The Rules of the Game - ESL Worksheet

Good Morning & Happy Monday!

Today's article is about good sportsmanship and what it means to be a true athlete. Not everyone is interested in sports, however, so it may be a good idea to go over some sports vocabulary first. I've found that most of my students either love or hate sports.

Thank you for visiting and have a great week!

THE RULES OF THE GAME

What does it mean to be a good sport? Good sportsmanship is about respect for the game. It means respecting the players, the rules and the officials. Sportsmanship is  also about enjoying the sport for its own sake. Throughout history, people have enjoyed sports for its own sake. However, sportsmanship has suffered a major blow in the last fifty years. Things began to change after large amounts of money was pumped into sports.

Today, sports is more about money and winning than anything else. 

Many are more interested in corporate contracts than the game itself. Also, there is too much idolizing of the winners in a game. Sports is not only about winning. It is about playing fair and playing by the rules. There is nothing wrong with wanting to win. However, winning is only one aspect of sports. There is also camaraderie, discipline, hard work and respect for each other.

As modern athletes become wealthier and more popular, they lose focus of what it means to be an athlete. Nowadays, you see famous athletes practicing risky and crude behavior. Every day we read about players getting arrested for drunk driving or possession of drugs. Some athletes are written about in the newspapers for hitting their wives or others. Others use steroids or other drugs to become better players. All of this makes the  younger generation feel that it is okay to do such things and still be successful. It makes young people forget that bad habits never lead to true success. Being a famous athlete is a great responsibility, and athletes need to take their role seriously.

Athletes themselves do not always get good training from their parents and coaches. 

Young athletes need to learn more about the true sportsmanship from their coaches and role models. We have heard of college and high school students who are passed just so they can play in games. Some high school athletes can barely read, yet they have high school diplomas. Their teachers are sometimes forced to give them good grades so that they can play in games.

However, all is not lost. There are things that parents, teachers and coaches can do. First, enjoy simple games with  your child in your backyards, such as Frisbee. Kickball is also a great sport for young people. They enjoy it immensely. If your child is interested in playing sports, enroll him or her in a little league team. However, make sure that the team has a coach who knows what sportsmanship is. 

Do not pressure your child or the coach to win at all costs. 

Teach your child how to be a team player. This will help him for life.

If you are a teacher, remember that your students are students first and athletes second. Combining good grades with good athletics will make it easier for your students to get into college. If you are a coach, encourage your players to work together and support each other. Remember, it is about them, not about you. Work with your players' teachers to make sure the students are doing well in school. Also, speak to parents about any major problems your students face. Support your team even if they lose, whether you are a parent, teacher or coach. Build teamwork and life skills in your students through sports.

Thank you for visiting!

Faiza Raintree

To download the worksheet for this article, please click below.

Manners Around the World - ESL Worksheet

Good Morning & Happy Monday!

Today's article is about customs and etiquette around the world. ESL students come from around the world, obviously, and often meet students from other countries. They will hopefully enjoy reading about customs in other countries, as well as sharing their own customs and traditions.

This article complements a reading in Q Skills for Success 2, Special Edition, a popular ESL textbook series in the Middle East.

Thank you for visiting and have a great week!

Manners Around the World

People behave differently around the world. What is considered polite behavior in one country may be rude in another. Before you travel, you should learn about the customs of the country you visit. Egypt, Brazil and Germany are popular countries to visit. Read on to find out more about some customs in these countries.

EGYPT

Most people in Egypt are Muslim. For this reason, many customs and traditions revolve around Islam. Family and honor are also very important in Egypt . People in Egypt are expected to dress as well as they can. It is important to make a good impression by wearing nice clothes. Dressing in sloppy clothes may cause the people around you to feel awkward. Personal grooming is also important. People shake hands with each other when they meet. Handshakes are limp, but people shake hands cheerfully. Hospitality is very important. It is part of Egyptian tradition to serve guests tea or coffee. If you are invited to someone's home for a meal, you should bring good quality chocolates or sweets. Respect for elders is a must. For this reason, people greet the oldest people first. Egyptian society is organized by social class. Class and family are more important than how much money you have. For this reason, people avoid socializing with those of a different group.

BRAZIL

Family and social class are most important in Brazil. People dress according to their class in Brazilian society. You are expected to dress well and wear good quality accessories. People are judged by how they look. Time is seen as something outside  of one's control. Relationships are more important than sticking to the time. If you are invited to a dinner party, try to come 30 minutes late. Brazilian culture is a group culture. Avoid doing anything to embarrass anyone. Criticizing a Brazilian in front of others may cause problems for you. It will also make everyone feel awkward. Try to find a polite way to deal with disagreements. Men shake hands firmly when they meet. Women kiss each other lightly on the cheek. Brazilians take time to greet each other. It may take a few minutes to ask each other about their health and their families. People from Western cultures may find this frustrating because they are in a hurry. However, it is okay in Brazilian culture because Brazilians are more informal. For this reason, it is not rude to interrupt someone when they are talking.

GERMANY

People in Germany tend to be reserved and a bit formal. Time and space are very important in German culture. Germans value their privacy. For this reason, it is bad manners to ask Germans about personal details such as age, income and personal beliefs. This includes politics and religion. Always knock and wait for permission to enter. It is important to be on time in Germany. If you have an appointment at 1:15, you should arrive at 1:15 and not a minute after. It is better to be one or two minutes early, if possible. Only close friends and family are invited to one's home. It is important to be neat and tidy at all times. People tend to look down on those who are not organized or behave casually. One must never litter in Germany, but throw out trash in a bin.  You are also expected to clean up any mess you make right away. Shake hands with everyone, including children. If you are invited to take part in a meal in someone's home, arrive on time. Also, keep your elbows off the table at dinner. Written communication is important. It is polite to send thank you notes if you receive a present or are invited to a meal. It is typical to greet strangers in elevators and at tables, but not open spaces.

Thank you for visiting!

Faiza Raintree

To download the worksheet for this article, please click below.