2. Unit 16 Football : A good career choice?

3. Personal profile Name: David Beckham Date of Birth: 02 May 1975 Nationality: English Height : 180cm Weight :67kg Eye :Green Hair :Brown Current club:Real Madrid(Spain) Position: Midfield Number: 23

4. Career Highlights 1991 Signs as trainee for Manchester United 1993 Signs as professional for Manchester United 2003 Beckham awarded OBE(Order of the British Empire) 英帝国军官勋章 2003 Signs for Real Madrid 1992 wins FA Youth cup

5. Structure of the text. The success of David Beckham in the football career. The difference between football and other careers. The special qualities required by footballers. The programs set up for young footballers in both China and the UK. Football dreams don ’ t often come true like David. Paras 1-3 Para 4 Para 5 Paras 6-7 Para 8

6. 1.What did David want to do when he was a schoolboy? He dreamed of being a professional football player, Paras1-3 He wanted to wear the red shirt and score goals the the famous Old Trafford Stadium in front of thousands of cheering fans.

7. 2.When did David’s success start? His success started almost immediately when he was part of Manchester United ’ s youth team which won the FA Youth Cup in 1992 and he was chosen to play for the Red Devils ’ senior team for the first time.

8. 3. In which order did the following things happen to David Beckham? a.He was invited to join Manchester United as a trainee. b. He was chosen to play for the Red Devils ’ senior team. c. He has become England ’ s most famous mid-field player and world superstar. d. He attended training sessions with a London club. e. He and his players won the FA Youth Cup in 1992. d a ebc Key:

9. What are the differences between football and other careers? Employers don ’ t advertise that they have a vacant job in the newspapers or on the internet. There are no application forms or interviews. Employers find players with the right abilities and offer them employment with the clubs.

10. What are the special qualities required by footballers? Talent Have excellent ball control and understand how to use the space on the pitch. Have good team spirit, a strong character, mental strength and a positive attitude.

11. Becoming a professional footballer AgeWorking hours & pay Duties & responsibilities Stage 1 Stage 2Full-time with one day at college each week. Salary(small) Stage3>18 <16 16-18 ① Evenings&weekends ② pay — not mentioned Attend training sessions Play in junior team ② Play for youth team. ① Receive football instruction. ③ Cleaning jobs. ② Salary – depends on degree of success. ① Full-time contract. ① Play in senior team. ② Professional player.

12. True or False: 1.It was in 1992 that David ’ s career took off. 2.Employers need to advertise for football players in the newspapers or on the Internet when they have a vacant job. 3.Every footballer needs to have good team spirit,a strong character,mental strength and a positive attitude. 4.The players under sixteen have to take part in club training sessions all days long. 5.Youth trainees in UK football club usually have high salary. T F T F F

13. T 6.When the trainees are offered a contract with a club,their life as a professional footballer begins. 7.Many of the players can only play as amateur footballers in their spare time. F

14. Main idea of the text. The text tells us the story of David Beckham and what is needed for a football career, from which the writer shows that it is difficult to become a successful footballer.

15. Discussion Does the writer think that football is a good career choice? Find evidence in the text to support your answer.

16. Evidence in the text. Trainee footballers: It is not an easy life. There is a lot of competition for places on the team, the salary is low and the job includes cleaning the changing rooms, toilets and senior colleagues ’ boots.(Para6) Despite talent, only a few players are good enough to become professional: Professional footballers have to be very, very good, and to play for a leading club they must be outstanding. Only a few trainees are good enough to go on to the next stage.(Para5and 7)

17. Even once professional, only a very few players are truly successful: Perhaps, like Becks, one or two become great stars. However, football is a fiercely competitive occupation and many players are not successful. They have to leave the profession to find other careers.(Para7) A career in football is a dream that few people can achieve. Most are not successful and fail: David ’ s story has a happy ending, but most children with the same wish will never have the opportunity to wear their favourite team ’ s shirt. Many of them will only play as an amateur footballer in their spare time. Unfortunately football dreams don ’ t often come true.(Para8)

18. Analysis of some difficult sentences. 1.Every time he plays football he is watched by thousands of adoring Becks fans all over the world. 2. Professional footballers have to be very, very good, and [ to play for a leading club ] they must be outstanding. 3. Top players must have excellent ball control and understand how to use the space on the pitch, but it is not just what they do with their feet that counts.

19. 4. Many countries have set up programmes to encourage and develop young footballers,and this is where the clubs go to assess athletes and find stars of the future. 5. China has special football schools ( where children acquire ball skills as well as a formal education.) 6. From this point on the success of their career and how much they earn depends on their performances and how many matches their team wins.

20. Homework Read the passage again, and try your best to retell it in your own words. Preview the reading in the integrating skills.