Senior Skateboarder
WORKSHEET
1. Suggested Use
Skills and generation focus, followed by A2-level vocabulary and grammar activities.
2. Suggested Activities
A. Project-based learning
Students think about a skill they think would be beneficial for older people to learn, like the story in the video, for example, playing guitar, swimming, cooking, dancing, or a sport. In pairs or small groups, they make a short inspiration card or mini video to promote the reasons why older people should take up this skill. Have them use the language from the video to help them.
B. Mediation task: Translating a written text
Write some colloquial or above-level language from the video onto the board. Put students into groups and have them use the videoscript to work out the meaning of the words or phrases from context. Then, discuss as a class and then have students use a dictionary to confirm their ideas. Language could include, do the trick, elderly, retiring, no matter.
C. Pronunciation task: /θ/ and /ð/ sounds
Elicit the sounds and the differences between them. Then elicit some words with the sounds, e.g. think, this, thought, thirty. Have students look at the videoscript and identify the sounds in the script. Model, drill and practise the pronunciation. Then, have students come up with their own tongue twisters to practise the sounds, related to the topic of the video.
3. Vocabulary
Sports and activities
skateboarding
skate park
learn / learning
move
turn
balance
stand
practise
try
do a trick
People and jobs
skater / skaters
grandchildren
worker
elderly
retire / retiring
Nouns
skill
brain
body
sport
beginning
passion
4. Grammar
Past simple:
He began only a few years ago; He worked in construction …; I thought I could …
Present simple:
Skateboarding is usually …; Kinoshita doesn’t let …; I think skateboarding is …
Modal verb ‘can’ (possibility and ability):
My skills can be improved only by a little; You can keep learning.
TRANSCRIPT
Senior Skateboarder
NARRATOR:
At a skate park in Japan, a man in his 80s is learning something new. Yoshio Kinoshita didn’t start skateboarding when he was young. He began only a few years ago. He found a cheap skateboard for sale at a market and decided to try it. At first, he could only stand still, holding on to a rail. But he practised. Slowly, he learned to move, turn, and balance. Now, he skates around the park with people much younger than him.
SOUNDBITE - Yoshio Kinoshita:
"I thought I could do the trick because I did it yesterday, but today I still couldn't do it. I had to learn from the beginning again. So my skills can be improved only by a little. That's why I think I have to come here and practice every day."
NARRATOR:
Skateboarding is usually a sport for young people, but Kinoshita doesn’t let age stop him. He goes to the skate park five or six times a week. He learns from other skaters. Some are younger than his grandchildren! He believes skateboarding is good for the brain and body.
SOUNDBITE - Yoshio Kinoshita:
"I think skateboarding improves the ability to think even just by a little bit. I believe it's a sport for the elderly."
NARRATOR:
Before retiring, Kinoshita worked in construction. These days, he also works part-time at a bicycle parking lot. But skateboarding is his passion. He proves that it’s never too late to try something new. No matter your age, you can keep learning.