Learning Objective: This is a news reading and comprehension and conversation class. At the end of the session, the participants are expected to be able to practice reading properly, enhance comprehension and recall and answer the questions about the article.


Story Proper

FIFA, soccer's international governing body, has named Japan’s captain Homare Sawa as the Women's World Player of the Year. The 33-year-old scooped the award, known by the French term the Ballon d’Or, for leading her country to Japan’s first ever World Cup Finals triumph in July last year. She won the best player and top scorer awards at that tournament. Ms Sawa wore a pale blue kimono at the prize-giving ceremony. She stood next to Lionel Messi, who won the men’s award for the third year in a row. An emotional Sawa told the audience: “I feel very pleased to have been given this honor. I'd like to thank all those who have helped me to play soccer….I hope our football has given a chance for future players and children to dream."

Sawa is the first Asian player to win the award. She beat Brazil’s Marta, who was best female player in the world for the five previous years. Japanese Aya Miyama came fourth. Sawa later paid tribute to the Brazilian ace at a news conference, saying: “I am proud to be sitting here today alongside such legends as Marta.” Japan picked up another two awards at the ceremony. Norio Sasaki, manager of the women’s team, was coach of the year, and the Japan Football Association was chosen for FIFA’s Fair Play award. Mr Sasaki thanked those who supported Japan following the earthquake and tsunami that struck in March 2011. He said: "We provided excitement for Japanese people and boosted their spirits.”



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1. WOMEN’S SOCCER: Talk to other students about women’s soccer.


2. CHAT: Decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

soccer / captain / awards / triumph / tournament / kimono / emotional / dream / previous / paid tribute to / proud / legends / fair play / earthquake / tsunami

Have a chat about the topics you liked.

3. WOMEN: Complete this table by comparing the men with the women.

Better/Worse than men?-----Why?



Soccer
Cooking
Driving
Budgeting
Arguing
Designing


4. SOCCER: Students A strongly believe ‘soccer’ is the best word; Students B strongly believe ‘football’ is. What about you?　


5. SPORT: Rank these and share your rankings with group.



"Online activities, the mp3 and printable handouts are available for this lesson at http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com"