Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Whenever people think about professional basketball, one name likely comes to mind: Michael Jordan. Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA between 1984 and 2003, earning awards and making records that have kept him popular even after he retired from the sport.
The shoe company Nike also capitalized on Jordan’s success. When Jordan started playing basketball in the NBA, Nike made a shoe for him. The next year in 1985, Nike decided to sell the shoe publicly, naming it the “Air Jordan” in honor of Michael Jordan. These shoes became so popular among fans and athletes that new versions are still sold today!
Do Gary and Rafael wear Air Jordans? Find out today in this English lesson about basketball.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Rafael: You know what basketball needs really badly right now?
Gary: Michael Jordan!
Rafael: Oh, yeah.
Gary: He hasn’t been playing for so many years, though. He retired.
Rafael: I know. He went and did golf or something.
Gary: Yep.
Rafael: But Nike makes millions off of those Air Jordans.
Gary: Yes! There seem to be new versions every year even though Michael Jordan has left the sport.
Rafael: Do they really help you jump higher? Have you tried them?
Gary: Maybe I could dunk if I put a pair on. I actually haven’t seen many friends wearing them. But I have to say I hear Air Jordans being referenced in music. I hear it on TV. I’m not seeing people wear them, but apparently, it’s really popular still, which blows my mind!
Rafael: Are you saying you can’t dunk now?
Gary: No, I can’t. I’m sad to say. You?
Rafael: Absolutely.
Gary: Seriously?
Rafael: Oh, yeah.
Gary: Oh, wow.
Rafael: Air Jordans or no Air Jordans, I can dunk in my sleep.
Gary: I’m going to have to go buy a pair of Air Jordans and see if I can keep up with you then.
Rafael: I recommend it.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Rafael and Gary are discussing Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time. Gary is amazed that he is still popular, even though he stopped playing basketball many years ago. Even more amazing is the fact that the Nike shoe, the Air Jordan, is still popular, too!
Air Jordans are supposed to help people be able to jump higher and dunk, like Michael Jordan, so Rafael asks Gary if he can dunk. Gary can’t, but Rafael can. In order to keep up with his friend, Gary thinks he should buy a pair of Air Jordans. If he wears them, maybe he’ll be able to jump high enough to dunk a basketball.
Is Michael Jordan still popular where you live? Do you think Air Jordans can help people jump higher?
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