Podcast 32
Podcast 32
In this week's podcast, Jack talks about the Premier League and speculates about the chances of the top five clubs. The language focus is predictions and certainty and we have our latest riddle in our 'What's my Team?' competition!
How to enter the competition?
Press play on the podcast above
Listen to Jimmy, this week's Premier League fan.
Guess Jimmy's favourite team.
Write your answer in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
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Language - Predictions
"although Liverpool are not in the top five, they could surprise us and win the league...""I'm not certain, but I think City are going to win the league."
Hello my name’s Jack and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast.
Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you all enjoyed the holidays, that is, if you celebrate them and want to wish you all the best for 2016. This week, the podcast is going to sound a little different because Rich is still on holiday. That’s right… I am on my own and recording a podcast solo is a little strange, but I’m going to do my best and hope I don’t let you down.
This week, I’m going to talk about the state of the season and the language of predictions and later, you can listen to another what’s my team riddle for the chance to win a fantastic prize.
But, before I start, I’ve got two winners to announce. Yes… we’ve had two competitions running over Christmas. As well as ‘What’s my team?’, we had a prediction competition on the Christmas in the Premier League page.
Over 40 of you joined in the competition and made predictions about a selection of matches that were played between the 26th of December and 3rd of January.
I didn’t do very well – I got three results. I only scored 3 points. Rich did a little better and scored 5 points. He got three results and one exact score. In joint third place, with 7 points are Fofo2015 from Saudi Arabia and Ana1 from Serbia. In joint second place, with 8 points are Alex_from_Ukraine and Michelterzikhan from Armenia... and in first place with an amazing 10 points is the outstanding Mugemanyi from Rwanda. Congratulations Mugemanyi – I think that Rich should have sent you a message about your prize.
The What’s my team? competition was too easy again this time – so many of you got it right and were able to work out who Debbie supports. And so… the answer to the competition was Everton. As usual, I selected a winner at random from all the correct entries and the winner this time is M S Aboelsafa from Egypt. Congratulations to you! I’ll be in touch today and we’ll have your prize on its way.
We had an interesting question a couple of days ago from a learner from Vietnam. Tonucatien asked about the word spectator. The word spectator is used to describe a person who watches an event – the word is in the football vocabulary section on fans and in that case, it means someone who watches a football match. I like the word because it’s related to the word spectacle which means an exciting or dramatic event that is performed or put on for people to watch and this leads to another related word that I really like: spectacular. This is an adjective and it’s used to say that something is very exciting to look at. For example, an I know that it wasn’t a Premier League goal, but on Sunday, Fulham were playing Sheffield Wednesday and Ross Wallace scored a spectacular goal. There you go – spectacular – to me it’s a very expressive adjective.
So this week, I want to talk about the state of the season; you see, we’re over halfway through and by now, you’d usually have an idea about which team is going to finish on top. Even if you don’t know who is going to win, there are usually only one or two teams that look like they will lift the trophy. However, this year, the league is much closer and it’s really tough to predict. Arsenal are at the top of the table at the moment and have been playing really well. However, they lost 4-0 at Southampton not long ago so nothing is certain. Obviously I hope that they win, but there is so much competition. If they don’t win, then I would like to see 2nd place Leicester City win it. The Foxes have been doing so well this season, but to continue, Vardy and Mahrez will need to stay on form and as the season draws on, the pressure on those two will be enormous.
In third place we have Manchester City. City are seen by many as the most likely to win the league. They have such a strong squad and Aguero has been spectacular.
Then we have Tottenham Hotspur. It would be great to see Spurs lift the trophy. They are always strong and have given the league some of the greatest players and characters, but they haven’t won the Premier League and were last crowned kings of English football in 1961.
Manchester United are in fifth place. The newspapers in England have been full of tales of Manchester United’s troubles, but they are still in the top five and could yet win the league.
At this stage of the season, you would normally expect the winner to be in the top five. Arsenal is the only team that ever managed to win the league after being out of the top five at this stage – that was back in 1998. But as the league is so close, there may be a dark horse lurking in the league, about to surprise us all. What do you think? Do you think it will be one of the top 5? Which team do you think will win the league?
Now, as this is an English podcast as well as a football podcast, let’s have a look at some language. When you’re making predictions, you are expressing your ideas about the future. Now sometimes, you are certain about these ideas. You know for sure, 100% that what you say is going to happen and other times, you are less certain. In English, we use different forms depending on how certain we are. So here are 5 phrases ranked in certainty… starting in 5th, for times when you really aren’t sure, we use the modal verb ‘could’. For me, this expresses a 50% certainty or less. Here’s an example, although Liverpool aren’t in the top 5 , they could surprise us and win the league. It’s unlikely, but it’s possible. In 4th place, we have the modal verbs may and might. Often, these are used in the same way as could, but for me, they express a 50% certainty or slightly more. Manchester United is in 5th place so they might win. They may win more matches than their rivals and lift the trophy… again.
In 3rd place, we’re getting a lot more confident. There are two phrases that we can use to express a 70-80% certainty; these are: “I think they will” and “I think they are going to”. The words “I think” leaves a bit of room for doubt, but not much. So, you might say, “I’m not certain, but I think City are going to win the league.” Or “It would be nice, but I don’t think Spurs will win this season.”
Now, in 2nd place, we’re really quite sure. This phrase is used when we make a prediction based on the evidence. So, I’d say that we are 90-95% certain when we use this phrase. The phrase is ‘going to’. So you might say something like: “Have you seen the way that Vardy and Mahrez are playing this season? Leicester are going to win the league.” Or Manchester City is going to try to buy Vardy and Mahrez.
In first place, the strongest prediction you can make is also the simplest. We use this when we are absolutely sure of something; no need to look at the evidence, it’s clear… 100%. The word we use to express 100% certainty is ‘will’. Despite the wobble at Southampton, there are many Arsenal fans that feel in their hearts that this season is theirs… Arsenal will win the league. Sadly, I am not as confident in the Gunners or my powers of prediction to ever say such a thing, but I live in hope.
Ok – so now, it’s time for our What’s my team riddle. This week, you’re going to listen to Jimmy. So listen and try to work out what’s his team.
Jimmy: We live and breathe football in the North-East. They call us Geordies up here and almost all of us follow the Toon or the Magpies. We’ve had some really famous players over the years, but the most famous must be Alan Shearer. He’s the Premier League’s all-time top scorer and he’s a Geordie, too. The biggest match of the season is the Tyne-Wear Derby where we play Sunderland. It’s a must-win game.
I think that was quite an easy one; great to hear Jimmy’s accent though. If you know who Jimmy supports, leave a comment with his club and you might win a Samsung Galaxy tablet.
Well that’s all for now. Thanks for listening. Rich will be back next week with a Premier League Prediction so be sure to leave any questions or comments for me or Rich and we’ll do our best to answer you in next week’s podcast.
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
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.
Bye for now and enjoy your football.
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Comentários
06/01/2016
points
Jimmy supports Newcastle United.
06/01/2016 16:46
Manchester City
124
Jimmy supports Newcastle United.
06/01/2016
points
Manchester City is going to win the Premier League, they have many stars.
06/01/2016 16:36
Manchester City
124
Manchester City is going to win the Premier League, they have many stars.
06/01/2016
points
Jimmy's favourite team is Newcastle.
06/01/2016 13:51
Arsenal
66
Jimmy's favourite team is Newcastle.
06/01/2016
points
Jimmy's favourite team is Newcastle, team based in Newcastle upon Tyne in the north east. The Magpies or Geordies. The most famous player is Alan Shearer of course. Biggest rivals Sunderland.
06/01/2016 12:27
Arsenal
3557
Jimmy's favourite team is Newcastle, team based in Newcastle upon Tyne in the north east. The Magpies or Geordies. The most famous player is Alan Shearer of course. Biggest rivals Sunderland.
06/01/2016
points
I would also like if Gunners take the FA Cup once again, third in a row even it is not easy at all. First they'll have to win Sunderland. It shouldn't be that difficult. 'Black Cats' are in a really bad form.
06/01/2016 12:10
Arsenal
3557
I would also like if Gunners take the FA Cup once again, third in a row even it is not easy at all. First they'll have to win Sunderland. It shouldn't be that difficult. 'Black Cats' are in a really bad form.
06/01/2016
points
My prediction for the end of the season: 1.Arsenal 2.Tottenham 3.Man.City 4.Leicester 5.Man.United
06/01/2016 12:04
Arsenal
3557
My prediction for the end of the season: 1.Arsenal 2.Tottenham 3.Man.City 4.Leicester 5.Man.United
06/01/2016
points
I am certain of Leicester is going to play in the CL group phase next year. Also, Villa is going to be relegated. Unfortunately, they don't have a team to compete with the others in the BPL.
06/01/2016 12:00
Arsenal
3557
I am certain of Leicester is going to play in the CL group phase next year. Also, Villa is going to be relegated. Unfortunately, they don't have a team to compete with the others in the BPL.
06/01/2016
points
This time it's going to win Arsenal FC.
06/01/2016 11:55
Arsenal
3557
This time it's going to win Arsenal FC.
06/01/2016
points
The answer of what is my team competition for this week is New Castle United F.C.
06/01/2016 11:44
Liverpool
3705
The answer of what is my team competition for this week is New Castle United F.C.
06/01/2016
points
I think Liecester city is going to win the league.I am certain that Man city and arsenal will stay in the top four of the league.I predict that Liverpool is going to finish in the top four in the league tis season.It would be great if Liverpool win the league after more than 20 years,also i predict that Sundeland will not end the league in the bottom three.I think Liverpool is going to win Arsenal 2-1.I want to thank Jack for this excellent podcast and we are waiting you Rich.
06/01/2016 11:42
Liverpool
3705
I think Liecester city is going to win the league.I am certain that Man city and arsenal will stay in the top four of the league.I predict that Liverpool is going to finish in the top four in the league tis season.It would be great if Liverpool win the league after more than 20 years,also i predict that Sundeland will not end the league in the bottom three.I think Liverpool is going to win Arsenal 2-1.I want to thank Jack for this excellent podcast and we are waiting you Rich.
06/01/2016
points
Newcastle United is the Jimmy Club.
I think Arsenal is going to win but City is the challenger. The Spurs or Man United could win either.
I am certain that Leicester will not relegate to Championship and I am confident of that because they have already forty points.
I think that Liverpool with his new coach Klopp will do well this second half of the season.
06/01/2016 10:58
Manchester City
3988
Newcastle United is the Jimmy Club.
I think Arsenal is going to win but City is the challenger. The Spurs or Man United could win either.
I am certain that Leicester will not relegate to Championship and I am confident of that because they have already forty points.
I think that Liverpool with his new coach Klopp will do well this second half of the season.
06/01/2016
points
of course it is the Newcastle united
06/01/2016 09:38
Arsenal
26
of course it is the Newcastle united
06/01/2016
points
I think Arsenal will win this season.
Jimmy's team is Newcastle United.
Thank you for your spectacular explanation about my question. I will remember these word, and I will also save this podcast because my name was mentioned in. :)
06/01/2016 09:12
Liverpool
271
I think Arsenal will win this season.
Jimmy's team is Newcastle United.
Thank you for your spectacular explanation about my question. I will remember these word, and I will also save this podcast because my name was mentioned in. :)
06/01/2016
points
Hello Jack! You did great work by your own! I wish you Happy New Year and all the best in 2016! I'm sure that we're gonna watch a spectacular football this year and I think that my team Manchester United will win this year Premier league! ;)
Tomorrow on 7th January most of us are celebrating Christmas (Orthodox Christians),so I would like to wish Marry Christmas to all my friends from Serbia, Russia, Ukraine and other countries that calibrate!!! :-)
06/01/2016 09:10
Manchester United
77
Hello Jack! You did great work by your own! I wish you Happy New Year and all the best in 2016! I'm sure that we're gonna watch a spectacular football this year and I think that my team Manchester United will win this year Premier league! ;)
Tomorrow on 7th January most of us are celebrating Christmas (Orthodox Christians),so I would like to wish Marry Christmas to all my friends from Serbia, Russia, Ukraine and other countries that calibrate!!! :-)
07/01/2016
points
Merry Christmas to everybody ! Tony Iommi's daughter's Toni Marie greetings for the occasion : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfYEBIj8PUc
07/01/2016 02:37
Liverpool
6562
Merry Christmas to everybody ! Tony Iommi's daughter's Toni Marie greetings for the occasion : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfYEBIj8PUc
06/01/2016
points
Thanks JelenaN
Merry Christmas to you and everyone else celebrating tomorrow! How do you celebrate Christmas? Is it similar to western celebrations? What do you have to eat?
06/01/2016 09:17
Arsenal
560
Thanks JelenaN
Merry Christmas to you and everyone else celebrating tomorrow! How do you celebrate Christmas? Is it similar to western celebrations? What do you have to eat?
10/01/2016
points
The answer is New Castle United F.C.
10/01/2016 15:36
Liverpool
3705
The answer is New Castle United F.C.
07/01/2016
points
Thanks!
Celebration is almost same as other Christians, we are celebrating birth of Jesus and we like to gave presents to children. For last 40 days we had some kind of "diet" (I'm not sure what word you use for not eating meet because of church rules) and today we are making special breakfast were we eat frost pig meat, cheese, apple, drink wine and of course eat cakes! :-)
Also every family is makeing a bread specialy for this day and put one coin in it and person who find that coin while eating will have a lot of luck that year! Last year I found that coin in our bread and for me last year was very successful! ;-)
Marry Christmas to all who celebrate today!
07/01/2016 10:10
Manchester United
77
Thanks!
Celebration is almost same as other Christians, we are celebrating birth of Jesus and we like to gave presents to children. For last 40 days we had some kind of "diet" (I'm not sure what word you use for not eating meet because of church rules) and today we are making special breakfast were we eat frost pig meat, cheese, apple, drink wine and of course eat cakes! :-)
Also every family is makeing a bread specialy for this day and put one coin in it and person who find that coin while eating will have a lot of luck that year! Last year I found that coin in our bread and for me last year was very successful! ;-)
Marry Christmas to all who celebrate today!
11/01/2016
points
If I'm not mistaken, the abstinence or reduction from certain or all food, drink or both is called a 'fast' :)
11/01/2016 12:30
Arsenal
2453
If I'm not mistaken, the abstinence or reduction from certain or all food, drink or both is called a 'fast' :)
12/01/2016
points
Thanks nikosonris!
I never heard anyone use that word in conversation but I found it in dictionary too.
When do you in Ukraine celebrate Christmas? I thought it is on 7th January, but my dad said that it's on 25th December. So, I don't know who is right?! :-)
12/01/2016 15:35
Manchester United
77
Thanks nikosonris!
I never heard anyone use that word in conversation but I found it in dictionary too.
When do you in Ukraine celebrate Christmas? I thought it is on 7th January, but my dad said that it's on 25th December. So, I don't know who is right?! :-)
08/01/2016
points
Enjoy):
08/01/2016 14:39
Arsenal
2320
Enjoy):
06/01/2016
points
Newcastle United is this week answer to the riddle.
06/01/2016 08:54
Manchester United
77
Newcastle United is this week answer to the riddle.
06/01/2016
points
Contest answer is Newcastle United F.C
06/01/2016 08:28
Manchester United
1
Contest answer is Newcastle United F.C
06/01/2016
points
newcastle united is the answer
06/01/2016 05:34
Chelsea
214
newcastle united is the answer
06/01/2016
points
The answer of this week competition is (NEWCASTLE UNITED)
06/01/2016 05:03
Norwich City
87
The answer of this week competition is (NEWCASTLE UNITED)
06/01/2016
points
This week Answer is (NEWCASTLE)
06/01/2016 04:36
Norwich City
71
This week Answer is (NEWCASTLE)
06/01/2016
points
The Answer of this week What is my team is ( NEWCASTLE)
06/01/2016 04:32
Norwich City
76
The Answer of this week What is my team is ( NEWCASTLE)
06/01/2016
points
Arsenal will win the PL this season. Liverpool are going to get into the first five. I think Leicester are going to take either 5-th or 6-th place. Man United might be either 3-rd or 4-th. City could win the League in case they are lucky. :-)
06/01/2016 04:03
Liverpool
6562
Arsenal will win the PL this season. Liverpool are going to get into the first five. I think Leicester are going to take either 5-th or 6-th place. Man United might be either 3-rd or 4-th. City could win the League in case they are lucky. :-)
06/01/2016
points
Jimmy's favourite team is Newcastle United F.C., the Magpies or Geordies.
06/01/2016 03:50
Liverpool
6562
Jimmy's favourite team is Newcastle United F.C., the Magpies or Geordies.
06/01/2016
points
Thank you Mr.Jack...
06/01/2016 01:15
Arsenal
738
Thank you Mr.Jack...
06/01/2016
points
Arsenal will win the EPL & my prediction is
1-Arsenal
2-Man city
3-Spurs
4-Man united
06/01/2016 01:03
Arsenal
738
Arsenal will win the EPL & my prediction is
1-Arsenal
2-Man city
3-Spurs
4-Man united
06/01/2016
points
Newcastle United is the right answer
06/01/2016 01:01
Arsenal
738
Newcastle United is the right answer
05/01/2016
points
Obviously Newcastle United F.C. is my answer for Jimmy's riddle
05/01/2016 21:58
Chelsea
615
Obviously Newcastle United F.C. is my answer for Jimmy's riddle
05/01/2016
points
I think the Gunners are going to win the league this year, Mr. Wenger is very famous with his outstanding points collection record in every second leg of the Premier league.
Furthermore, I guess they have the best goal-keeper as well as the top assists player in the PL .
05/01/2016 21:54
Chelsea
615
I think the Gunners are going to win the league this year, Mr. Wenger is very famous with his outstanding points collection record in every second leg of the Premier league.
Furthermore, I guess they have the best goal-keeper as well as the top assists player in the PL .
07/01/2016
points
You're right!
07/01/2016 04:56
Arsenal
2320
You're right!
05/01/2016
points
Oh..first of all, I have to say Well done to Jack for his solo podcast.
05/01/2016 21:46
Chelsea
615
Oh..first of all, I have to say Well done to Jack for his solo podcast.
08/01/2016
points
Indeed! Good work from Jack
08/01/2016 14:38
Arsenal
2320
Indeed! Good work from Jack
05/01/2016
points
It's going to be a close call between City and Arsenal I believe.
Arsenal maybe to win it, city second, united third and leicester 4th
05/01/2016 21:04
Liverpool
7
It's going to be a close call between City and Arsenal I believe.
Arsenal maybe to win it, city second, united third and leicester 4th
05/01/2016
points
I have already posted this comment on 'Christmas in the Premier League' topic but I think that here is better place to do that.
Accordingly here is the message:
First of all I would like Happy New 2016 to all our participants and teachers. Instead of New Year's resolutions I have a New Year's wish. This wish is reflected in the raising of our socialization and learning at a higher level. My idea is to make a Skype group where we can talk about football and learn English language and as coordinators of the project would be our dear Jack and Rich. I want to see whether the other students agree with me about this idea and to see do I have the support of Jack and Rich. I would love that this idea come to life because I think we all have the benefits of it (I mean our students). If this idea come to life we could be talk about development of the Skype group and about its functioning in the near future. Thank you in advance.
05/01/2016 21:03
West Ham United
538
I have already posted this comment on 'Christmas in the Premier League' topic but I think that here is better place to do that.
Accordingly here is the message:
First of all I would like Happy New 2016 to all our participants and teachers. Instead of New Year's resolutions I have a New Year's wish. This wish is reflected in the raising of our socialization and learning at a higher level. My idea is to make a Skype group where we can talk about football and learn English language and as coordinators of the project would be our dear Jack and Rich. I want to see whether the other students agree with me about this idea and to see do I have the support of Jack and Rich. I would love that this idea come to life because I think we all have the benefits of it (I mean our students). If this idea come to life we could be talk about development of the Skype group and about its functioning in the near future. Thank you in advance.
05/01/2016
points
Newcastle United is Jimmy's team
05/01/2016 21:03
Liverpool
7
Newcastle United is Jimmy's team
05/01/2016
points
Arsenal is going to win the Epl this year I believe. It's going to be a tough battle with Man. City but in the end I'm keen that gooners are gonna get it.
My prediction in the end of the season would be
1.Arsenal
2.City
3. Spurs
4. Leicester
05/01/2016 20:56
Liverpool
32
Arsenal is going to win the Epl this year I believe. It's going to be a tough battle with Man. City but in the end I'm keen that gooners are gonna get it.
My prediction in the end of the season would be
1.Arsenal
2.City
3. Spurs
4. Leicester
07/01/2016
points
We look things to be the same. That's how I predicted too.
07/01/2016 04:53
Arsenal
2320
We look things to be the same. That's how I predicted too.
05/01/2016
points
Alan Shearer is iconic player of Newcastle and Newcastle's nickname is The Magpies.
05/01/2016 20:55
West Ham United
538
Alan Shearer is iconic player of Newcastle and Newcastle's nickname is The Magpies.
05/01/2016
points
Jimmy's favorite team is Newcastle United
05/01/2016 20:50
Liverpool
32
Jimmy's favorite team is Newcastle United