Let's play Hurling!

It's fast, it's furious and it's a lot of fun! I'm talking about hurling, a very popular sport in Ireland. Have you ever seen people playing it? Take a look at this a short clip.

Would you like to know more about this exciting sport? So listen to this passage which describes the origins of the game, as well as its basic rules and equipment. Then try two activities to test your comprehension. At the bottom of the page you can find the original script to help you check your answers. There is also a fun crossword puzzle to play online. Have fun!

Pan American Games - Rio 2007

Are you ready for the XV Pan American Games? The opening ceremony will take place at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 13th, and the competition continues until the 29th. Learn more about the event and about sports in general trying some of the activities below:

• Find out about the history of the games in this article in Wikipedia;
• Read about the XV Pan American Games and Rio de Janeiro on the games' official website
• Here is an interesting article published last month in the New York Times about the games and how to enjoy yourself in Rio while travelling safe
• Can you spell the names of Latin American countries? Put the letters in the correct sequence and test your knowledge
• How about some vocabulary activities? Here is a hangman game with different types of sports and a more advanced vocabulary quiz about sports. Enjoy!
• Which sports do you use with the verbs go, play and do? Learn more about the right verb-noun collocations clicking here
• What makes great athletes go on competing? Listen to an extract of an interview Michael Jordan gave to Larry King on CNN and find out what motivates one of the greatest basketball players of all times. Click on 'audio' at the top of the page and follow the text.

Let's play tennis!

Sports fans will probably want to keep an eye on the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (London) for the next ten days. This is the site of the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world - Wimbledon - and it's the only Grand Slam championship played on a grass court rather than on a clay or hard court. You can find more information about this year's edition checking their official website.

And how about trying some activities? Learn the most important vocabulary related to the game and then try a crossword puzzle. Or find words related to tennis in this wordsearch activity!

What is your favourite sport to play and to watch? Listen to six people talking about theirs and answer the comprehension questions. Remember that all passages are accompanied by a tapescript, in case you want to read while listening. Have fun!