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How the Cossacks ... Became Olympians

How the Cossacks ... Became Olympians: a ready-to-teach ESL lesson — CEFR C1, speaking focus, about 90 minutes. Preview it free on ReadyTeach.

by Glyn James

video, speaking, machine

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What’s in this lesson

Every slide, written out. The lesson itself is a board you present and annotate.

Slide 2

Recap

Near Mount Olympus, there are continuous wars between the Greeks, ruled by Mars. The battles prevent Zeus from sleeping, so he tries to stop them. First, he sends night and rain on the Greeks, which causes a flood, but all in vain. He lights a pipe and lets out rings of smoke, which resemble the Olympic ones in shape. Zeus has the idea of ​​building a stadium and organizing the Olympic Games. However, Mars does not stop inciting people to wars, so Zeus imprisons him in the kingdom of Hades. Mars, with the help of Sisyphus, escapes from imprisonment and gets through an underground passage to the Cossacks.

At this time, Tur, Gray and Oko learned about the organization of the Olympic Games and began intensive sports training. They chase Mars to Greece and defeat him in the main sports. In the end, they arrange a boxing ring on Olympus, where they defeat Mars. Zeus returns the god of war to the kingdom of Hades, and awards the Cossacks with the crowns of Olympic champions .

Slide 3

Discuss

How much did you enjoy this episode?

As we've seen from previous episodes, reading the summary can give us new details that we might have missed while watching. Is there anything surprising in the summary?

What sports did the Cossacks defeat Mars at?

How familiar are you with ancient Greece and the characters (Zeus, Mars, Sisyphus) and the place names (Mount Olympus, Hades)?

How much interest do you have in the Olympics in general?

Slide 4

Let's see how well you know Olympic sports.

Match the sports with their descriptions below.

Slide 5

Alpine Skiing / Archery / Biathlon / Bobsleigh / Boxing / Curling / Cycling (Road) / Diving / Fencing / Figure Skating / Gymnastics (Artistic) / Ice Hockey / Judo / Rowing / Shooting / Snowboarding / Speed Skating / Swimming / Tennis / Volleyball

1) Athletes race through snow on long skis. They must also stop and hit small targets with a rifle.

2) Two people or four people race down an icy track in a fast sled.

3) Players use sticks to hit a small black puck into the other team's goal while skating on ice.

4) Athletes skate very quickly around an oval ice track. The fastest person wins.

5) Competitors perform jumps, spins, and dance movements on ice while judges give scores.

6) Players slide heavy stones across the ice toward a target. Teammates sweep the ice with brushes.

7) Athletes race down snowy mountains on skis, making fast turns around gates.

8) Competitors ride snowboards down slopes and perform tricks or race.

9) Swimmers race through the water using different strokes like freestyle or butterfly.

10) Athletes dive from high boards or platforms into a pool. Judges score their style and entry into the water.

11) Competitors use bows to shoot arrows at a target. The closer to the centre, the better.

12) Two athletes wear masks and use special swords to score points by touching each other.

13) Athletes perform flips, handstands, and other difficult movements on different pieces of equipment.

14) Two athletes fight using punches while wearing gloves inside a ring.

15) Competitors throw or take down their opponent using skill and balance. This martial art began in Japan.

16) Athletes race boats using oars. Everyone in the boat must work together.

17) Cyclists race long distances on paved roads. The first rider across the finish line wins.

18) Athletes try to hit targets with guns. Accuracy is more important than speed.

19) Players use rackets to hit a ball over a net. It can be played as singles or doubles.

20) Two teams hit a ball over a high net using their hands. They cannot catch or hold the ball.

Slide 6

Pedagogy

The purpose of this task is threefold:

1 - it's a vocab task which helps you to learn the names of sports that you mignt not be sure of in English

2 - it's a communicative task - it challenges you to organise the task with your partner: to initiate, to respond, to express agreement (or disagreement), to move the task forward, to ensure equal contributions

3 - it's a vocab task that exposes you to vocab about sport that you might not know.

Slide 7

Many students overlook #2. Sometimes one person might dominate and just give all the answers while the partner sits passively and does nothing. How good do you think you are at managing tasks like this? Is it difficult to keep repetitive tasks engaging?

With #3 in mind, what are some lexical items (words / phrases) whose meanings you can infer (understand by working out) from context? How quickly do you think you'll forget these items? 😊

Part of being a C2-student is having a strong command of English outside of familiar themes / topics of interest. Many of you might not be very interested in sports, but do you agree that a good C2 user of English should be able to speak meaningfully about sport?

Slide 8

OK, back to it! The Olympics!

Take a stab at the following questions:

When were the first Olympics held?

What were some of the earliest Olympic sports?

Why did the Olympic Games disappear for over a thousand years?

When was the first modern Olympic Games?

What do the five Olympic rings represent?

Slide 9

The History of the Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are the world's most famous international sporting event. Their history began almost 3,000 years ago in ancient Greece. The first recorded Olympic Games took place in 776 BC in the city of Olympia. The Games were held every four years to honour Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. During this time, many Greek city-states stopped fighting so that athletes and spectators could travel safely to Olympia. This period of peace was called the Olympic Truce.

At first, there was only one event: a short foot race. Later, more sports were added, including wrestling, boxing, chariot racing, the discus, and the javelin. Only free Greek men could compete, and women were not allowed to take part in most events or even watch the Games. Winners did not receive medals. Instead, they were given olive wreaths and became heroes in their hometowns.

The ancient Olympic Games continued for over 1,000 years. In AD 393, the Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned them because they were connected with pagan religious festivals. After that, the Olympics disappeared for about 1,500 years.

The modern Olympic Games were revived by a French educator named Pierre de Coubertin. He believed that sport could help people become stronger and encourage friendship between countries. In 1896, the first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece. About 280 athletes from 12 countries took part in 43 events.

Today, the Olympic Games include both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Thousands of athletes from more than 200 countries compete in many different sports. The five Olympic rings represent the unity of the world's continents, and the Games continue to promote excellence, friendship, and respect. Although the Olympics have changed greatly over the centuries, they still celebrate the human spirit and the joy of sport.

Slide 10

Discussion

Did you get any answers right?

In our latest episode of the Cossacks, do you remember if they were awarded medals or wreaths?

To what extent was Pierre de Coubertin proven right? Can sport encourage friendship between countries, or does it just lead to greater rivalries?

In the UK, when people mention The Olympics, everyone thinks of the summer games. The Winter Olympics is of less interest and prestige. Is it different in your country?

When do you think the winter games started?

Slide 11

The History of the Winter Olympic Games

The first Winter Olympics took place in 1924 in Chamonix, France. At first, the event was called the "International Winter Sports Week," but it was so successful that it later became the first official Winter Olympic Games.

About 250 athletes from 16 countries competed in the 1924 Games. There were only 16 events, including figure skating, speed skating, ice hockey, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined. Most of the athletes came from Europe and North America because these countries had long winters and many snow sports.

As the years passed, the Winter Olympics became larger and more popular. New sports were added, including biathlon, luge, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, skeleton, and curling. Today, athletes compete in more than 100 events. The Games attract competitors from countries all over the world, including nations with little or no snow.

Until 1992, the Summer and Winter Olympic Games were held in the same year. To make each event more important, the International Olympic Committee decided to separate them. Since 1994, the Winter Olympics have been held every four years, but two years after each Summer Olympics.

Many unforgettable moments have taken place at the Winter Games. Athletes have broken world records, won dramatic victories, and shown great courage after injuries and disappointments. The Winter Olympics are also known for their beautiful mountain settings and exciting competitions.

Slide 12

Now work with a partner.

Create the following lists:

5 huge moments in the summer olympics

5 huge moments in the winter olympics

3 huge moments for your country in the summer olympics

3 huge moments for your country in the winter olympics

Slide 13

5 Huge Moments in the Summer Olympics

1896 – The first modern Olympic Games (Athens, Greece). The Olympics returned after more than 1,500 years. Athletes from 14 countries competed in 43 events.

1936 – Jesse Owens wins four gold medals (Berlin, Germany). American sprinter Jesse Owens won the 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4 × 100m relay. His victories challenged Nazi ideas about racial superiority.

1968 – Bob Beamon's world-record long jump (Mexico City). Beamon jumped 8.90 metres, breaking the world record by 55cm. The record stood for 23 years.

1976 – Nadia Comăneci scores the first perfect 10 (Montreal, Canada). The 14-year-old Romanian gymnast became the first gymnast to receive a perfect 10 in Olympic history.

2008 – Usain Bolt's world records (Beijing, China). Bolt won the 100m, 200m, and 4 × 100m relay. He set new world records and became one of the greatest sprinters ever.

Slide 14

5 Huge Moments in the Winter Olympics

1924 – The first Winter Olympics (Chamonix, France). The first official Winter Olympic Games featured 16 nations and 258 athletes.

1980 – "Miracle on Ice" (Lake Placid, USA). The USA's amateur ice hockey team defeated the powerful Soviet Union 4–3. It is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

1988 – The Jamaican bobsleigh team (Calgary, Canada). Although they did not win a medal, their determination inspired millions and later the film Cool Runnings.

1994 – Dan Jansen finally wins Olympic gold (Lillehammer, Norway). After years of heartbreak, the American speed skater won the 1,000m and set a world record.

2010 – Sidney Crosby's "Golden Goal" (Vancouver, Canada). Crosby scored the overtime winner against the USA to give Canada the men's ice hockey gold medal.

Slide 15

3 Huge Moments for Russia / Soviet Union in the Summer Olympics

1952 – Soviet Union joins the Olympic Games. The USSR competed in the Summer Olympics for the first time in Helsinki. It immediately finished second in the medal table, beginning decades of Olympic success.

1980 – Moscow hosts the Summer Olympics. The Soviet Union became the first Eastern European country to host the Summer Olympics. Although many Western countries boycotted the Games, it was a major event in Soviet history.

1988 – Sergey Bubka wins pole vault gold (Seoul). Bubka, representing the Soviet Union, confirmed his status as the world's greatest pole vaulter after setting numerous world records during his career.

3 Huge Moments for Russia / Soviet Union in the Winter Olympics

1956 – Soviet Union dominates its first Winter Olympics (Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy). The USSR competed in the Winter Olympics for the first time and finished first in the medal table.

1972 – Soviet ice hockey wins another Olympic gold (Sapporo, Japan). The Soviet hockey team continued its dominance and became one of the greatest teams in sports history.

1976 – Irina Rodnina wins Olympic pairs figure skating gold (Innsbruck, Austria). Rodnina became one of the greatest figure skaters ever, winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals (1972, 1976, and 1980) and never losing an international competition during her career.

Slide 16

Discussion

How many of those moments did you also name beforehand?

Were there any items on the list that you had never heard of before?

Are Sergey Bubka and Irina Rodnina household names in your country?

Which other names belong on the list of great Russian / Soviet Olympic heroes?

In the last Olympic games, there were allegations that judges were treating Russian athletes unfairly in the figure skating. Do you think such things happen?

Slide 17

Do you recognise these Olympic sports?

Why were they controversial?

Slide 18

Breaking (Breakdancing) – Paris 2024

Many people argued that breaking is a dance or art form rather than a sport. Others felt judging was too subjective. Some members of the hip-hop community worried the Olympics would commercialize or misrepresent breaking culture. Breaking was included only for Paris 2024 and will not return at Los Angeles 2028.

Skateboarding – Tokyo 2020

Traditional Olympic fans questioned whether skateboarding fit the Olympic spirit. Some skateboarders opposed Olympic competition, saying the sport values creativity more than medals. Others welcomed the increased funding and exposure for young athletes.

Surfing – Tokyo 2020

The sport depends on weather and wave conditions. For Paris 2024, the event was held in Tahiti, nearly 16,000 km from Paris, raising concerns about cost and environmental impact.

Snowboard Halfpipe – 1998

Some skiing fans believed snowboarding was more of a lifestyle than an Olympic sport. Many snowboarders disliked Olympic rules and preferred independent competitions.

Big Air Snowboarding – 2018

Critics questioned whether another snowboarding event was necessary. Some also raised concerns about athlete safety because of the huge jumps.

Ski Big Air – 2022

Similar concerns to snowboarding: dangerous jumps and overlap with other freestyle skiing events.

Slide 19

Discussion

Which of these sports do you think deserves to be an Olympic sports?

Which of them definitely don't?

Should things like football, tennis and golf be included in the Olympics? Why (not)?

There is talk of cricket, squash, darts, parkour, snooker, chess, paddle and even e-sports appearing in future games. How do you feel about this?

At which sports could you defeat the mighty Cossacks?