Lessons
Sports & Action
Meet the World's Oldest Hockey Player
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about the oldest hockey player in the world. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about age and sports. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms and expressions related to age, sports, and hockey. The grammar exercises feature prepositions of time and superlative adjectives. In the cooperation activity students do interviews and create their own documentary scenes.
- Speaking:
- Ageism, Hockey, Sports
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Number Matching, Multiple Choice
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Parts of Speech, Expressions
- Grammar:
- Prepositions of Time / Superlative Adjectives
- Cooperation:
- Interview Questions, Creating a Documentary, Quotes
Type of video: Biography / Story
Length of video: 2:44
Topics: Ageism, Hockey, Sports
The oldest hockey player in the world, Mark Sertich, is 95 years old and still plays hockey. An inspirational character who talks about his daily routine and his life playing hockey with the local firefighters in the community.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Dean Karnazes, the ULTRAmarathon Man
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about an ultra-marathon runner. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about running, marathons, and unique talents. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features prepositions. In the cooperation activity students can create a story about a 'super human.'
- Speaking:
- Running, Ultra-Marathons, Special Talents
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Matching Sentences
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Parts of Speech
- Grammar:
- Prepositions
- Cooperation:
- Creating a Story
Type of video: Story / Documentary
Length of video: 5:09
Topics: Ultra-Marathons, Unique Talents
Meet the most notorious Ultra Marathon runner to ever exist - Dean Karnazes. This guy runs a marathon before breakfast, and his day doesn't stop there. Learn and discuss this 'superhuman' with your students, and find out what special gift he has that allows him to run like no other.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Why do people run the marathon?
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about running marathons and why we do it. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about running and marathons. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features prepositions. In the cooperation activity students can create quotes and discuss the good side of human nature.
- Speaking:
- Running, Marathons
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, True / False, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Extra Running-related Vocabulary
- Grammar:
- Prepositions
- Cooperation:
- Creating Quotes, Discussing the good side of human nature
Type of video: Story / Documentary
Length of video: 2:56
Topics: Running Marathons
A reporter runs a marathon with his girlfriend in New York, while interviewing others along the way about their motivation and inspiration. Does running a marathon bring out the good in human nature?
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Nike: Meet the Runners – Eliud Kipchoge
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a marathon runner trying to be the first to run a marathon under 2 hours. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about running, marathons, and memorable moments in sports history. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features no / any (negative sentences). In the cooperation activity students can create story scripts.
- Speaking:
- Running, Sports Moments
- Viewing:
- True / False, Matching Sentences, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- No / Any (Exprssing Negatives)
- Cooperation:
- Creating Stories Script
Type of video: Running, Inspirational, Positive Attitude
Length of video: 1:22
Topics: Running, Motivation, Inspiration
Meet a runner from the Nike team who aspires to become the first one to ever run a marathon in under 2 hours. Find out what his secret to success is.
*Most suitable for pre-intermediate - intermediate students. Suitable for ages 14+
Little League Baseball Transforms America's Most Dangerous City
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a man who starts a little league baseball league in a city filled with crime. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about crime, teenage life, and baseball. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to these topics. The grammar exercises feature superlative adjectives, used to + base verb, and past perfect. In the cooperation activity students can make an interview, and create a new movie genre + plot.
- Speaking:
- Baseball, Inner-City Crime, Teenage Life
- Viewing:
- Multiple Choice, True / False, Short Answers, Matching
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Parts of Speech
- Grammar:
- Superlative Adjectives / Used to + base verb / Past Perfect
- Cooperation:
- Making an Interview, Creating a New Movie Genre + Plot
Type of video: Story
Length of video: 6:38
Topics: Baseball, Crime, Teenage Life
Camden, New Jersey - known as the most dangerous city in the USA. Bryan Morton, a resident of Camden, grew up and went through a big life struggle as a teenager - he used to deal drugs and then had to spend years in prison. When he got out, he wanted to give something positive back to the community. So he started a baseball league to help lead children away from crime and down a different path than his own.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 16+. This topic can contain sensitive subjects. Please use at your own discretion and consider if the topic is appropriate for your student(s) or class.
US soccer: Will Americans ever care about football?
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about soccer, rugby, and American football. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about soccer, rugby, and American football. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to these topics. The grammar exercise features the difference between while and as. In the cooperation activity students make a report on a controversial sports topic.
- Speaking:
- Soccer, American Football, Rugby
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, True / False
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Prepositions
- Grammar:
- Difference Between While & As
- Cooperation:
- Making a Report
Type of video: News Report / Short Documentary
Length of video: 4:15
Topics: Soccer, American Football, Rugby
Soccer is known to be the 'world's most popular sport.' Ever wonder why this isn't true in the USA? This report investigates the evolution of American football compared to soccer and what differentiates it the most from soccer. Does soccer have a bright future in the US and will it ever be able to 'dethrone' American football?
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
How to Become a Pro Soccer Player
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about becoming a professional soccer player. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about soccer and setting goals. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to these topics. The grammar exercise features verb patterns (gerunds & infinitives). In the cooperation activity students can make a speech or make a story.
- Speaking:
- Soccer, Setting Goals
- Viewing:
- True / False, Short Answers, Multiple Choice
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Parts of Speech
- Grammar:
- Verb Patterns (Gerunds & Infinitives)
- Cooperation:
- Making a Speech, Making a Story
Type of video: Commerical / Story / Documentary
Length of video: 2:49
Topics: Sports, Soccer, Professional Sports Player
As a boy, Nick Humphries dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player, but he faced a big challenge - he didn't even make the cut for his region's squad. Although he didn't make the team, he kept imagining what it must be like to play in the big leagues which pushed his will to succeed. With hard work, dedication, and passion he turned his dream into a reality.
*Most suitable for pre-intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Soccer and World Cup Brings Worlds Together
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about how soccer brings people together. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about the World Cup and soccer. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to these topics. The grammar exercise features present simple vs past simple. In the cooperation activity students can create questions and have an interview.
- Speaking:
- Soccer, World Cup, Culture
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Multiple Choice, Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Verbs, Parts of Speech
- Grammar:
- Present Simple vs Past Simple
- Cooperation:
- Creating Questions, Having an Interview
Type of video: Short Documentary / News Report
Length of video: 2:04
Topics: Sports, Soccer, Culture
The World Cup of soccer is such a great global event not only because of the sport, but also because it builds intercultural bonds between people. Aziz Abu Sarah shows how race, religion, and language don't matter when it's time to play the world's most popular game.
*Most suitable for pre-intermediate - intermediate students. Suitable for ages 14+
The Best Female Rock Climber in the World is 14
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a young, professional, female climber. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about climbing. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms and expressions related to this topic. The grammar exercises feature modal verbs, how to use gerunds, and the difference between can, could, and be able to. In the cooperation activity students design a course, do an interview, or have a conversation.
- Speaking:
- Climbing
- Viewing:
- Sentence Matching, Multiple Choice, Short Answer, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- Modal Verbs / Gerunds / Difference between can, could, and be able to
- Cooperation:
- Designing a course, Interview, Conversation
Type of video: Biography / Story
Length of video: 1:56
Topics: Climbing, Young Athletes
A short but sweet video featuring an inspiring young star, who can climb walls faster than anyone you know. Most people are just shocked watching this 14 year girl climb, and your students will be too.
*Suitable for pre-intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Shredding the World's Highest Sand Dunes on Skis
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about two professional Swedish skiiers. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about skiing and alternative sports. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms and expressions related to these topics. The grammar exercises feature prepositions of place, until vs by, and by the time. In the cooperation activity students make a special tour package.
- Speaking:
- Skiing, Alternative Sports
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, True / False, Multiple Choice
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- Prepositions of place / Until vs By / By the time
- Cooperation:
- Tour Agency Task
Type of video: Documentary / Story
Length of video: 2:48
Topics: Skiing, Alternative Sports
An interesting twist to the sport of skiing. Two professional Swedish skiers who hunt out spots and document their adventures shredding it up in the sand.
*Suitable for pre-intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Wheelz in the Air: Hitting the Skatepark on a Wheelchair
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a young man who is an WCMX rider. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about handicaps, extreme sports, & positive mental attitude. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms and expressions related to these topics. The grammar exercises feature how to use 'just,' verb patterns, & collocations. In the cooperation activity students have an imaginative discussion or an interview.
- Speaking:
- Positive Mental Attitude, Handicaps, Extreme Sports
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, True / False
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- How To Use the Adverb 'Just' / Verb Patterns / Collocations
- Cooperation:
- Imaginative Discussion, Interview
Type of video: Biography / Story
Length of video: 2:14
Topics: Positive Mental Attitude, Extreme Sports, Handicaps
Aaron Fotheringham is a true legend, known as the godfather of WCMX. A young man with a great positive attitude, and isn’t afraid to go out on his wheelchair and rip it in the local skate park. Ever seen a backflip on your wheelchair? Your students probably haven’t either.
*Suitable for pre-intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
What's it like to live in Green Bay and hate the Packers?
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about the fans of the Green Bay Packers. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about fandom, American football, & sports. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms and expressions related to these topics. The grammar exercises feature the 2nd conditional, indefinite pronouns, & conjunctions. In the cooperation activity students make a party, funny sentences, and talk about the Packers.
- Speaking:
- Fandom, American Football, Sports
- Viewing:
- Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- Second Conditional / Indefinite Pronouns / Conjunctions
- Cooperation:
- Party, Funny Sentences, Imaginative Discussion on the Packers
Type of video: Informational News Report
Length of video: 4:23
Topics: Sports Fans, American Football
A sports reporter goes around and shows what life is all about under the green and gold skies of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Are your students as crazy about their sports team as these cheese-heads?
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Women's World Football Games
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about women who play American football. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about gender roles, American football, and sports. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms and expressions related to these topics. The grammar exercises feature like / as, a special adjective phrase, and to be used to +ing verb. In the cooperation activity students can make a website, do a role-play, or interview.
- Speaking:
- American Football, Gender Roles, Sports
- Viewing:
- True / False, Multiple Choice
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Parts of Speech
- Grammar:
- Difference Between Like and As / Adjective Phrase / To Be Used To +ing Verb
- Cooperation:
- Website, Role Play, Interview
Type of video: Informational Documentary
Length of video: 5:58
Topics: Gender Roles, American Football
Who says women can’t play football? Meet the female pioneers expanding the game to their own gender. The female players show you how they play and get a conversation going about differences in male and female social roles.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+