Does sport build character?

The main goals of this ESL lesson plan are to:

• – master advanced phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions related to sports while engaging with complex academic language through reading psychological studies about character development and athletic participation;
• – strengthen reading comprehension and analytical abilities by examining high-level articles about sports psychology, connecting research findings with personal experiences, and working with matching exercises that test understanding of academic concepts;
• – develop sophisticated speaking and critical thinking skills through exploring personal stories about sports’ impact on character, discussing ethical dilemmas in athletics, and engaging in guided conversations about competition, media influence, and the complex relationship between sports participation and personal growth.

This advanced C2-level ESL lesson aims to explore the role of sports in character development. Through a series of activities including a warm-up, video viewing, reading, exercises, and a discussion, students will delve into the complexities and nuances of how sports can both reveal and shape an individual’s character.

Warm-up

The lesson kicks off with a one-on-one discussion between the teacher and the student. The topic: “Discuss how sports have impacted your character, supporting your opinion with facts from your life.”

Video

Students will watch a short video on how playing sports benefits your body and your brain. Post-viewing, students will engage in a short discussion.

Reading

The students will read a high-level article discussing psychological studies on sports and character development. This will provide a more academic perspective to the topic and introduce more complex language and ideas.

Exercises

Two exercises are included:
A fill-in-the-blank exercise featuring advanced phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions related to sports and character.
A matching exercise that requires students to connect statements with the points made in the initial reading text.

Discussion

To wrap up, students will engage in a guided discussion based on C2-level questions that explore the relationship between sports and character development. Topics will include ethical dilemmas in sports, the role of competition, and the influence of media portrayals.