Mai's first soccer match

ESL Course: Easy English Lessons

Practice speaking English with these simple story and conversation lessons.

PDF: Mai's first soccer match
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Warm-up

  1. Do you like playing sports? Which sports do you like? (Yes, I do. I like playing...)
  2. Have you ever been to a soccer match? (Yes, I have / No, I haven't.)
  3. What do you do to prepare for a game or competition? (I practice, I stretch...)

Vocabulary Match

nervous •• enjoy success
celebrate •• worried, anxious
victory •• other team
opponent •• win, triumph

Vocabulary Answers 1

nervousworried, anxious
celebratewin, triumph
victoryenjoy success
opponentother team

Vocabulary Match 2

excited •• team members
goalkeeper •• happy, thrilled
stretch •• move muscles
teammates •• person in goal

Vocabulary Answers 2

excitedhappy, thrilled
goalkeeperperson in goal
stretchmove muscles
teammatesteam members

Story

Mai is a high school student who loves playing soccer. Today is her first soccer match with her school team. She feels excited and a little nervous. Before the match, Mai and her teammates practice together on the field. They stretch, pass the ball, and shoot at the goal.

The match begins, and Mai's team plays well. Their goalkeeper makes great saves, and they score two goals in the first half. Mai's friends and family are there to cheer her on. They shout, "Go, Mai! You can do it!"

In the second half, the opponent team becomes stronger, but Mai's team doesn't give up. They keep trying their best. Finally, Mai scores the last goal of the match. Her team wins 3-1. Everyone is so happy, and they celebrate their victory together.

Quiz

  1. How does Mai feel before the match?
  2. Who is there to cheer Mai on during the match?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. She feels excited and a little nervous.
  2. Her friends and family are there to cheer her on.

Conversation

Teammate:Hey, Mai! You played really well today. Great job!
Mai:Thanks! I was a bit nervous, but it was so much fun.
Teammate:I could tell you were having a blast. That last goal was awesome!
Mai:Haha, yeah! I couldn't believe it when the ball went in.
Teammate:Keep practicing, and you'll score even more goals next time.
Mai:You bet! I can't wait for our next match.

Discussion

  1. Do you enjoy watching sports on TV? Why or why not?
  2. Have you started something new this year?
  3. What are you going to do tonight?

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