It is really short, just upwards of 2 minutes, and in the clip we learn some facts about Barca's soccer school, La Masia. One of the best-known Barca players, Cesc Fabregas, is also interviewed.
The listening activity is suitable for Básico 2 students.
Self-study activity:
Watch the news clip and complete the blanks in the transcript with the missing information.
What has made this Barca team so extraordinary? It all started in this (1) ... century farm house called La Masia. In the (2) ... it was transformed into a soccer training camp for children. Barca scouts looked everywhere for (3) ... kids. Any boy over the age of 11 was eligible. The lucky came here, got a free education and soccer training. The dream of every kid was to cross the street, just a minute away to the Barca stadium. Today, 17 of the 25 players on Barca’s first team came through this system.
La Masia moved to its sparkling new (4) ... one year ago and now looks like any other international prep school. (5) ... ... , lots of carbohydrates and after a long day at school, there’s homework with tutors, and training, and more training, and then a little recreation of a sort. They don’t (6) ... ... bed before 11.
Cesc Fabregas also came to La Masia when he was 10 years old.
What was it like to be a 10-year-old at this place?
I was very lucky and not just talking about the football. I’m talking about manners, (7) ... , education at school. The only thing is that you have to study a lot…
Very strict, eh?
Yes, they are very strict, but it’s (8) ... it.
What if you really liked to have a good time, go out in downtown and…
You'll be out very, very quick.
But look at these kids when they are doing what they came here to do. These tykes are 10 years old. They do not mess around. They’ve been (9) ... the Barca doctrine, keep passing the ball, caress it, learn to love it. They are (10) ... in the making. Here’s a future goalie. Always scores of soccer senioras in the stands.
Key:
1 eighteenth 2 1970s 3 talented 4 facilities 5 Communal living 6 get to 7 values 8 worth 9 taught 10 magicians
