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Chile host the Copa America that kicks off on June 11th.

Premier Skills English Podcast 6

Premier Skills English Podcast 6

Premier League badge.

The Copa America, which is the main international tournament for national teams in South America, kicks off this week. Chile are the hosts and Argentina are the favourites, but which team will finish on top? Jack and Rich make their predictions and talk about the language of prediction in this Premier Skills English Podcast. 

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.

Sometimes Jack and Rich used 'going to' and sometimes 'will' to make predictions about the future. Listen again and complete the sentences.

Activity 2: Can you match the words these words from the podcast to their definitions?
Understand some tricky words from the listening.

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

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

Rich: Hi everyone. I’m Rich and every week we talk about football and help you with your English.

Jack: So, what’s happening this week, Rich? The Premier League season is over so all the players must be on their holidays, right?

Rich: Yes, the Premier League season is over but Premier League players are not on the beach yet.

Jack: Why not? What are they doing?

Rich: They’re playing for their national teams. There are lots of international matches over the next two weeks and the biggest tournament in South America starts this week.

Jack: Of course, the Copa America.

Rich: So, in this week’s podcast we’re going to talk about the Copa America and have a look at some phrases we use to predict things in the future.

Jack: Which Premier League players are going to play in the Copa America, Rich?

Rich: Some of the biggest Premier League stars are going to be there! Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Man Utd’s Angel Di Maria are going to play for Argentina, Chile’s Alexis Sanchez is going to play for Chile.

Jack: I think Sanchez is going to be the star of the tournament! Anybody else?

Rich: Radamel Falcao is going to be in attack for Colombia, West Ham’s Enner Valencia will be up front for Ecuador, and Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Chelsea’s Willian are going to be in midfield for Brazil!

Jack: That’s an amazing list.

Rich: Yes, eight of the twelve teams are going to have Premier League players in action and more than half of Premier League clubs will have players in the competition.

Jack: And who do you think will win, Rich?

Rich: It’s a difficult tournament to predict, do you know which team has won the Copa America the most times?

Jack: Brazil?

Rich: No

Jack: errr. Argentina?

Rich: Wrong again. It’s Uruguay who have won it 15 times.

Jack: So, who do you think will win? I think it will be Argentina.

Rich: Argentina are the favourites. Most people think they will win, but Brazil will be one of the main challengers too.

Jack: So do you think Argentina will win?

Rich: No, actually, I think Chile will win. Chile’s the host and is definitely a dark horse.

Jack: A dark horse? What are you talking about Rich?

Rich: A dark horse is a team or player in a competition that surprises everyone by winning. A good example would be Greece in 2004.

Jack: Yes, I remember. Greece won the European Championships - it was a big surprise. Everybody thought Germany, Italy or Portugal would win. So Greece was the dark horse.

Rich: Right, this week’s challenge for listeners is to tell us a football prediction.

Jack: Yes, tell us something that you think will happen in the next few weeks and months. Who will win the Copa America, which players will your team buy?

Rich: Write your answers in the comments section below and see if you can be the first with your prediction .

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

Rich: 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.

Jack: 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.

Rich:  Bye for now and enjoy your football.

Quiz

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What do you think?

Are you going to watch the Copa America? Who do you think will win? Which Premier League players are going to play well?

Can you make predictions using 'going to' or 'will' for:

  • the best player in the tournament
  • the top goalscorer
  • a new player for a Premier League team

Let us know your answers in the comments section below.

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Comments

Najib
24/12/2020
ID
124
points

I didn't follow the whole tournament, but I watched the final on TV at the very end of the match. It was 0-0 until the extra time ended. Then the winner should be decided by a penalty shootout. I rooted for Chile to be the winner and fortunately, they did. It was a big disappointment for Argentina since they were the favorite and Messi was expected to be the man of the match. However, Messi and his team couldn't manage the huge pressure on their shoulders. Even, he failed to score a goal in the penalty shootout. Sometimes, being a huge favorite is not always better. Or it might be the host factor and the supporter factor in the stadium that made the Chilean players to be more motivated.

I don't like to make a prediction. I just love making a wish and hope my favorite will win. However, if I have to make a prediction, I think Liverpool is going to be the winner of the Premier League again. Maybe Mohamed Salah will be the top scorer. Let's see. Nobody knows the future.

By the way, Rich's prediction was accurate when he thought that Chile would win the tournament. Great.


Najib
24/12/2020 02:53
Indonesia
Arsenal
124

I didn't follow the whole tournament, but I watched the final on TV at the very end of the match. It was 0-0 until the extra time ended. Then the winner should be decided by a penalty shootout. I rooted for Chile to be the winner and fortunately, they did. It was a big disappointment for Argentina since they were the favorite and Messi was expected to be the man of the match. However, Messi and his team couldn't manage the huge pressure on their shoulders. Even, he failed to score a goal in the penalty shootout. Sometimes, being a huge favorite is not always better. Or it might be the host factor and the supporter factor in the stadium that made the Chilean players to be more motivated.

I don't like to make a prediction. I just love making a wish and hope my favorite will win. However, if I have to make a prediction, I think Liverpool is going to be the winner of the Premier League again. Maybe Mohamed Salah will be the top scorer. Let's see. Nobody knows the future.

By the way, Rich's prediction was accurate when he thought that Chile would win the tournament. Great.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
02/05/2020
TR
6539
points

Definately I like to watch the national teams tournaments although I find them less exciting than club competitions :)

Best player : Alexis Sanchez
Top Scorer : Lionel Messi
New player for a PL team : Pablo Dybala


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
02/05/2020 22:55
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Definately I like to watch the national teams tournaments although I find them less exciting than club competitions :)

Best player : Alexis Sanchez
Top Scorer : Lionel Messi
New player for a PL team : Pablo Dybala

RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
10/03/2020
BR
663
points

Good prediction!!!
Chile was amazing!


RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
10/03/2020 23:54
Brazil
Arsenal
663

Good prediction!!!
Chile was amazing!

diland
12/01/2020
CL
32
points

Good prediction Rich!!!
Chile won and Alexis Sánchez was de best player.
Was amazing!


diland
12/01/2020 06:19
Chile
Manchester United
32

Good prediction Rich!!!
Chile won and Alexis Sánchez was de best player.
Was amazing!

heinerrene
01/03/2019
CO
112
points

Yes, I am going to watch the Copa America. I agree, Chile is a dark horse. I think Chile will win the tournament and Alexis is going to be the best player. I hope Falcao and Aguero will play a sensational Copa America and Falcao will be the top goalscorer. I think after the tournament more Colombian players will sign for PL teams.


heinerrene
01/03/2019 16:43
Colombia
Arsenal
112

Yes, I am going to watch the Copa America. I agree, Chile is a dark horse. I think Chile will win the tournament and Alexis is going to be the best player. I hope Falcao and Aguero will play a sensational Copa America and Falcao will be the top goalscorer. I think after the tournament more Colombian players will sign for PL teams.

Ghigo's picture
Ghigo
02/08/2016
IT
962
points

yes i saw the copa america


Ghigo's picture
Ghigo
02/08/2016 12:48
Italy
Liverpool
962

yes i saw the copa america

englishman
29/06/2016
DZ
1734
points

that's it


englishman
29/06/2016 15:22
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

that's it

englishman
29/06/2016
DZ
1734
points

yes


englishman
29/06/2016 15:21
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

yes

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
11/06/2016
GH
4779
points

The best player in the tournament is sanchez
The top goal scorer is Messi


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
11/06/2016 08:01
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

The best player in the tournament is sanchez
The top goal scorer is Messi

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
11/06/2016
GH
4779
points

Kun Arguero played well


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
11/06/2016 07:58
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Kun Arguero played well

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
11/06/2016
GH
4779
points

Honestly I wanted Argentina to win but Chile pulled a surprise


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
11/06/2016 07:56
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Honestly I wanted Argentina to win but Chile pulled a surprise

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
11/06/2016
GH
4779
points

Yes I watched


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
11/06/2016 07:55
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Yes I watched

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

Yes i do,Alexis Sanchez.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
04/04/2016 20:47
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Yes i do,Alexis Sanchez.

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

I think Sergio Aguero will be the top goalscorer


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
08/03/2016 07:29
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

I think Sergio Aguero will be the top goalscorer

M.s. Aboelsafa's picture
M.s. Aboelsafa
09/02/2016
EG
738
points

Good prediction Rich


M.s. Aboelsafa's picture
M.s. Aboelsafa
09/02/2016 23:49
Egypt
Arsenal
738

Good prediction Rich

haydi's picture
haydi
03/01/2016
TN
3189
points

Nothing new in this podcast! I already know the difference between 'will' and 'going to', same for 'dark horse', I learned a course about idioms containing animals names. But I discover that Rich can pronounce the "g" in Spanish way. I learned Spanish for two years in secondary school, but I forget it, just I can distinguish it compared to Italian and Portuguese!


haydi's picture
haydi
03/01/2016 22:48
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

Nothing new in this podcast! I already know the difference between 'will' and 'going to', same for 'dark horse', I learned a course about idioms containing animals names. But I discover that Rich can pronounce the "g" in Spanish way. I learned Spanish for two years in secondary school, but I forget it, just I can distinguish it compared to Italian and Portuguese!

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

Chile was brilliant!


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

Chile was brilliant!

urimosss
09/11/2015
XK
46
points

the best player of the tournament will be Sergio Aguero, the top goalscorer is going to be Sergio Aguero


urimosss
09/11/2015 18:50
Kosovo
Liverpool
46

the best player of the tournament will be Sergio Aguero, the top goalscorer is going to be Sergio Aguero

mkoriev
05/11/2015
UZ
813
points

Chile won the cup as Rich predicted! Congrats!


mkoriev
05/11/2015 08:00
Uzbekistan
Manchester City
813

Chile won the cup as Rich predicted! Congrats!

Rich's picture
Rich
05/11/2015
ES
594
points

Thanks for reminding me, I'm not often right with my predictions :)


Rich's picture
Rich
05/11/2015 08:39
Spain
Liverpool
594

Thanks for reminding me, I'm not often right with my predictions :)

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

Rich, You need to replace the adverb of frequency ‘often’ by ‘sometimes or ‘rarely’ ;)


haydi's picture
haydi
08/05/2016 22:37
Tunisia
Newcastle United
3189

Rich, You need to replace the adverb of frequency ‘often’ by ‘sometimes or ‘rarely’ ;)

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

chelie


alimiloud's picture
alimiloud
15/10/2015 22:19
Algeria
Chelsea
160

chelie

Abdallah
20/09/2015
KW
1814
points

The best player is going to be Lionel messi and I think he will be the goal scorer .
I have heard a flying rumor says falcoa will join Chelsea this season after cola America


Abdallah
20/09/2015 13:57
Kuwait
Chelsea
1814

The best player is going to be Lionel messi and I think he will be the goal scorer .
I have heard a flying rumor says falcoa will join Chelsea this season after cola America

hachani mostapha
18/09/2015
DZ
241
points

messi


hachani mostapha
18/09/2015 14:35
Algeria
Tottenham Hotspur
241

messi

gilbers51
12/09/2015
BR
44
points

In Brazil its easy to predict which team will win the national championship. Corinthians always pay the matches referees. It is happening again this year...


gilbers51
12/09/2015 19:25
Brazil
Chelsea
44

In Brazil its easy to predict which team will win the national championship. Corinthians always pay the matches referees. It is happening again this year...

mina botros's picture
mina botros
28/08/2015
EG
0
points

I thing alexis will be the best player
s.aguero is going to the top goal score


mina botros's picture
mina botros
28/08/2015 14:56
Egypt
Manchester United
0

I thing alexis will be the best player
s.aguero is going to the top goal score

su121085
21/06/2015
BO
0
points

I'm watching the Copa América everyday and even though I root for my home team Bolivia, the Chileans seem like the ones that will take the cup this time around.


su121085
21/06/2015 05:19
Bolivia
Chelsea
0

I'm watching the Copa América everyday and even though I root for my home team Bolivia, the Chileans seem like the ones that will take the cup this time around.

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1Alex_from_Ukraine6578
2mobeckham6539
3hsn5560
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4779
6Liubomyr4417
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia74679
2Ukraine33892
3Spain29525
4Serbia27426
5Brazil23661
6Albania20578
7Vietnam20460
8Turkey20111
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United147000
2Liverpool111527
3Chelsea90265
4Arsenal86299
5Manchester City58968
6Tottenham Hotspur19506
7Newcastle United10626
8West Ham United7701
9AFC Bournemouth4915
10Crystal Palace4568

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Practise your listening skills.

Learn more about the vocabulary and grammar that is used to make predictions.