Breaking News English Lesson: World Cup

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Morocco advance to World Cup semi-finals (12th December, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - World Cup - Level 6

The 2022 World Cup is continuing to produce shock results. The latest is Morocco's defeat of European powerhouse Portugal. Youssef En Nesyri's soaring 42nd-minute header saw Morocco advance to the semi-finals. In so doing, they become the first African or Arab nation to get to the last four. Many soccer pundits argue the 1-0 result was not a shock. Morocco are only one of three teams to reach the quarter-finals stage undefeated. They have also conceded just one goal. They defeated one of the pre-tournament favourites, Belgium, at the group stage, and then eliminated former world champions Spain in an earlier knockout stage. Their performances have been full of grit, attacking flair and determined defending.

Dubbed the Atlas Lions, Morocco look forward to opponents France in their semi-final on December the 14th. They are one game away from a historic appearance in the final. Their win against Portugal ignited an outpouring of joy and raucous celebrations throughout Morocco and the Moroccan diaspora across Africa. So momentous was the win that at the final whistle, congratulations from world leaders flooded social media. The ruler of Dubai tweeted: "It was an unprecedented victory for Arab football." Somalia's president tweeted: "This is testimony that Africa is rising and we are a force to be reckoned with." Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his team would, "write history for Africa".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

World Cup - Level 4 or World Cup - Level 5

Sources

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/10/recap-morocco-vs-portugal-world-cup
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/NaN/NaN/352936/moroccos-historic-world-cup-run-continues-after-1-0-win-over-portugal
https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=633845

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. THE WORLD CUP: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the World Cup. 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?
World Cup / shock / results / defeat / powerhouse / pundits / tournament / flair /
opponent / final / win / celebrations / diaspora / congratulations / testimony / Africa
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH: Students A strongly believe the world cup is the greatest show on Earth; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SPORTING EVENTS: How great are these sporting events? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Great Things	Not So Great Things
Soccer World Cup
Summer Olympics
Winter Olympics
Formula 1
Wimbledon
Tour de France

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

Coach / Manager
Goalkeeper
Defender
Central defender
Midfielder
Winger
Forward
Substitute

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	powerhouse	a.	An expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give their opinions to the public.
2.	soaring	b.	A person or thing of great energy or strength.
3.	pundit	c.	Failed to prevent an opponent scoring a goal or point.
4.	conceded	d.	Completely remove or get rid of something.
5.	eliminated	e.	Flying or rising high in the air.
6.	grit	f.	Stylishness and originality.
7.	flair	g.	Courage and resolve; strength of character.

Paragraph 2

8.	dubbed	h.	Aroused or inflamed an emotion or situation.
9.	ignited	i.	Of great importance or significance, especially in having a bearing on future events.
10.	raucous	j.	Given an unofficial name or nickname to.
11.	diaspora	k.	Making a loud noise.
12.	momentous	l.	Never done or known before.
13.	unprecedented	m.	The grouping of any people from their original homeland.
14.	testimony	n.	Evidence or proof of something.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says Morocco's win is the biggest World Cup shock so far. T / F
Morocco is the second African nation ever to reach the semi-finals. T / F
Morocco let in just one goal in the earlier stages of this tournament. T / F
The article says Morocco have showed grit and determination. T / F
The Morocco team is nicknamed the Sahara Lions. T / F
The Moroccan diaspora celebrated all across Africa. T / F
Dubai's ruler described Morocco's win as being "unprecedented". T / F
Somalia's president tweeted that Morocco is rising. T / F

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

shock
defeat
pundits
conceded
flair
dubbed
raucous
momentous
reckoned with
testimony

nicknamed
let in
evidence
noisy
loss
style
experts
taken into account
upset
significant

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

The 2022 World Cup is continuing to produce
soccer
They have also conceded
eliminated former
Their performances have been full of
a historic appearance
Their win against Portugal ignited
raucous
at the final
testimony that Africa

in the final
is rising
grit
pundits
an outpouring of joy
just one goal
shock results
whistle
world champions Spain
celebrations

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

header
undefeated
grit
pundits
former
defeat
doing
conceded

The 2022 World Cup is continuing to produce shock results. The latest is Morocco's (1) _____________________ of European powerhouse Portugal. Youssef En Nesyri's soaring 42nd-minute (2) _____________________ saw Morocco advance to the semi-finals. In so (3) _____________________, they become the first African or Arab nation to get to the last four. Many soccer (4) _____________________ argue the 1-0 result was not a shock. Morocco are only one of three teams to reach the quarter-finals stage (5) _____________________. They have also (6) _____________________ just one goal. They defeated one of the pre-tournament favourites, Belgium, at the group stage, and then eliminated (7) _____________________ World champions Spain in an earlier knockout stage. Their performances have been full of (8) _____________________, attacking flair and determined defending.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

victory
outpouring
opponents
history
whistle
force
historic
diaspora

Dubbed the Atlas Lions, Morocco look forward to (9) _____________________ France in their semi-final on December the 14th. They are one game away from a (10) _____________________ appearance in the final. Their win against Portugal ignited an (11) _____________________ of joy and raucous celebrations throughout Morocco and the Moroccan (12) _____________________ across Africa. So momentous was the win that at the final (13) _____________________, congratulations from world leaders flooded social media. The ruler of Dubai tweeted: "It was an unprecedented (14) _____________________ for Arab football." Somalia's president tweeted: "This is testimony that Africa is rising and we are a (15) _____________________ to be reckoned with." Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his team would, "write (16) _____________________ for Africa".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The 2022 World Cup is continuing to ______
     a. produce shock result
     b. produce shocks results
     c. produce shocks result
     d. produce shock results
2) In so doing, they become the first African or Arab nation to get to ______
     a. the last four
     b. the lastly four
     c. the lasts four
     d. the blast four
3) Morocco are only one of three teams to reach the quarter-______
     a. finals state undefeated
     b. finals stage undefeated
     c. finals sleighs undefeated
     d. finals suave undefeated
4) favourites, Belgium, at the group stage, and then eliminated ______
     a. firmer world champions
     b. former worlds champions
     c. former world champion
     d. former world champions
5) Their performances have been full of ______
     a. grit, attacking flare
     b. grit, attacking flair
     c. grit, attacking flour
     d. grit, attacking floor

6) Dubbed the Atlas Lions, Morocco look forward ______
     a. two opponents France
     b. too opponents France
     c. to opponents France
     d. tow opponents France
7) Their win against Portugal ignited an ______
     a. out pour in of joy
     b. out peering of joy
     c. outpouring of joy
     d. out pairing of joy
8) So momentous was the win that at ______
     a. the final whistle
     b. the finals whistle
     c. the finality whistle
     d. the finally whistle
9) The ruler of Dubai tweeted it was ______
     a. an unprecedented victory
     b. an un-presented victory
     c. an ump press cadet victory
     d. an un-pressed dented victory
10) This is testimony that Africa is rising and we are a force to ______
     a. be wrecked with
     b. be reckoned with
     c. be beckoned with
     d. be reckoned within

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The 2022 World Cup is continuing (1) ____________________ results. The latest is Morocco's defeat of European powerhouse Portugal. Youssef En Nesyri's soaring 42nd-minute header saw Morocco (2) ____________________ semi-finals. In so doing, they become the first African or Arab nation to get to the last four. Many (3) ____________________ the 1-0 result was not a shock. Morocco are only one of three teams to reach the quarter-finals stage undefeated. They have (4) ____________________ one goal. They defeated one of the pre-tournament favourites, Belgium, at the group stage, (5) ____________________ former World champions Spain in an earlier knockout stage. Their performances have been (6) ____________________, attacking flair and determined defending.

Dubbed the Atlas Lions, Morocco look (7) ____________________ France in their semi-final on December the 14th. They are one game away from a (8) ____________________ the final. Their win against Portugal ignited an outpouring of (9) ____________________ celebrations throughout Morocco and the Moroccan diaspora across Africa. So momentous was the win that at the final whistle, congratulations from world (10) ____________________ media. The ruler of Dubai tweeted: "It was an unprecedented victory for Arab football." Somalia's president tweeted: "This (11) ____________________ Africa is rising and we are a force to (12) ____________________." Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his team would, "write history for Africa".

Comprehension questions

What does the article call Portugal?
In what minute was the goal scored?
Who said Morocco's victory was not a shock?
How many goals had Morocco let in before they played Portugal?
What does the article say Morocco did with determination?
What's the nickname of the Moroccan national team?
Who celebrated Morocco's victory across Africa?
When did world leaders tweet about Morocco's victory?
Who said Africa is rising?
What did Morocco's coach say his team would write?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article call Portugal?
a) one of the best
b) a European powerhouse
c) a potent force
d) brilliant
2) In what minute was the goal scored?
a) the 41st minute
b) the 43rd minute
c) the 44th minute
d) the 42nd minute
3) Who said Morocco's victory was not a shock?
a) the Morocco coach
b) Morocco's fans
c) soccer pundits
d) Morocco's captain
4) How many goals had Morocco let in before they played Portugal?
a) one
b) two
c) three
d) four
5) What does the article say Morocco did with determination?
a) score
b) defend
c) head
d) attack

6) What's the nickname of the Moroccan national team?
a) the Atlas Lions
b) the Sahara Lions
c) the Atlas Cheetahs
d) the Sahara Cheetahs
7) Who celebrated Morocco's victory across Africa?
a) French fans
b) children
c) the Moroccan diaspora
d) African players
8) When did world leaders tweet about Morocco's victory?
a) at the final whistle
b) at half time
c) an hour after the game
d) throughout the game
9) Who said Africa is rising?
a) Morocco's president
b) the head of FIFA
c) Dubai's ruler
d) Somalia's president
10) What did Morocco's coach say his team would write?
a) new tactics
b) a book
c) history for Africa
d) a history of Moroccan football

Role play

Role A – Goalkeeper
You think being a goalkeeper is the best position in football. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their positions. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): defender, midfielder or forward.

Role B – Defender
You think being a defender is the best position in football. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their positions. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): goalkeeper, midfielder or forward.

Role C – Midfielder
You think being a midfielder is the best position in football. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their positions. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): defender, goalkeeper or forward.

Role D – Forward / Attacker
You think being a forward is the best position in football. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their positions. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): defender, midfielder or goalkeeper.

After reading / listening

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

'world'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and cup''.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

continuing

advance

argue

reach

eliminated

grit

forward

historic

joy

whistle

victory

force

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 Cup

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 think of the World Cup?
Is the soccer World Cup the greatest show on Earth?
What do you think of Morocco being in the semi-finals?
Why is the World Cup so popular?
What do you think of the World Cup being held in Qatar?
Is Morocco's victory against Portugal a shock?
What do you think of the 2022 World Cup finals?
What advice do you have for the Moroccan players?

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 'Morocco'?
What do you think about what you read?
What's the best game of football you've ever seen?
How good at football is your national team?
Is the word 'football' or 'soccer' best?
What good does football do in the world?
Will Morocco write history for Africa?
What three adjectives best describe football?
What questions would you like to ask Morocco's players?

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)

The 2022 World Cup is continuing to produce shock results. The latest is Morocco's defeat (1) ____ European powerhouse Portugal. Youssef En Nesyri's soaring 42nd-minute header (2) ____ Morocco advance to the semi-finals. In so doing, they become the first African or Arab nation to (3) ____ to the last four. Many soccer pundits argue the 1-0 result was not a shock. Morocco are only one of three teams to reach this stage undefeated. They have also (4) ____ just one goal. They defeated one of the pre-tournament favourites, Belgium, at the group stage, and then (5) ____ former World champions Spain in an earlier knockout stage. Their performances have been full of (6) ____, attacking flair and determined defending.

Dubbed the Atlas Lions, Morocco look forward to opponents France in their semi-final on December the 14th. They are one game (7) ____ from a historic appearance in the final. Their win against Portugal (8) ____ an outpouring of joy and raucous celebrations throughout Morocco and the Moroccan diaspora across Africa. So (9) ____ was the win that at the final whistle, congratulations from world leaders flooded social media. The (10) ____ of Dubai tweeted: "It was an unprecedented victory for Arab football." Somalia's president tweeted: "This is testimony that Africa is rising and we are a force to (11) ____ reckoned with." Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his team would, "write history (12) ____ Africa".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) by (b) on (c) of (d) at
(a) saw (b) looked (c) watched (d) viewed
(a) get (b) propel (c) motion (d) parachute
(a) conceded (b) congealed (c) concealed (d) contented
(a) aggregated (b) eliminated (c) premeditated (d) contaminated
(a) shrill (b) writ (c) gripe (d) grit
(a) up (b) over (c) away (d) remove
(a) fired (b) doused (c) scorched (d) ignited
(a) momentous (b) momentary (c) momentum (d) moment
(a) protractor (b) ruler (c) compass (d) set square
(a) do (b) be (c) have (d) take
(a) in (b) by (c) for (d) at

Spelling

Paragraph 1

Morocco's eefdat of European powerhouse Portugal
soccer itdupns
reach the quarter-finals stage audednfeet
They have also ececnodd just one goal
eiltnidmea former world champions
attacking arfil

Paragraph 2

bebdud the Atlas Lions
a historic peecapanar in the final
rsacuuo celebrations
the Moroccan odrpaisa across Africa
an rentncdeeeupd victory
This is tymeisont that Africa is rising

Put the text back together

(...) raucous celebrations throughout Morocco and the Moroccan diaspora across Africa. So momentous
(...) of Dubai tweeted: "It was an unprecedented victory for Arab football." Somalia's president tweeted: "This is
(...) argue the 1-0 result was not a shock. Morocco are only one of three teams to reach this
(...) away from a historic appearance in the final. Their win against Portugal ignited an outpouring of joy and
(...) testimony that Africa is rising and we are a force to be reckoned
(...) with." Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his team would, "write history for Africa".
( 1 ) The 2022 World Cup is continuing to produce shock results. The latest is Morocco's defeat of European
(...) doing, they become the first African or Arab nation to get to the last four. Many soccer pundits
(...) favourites, Belgium, at the group stage, and then eliminated former World champions Spain in an earlier
(...) stage undefeated. They have also conceded just one goal. They defeated one of the pre-tournament
(...) powerhouse Portugal. Youssef En Nesyri's soaring 42nd-minute header saw Morocco advance to the semi-finals. In so
(...) was the win that at the final whistle, congratulations from world leaders flooded social media. The ruler
(...) knockout stage. Their performances have been full of grit, attacking flair and determined defending.
(...) Dubbed the Atlas Lions, Morocco look forward to opponents France in their semi-final on December the 14th. They are one game

Put the words in the right order

The results . continuing World Cup is produce to shock
teams lost . three have to not One of
one goal . also They conceded have just
champions Spain . world former eliminated then They
grit . have performances Their full been of
a from game one They're appearance . historic away
win of joy . Their ignited an outpouring
world media . leaders from social Congratulations flooded
Arab It victory unprecedented an was football . for
is that African This football testimony rising . is

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The 2022 World Cup is continuing / continuance to produce shock results. The latest is Morocco's defeat of European powerful / powerhouse Portugal. Youssef En Nesyri's soaring 42nd-minute header saw Morocco advance to the semi-finals. In so / such doing, they become the first African or Arab nation to get to the last fours / four. Many soccer pundits / bandits argue the 1-0 result was not a shock. Morocco are only one of three teams to reach this dais / stage undefeated. They have also conceded / concealed just one goal. They defeated one of the pre-tournament favourites, Belgium, at the group stage, and then eliminated / extricated former World champions Spain in / by an earlier knockout stage. Their performances have been full of gripe / grit, attacking flair and determined defending.

Dubbed / Snubbed the Atlas Lions, Morocco look forward to opponents France in / on their semi-final on December the 14th. They are one game away from a historian / historic appearance in the final. Their win against Portugal exploded / ignited an outpouring of joy and raucous celebrations throughout / thorough Morocco and the Moroccan diaspora across Africa. So momentous be / was the win that at the final whistle, congratulations from world leaders flooded / seeped social media. The ruler of Dubai tweeted: "It was an / all unprecedented victory for Arab football." Somalia's president tweeted: "This is testimony that / what Africa is rising and we are a force to do / be reckoned with." Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his team would, "write history for Africa".

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)

Th_ 2022 W_rld C_p _s c_nt_n__ng t_ pr_d_c_ sh_ck r_s_lts. Th_ l_t_st _s M_r_cc_'s d_f__t _f __r_p__n p_w_rh__s_ P_rt_g_l. Y__ss_f _n N_syr_'s s__r_ng 42nd-m_n_t_ h__d_r s_w M_r_cc_ _dv_nc_ t_ th_ s_m_-f_n_ls. _n s_ d__ng, th_y b_c_m_ th_ f_rst _fr_c_n _r _r_b n_t__n t_ g_t t_ th_ l_st f__r. M_ny s_cc_r p_nd_ts _rg__ th_ 1-0 r_s_lt w_s n_t _ sh_ck. M_r_cc_ _r_ _nly _n_ _f thr__ t__ms t_ r__ch th_ q__rt_r-f_n_ls st_g _nd_f__t_d. Th_y h_v_ _ls_ c_nc_d_d j_st _n_ g__l. Th_y d_f__t_d _n_ _f th_ pr_-t__rn_m_nt f_v__r_t_s, B_lg__m, _t th_ gr__p st_g_, _nd th_n _l_m_n_t_d f_rm_r W_rld ch_mp__ns Sp__n _n _n __rl__r kn_ck__t st_g_. Th__r p_rf_rm_nc_s h_v_ b__n f_ll _f gr_t, _tt_ck_ng fl__r _nd d_t_rm_n_d d_f_nd_ng.

D_bb_d th_ _tl_s L__ns, M_r_cc_ l__k f_rw_rd t_ _pp_n_nts Fr_nc_ _n th__r s_m_-f_n_l _n D_c_mb_r th_ 14th. Th_y _r_ _n_ g_m_ _w_y fr_m _ h_st_r_c _pp__r_nc_ _n th_ f_n_l. Th__r w_n _g__nst P_rt_g_l _gn_t_d _n __tp__r_ng _f j_y _nd r__c__s c_l_br_t__ns thr__gh__t M_r_cc_ _nd th_ M_r_cc_n d__sp_r_ _cr_ss _fr_c_. S_ m_m_nt__s w_s th_ w_n th_t _t th_ f_n_l wh_stl_, c_ngr_t_l_t__ns fr_m w_rld l__d_rs fl__d_d s_c__l m_d__. Th_ r_l_r _f D_b__ tw__t_d: "_t w_s _n _npr_c_d_nt_d v_ct_ry f_r _r_b f__tb_ll." S_m_l__'s pr_s_d_nt tw__t_d: "Th_s _s t_st_m_ny th_t _fr_c_ _s r_s_ng _nd w_ _r_ _ f_rc_ t_ b_ r_ck_n_d w_th." M_r_cc_ c__ch W_l_d R_gr_g__ s__d h_s t__m w__ld, "wr_t_ h_st_ry f_r _fr_c_".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the 2022 world cup is continuing to produce shock results the latest is moroccos defeat of european powerhouse portugal youssef en nesyris soaring 42ndminute header saw morocco advance to the semifinals in so doing they become the first african or arab nation to get to the last four many soccer pundits argue the 10 result was not a shock morocco are only one of three teams to reach the quarter finals stage undefeated they have also conceded just one goal they defeated one of the pretournament favourites belgium at the group stage and then eliminated former world champions spain in an earlier knockout stage their performances have been full of grit attacking flair and determined defending

dubbed the atlas lions morocco look forward to opponents france in their semifinal on december the 14th they are one game away from a historic appearance in the final their win against portugal ignited an outpouring of joy and raucous celebrations throughout morocco and the moroccan diaspora across africa so momentous was the win that at the final whistle congratulations from world leaders flooded social media the ruler of dubai tweeted it was an unprecedented victory for arab football somalias president tweeted this is testimony that africa is rising and we are a force to be reckoned with morocco coach walid regragui said his team would write history for africa

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

The2022WorldCupiscontinuingtoproduceshockresults.ThelatestisM
orocco'sdefeatofEuropeanpowerhousePortugal.YoussefEnNesyri'ss
oaring42nd-minuteheadersawMoroccoadvancetothesemi-finals.Ins
odoing,theybecomethefirstAfricanorArabnationtogettothelastfour.
Manysoccerpunditsarguethe1-0resultwasnotashock.Moroccoareon
lyoneofthreeteamstoreachthequarter-finalsstageundefeated.They
havealsoconcededjustonegoal.Theydefeatedoneofthepre-tourn
amentfavourites,Belgium,atthegroupstage,andtheneliminatedform
erWorldchampionsSpaininanearlierknockoutstage.Theirperforman
ceshavebeenfullofgrit,attackingflairanddetermineddefending.Dubb
edtheAtlasLions,MoroccolookforwardtoopponentsFranceintheirsem
i-finalonDecemberthe14th.Theyareonegameawayfromahistoricap
pearanceinthefinal.TheirwinagainstPortugalignitedanoutpouringofj
oyandraucouscelebrationsthroughoutMoroccoandtheMoroccandias
poraacrossAfrica.Somomentouswasthewinthatatthefinalwhistle,co
ngratulationsfromworldleadersfloodedsocialmedia.TherulerofDubai
tweeted:"ItwasanunprecedentedvictoryforArabfootball."Somalia's
presidenttweeted:"ThisistestimonythatAfricaisrisingandweareaforc
etobereckonedwith."MoroccocoachWalidRegraguisaidhisteamwoul
d,"writehistoryforAfrica".

Free writing

Write about World Cup for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The World Cup is the greatest show on Earth. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. THE WORLD CUP: Make a poster about the World Cup. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. EVERY TWO YEARS: Write a magazine article about the staging the World Cup every two years. 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 the World Cup. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make it 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 Cup

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