- football / soccer
- team
- stadium
- support
- striker
- goal
- footballer
- practice
- pass the ball
- flick the ball
- match
- pitch
- goalkeeper
- defender
- midfielder
- score
- cheer
- professional
- team colors
- World Cup
Vocabulary lesson plan & materials
Football / Soccer
A2–B1 materials on football through vocabulary, reading, speaking and writing, with Present Simple, Present Progressive, Past Simple and Future Simple in context.
Football Vocabulary
Core words and phrases from the source texts and activities.
Tom’s Dream
Reading 1
Tom’s Dream
A2–B1Tom loves football. He plays for his school team and he's very good at it. He practices every day after school with his friends.
On Saturday, he goes to watch his favorite team play in the stadium with his dad. They always wear the team's colors and bring snacks. The stadium is very big and there are a lot of people cheering for their team. Tom likes the noise and excitement. His favorite player is the striker, who scores a lot of goals.
Tom dreams of becoming a professional footballer one day. After the match, Tom and his dad go to a nearby park to play football together. They have a great time passing the ball and practicing some moves.
Tom's dad is proud of him and tells him that he's getting better every day. Tom feels happy and inspired. He knows that he has to keep practicing if he wants to achieve his dream.
Task 1 — Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the words from the original text.
Word bank: inspired, passing, proud, striker, moves, practicing, scores, stadium, good, better, excitement, footballer, player, dad, achieve, wear, practices, football, cheering, team
Tom loves _____(1). He plays for his school team and he's very _____(2) at it. He _____(3) every day after school with his friends.
On Saturday, he goes to watch his favorite _____(4) play in the _____(5) with his _____(6). They always _____(7) the team's colors and bring snacks. The stadium is very big and there are a lot of people _____(8) for their team. Tom likes the noise and _____(9). His favorite _____(10) is the _____(11), who _____(12) a lot of goals.
Tom dreams of becoming a professional _____(13) one day. After the match, Tom and his dad go to a nearby park to play football together. They have a great time _____(14) the ball and _____(15) some _____(16).
Tom's dad is _____(17) of him and tells him that he's getting _____(18) every day. Tom feels happy and _____(19). He knows that he has to keep practicing if he wants to _____(20) his dream.
Answers
1 football · 2 good · 3 practices · 4 team · 5 stadium · 6 dad · 7 wear · 8 cheering · 9 excitement · 10 player · 11 striker · 12 scores · 13 footballer · 14 passing · 15 practicing · 16 moves · 17 proud · 18 better · 19 inspired · 20 achieve
Task 2 — Choose the Correct Answer
- What does Tom love?
- What team does Tom play for?
- How often does Tom practice football?
- Who does Tom go to watch football matches with?
- What do Tom and his dad wear at the stadium?
- What does Tom like about the stadium?
- Who is Tom's favorite player?
- What does Tom dream of becoming one day?
- Where do Tom and his dad go after the match?
- How does Tom feel?
Answers
1 b · 2 b · 3 b · 4 c · 5 b · 6 c · 7 d · 8 c · 9 b · 10 b
Task 3 — True or False
1. Tom is not good at playing football.
TrueFalse
2. Tom practices football every day after school.
TrueFalse
3. Tom goes to watch his favorite team play on Sundays.
TrueFalse
4. Tom goes to the stadium with his mom.
TrueFalse
5. Tom dislikes the noise and excitement of the stadium.
TrueFalse
6. Tom's favorite player is the goalkeeper.
TrueFalse
7. Tom dreams of becoming a professional basketball player.
TrueFalse
8. Tom and his dad go to a nearby park to play basketball after the match.
TrueFalse
9. Tom's dad is not proud of him.
TrueFalse
10. Tom knows that he doesn't have to keep practicing if he wants to achieve his dream.
TrueFalse
Answers
- False — he is very good at football.
- True.
- False — he goes on Saturdays.
- False — he goes with his dad.
- False — he likes the noise and excitement.
- False — his favorite player is the striker.
- False — Tom dreams of becoming a professional footballer.
- False — they play football in the park.
- False — his dad is proud of him.
- False — Tom knows he has to keep practicing.
A Big Game on Saturday
Dialogue
A Big Game on Saturday
A2–B1Tom: Hi Dad, I am very excited about Saturday!
Dad: Why are you excited?
Tom: We have a big football game! Lots of people will come to watch.
Dad: Yes, and we will wear our team clothes to support them.
Tom: I hope my favorite player scores some goals.
Dad: He is great, but in football anything can happen.
Tom: But I believe he will do great!
Dad: That's wonderful. After the game, would you like us to play football at the park?
Tom: Yes please! Can you teach me how to flick the ball over my head just like you do?
Dad: Sure thing, with practice you'll get better.
Tom: Thank you, Dad. It means so much that you come watch me every week.
Dad: Of course, I am proud of you, Tom. Keep practicing and who knows, maybe one day you will become a professional footballer.
Task 1 — Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the words from the original text.
Word bank: flick, practice, favorite, football, means, excited, goals, anything, happen, watch, team, scores, game, support, better, footballer
Tom: Hi Dad, I am very _____(1) for Saturday!
Dad: Why are you excited?
Tom: We have a big football _____(2)! Lots of people will come to _____(3).
Dad: Yes, and we will wear our _____(4) clothes to _____(5) them.
Tom: I hope my _____(6) player _____(7) some _____(8).
Dad: He is great, but in football _____(9) can _____(10).
Tom: But I believe he will do great!
Dad: That's wonderful. After the game, would you like us to play _____(11) at the park?
Tom: Yes please! Can you teach me how to _____(12) the ball over my head just like you do?
Dad: Sure thing, with _____(13) you'll get _____(14).
Tom: Thank you, Dad. It _____(15) so much that you come watch me every week.
Dad: Of course, I am proud of you, Tom. Keep practicing and who knows, maybe one day you will become a professional _____(16).
Answers
1 excited · 2 game · 3 watch · 4 team · 5 support · 6 favorite · 7 scores · 8 goals · 9 anything · 10 happen · 11 football · 12 flick · 13 practice · 14 better · 15 means · 16 footballer
Task 2 — Choose the Correct Answer
- What is Tom excited about?
- Who will come to watch the football game?
- What will they wear to support their team?
- Who does Tom hope will score some goals?
- What does Tom's dad say about football?
- What does Tom want to learn from his dad?
- What does Tom's dad say about learning the skill?
- What does Tom thank his dad for?
- What does Tom's dad say about becoming a professional footballer?
- What is the main message of the text?
Answers
1 b · 2 b · 3 c · 4 b · 5 b · 6 c · 7 b · 8 a · 9 c · 10 c
Task 3 — True or False
1. Tom is excited for a basketball game on Saturday.
TrueFalse
2. They will wear their team clothes to support the team.
TrueFalse
3. Tom's dad says Tom's favorite player is great.
TrueFalse
4. Tom wants to learn how to flick the ball over his head.
TrueFalse
5. Tom's dad is not proud of him.
TrueFalse
6. Tom's dad comes to watch him every week.
TrueFalse
7. Tom's dad will teach him how to flick the ball over his head.
TrueFalse
8. Tom wants to become a professional basketball player.
TrueFalse
9. Tom's dad thinks that anything can happen in football.
TrueFalse
Answers
- False — Tom is excited about a football game.
- True.
- True.
- True.
- False — Tom's dad is proud of him.
- True.
- True.
- False — Tom wants to become a professional footballer.
- True.
Task 4 — Answer the Questions
- What is Tom excited about on Saturday?
- Why will lots of people come to watch the football game?
- What does Dad suggest they wear to support their team?
- Who is Tom's favorite player in the football game?
- What does Dad say about football?
- Does Tom believe his favorite player will do well?
- What activity do Tom and Dad plan after the game?
- What skill does Tom want to learn from his dad?
- How does Dad encourage Tom to improve?
- Why is Dad proud of Tom?
Answers
- Tom is excited about a big football game.
- Because it is a big football game.
- Dad suggests wearing their team clothes.
- The text does not name him; Tom only calls him his favorite player.
- Dad says that in football, anything can happen.
- Yes, Tom believes he will do great.
- They plan to play football at the park.
- Tom wants to learn how to flick the ball over his head.
- Dad tells him to keep practicing because practice will help him improve.
- Dad is proud of Tom for playing, improving, and continuing to practice.
Four Opinions
Different attitudes to football.
John
“I love football, it's like the air I breathe. Watching a football game with friends and family is the most enjoyable time for me. It's an escape from reality and stress, just living in the moment.”
Jessica
“Football is my passion! I play as a striker in my local team and nothing compares to the feeling of scoring a goal. It's a great way to stay physically active, healthy, and connect with people who share your love for the sport.”
David
“I'm not sure if football is for me. I don't really have any interest in it, but I also don't hate it. I've tried watching a few games, but it just doesn't excite me like it does for others. Maybe I need to give it more time.”
Emily
“I can't stand football. Every time there's a game on TV, my dad or boyfriend will hog the TV, and I am completely ignored. It's like they're hypnotized by the game. I don't see how kicking a ball around can be so important.”
Football Facts
B2 · passive constructions
- In some countries, people say “soccer” instead of “football.”
- For international matches, a football pitch may be 100–110 metres long and 64–75 metres wide.
- Sheffield FC was founded in Sheffield, England, in 1857.
- Football is widely regarded as the most popular sport in the world.
- The FIFA World Cup Trophy is made of solid 18-carat gold and weighs 6.175 kg.
- Guinness World Records lists a 2.8-second goal by Ricardo Olivera in 1998 from video evidence.
- A team may have up to 11 players on the field, including the goalkeeper.
- The record 149–0 match between AS Adema and SO l’Emyrne took place in Madagascar in 2002.
- Yellow cards are used for cautions; a red card means a player is sent off.
- Sheffield FC is widely recognized as the world’s oldest existing association football club.
Famous Quotes
C1
“Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.”
“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”
“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.”
“I learned all about life with a ball at my feet.”
“Football is the ballet of the masses.”
Discussion & Creative Writing
Discussion Questions
- Do you like playing football?
- What is your favourite position on the pitch?
- What is your favorite football team?
- Do you often go to the stadium to see a football match?
- How often do you watch football games on TV?
- Do you prefer watching football matches at home or at the stadium?
- Who is your favorite football player and why?
- Which country do you think has the best football players?
- What is your favorite football stadium?
Personal Essay Topics
- My first time playing football and how I felt.
- My favourite football player and why I admire them.
- The best goal I ever scored and how it happened.
- How football helps me stay fit and healthy.
- My dream football team and who would be on it.
General Essay Topics
- Football is the best sport in the world. What do you think?
- Some people believe that football is too dangerous for children to play. Do you agree?
- Football is more than just a game; it brings people together. Do you agree or disagree?
- The salaries of professional football players are too high. What do you think?
- The World Cup is the most important football tournament. Do you agree?