Learning Goals for Varsity Vocabulary: English in Action: Sports Edition:

Enhanced Sports Vocabulary:
Students will learn sport-specific terminology and common phrases used in the context of various sports, including terms related to gameplay, rules, and equipment.
Gain familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms that athletes and sports commentators frequently use.

Improved English Proficiency Levels:
Develop skills in listening comprehension by engaging with video biographies tailored to their English language proficiency.
Enhance reading comprehension through follow-up texts and worksheets that reiterate the video content.

Grammar and Language Structure:
Identify and practice grammatical structures appropriate to their learning level, such as past tense for biographies, conditional sentences for discussing game strategies, and comparative forms for comparing players and performances.
Apply these structures in speaking and writing tasks, improving fluency and accuracy.

Critical Thinking and Discussion Skills:
Engage in discussions about the athletes’ careers, decisions, and impacts on their sports, encouraging critical thinking about narrative structure and content.
Learn to formulate and express opinions, agree or disagree politely, and ask insightful questions about the video content.

Cultural and Historical Insights:
Acquire knowledge about the cultural significance of different sports globally and the historical milestones associated with various sports figures.
Understand the influence of sports on global culture and individual identity, promoting a broader perspective.

Confidence in Language Use:
Through repetitive exposure to language in a context of interest, students will gain confidence in using English to talk about familiar topics.
Participate in role-plays and simulated interviews or commentary segments to build speaking confidence in a controlled, supportive environment.

These learning goals are designed to make the educational experience both comprehensive and captivating, ensuring students not only learn English but also connect their learning to real-world contexts they are passionate about.

Teacher Expertise:

With over a decade of international teaching experience and a diverse coaching background, I bring a unique blend of cultural insight and practical skills to the classroom. My coaching career has spanned several popular sports including football, basketball, baseball, and weight lifting. This has not only equipped me with a deep understanding of sports mechanics and strategy but also has honed my ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner.

My teaching journey extends beyond sports coaching, encompassing over 10 years of educational roles in various countries. I have taught in the USA, South Korea, France, Italy, and remotely in China, delivering lessons across a range of subjects and age groups. This international experience has provided me with a robust ability to adapt teaching methods to culturally diverse student groups, enhancing both engagement and comprehension.

This extensive background in both sports and international education makes me uniquely qualified to teach a course like "English in Action: Sports Edition," where I leverage my sports knowledge and teaching experience to create an enriching, educational environment that resonates with students globally.

Homework Offered
Type of Homework Assigned:
Students will be assigned comprehension questions related to the video biography they watch during each session. These questions will be specifically designed to test understanding of the video content, vocabulary usage, and the grammatical structures discussed in class.

Frequency of Homework:
Homework will be assigned at the end of each class session. Students are expected to complete these assignments before their next session to reinforce the material covered and prepare for subsequent learning.

Checking for Correctness:
Homework will be submitted electronically before the next class session. I will review each assignment for correctness, providing feedback on areas well understood and those needing improvement. This feedback will be detailed, highlighting specific strengths and offering clear guidance on how to address any mistakes.

Requirement of Assignments:
All homework assignments are required for all students, as they are crucial for consolidating the learning objectives of the class. Completing these assignments will help students maximize their learning outcomes and ensure they are making continuous progress in their language acquisition.
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered

We will use Canva to watch the sports video biographies and for the comprehension questions.