Running LUV’s “Let’s Talk About Sports” and “The World of Sports” in Your Classroom
Congratulations: maybe you’ve stepped up to the plate, or perhaps you are on deck for one of Level Up Village’s sports-themed virtual exchanges. Then you’ll want to think about ways to warm up your class and get them prepped for this rewarding experience. Well, you already know that when students connect with peers from another part of the world, it opens a doorway to new perspectives, enriching their understanding of culture, communication, and community; through Level Up Village’s asynchronous video exchanges, your students have the chance to explore global topics while sharing their own experiences. So, sports should be a good one!
Athletics, as many of you already can attest, offers a rich ground for conversation, from local sports traditions to personal participation. Here’s how you can inspire and prepare students for these meaningful exchanges.
Getting the Ball Rolling: Why Sports?
Whether you’re a total fanatic, a benchwarmer, or an athletic agnostic, you’ll admit from living in an age of relentless and ubiquitous entertainment that sports are a universal language. Regardless of the country or culture, almost everyone engages in sports in some form. Perhaps your students watched some part of the Olympics this summer, followed any of the different world championships of recent history, or connected with more local games by playing, spectating, or simply cheering for their home or school team.
For high school students, sports offer a comfortable starting point for cross-cultural dialogue, where they can exchange stories about their favorite matches, their local sports heroes, and even personal experiences with teamwork and competition. At a boys’ school, sometimes I even wonder if my students are even conversing, or simply sharing statistics and betting odds! To encourage thoughtful and engaged participation in an asynchronous video exchange on sports, consider these activities that will help pupils share their stories in a dynamic and personal way, and maybe even get to the big leagues of meaningful exchange.
Classroom Activities to Spark Engagement
1. Ballin’ Biography: “My Story in Sports”
You could start by having students reflect on their personal connection to sports. Some may be active participants, while others may simply enjoy watching or supporting a favorite team. Ask them to write a short sports biography, answering questions such as:
- What is your favorite sport, and why?
- Who introduced you to this sport, or how did you get involved?
- What role do sports play in your family?
- How do sports bring people together in your community or country?
This warm-up helps students identify the stories they can share in their video exchanges, making their contributions more authentic and relatable. It can also give them confidence as they prepare to discuss a topic they know well. The extra edge here comes for shier students to see the enthusiasts in the class give a play-by-play and then gain some inspiration.
2. Scouting: “Sports Around the World”
To deepen their appreciation for sports as a global phenomenon, have students research sports that are popular in other countries, particularly the country of their exchange partner. I know, if it comes to soccer, a lot of my students probably already know a lot about the major stars of Central and South America; a similar incentive may also light the torch of curiosity in your classroom!
I’d say, let the kids’ natural interests drive their research, but for a more systematic approach, you can divide the class into small groups and assign each group a different sport or country to explore. After conducting their research, students can create presentations that highlight:
- The origins and history of the sport in that country
- Famous athletes who are associated with the sport
- Cultural traditions or festivals related to the sport
It’s a great time to be a sports fan because no longer must people explain the rules and excitement through words and pictures alone: we have videos that are easily accessible on YouTube and TikTok that can do the job of broadcasting the excitement right into your classroom!
In a recent episode of Last Week Tonight, comedian and host John Oliver highlighted the International World Games, an international multi-sport event comprising sports and sporting disciplines that are not contested in the Olympic Games. Let me tell you—some crazy and unique activities count as sports, and these competitive pastimes have a worldwide following! So, even if your students are athletics aficionados, there’s definitely stuff out there that will raise a few eyebrows and pique their interest! By learning about sports in another country, students will have richer insights to bring to their video exchanges, fostering curiosity and connection with their international peers.
3. Highlight Reel: “Sports in My Town”
Help students take a broader view by encouraging them to create a community snapshot focused on sports as if they’re a local reporter, announcer, or social media influencer. This could involve interviewing family members, friends, or local coaches and athletes. They might ask:
- What are the most popular sports in our community, and why?
- How do sports bring people together in our town?
- Are there any special traditions or events related to sports here?
Again, they need not focus on well-known sports that are the most televised! Perhaps they know an Esport competitor who enters Super Smash Bros tournaments, or a Collectible Card Game champion of Magic: the Gathering or Pokemon competitions. Get creative with the concept of what ‘sports’ could mean to different kids in your class.
These highlights can then be shared as part of the video exchange, offering a personal window into the students’ local culture. Even if the activity seems obscure, the internet is all about people connecting with others who share similar interests. This project will not only help them practice storytelling; it will also encourage them to think critically about how sports and competitive activities shape their community’s identity.
The Highlights Reel: Tips for Effective Communication
Before students start recording their videos, have a quick huddle with them to go over best practices for communication. Since the exchange is asynchronous, clear, engaging communication is key to maintaining a meaningful dialogue.
- Be Personal, Yet Clear: Encourage students to speak naturally, as if they were talking to a new friend. Using simple language and avoiding jargon will ensure their message is accessible to a global audience.
Especially when it comes to sports, they might parrot terms they’ve heard announcers use, so remind them to explain the lexicon: their international partners might be familiar with the concept, but perhaps not the terminology! - Visuals Help: Remind students that they can include visual elements to support their stories—whether that’s showing off their sports gear, sharing a clip of a local game, or using images of a famous stadium.
Specifically, if the sports, athletics, or competitive games they’re showcasing aren’t as well known, this could be a very engaging way to educate and entertain. As the moderator, you’ll want to make sure that any clips of violent or contact sports stay within the realm of appropriateness! - Ask Questions: Since the video exchange is designed to build a conversation, encourage students to end their videos with a question for their international peers. This could be about their favorite sports, memorable games, or how sports fit into their daily lives.
Some of these interrogatives could come from their preliminary research, as well. Perhaps learning about the cultural pastimes of your international partners has piqued interest, so remind your students they now have the opportunity to relieve their curiosities through their communication!
Post-Game Cool Down: Building Connections through Sports
By focusing on sports, students have a natural entry point into cross-cultural conversations. For some of them, it may be a passion, even one of the topics they’re most comfortable discussing. The activities we just discussed can help them prepare to share personal stories, learn about global sports traditions, and engage meaningfully in their asynchronous video exchanges with the Level Up Village courses “Let’s Talk About Sports” and “The World of Sports.” Not only will they improve their communication skills, but they’ll also build a broader understanding of how sports create connections across cultures, communities, and countries.
Encourage your students to approach the exchange with curiosity, openness, and enthusiasm, and they’ll walk off the field with a richer understanding of both themselves and the world around them. Ready, set, go! The ball’s in your court!
