Sporty words (2)
Description:
In this file students read descriptions of different sports and fill in a table
listing the equipment required for each sport and the place where it is
played.
Objectives:
1. To present students with vocabulary on the topic of sport and more
specifically with the following word fields: names of sports, types of
sports equipment and places where these sports are played.
2. To give practice in guessing the meaning of words from the context.
3. To give practice in scanning.
Activities:
Table completion - Individual work
Level:
S1 - S3
Materials:
Table worksheet
Description worksheet
Sporty words (2): Steps
1.
Introduce the topic of the lesson and generate students' interest by asking them what their
favourite sports are.
Table completion - Individual work
2.
Distribute copies of the Table worksheet and the Description worksheet to each student and
explain that their task is to complete the table, using information from the text.
3.
As students are filling in the table, monitor and help any students who look as if they are
struggling.
4.
When students have finished, tell them to compare their answers with their partner.
5.
Feed back the answers with the whole class. You also need to check that students know what
these sports are. You could do this by asking students for the Chinese translation, getting them
to do a mime of the sport or by doing a simple drawing on the board.
Pop-up screen notes
Sporty words (2)
Objectives
Example:
Sport
pool
cue
table
Equipment
balls
Indoors/outdoors
indoors
Place
pool hall
cycling
mountain bike
outdoors
anywhere
helmet
pads
Glossary:
Topics are broader than word fields and are theme-based:
health, sport, crime, family life, future careers
Word fields are very specific; they are sets of words that all describe things
within the same semantic area:
names of illnesses, types of equipment, names of crimes, family
members, names of jobs
Theory:
When selecting vocabulary to present to students, it is important to choose
words that are in some way related, to make it easier for students to
remember them. You will find that if you present students with a random
selection of words, they will probably be far less likely to remember them
than they would a carefully selected group. The relationship between the
words may be one of word field / topic, as in this game, or perhaps one of
relation such as synonyms, antonyms, words that collocate.
It is also important to recycle the vocabulary that you have presented. You
cannot assume that just because you have done one lesson on sport, the
students will remember the words presented to them. Unless you give them
regular practice in this new vocabulary, the students will probably forget it.
Glossary:
Guessing the meaning of words from the context is an important skill that
language learners need to develop. Students need to be shown that it is
unnecessary to know every word in a text, and that they can often make
accurate guesses at the meaning of unfamiliar words, using contextual clues.
Glossary:
We often approach a reading passage with an idea of what we want to find in
it. As students search for certain pieces of information, they should scan the
text, skip over any parts of it that are irrelevant to their purpose for reading,
and not read it in detail.
Steps
4. Theory:
5. Key:
This can help build students' confidence and make them more willing to
speak up during class feedback. It can also generate discussion between the
students and promote a supportive atmosphere amongst the class members.
Sporty words (2)
Table worksheet
Fill in the table using information on the Description worksheet.
Sporty words (2)
Description worksheet
Read these descriptions of different sports and fill in the table on the other worksheet.
This game can either be played in singles or doubles on an inside court. As in tennis, you play with a
racquet. However, instead of a ball, the players hit a light plastic object, called a shuttlecock, over a
high net. It's a very fast game and is very popular in Asia.
You don't need to be fit to play this game since it requires very little physical energy. It is enjoyed by
both men and women, and is played indoors, often in bars. If you're interested in taking it up, you'll
need to find somewhere or someone with a dartboard and you'll also need to buy yourself a set of
three darts.
Again, not a very energetic sport but one which requires a lot of concentration. There are a number of
pool halls around Hong Kong where people go to play. It's not very common for people to play at
home since the tables which you play on are so big. The idea of the game is to get all of your balls in
the pockets using a long piece of wood, known as a cue. If you do this before your opponent, then
you're the winner.
This sport is normally more popular amongst men rather than women. Two men, wearing special
leather gloves, get inside the ring and punch each other. The winner is the person who manages to
knock their opponent out or who fights the hardest.
You don't need to own a horse to be able to take up this hobby. There are a number of schools where
you can go for lessons, or, if you know how to ride, then you can simply hire one and go trekking by
yourself. Beginners will be taught the basic skills, such as how to get up into the saddle by putting one
foot in one of the stirrups and pulling themselves up. It isn't necessary to buy any equipment since you
can usually hire this from the school. You must wear a special riding hat in case you have an accident
and a whip is a useful accessory for dealing with naughty horses. Some people like to wear jodhpurs,
which are specially designed for riding, but these aren't essential - a pair of jeans will do.
This can be rather an expensive hobby to take up. Not only does the equipment cost a lot (you will
need a set of clubs and a bag to carry them around in), but the club membership fees are also very
expensive. Other accessories you'll need to buy include balls, a tee, which you use to balance the ball
on, and a pair of gloves to help you grip the club. However, if you can afford all of this, then you can
choose from one of the magnificent courses, all set in the beautiful Hong Kong countryside.
With the arrival of the mountain bike, this sport has become popular all over the world. On a
mountain bike it is much easier to go uphill, and you can travel on almost any kind of surface without
worrying about the tyres bursting. The handlebars have special rubber grips to make it easier for you
to hold onto them. Apart from the bike itself, there isn't really anything else that is essential, although
some people choose to wear a special helmet to protect their head, and pads on their elbows and knees
in case of an accident.
This sport is becoming a popular way of spending a holiday. If you enjoy the sea and nature, why not
head off to the Philippines or Thailand to take a course in this exciting pastime? If this doesn't appeal
to you, you can learn to do it in Hong Kong instead. However, you probably won't see quite so much
because of the poor water quality. Equipment is very expensive, but most people just hire it. Essential
equipment includes a tank providing you with oxygen to breathe underwater and a wetsuit to protect
you from the cold.
This is a great way to spend a few hours when you're on the beach. What's more, it doesn't require
huge amounts of money. All you need to buy is a mask so that you can see what is going on below you,
and a snorkel so that you can breathe. Some people wear flippers to help them swim more quickly,
although these aren't essential. If you're interested in marine life, then this is a must for you.
A relaxing way to spend a day. You can choose between the sea, rivers and lakes - whatever is most
convenient for you. You'll need a rod and some bait, such as worms or maggots, to attract the fish.
Rods vary greatly in price, depending on the quality. Make sure that you get one with a strong nylon
line and a reel with a handle that is strong enough to cope with the bigger fish.
Another activity that can be done alone or in groups. You can choose from the sea, a river, a lake or a
pool. The wonderful thing about it is that you need hardly anything at all to be able to enjoy this sport.
Besides a costume for women or trunks for men, you might like to invest in a cap to keep your hair
dry and a pair of goggles if you have sensitive eyes, especially if you go to a pool.