Unit 7

EPISODE 1
[Mark is in the Round up studio.]
MARK: Hello and welcome to ‘Round Up.’ Today we’re talking about sport. All kinds of sport are very popular
in the UK, but football is definitely one of the most popular. A lot of young people in the UK dream of
becoming professional footballers. But it isn’t easy. There’s a lot of competition. Young footballers who
want to become professionals have to work very hard and usually attend special football academies.
So, what do they do at these academies? Amanda went to find out.
[Amanda at Oxford Youth academy.]
AMANDA: Hi there. Today I’m at the Oxford United Football and Education Academy. It’s an academy for talented
young footballers ‒ both boys and girls ‒ and it opened in 2007. All of the players here are already
excellent athletes, but this academy allows them to improve specific skills. They start each training
session with a warm-up and stretching routine. This prepares their muscles for exercise and also helps
to improve their flexibility. Afterwards they often practise their accuracy and coordination through these
passing and shooting exercises. They often do exercises in the gym too. This helps to build their
balance and strength. They also use the gym’s running or cycling machines to help improve their
stamina. And at the end of each training session they always have a practice match. It might just be
practice, but each team really wants to beat their opponents!
[Amanda outside classroom.]
AMANDA: The players and staff at Oxford United’s academy are all passionate about football, but education is
also very important here. As well as playing football, these teenagers also study several sports-related
subjects. Some young athletes take courses in sports science, which can lead to a career in the fitness
industry. Others study physiotherapy so they can work as physiotherapists, who help people with
sports injuries. And others can do coaching training, so they can become future football coaches, or
even managers!
[Amanda at side of pitch during a game.]
AMANDA: These qualifications offer students the chance to work in the sports industry or go on to study sports-
related subjects at university. But, of course, some of the teenagers here also go on to become
professional footballers. This academy prepares them in the classroom, so they can compete in the
workplace and on the football pitch! Now it’s back to Mark in the studio.
[Back to the studio.]
MARK: Thanks, Amanda. Now just before we go, here’s today’s competition ‒ when did the Oxford United
Football and Education Academy begin?
[The question appears on the screen. Each answer flashes as Mark says it.]
MARK: Was it 1997, 2000, 2003 or 2007? Click to choose your answer.
[Students can select the answer. The following options depend on the students’ choices.]
[Option 1]
MARK: No, it was 2007. See you next time!
[Option 2]
MARK: That’s right, it was 2007. See you next time!

EPISODE 2
[Mark is standing in a queue at the train station, waiting for the ticket office and watching sport on his smartphone.]
MARK: Go on! Go on! Yes!! Goal!!! [He looks around at fellow passengers] Sorry!
I love sport, and today I’m going to watch a football match at the world-famous Wembley
stadium. Ah, it’s my turn! Excuse me, how do I get to Wembley Stadium from here?
TICKET SELLER: Wembley Stadium? Hmmm, you need to get the train to London Paddington and take the
underground from there.

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MARK: How many stops is that on the underground?
TICKET SELLER: That’s nine stops from London Paddington to Wembley Central.
MARK: And how often do the trains go from Oxford to Paddington?
TICKET SELLER: Once every half an hour.
MARK: Can I get a ticket on the train or should I buy it here?
TICKET SELLER: No, you can’t get it on the train, you have to buy it here.
MARK: OK, can I get a day return to Paddington please?
TICKET SELLER: Certainly. Would you like a window or an aisle seat?
MARK: A window seat, please.
TICKET SELLER: OK! That’s £25, please.
MARK: There you go. Thanks very much. Bye!
TICKET SELLER: Bye.
MARK: Right, I’m off. But I’ll see you back in the studio. Bye!
[Back to the studio.]
AMANDA: Thanks Mark. Now it’s your turn to talk. Click to pause if you want more time. Click the audio
button to listen again.
You want to travel from Birmingham to Manchester. Ask how to get there.
YOU: ______________________________
[The ticket seller appears on the screen.]
TICKET SELLER: You need to take the train.
AMANDA: Now you want to know how long it takes.
YOU: ______________________________
TICKET SELLER: It takes one hour and 45 minutes.
AMANDA: You also want to know how often the trains go to Manchester.
YOU: ______________________________
TICKET SELLER: They go once every half an hour.
AMANDA: You need to know the platform number.
YOU: _______________________________
TICKET SELLER: It’s platform three. Do you want a ticket now?
AMANDA: You want to know if you can buy a ticket on the train.
YOU: _______________________________
TICKET SELLER: No, you can’t. You have to buy it here. There you go. Have a good trip!
[Mark and Amanda are in the studio..]
AMANDA: So Mark, how was the match?
MARK: It was OK. It was good fun, but we still lost.
AMANDA: Oh well, maybe you’ll win next time!
MARK: We’ll see …
AMANDA: Come on, Mark, cheer up!
MARK: It’s hard to be a football fan sometimes…
AMANDA: I’m sure it is. I hope you feel better next time! [to camera] See you then!
MARK: Bye!

END

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