Warm-up
Answer a few quick questions before today’s lesson about sport.
Listening
Listen carefully to the recording and answer each question. You can replay the audio up to two times.
Listening — Sport at School
Read all the questions carefully before the recording begins. You will hear the recording twice.
Reading
Read the passage on the left, then work through the questions on the right.
Reading — Why School Sport Matters More Than You Think
Read the passage on the left, then answer the questions one by one.
Why School Sport Matters More Than You Think
Sport has long been a cornerstone of school life, yet its importance is often overlooked by students focused solely on academic achievement. However, research consistently shows that participation in school sports delivers benefits far beyond the playing field. Students who have engaged in regular physical activity demonstrate improved concentration in lessons, higher exam grades, and better attendance rates. These gains stem from increased blood flow to the brain and the confidence boost that comes from mastering new skills. The range of sports available at most schools has expanded dramatically over the past decade. While traditional team sports like football, basketball, and volleyball remain popular, many institutions now offer activities such as rock climbing, badminton, and martial arts. This variety means that students with different interests and abilities can find something suitable. A shy student might prefer individual sports, whereas a naturally social learner could thrive in team environments. If more schools had invested in diverse sports programmes earlier, countless students would have discovered their passion for physical activity. Personal achievement in sport teaches resilience in ways that classroom learning often cannot. Whether a student has won their first match or simply improved their personal best time, these victories build self-esteem. Many athletes have reported that they would have dropped out of school had it not been for their commitment to their sport. Furthermore, the friendships formed through shared training and competition frequently last a lifetime. School sport creates a sense of belonging that proves invaluable during adolescence, a time when many young people struggle to find their place.Vocabulary Practice
Practise the 12 key vocabulary items from this lesson through three exercises.
Vocabulary Practice — Sport at School
Work through all three parts. Each part uses the same vocabulary in a different way.
Writing Task
B2 First — Writing Part 2
Enter your name if you would like your teacher to identify your work — this is optional. Click Start when you are ready. The timer will begin immediately.
Speaking
Speaking task. Read the instructions, then complete the task.
Teacher Guide
Practise with
- championshipnoun
a competition to find the best person or team
- competitiveadjective
involving strong competition where people or organisations try to be better than others
- extreme sportnoun phrase
A dangerous sport where people do risky activities that need skill and bravery.
- marathonnoun
a long-distance running race
- refereenoun
a person who makes sure rules are followed
- spectatornoun
a person who watches a sports event or other public performance
- sportingadjective
relating to sport; showing fair and generous behaviour in competition or difficult situations
- squashnoun
A fast indoor racket sport played on a court, or a soft vegetable.
- tournamentnoun
a competition where many players or teams compete against each other to win a prize
- umpirenoun
someone whose job is to make sure that players obey the rules in some sports