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This podcast is designed to give English students extra practice by discussing events, history, culture and language.
It’s Autumn – Time for Sports – B1+ level
Hello and welcome back to the VivaLing podcast!
Autumn is here, and that means many things: cool weather, colorful trees, tasty food, and of course… sports!
In many countries, autumn is the start of a new sports season. Fans wait all summer for the games to begin again.
But instead of telling you directly about a sport, I will give you clues about the popular fall sports in different countries. Your job is to guess the sport. And after that, I’ll tell you about one famous team or competition in that country.
Let’s begin!
Our first stop is the United States.
This sport is very popular there. Players wear helmets and strong shoulder pads. They run, pass, and kick an oval-shaped ball on a large green field with white lines. The game is very physical, and the matches usually last for about three hours.
Can you guess the sport?
Yes, it’s American football!
In autumn, or as we Americans call it, fall, the season of the NFL—the National Football League—begins. Every Sunday, millions of people watch games on TV or go to the stadium. One of the most famous teams is the Dallas Cowboys, sometimes called “America’s Team.” Fans all over the country dress up in blue and silver shirts and even paint their faces to support the team.
Now, let’s travel to Japan.
This sport needs a racket and a yellow ball. Two or four players hit the ball over a net, and the game can be played a singles or doubles. It’s fast, it’s exciting, and it’s very popular sport in schools and clubs.
What sport is it?
Yes, of course—it’s tennis!
Autumn is a great season for tennis in Japan because the weather is cooler after the hot summer. In October, Tokyo hosts the Japan Open, a big tennis competition. Many top international players come to compete. Japanese fans especially love watching their own stars, like Naomi Osaka, who has won Grand Slam tournaments.
Next, let’s fly to Spain.
This sport is loved by millions of fans, not only in Spain but all around the world. (Two teams try to score goals by kicking a round ball into the net. The players wear a team uniform, which consists of a jersey, shorts, and long socks with shin guards underneath.
Can you guess?
Easy, right? It’s football, or soccer according to Americans.
In Spain, the league called La Liga begins in late summer and continues through the autumn. One of the most famous clubs is FC Barcelona, also called “Barça.” Another is Real Madrid. Their match together, called El Clásico, is one of the most exciting games of the autumn, with fans watching everywhere—from Madrid and Barcelona to Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
And finally, let’s head to New Zealand.
In this country, one sport is almost like a religion. Players wear shorts and jerseys, but no helmets or heavy pads like American football. They run, pass, kick, and tackle. The ball is not round, and the game is very physical and fast.
Do you know it?
Yes, of course—it’s rugby!
New Zealand has one of the most famous rugby teams in the world: the All Blacks. Before each match, they perform the haka, a traditional Māori dance, to show their strength and spirit. In autumn, many international rugby matches take place, and New Zealand fans proudly support their team.
So, autumn is more than just colorful leaves and pumpkin soup. It’s also the start of exciting sports seasons around the world. We learned about American football and the Dallas Cowboys in the U.S., tennis and the Japan Open in Tokyo, football and La Liga in Spain, and rugby with the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Which sport do you enjoy the most in autumn, and which team do you support?