citizens of their country. 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 / soccer. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make football better. 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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Breaking News English Lesson: World Football

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