Lesson 2: National Sports
Who are you rooting for?

I can discuss which sports are popular in a country.

INTRODUCE

Sports are very influential on a culture. It can be interesting to find out which sports are popular in other countries.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. To be gung-ho about something means to be very enthusiastic about something.

     

    Jessica is gung-ho about attending every single game.

     

     

    2. When you root for someone, you support that person and hope for his/her success.

     

    Mandy is rooting for her favorite soccer player.

     

     

    3. When you say you are crazy about something, it means that you really, really like it.

     

    Charles is crazy about basketball – he has over 20 pairs of basketball shoes on his wall at home!

     

    II. What’s your favorite sport? Talk about it using the expressions above.

     

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends with a vowel sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound, a consonant sound is sometimes added to connect them.
Phrase Example

gung-ho about

/ gung ho-wa-bawt /

He’s / gung ho-wa-bawt / trying out for the team.

crazy about

/ kray-zee-ya-bawt /

She’s / kray-zee-ya-bawt / soccer.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Charlie and his group are taking a break during a long trek.

Charlie:

Phew! This trek is tiring but a lot of fun, huh?

Evan:

It sure is!

Charlie:

By the way, what are you watching?

Evan:

A rugby match. Are you a fan?

Charlie:

Of rugby? I’m crazy about it! I’m originally from Australia, so rugby was a big thing growing up. I actually played a little in high school. My dad was really gung-ho about it, but then I got injured.

Evan:

I’m sorry to hear that. I actually played a little in school too.

Charlie:

Nice! So, who’s playing in this match?

Evan:

It’s the Kiwis versus the Sevens.

Charlie:

Who are you rooting for?

Evan:

The Sevens, of course!

Charlie:

Good answer. (laughs) Um, do you mind if I watch the game with you? My smartphone doesn’t get any signal here!

Evan:

Not at all. Be my guest.

TRIVIA

You can use the phrase be my guest to give permission to do something freely. It’s another way of saying please do and can be used both literally (with real guests at your house) and figuratively (with someone you are simply giving permission to).

 

    A: May I use your bathroom?
O B: Be my guest!

 

    A: Could I borrow your pen for a sec?
O B: Sure, be my guest!

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Complete the conversation by rephrasing the underlined parts with expressions from the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

root for someone
be gung-ho about something
be crazy about something
Tutor:

Do you have any plans for vacation?

Student:

Yeah, I’ve decided to learn how to skateboard!

Tutor:

Really? Why skateboarding?

Student:

My friend really loves it, and he’s been showing me some videos of this skateboarder called Ben Butler. The guy is amazing! He posts a new video every week, and he always outdoes himself. He’s always so excited about trying new tricks. Last week he jumped a car!

Tutor:

Whoa, isn’t that dangerous?

Student:

Only a little. Ben’s never been seriously injured. You know, he’ll actually be in this area next week. He’s competing at the Extreme-o-lympics. I’m thinking about going and cheering for him! Are you interested?

Tutor:

Hmm… Let me think about it.

STEP B EXERCISE

Make sentences using the pictures, words, and expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

root for someone
be gung-ho about something
be crazy about something

Edric and his brothers

Anton Segovia

1. __________. They hope he becomes a world-famous baseball player someday.

 

Francis

cycling

2. __________. He has three bicycles that are worth over $5,000 each.

 

Shaye

going cliff diving today

3. __________. She’s so excited that she barely slept last night.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You are studying English in New Zealand. After class, you and your Canadian teacher are having a cup of coffee together. Talk about which sports are popular in New Zealand, Canada, and Japan.

Today's Expressions

  • be gung-ho about something
  • root for someone
  • be crazy about something

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

NATIONAL SPORTS
2

TEAMS AND ATHLETES
3

EXTREME SPORTS
1

NATIONAL SPORTS

  1. What sport would you say is Japan’s national sport?
  2. Why do you consider it to be Japan’s national sport?
  3. Would you encourage foreigners to try it?
  4. Who are some famous athletes in that sport?

2TEAMS AND ATHLETES

  1. What are some of the most popular teams in Japan?
  2. Do you root for any of these teams?
  3. Do you prefer team sports or individual sports?
  4. Did you ever think of any athletes as a role model?

3EXTREME SPORTS

  1. What extreme sports are popular in Japan?
  2. Which of those extreme sports would you like to try?
  3. Why do you think some people like extreme sports?
  4. Do you think extreme sports should be allowed in the Olympics?

FEEDBACK

I can discuss which sports are popular in a country.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK