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Canada celebrate victory in front of the home fans at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Premier Skills English Podcast 8

Premier Skills English Podcast 8

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The Women's World Cup has reached the quarter-final stage and only the biggest and best teams are left in the competition. In this week's podcast, Jack and Rich discuss different time zones, women's football in the UK and worldwide, and also take a look at some tricky vocabulary and comparative and superlative structures.

How much did you understand?

Activity 1: How much did you understand? Listen again and have a go at this activity.
Complete the gaps with words from the podcast.

Lucy Bronze got the winner for England against Norway.

Activity 2: Were there any words in the podcast that you didn't understand? Try this activity and learn more vocabulary.
Match the words to their definitions.

Ji So-Yun plays for Chelsea and South Korea.

If the listening was a bit difficult, you can listen again and read the transcript at the same time.

Asisat Oshoala plays for Liverpool and is the current African Player of the Year.

Rich: Hello my name’s Rich and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast.

Jack: Hi everyone. I’m Jack and every week we talk about football and look at some language to help you with your English. How are you today. Rich?

Rich: I’m a little sleepy this morning.

Jack: Why’s that?

Rich: Well, I was watching the England match last night and it didn’t finish until nearly one ‘o'clock in the morning.

Jack: Ah yes, England beat Norway in the Women’s World Cup. I didn’t stay up late last night but I saw the result this morning. What did you think of the match?

Rich: England won 2-1 and we’re through to the quarter-finals for the first ever time. It was a great result and Lucy Bronze scored a fantastic winning goal - did you see it?

Jack: Yes, it was a great goal. She plays for Manchester City you know.

Rich: Yes, I know. She used to play for Liverpool and won the women’s super league twice with the Reds.

Jack: Have you been watching a lot of the Women’s World Cup?

Rich: I’ve watched a couple of matches - the England match wasn’t as late as some of the other matches. I watched the opening match. There were 53,000 fans in the stadium to see Canada beat China 1-0. But I normally watch the highlights.

Jack: OK - I think that’s a word to explain. What do you mean when you say the highlights?

Rich: The highlights are the best parts of the match - like the goals - that are recorded and then shown on TV later.

Jack: I watch the highlights too. Because the tournament is in Canada and the live matches are a bit too late for me.

Rich: This World Cup is the biggest and most watched Women’s World Cup ever.

Jack: Yes, but it’s still much more popular in some countries than others.

Rich: Why do you think that is?

Jack: I’m not sure but I know that in North America, women’s football is just as popular as men’s football.

Rich: It’s really popular in Japan too. Maybe because they’re the World Champions? It’s getting more popular in the UK too.

Jack: Did you know that more women play football than any other team sport in the UK?

Rich: And the women’s super league is getting more and more popular and is attracting great players from around the world.

Jack: The current player of the year in the Women’s Super League is Ji So Yun, who plays for Chelsea and is from South Korea.

Rich: And Liverpool have recently signed Asisat Oshoala who is the current African Player of the Year and is from Nigeria.

Jack: I think that’s another word that to explain. What do you mean when you say ‘current’?

Rich: It means now or at the moment. So Oshoala is the African Player of the Year now.

Jack: Right... The Super League is not as international as the men’s Premier League yet but it is becoming more popular with players from all over the world.

Rich: Who do you think is going to win the World Cup? England?

Jack: No, I doubt it. I think it’ll be the USA.

Rich: Maybe, but I think Japan will win. The current World Champions.

Jack: So listeners, are you watching the World Cup? Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments section below.

Rich: Well that’s all for now. Thanks for listening.

Jack: If you’re listening to this on itunes or elsewhere, come back to Premier Skills English for some language activities, a quiz and lots more. You can find us at www.britishcouncil.org/premierskillsenglish.

Rich: Don’t forget if you sign in, you can score points to see if you can get your club, your country and your name to the top of our leaderboard.

Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football.

Quiz

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What do you think?

What has been the highlight of the Women's World Cup for you? Is women's football as popular as men's football in your country? Is it getting more popular?

Try using comparative and superlative forms about these things:

  • women's and men's football in your country
  • the most watched and played sports in your country by men and women
  • different nationalities that play in your country and the English Premier League

Let us know your answers in the comments section below.

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Comments

Cin's picture
Cin
12/08/2023
MX
33
points

In my country, México, women´s football soccer has taken relevancy in the last years, but the national team has not been able to compete in a word championship. I hope they can do it soon! I think the winner in this women´s worldcup it will be Spain


Cin's picture
Cin
12/08/2023 14:49
Mexico
Tottenham Hotspur
33

In my country, México, women´s football soccer has taken relevancy in the last years, but the national team has not been able to compete in a word championship. I hope they can do it soon! I think the winner in this women´s worldcup it will be Spain

Najib
25/12/2020
ID
124
points

Sorry, I didn't follow the Women's World Cup. And I don't follow women's football. In Indonesia, men's football is much more popular than women's. I rarely see women play football. I don't know. Maybe it's me who don't know this.

Football is one of the most-watched and played sports in Indonesia. Besides that, badminton is also popular because Indonesia is well-known for its achievement in badminton. We often watch our players matches when they play for our country, such as in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, or All-England tournament. I also like playing badminton. It's fun, especially when we play doubles.

I don't follow too much about Indonesian football. As far as I know, some foreign players are playing in Indonesia. However, compared to the Premier League, it's much less diverse. Most of the football players in my country are Indonesian.


Najib
25/12/2020 01:08
Indonesia
Arsenal
124

Sorry, I didn't follow the Women's World Cup. And I don't follow women's football. In Indonesia, men's football is much more popular than women's. I rarely see women play football. I don't know. Maybe it's me who don't know this.

Football is one of the most-watched and played sports in Indonesia. Besides that, badminton is also popular because Indonesia is well-known for its achievement in badminton. We often watch our players matches when they play for our country, such as in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, or All-England tournament. I also like playing badminton. It's fun, especially when we play doubles.

I don't follow too much about Indonesian football. As far as I know, some foreign players are playing in Indonesia. However, compared to the Premier League, it's much less diverse. Most of the football players in my country are Indonesian.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
02/05/2020
TR
6510
points

Men's football is much more popular in Turkey

Most watched and played sports in Turkey are football , volley ball and basketball

Lots of African and South American footballers


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
02/05/2020 23:28
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

Men's football is much more popular in Turkey

Most watched and played sports in Turkey are football , volley ball and basketball

Lots of African and South American footballers

ldzingirai's picture
ldzingirai
31/03/2019
ZW
1745
points

The women's football in Zimbabwe is not as popular as the men's football.The women's football has no league of its own and there are no women's teams in local football clubs.A national women's team is randomly selected if and only when there are fixtures.Like I said we do not have women's league so there are no foreign internations in our women's national team.


ldzingirai's picture
ldzingirai
31/03/2019 04:44
Zimbabwe
Chelsea
1745

The women's football in Zimbabwe is not as popular as the men's football.The women's football has no league of its own and there are no women's teams in local football clubs.A national women's team is randomly selected if and only when there are fixtures.Like I said we do not have women's league so there are no foreign internations in our women's national team.

heinerrene
01/03/2019
CO
112
points

The second goal scored by England team has been the current highlight of the Women's World Cup. In Colombia women's football is not as popular as men's football but it is getting more popular.


heinerrene
01/03/2019 18:28
Colombia
Arsenal
112

The second goal scored by England team has been the current highlight of the Women's World Cup. In Colombia women's football is not as popular as men's football but it is getting more popular.

sabanoleg
28/09/2017
UA
2337
points

In Ukraine women's football is not very popular.


sabanoleg
28/09/2017 08:54
Ukraine
Arsenal
2337

In Ukraine women's football is not very popular.

Asurada's picture
Asurada
12/03/2017
CN
386
points

In my country, women's football in not as popular as men's football. Although we have the women’s super league, yet this is a truely professional football league. Most of the clubs are organised by local enterprise. Compared to male footballers, female players get very low paid. However, I'd say women's football used to make us proud, in 1996, the national team won the silver medal in the Atlanta Olympic Games. At that time, we call these lovely girls the Steel Rose. In contrast, men's football is such a joke most of the time.

I think the most watched and played sports in my country by men and women is football. Afterall, football is the No.1 popular sport in the world.

It seems men's football super league in my country in not as international as Premier League. Most foreign players are from South America and Africa.


Asurada's picture
Asurada
12/03/2017 12:48
China
Arsenal
386

In my country, women's football in not as popular as men's football. Although we have the women’s super league, yet this is a truely professional football league. Most of the clubs are organised by local enterprise. Compared to male footballers, female players get very low paid. However, I'd say women's football used to make us proud, in 1996, the national team won the silver medal in the Atlanta Olympic Games. At that time, we call these lovely girls the Steel Rose. In contrast, men's football is such a joke most of the time.

I think the most watched and played sports in my country by men and women is football. Afterall, football is the No.1 popular sport in the world.

It seems men's football super league in my country in not as international as Premier League. Most foreign players are from South America and Africa.

englishman
29/06/2016
DZ
1734
points

Football is the most watched


englishman
29/06/2016 14:55
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

Football is the most watched

englishman
29/06/2016
DZ
1734
points

men are most famous than women


englishman
29/06/2016 14:54
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

men are most famous than women

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
07/06/2016
GH
4768
points

Men's football is most watched than women's football in ghana


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
07/06/2016 08:32
Ghana
Manchester United
4768

Men's football is most watched than women's football in ghana

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
07/06/2016
GH
4768
points

Women's football isn't very popular in ghana


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
07/06/2016 08:31
Ghana
Manchester United
4768

Women's football isn't very popular in ghana

haydi's picture
haydi
08/05/2016
TN
3189
points

Are there any similarities with men’s football in the Uk, like choosing the best player of the year, the boot winner, the transfer window, etc.?


haydi's picture
haydi
08/05/2016 23:05
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

Are there any similarities with men’s football in the Uk, like choosing the best player of the year, the boot winner, the transfer window, etc.?

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
04/04/2016
PS
3705
points

No it is not.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
04/04/2016 20:50
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

No it is not.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
08/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Women's football isn't as popular as men's football.
The most watched and played sports in my country by men and women is football,but women don't like much football.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
08/03/2016 07:16
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Women's football isn't as popular as men's football.
The most watched and played sports in my country by men and women is football,but women don't like much football.

cisilce
27/01/2016
US
358
points

Women's playing football in my country but not as popular as men's football.


cisilce
27/01/2016 08:38
United States
Arsenal
358

Women's playing football in my country but not as popular as men's football.

haydi's picture
haydi
05/01/2016
TN
3189
points

In my country Tunisia, women’s football is not popular at all. Personally, I don’t know even names of clubs. May be the women’s handball is a bit popular. Football and Handball are the most watched sports, especially the Handball national team, it's the strongest national group and they always play in international games.


haydi's picture
haydi
05/01/2016 22:54
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

In my country Tunisia, women’s football is not popular at all. Personally, I don’t know even names of clubs. May be the women’s handball is a bit popular. Football and Handball are the most watched sports, especially the Handball national team, it's the strongest national group and they always play in international games.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
16/11/2015
RW
2320
points

Women's football is not popular as men's football in my country.


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
16/11/2015 14:19
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Women's football is not popular as men's football in my country.

nikosonris
09/11/2015
UA
2453
points

Some female footballers can easily outperform male ones!)


nikosonris
09/11/2015 18:53
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

Some female footballers can easily outperform male ones!)

mkoriev
05/11/2015
UZ
813
points

I don't watch women's footaball. As for me football is only for men but I can't argue with those who think women's football is normal. In my country women's football isn't popular as men's one. I don't think it will popular one day.


mkoriev
05/11/2015 00:43
Uzbekistan
Manchester City
813

I don't watch women's footaball. As for me football is only for men but I can't argue with those who think women's football is normal. In my country women's football isn't popular as men's one. I don't think it will popular one day.

almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
01/11/2015
BR
1326
points

very good


almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
01/11/2015 17:16
Brazil
Chelsea
1326

very good

alimiloud's picture
alimiloud
15/10/2015
DZ
160
points

usa


alimiloud's picture
alimiloud
15/10/2015 23:13
Algeria
Chelsea
160

usa

Abdallah
20/09/2015
KW
1814
points

I don't see the women's World Cup as popular as men's World Cup


Abdallah
20/09/2015 13:40
Kuwait
Chelsea
1814

I don't see the women's World Cup as popular as men's World Cup

hachani mostapha
18/09/2015
DZ
241
points

usa for sure


hachani mostapha
18/09/2015 14:47
Algeria
Tottenham Hotspur
241

usa for sure

gilbers51
12/09/2015
BR
44
points

Japan!!


gilbers51
12/09/2015 19:49
Brazil
Chelsea
44

Japan!!

mimou vara's picture
mimou vara
24/07/2015
DZ
0
points

usa of caurs


mimou vara's picture
mimou vara
24/07/2015 16:15
Algeria
Chelsea
0

usa of caurs

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1mobeckham6510
2Alex_from_Ukraine6278
3hsn5525
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4768
6Liubomyr4408
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia71478
2Ukraine33300
3Spain28277
4Serbia27289
5Brazil23896
6Albania20578
7Vietnam19939
8Turkey19810
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United141846
2Liverpool110282
3Chelsea88559
4Arsenal85717
5Manchester City56951
6Tottenham Hotspur19169
7Newcastle United10457
8West Ham United7454
9AFC Bournemouth4454
10Crystal Palace4240

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Practise your listening skills.

Learn more about how and when to use comparatives and superlatives.

Glossary

Highlight - the best and most interesting part of something e.g. a football match

Current - something that is happening now, at this moment