“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 7: Sports
Story 02: Team Sports vs Individual Sports
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- Calmness
- Focus
- Chaos
- Green (referring to the golf course)
- Hole-in-one
- Championship
- Accountability
- Success
- Failure
- Mental fortitude
Read or Listen to the following passage:
Golf has been my favorite sport since I was a kid. I love the calmness and focus that come with playing alone, away from the chaos of team sports. Whenever I’m on the green, I forget about everything else and just enjoy the moment. The sound of the club hitting the ball and the feel of a perfect shot are unmatched in any other sport.
My favorite golf memory was during a tournament where I hit a hole-in-one on the final hole to win the championship. I remember the excitement and relief I felt as I watched the ball roll into the hole, and the crowd cheering me on. It was a moment I’ll never forget.
The main difference between team sports and individual sports is the level of responsibility. In team sports, you’re accountable not only for your performance but also for your teammates’ performance. In individual sports, you’re solely responsible for your own success or failure. However, the similarities lie in the focus and determination required to succeed. Whether in a team or individual sport, you need to have the mental fortitude to stay focused and perform under pressure.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the author’s favorite sport?
- What does the author like about playing golf?
- What was the author’s favorite golf memory?
- What is the main difference between team sports and individual sports?
- What is required to succeed in both team and individual sports?
Conversations Starters:
- What makes golf different from other individual sports?
- Have you ever played golf? What did you think of it?
- Do you prefer team sports or individual sports? Why?
- What are the benefits of playing an individual sport?
- In what ways does playing a team sport differ from playing an individual sport?
- Have you ever played a team sport or an individual sport? Which did you prefer and why?
- What is your favorite memory of playing a sport, either individually or as part of a team?
- How does playing a sport help you develop important life skills?
- What do you think are the key differences between playing golf for fun and playing golf competitively?
- What role do mental toughness and focus play in individual sports like golf?
