Week5_Lesson3_Reading

1.

ASTANA IT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF GENERAL DISCIPLINES
FOREIGN LANGUAGE 1. B 1- LEVEL.
HOW CAN
WATCHING SPORTS
BOOST WELLBEING?
Week 5 Lesson 3 Reading
2025-2026 academic year

2.

PRE READING. VOCABULARY PREVIEW. EXERCISE 1.
FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE CORRECT WORD FROM THE BOX AND MATCH THE CHUNKS WITH MEANINGS. (10 MINS)
Word Box:
• alter
• creates
• fellow
• significant
• inspire
• spark
• resilience
• pursuing
• immerse
• pent-up
• pride
No. Chunk
Meaning
1
Sports can _______ parts of the brain
linked to reward
A. To change something in the brain connected to
happiness
2
Watching sports _______ a shared
experience
B. To do something together that connects people
3
To feel emotionally supported by______
supporters
C. To receive emotional help from people around you
4
One of the most _______ benefits
D. One of the biggest / most important advantages
5
To _______ physical activity and
involvement
E. To motivate people to exercise or join in
6
The initial _______
F. The first motivation or reason to start
7
The dedication, discipline and _______
G. Qualities of not giving up and staying strong after
problems
8
_______ goals
H. Trying to achieve something important
9
_______ yourself in the moment
I. To focus completely on the present
10
Let go of _______ emotions
J. To release feelings that were held inside
11
A sense of worth and _______
K. Feeling proud and valuable after success

3.

Check your answers and learn the phrases.
No.
Completed Chunk
Meaning
1
Sports can alter parts of the brain linked to reward
A. To change something in the brain connected to
happiness
2
Watching sports creates a shared experience
B. To do something together that connects people
3
To feel emotionally supported by fellow supporters C. To receive emotional help from people around you
4
One of the most significant benefits
D. One of the biggest / most important advantages
5
To inspire physical activity and involvement
E. To motivate people to exercise or join in
6
The initial spark
F. The first motivation or reason to start
7
The dedication, discipline and resilience
G. Qualities of not giving up and staying strong after
problems
8
Pursuing goals
H. Trying to achieve something important
9
Immerse yourself in the moment
I. To focus completely on the present
10
Let go of pent-up emotions
J. To release feelings that were held inside
11
A sense of worth and pride
K. Feeling proud and valuable after success

4.

WHILE READING. EXERCISE 2. READ THE TEXT ON THE NEXT SLIDES.
MATCH THE BENEFIT (1 4) WITH THE CORRECT DESCRIPTION FROM THE TEXT. (10 MINS)
1. Social connection
2.Inspiration
3.Stress relief
4.Improved self-esteem
a) Fans feel proud when their team wins.
b) Sports stars motivate people to set personal goals.
c) Watching sports with others brings people together.
d) Games help people relax and release emotions.

5.

WHILE READING. EXERCISE 3. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS IN NO MORE THAN THREE
WORDS.
• Which part of the brain can be influenced by watching sports?
• What feeling can increase when people are emotionally supported by other
fans?
• What qualities of athletes can inspire confidence and productivity?
• What is the name of the psychological concept that explains why fans feel
victory with their team?

6.

How can watching sports boost wellbeing?
We know physical activity is good for our health but did you know watching sports can also benefit mental health and
wellbeing?
Whether it's the passion of the Euros, the intense matches at Wimbledon or the impressive performances during the Paris Olympics,
there's nothing like the excitement of watching live sports. New research suggests that the feel-good effects of these events may last far
longer than the final whistle. Experts believe that watching sports can alter parts of the brain linked to reward, increasing happiness and
boosting mood and wellbeing.
1. Social
________________
connection
Being a sports fan often means being part of a community. Whether you're watching a game at your local pub or having passionate
discussions with friends and family, watching sports creates a shared experience that can bring people closer together.
Research suggests that individuals who identify strongly with a sports team are more likely to feel emotionally supported by fellow
supporters, which can increase self-esteem and life satisfaction. This sense of community can be particularly beneficial for anyone who
may be struggling with feelings of isolation or loneliness.
2.Be
__________
inspired
One of the most significant benefits of watching sports is its ability to inspire physical activity and involvement. Watching the skills of the
athletes, the high level of competition and the standout performances of the teams is a great way to inspire personal fitness goals. Whilst
watching the Olympics may not turn us into elite athletes, it can provide the initial spark needed to get moving and stay active.
The
dedication, discipline and resilience displayed by sports stars can serve as a powerful motivator for individuals pursuing their own goals,
whether they are related to fitness, career or personal development. This, in turn, increases confidence, self-esteem and produc

7.

3. ______________
Stress relief
Getting swept up in the action of a game can help you immerse yourself in the moment and let go of pent-up emotions. For those
who struggle to switch off from work-related activities and responsibilities, the excitement and buzz from watching sports can
provide a much-needed escape, helping to boost mood and lower stress levels.
self-esteem
4. Improved
___________________
A study in the journal Communication and Sport found that fans of winning sports teams had higher self-esteem two days following
a game. Researchers believe the boost in self-esteem stems from a psychological concept known as "basking in reflected glory."
This happens when you associate another person's achievement with your own because of your strong connection with a group.
Essentially, when the team succeeds, the fans feel shared victory, creating a sense of worth and pride.
sports can be a great way to spark social connections, inspire physical activity and support overall wellbeing.

8.

POST READING. EXERCISE 4. SCAN THE TEXT WHY SPORT MATTERS. DECIDE IF THE
FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE TRUE OR FALSE ACCORDING TO THE PASSAGE. (10 MINS)
1. Physical activity is the only way to improve wellbeing.
2.Watching sports can change the
reward system.
3.People who support a team may feel less lonely.
4.Watching the Olympics immediately makes everyone elite athletes.
5.Stress levels can go down when watching a game.
6.Fans can feel proud when their team wins.

9.

POST READING. EXERCISE 5. READ THE SENTENCE STARTERS BELOW.
1. THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN FEELINGS AND EXPERIENCES.
2.COMPLETE EACH SENTENCE IN 2 3 SENTENCES. TRY TO USE NEW VOCABULARY FROM THE TEXT
(E.G. SPARK, RESILIENCE, IMMERSE, PRIDE).
3.WRITE YOUR ANSWERS. (10 MINS)
1. Watching sports makes me feel
(Example: Watching sports makes me feel excited and connected to other people. I enjoy the
shared experience when everyone is cheering together.)
1. The last time I watched a game, I
(Example: The last time I watched a game, I immersed myself in the moment and felt proud
when my team won.)
1. I think sports can inspire people to
(Example: I think sports can inspire people to start exercising and set new personal goals, like
running more often.)

10.

THANK YOU!