Shape Up - Futty Danso of Timbers FC

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen

• shape up
• the pitch
• dialect
• shape

• MLS
• community outreach
• minor league
• defender

• called up

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen

The Portland Timbers are new to MLS this season, and one of their most popular players is Mamadou “Futty” Danso. Maybe fans like him because they can find the tall, fast Futty whether they’re watching the Timbers on TV or in person. He also does a lot of community outreach and was selected as the team’s Community Player of the Year last season when it was a minor league team.

In any case, soccer fans love this defender from the Gambia. Since he already scored a goal this season and was recently called up to play for the Gambian national team, he’s off to a good start. Like anyone, he can always improve, but he doesn’t need to shape up. If you tell someone to shape up, you’re asking them to get better at something or improve.

What the fans may not know about Futty is he speaks many different languages. We met with him after a training session so he could tell us about learning new languages and teach us what it means to say “shape up” on the pitch.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jason

Futty

Jason:  Alright, welcome to English, baby! I am Jason here with Futty. So you grew up in the Gambia and there’s a lot of English spoken there, right?

Futty:  Yes. A lot of English spoken, but most of the people speak their native dialects. We have like 7 of them. I’m a born Mandingo and I learned Wolof and Sarahole before I learned English.

Jason:  How old were you when you learned English?

Futty:  I would say, about 14, 15, that’s when I started pretty much. I went to a French school before I went to an English school, so I kinda like…I’m a late learner.

Jason:  What do you think is the best way to learn a language? What’s a strategy you use?

Futty:  I would say either stay with them, or if you live with them. Or if you have a friend that speaks it, everyday you try to learn something new.

Jason:  I gather there’s a phrase that you use, “shape up” or “shape.” Can you tell us about that?

Futty:  That’s pretty much to tell all the players next to you not to forget about our shape. If a player’s on my right, I’ll be like, “Hey, shape, shape.” Like, they will know at least to look left and right, know where we are, be ready, back fall, you know, where everybody’s supposed to be, at least try to keep our shape, either offensive or defensive.

Jason:  Futty says that when a soccer player shouts, “Shape up!” It means you should get back to your position. In life, “shape up” means improve or get better at something. Let’s hear Futty’s definition again.

Futty:  If a player’s on my right, I’ll be like, “Hey, shape, shape.” Like, they will know at least to look left and right, know where we are, be ready, back fall, you know, where everybody’s supposed to be, try to keep our shape. Either offensive or defensive.

Jason:  Thanks so much! Can I get you to give me a high five and say “English, baby!” up here?

Futty:  English, baby!

Jason:  Alright! Thanks, Futty!

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Simple Past Tense" from this lesson

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3