Learn English Through Football Podcast

Football tactics: Why are football formations important? What is the difference between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3? This week, languagecaster.com takes a look at how teams line up and how formations affect a game.

This week on languageacster.com, we spotlight the run in to the title in the J League in Japan, looking at who can win it and at a big team staring at relegation.

Main Report: The Japanese J League - who will clinch the title? And will we see Urawa in J2 next season?

Our review of the footballing news, a main report on the South American World cup qualifiers, an English for football phrase, and predictions.

On this week's podcast our German correspondent Hans takes a look at this season's Bundesliga - the German league

On this week's main report, Hans, our German correspondent spotlights Bayern Munich, a team that has had a fantastic start to the season in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.

This week's podcast looks at La Liga: which teams will struggle? Which teams will be fighting for the title and a Champions League spot.

This week's main report takes a look at this season's Spanish League: La Liga 2011-12. This report has a transcript and explanations of key vocabulary

Your Favourite Team's Best Ever XI: What has been the best ever side to represent your favourite club? In the sixth podcast of season 6, the team at languagecaster.com takes a look at Tottenham's best ever side - the 1961 Double-winning side.

Who is the greatest player to have played for your favourite team? What was your greatest moment as a fan? Who has been your favourite manager? These and other similar questions are often asked by football supporters all over the world and so on this week's main report we ask what has been the best ever side in your favourite club's history with Damian focusing on the Spurs team from 1961-63.

After lots of European action last week with the national teams, it's time for the clubs to get in on the action. On this week's podcast, the team at languagecaster.com previews the Champions League group stage as the teams kick off next week.

It's Champions League Group Stage time! Which one is the group of death? Which teams are the dark horses? And which big teams have the easiest rides? We've got it all at languagecaster.com

This week, languagecaster.com previews the European Championship qualifiers as they begin to approach the business end of the qualifying stages.

Preview of Spurs: On the third podcast of season 6, the team at languagecaster.com takes a look at Tottenham's chances this season...

The first podcast of season 6 at languagecaster.com - all our usual features and this week a preview of Liverpool's chances

The Premier League has just kicked off and Damon and Damian take a look at their respective team's chances. First, Damon, looking ahead to his team's Liverpool's 2011-12 season.

The last podcast of the season, but we'll be back over the summer with Women's WC and Copa America action

Damon and Damian review Liverpool's and Tottenham's seasons.

This week we explain the cliche 'to leave everything on the pitch' which means that...

The 2011 Spanish League season has ended and on this week's main report we take a look back at some of the highs and lows of the La Liga.

The 2011 Premier League season has come to an end and the winners and losers have been decided. On this week's main report we take a look back at some of the highs and lows of the English football season.

In Europe the football seasons are coming to a close, but in the Bundesliga in Germany the last games are more controversial than normal.

In Europe the football seasons are coming to a close, but in the Bundesliga in Germany the last games are more controversial than normal.

In this listening report we look back at a podcast from October 2008 when we featured a campaign by the organisation Kick It Out which has set up an anti-racism campaign in England.

This week's podcast features one of the greatest managers in the modern game: Sir Alex Ferguson.

With Manchester United on the verge of a record-breaking 19th league title and a Champions League final to look forward to, this week languagecaster profiles the Red Devils Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

We've seen one player this year challenge for the title of best player in the world, Messi, so this week languagecaster takes a look at one of the past greats of the game - Johan Cruyff. As always, on this week's free pod you can also: Listen only to the main report here - complete with transcript and vocabulary Learners of English can review the footballing news from around the world in our good, the bad and the ugly section of the show Check out a new football expression in English for Football For learners of English check out our Football Language Resources page with: A page with all our Football vocabulary posts Football glossary (a huge collection of football vocabulary, football cliches and football phrases) Worksheets and transcripts from previous podcasts Automatically receive the podcast each week by clicking here //

The Champions League has reached the semi-final stage and on this week's show we preview the upcoming games between Schalke and Manchester United and of course the third clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

2011 Champions League Semi-Final: This week languagecaster previews the semi-finals of the Champions League and attempts to predict the finalists at Wembley in May.

The Copa del Rey: The Copa del Rey takes place this week in Valencia between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The languagecaster team takes a look at the second of four...

All you need to know about Real Madrid and Barcelona on this week's languagecaster.com English for football podcast - for learners of English who love soccer

4 Things to Know about Barcelona and Real Madrid

It's the business end of the season so on this week's podcast we take a look at the big European leagues and try to predict which teams will be champions at the end of the season. Remember on this week's podcast you can also: Listen only to the main report here - complete with transcript and vocabulary Learners of English can review the footballing news from around the world in our good, the bad and the ugly section of the show Check out a new football expression in English for Football For learners of English check out our Football Language Resources page with: A page with all our Football vocabulary posts Football glossary (a huge collection of football vocabulary, football cliches and football phrases) Worksheets and transcripts from previous podcasts Automatically receive the podcast each week by clicking here //

On this week's podcast we offer some suggestions to Fabio Capello, the Italian England manager, to help him increase his 100 vocabulary list. Remember on this week's podcast you can also: Listen only to the main report here - complete with transcript and vocabulary Learners of English can review the footballing news from around the world in our good, the bad and the ugly section of the show Check out a new football expression in English for Football For learners of English check out our Football Language Resources page with: A page with all our Football vocabulary posts Football glossary (a huge collection of football vocabulary, football cliches and football phrases) Worksheets and transcripts from previous podcasts Automatically receive the podcast each week by clicking here //

Fabio Capello has been in charge of England for three years yet he feels he only needs 100 words to get his message across. Therefore, this week's main report wonders whether a football manager needs to be able to speak the language of his or her players.

Languagecaster weekly football phrase: Pull the trigger

On this week's podcast we preview the qualifiers for the European Championships in 2012. Remember on this week's podcast you can also: Listen only to the main report here - complete with transcript and vocabulary Learners of English can review the footballing news from around the world in our good, the bad and the ugly section of the show Check out a new football expression in English for Football For learners of English check out our Football Language Resources page with: A page with all our Football vocabulary posts Football glossary (a huge collection of football vocabulary, football cliches and football phrases) Worksheets and transcripts from previous podcasts Automatically receive the podcast each week by clicking here //

[print_link] | Subscribe: Main Listening Report | Complete List Here This week's main report looks at the qualifying groups of the 2012 European Championships that will take place in Ukraine and Poland next summer. There is a transcript below, while explanations of key vocabulary (in bold) can be found at the foot of the post. Introduction The 2012 European Championship qualifiers resume this weekend and we take a look at how the groups currently stand and offer a tentative prediction on which 14 teams will join the Ukraine and Poland in the tournament next summer. Each of the nine group winners automatically qualify, along with the best runner-up, while the remaining eight second-place teams in each group will play-off to produce four more qualifying teams. Groups A and B Group A seems to be fairly clear-cut for Germany who are already five points ahead of second place Austria. The Austrians are battling it out for second place with Guus Hiddink's Turkey and a Belgium side that were tipped by many to progress but who still only have 4 points from 4 matches. Turkey slumped to two recent defeats - a 3-0 thrashing against the fancied Germans and then more surprisingly 1-0 against minnows Azerbaijan, while Austria and Belgium payed out a crazy 4-4 draw recently. Hidink's team, however,A should have enough experience to bounce back and claim second spot behind the Germans. In group B, Russia are top with 9 points from 4 games with the Republic of Ireland, surprise package Armenia and Slovakia all on 7 points. It seems that no one wants to win the group, or perhaps that should be that no one is good enough to win the group and this means that this group will go down to the wire. Irish coach Trapattonni continues with his rather conservative approach to the game and this may cost the Irish a place in the finals though they should be good enough to come second behind an inconsistent Russia side. Groups C and D Italy comfortably lead group C with 10 points from 4 games and the Azzurri are three points clear of second place Slovenia who they face this weekend. Surprisingly Serbia have performed poorly in the group and they may have difficulty in qualifying after the bad behaviour of their fans in Milan saw the Italians being awarded the points and a shock home defeat against Estonia has seen them drop to fifth place in the group. Italy will definitely make it through while a surprise package such as Estonia or Northern Ireland could grab second spot. Group D is another 'strange' group and though the French side are top of the group with ten points they have already suffered a shock defeat at home to Belarus. Romania's poor form has seen them gain only two points and has allowed both Belarus and Bosnia to dream of qualifying, though I still expect them to come back into some kind of form and finish second behind the French. Groups E and F Beaten World Cup finalists Holland lead the way in group E with maximum points from their four games and they lead Hungary by three points. The Hungarians have only tasted defeat once but that was against Sweden who will be their greatest threat to second place. Group F is regarded as the weakest of all the groups and currently Croatia top the table with ten points from 4. They are followed by former winners Greece and Georgia, with Israel already appearing out of contention. Croatia first and Greece second. Groups G, H and I England appear to be favourites to qualify from group G though they currently sit in second place after their home scoreless draw with leaders Montenegro. It seems like a straight battle between these two as the remaining teams (Bulgaria, Switzerland and Wales) are already so far behind. Group H is much trickier to predict with three teams fighting it out for the two top places. Currently Norway are top with three wins from their three games though a resurgent Portugal are breathing down their necks in second place, while Denmark are in third three points behind the leaders. The current European and World champions Spain lead group I with three wins out of three and are odds-on to qualify directly. The battle for second place is between Scotland, Lithuania and the slight favourites the Czech Republic. So, after this week's matches the tables will become a little clearer but I am still going to hazard a guess at the nine group winners: Germany, Russia, Spain, Italy, England, France, Croatia and Portugal should all make it through directly as group winners. Vocabulary clear-cut: To be obvious, very clear slumped to two recent defeats: Slumped suggests that they fell badly; to lose badly or unexpectedly the fancied Germans: Germany was expected to win minnows: A small team not expected to do well surprise package: A team that no one really expects to do well go down to the wire: Very tight and close so that nothing will be decided until the last games awarded the points: Italy were given a 3-0 victory after Serbian fans caused tr

Languagecaster Football Phrase of the Week: To Play a Blinder

On this week's podcast we preview the Champions League quarter-final match-ups. Remember on this week's podcast you can also: Listen only to the main report here - complete with transcript and vocabulary Learners of English can review the footballing news from around the world in our good, the bad and the ugly section of the show Check out a new football expression in English for Football For learners of English check out our Football Language Resources page with: A page with all our Football vocabulary posts Football glossary (a huge collection of football vocabulary, football cliches and football phrases) Worksheets and transcripts from previous podcasts Automatically receive the podcast each week by clicking here //

[print_link] | Subscribe: Main Listening Report | Complete List Here This week's main report previews the quarter-final matches from the Champions League and asks which team can win the trophy in Wembley in May. There is a transcript below, while explanations of key vocabulary (in bold) can be found at the foot of the post. Transcript All of the second round matches of the Champions League have now been completed leaving three teams from England, two from Spain and one each from Italy, Germany and the Ukraine to battle it out to decide this year's best team in European club football. The draw has been made and on this week's main listening report we take a look at the quarter-final match-ups. Real Madrid-Tottenham As a Spurs fan this was exactly the tie I wanted as this could (realistically) be our only run in the Champions League for a while. The glamour, history and attacking talent of the nine-time winners of this competition, Madrid, will have White Hart Lane buzzing though the Spurs fans will be hoping that the tie will not have gone beyond them by the return leg. Madrid boss, Jose Mourinho knows the Premier League well, has a European pedigree that has hardly been bettered by anyone and is a master tactician but he knows that his Madrid will have to be aware of the threat of Bale and Lennon on the flanks and ex-Madridista Van De Vaart playing up front. Tottenham have already put out AC Milan, can they go one better? Unfortunately I doubt it. Chelsea-Manchester United This all-English tie guarantees that one team from the Premier League will be in the semi-final - unlike last season - and this one really is too close to call. A Brazilian colleague called this a 'big English battle' and he is not wrong. The games will be tight and will probably be decided by one goal - no doubt a controversial one at that. Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea boss has a very good track record in European competitions while his Manchester United counterpart Ferguson is looking for his third win, one that may then see him retire from the game. Chelsea seem to be finding their form while United have been badly hit by injuries, however I am still going for a Red Devils' victory. Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk Favourites against dark horses. The teams that no one really wanted to face have ended up playing each other. We all know about Barcelona and their style of football, a style that saw them win the title two years ago and reach the semi-final last year. Shakhtar are no mugs however and also won a European title two years ago - The Europa League. They are a side packed with talented Brazilians and the Catalan side will not relish a trip to the imposing Donbass Arena, they will probably need a two-goal cushion to feel confident of progressing. I think they will make it through, though not as easily as many have predicted. Internazionale v Schalke The holders against the outsiders. Inter's comeback againt Bayern Munich was the stuff of heroes and this will no doubt galvanise them to maybe go on and retain the title. Schalke are under-performing in the Bundesliga and have just fired their coach Magath so they seem to be in some sort of disarray though Champions League top scorer Raul lines up in their side. Inter have too much experience, too much fire-power and too much class to fail. So, our predictions here see Real Madrid playing Barcelona and Manchester United playing Inter Milan in the semi-finals but as we know not only have our predictions been a little wayward this season but anything can happen in football. // Vocabulary White Hart Lane: The home stadium of Tottenham buzzing: Very excited indeed has a European pedigree: His success in European competitions is one of the best on the flanks: The wide players, players on the wings, wingers can they go one better?: Can Spurs win through another round? too close to call: Difficult to predict has a very good track record: Anceloti has performed well in European competitions; has a good history counterpart: Colleague; equivalent Red Devils' victory: A Manchester United win are no mugs: Are not stupid; they will not be easy to beat will not relish a trip: Will not fancy; are not looking forward to a two-goal cushion: A two-goal lead (to protect) to be in some sort of disarray: In a mess; chaos a little wayward: Not always that good!

Every week during the 2010-11 season, the languagecaster team explain a football phrase or cliche for learners of English who love the sport. This week is the phrase 'On aggregate'

[print_link] | Subscribe: Main Listening Report | Complete List Here On this week's main report we take a look at the beginning of the season and see how our predictions at that time have panned out. There is a transcript below, while explanations of key vocabulary (in bold) can be found at the foot of the post. Transcript Ten or less games to go in the Premier League and with the FA Cup taking centre stage this weekend it's a good time to revisit the start of the season and some predictions we at languagecaster.com had then. Damian and myself started by looking at how our teams, Tottenham and Liverpool, would fare in the 2010 season. I predicted Liverpool would make the Europa League semi final and the FA Cup semis or even the final - Wrong! Of course, Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by big rivals Manchester United in Kenny Dalglish's first game in charge, but they still can progress in the Europa League, but need to beat Portuguese outfit, Braga, at Anfield by two goals or more to do so. I also guessed the Reds would get a top four spot with Roy Hodgson steadying the ship. I also was fairly positive about some of Liverpool's summer signings, Poulson, Cole and Jovanovic. Well, Hodgson was sacked after a dreadful run and those three players I mentioned have all failed to impress. I didn't foresee Kenny's return, Torres leaving, and I was wrong about a top four finish, barring a miracle. I also hoped that the ownership problems would be resolved and thankfully they were, and now Liverpool have no debt and have splashed out all the money they recouped from Torres sale on two interesting signings, Suarez and Carol. So, here are my revised predictions. Liverpool will finish sixth, out of the places for Europe. They will be knocked out of the Europa League by Braga next week on away goals. But the new owners will announce plans for a new development of Anfield, expanding it to a 60,000-seater, and a lot of the dead wood in the squad will be cut out and some new signings will be added to players from the youth team to make the 2011 season one to look forward to. What about Damian and Tottenham. Well, here's Damian on the new signing Gallas and Spurs' first tilt at the Champions League. "Surprisingly for Harry Redknapp, the club has only moved for Gallas during the transfer window who joins along with Brazilian midfield star, Sandro who was signed in March. The feeling is that we are one or two big signings away from a real push for success so next week's Champions League qualifier takes on an even more important role as players may decide to come to a club in rather than out of the top European club competition." Well, I think Damian has got what he wanted, a strengthened squad, as perhaps the Premier Leagues best bit of business, Van der Vaart joined Gallas and Sandro to really beef up the London side's squad. And as for his predictions, well, he guessed Tottenham would finish 4th and have a 'fun run' in the Champions League. Well, they are in contention for fourth but need to overhaul Chelsea, but they are certainly having a great run in the Champions League making it to the quarter finals after beating two giants of Italian football, Inter and AC Milan, on the way. Can they get that fourth spot? Well, they can do it, but they need Manchester City or Chelsea to slip up. I think they will do it at the expense of Manchester City. I think it's safe to say that Spurs have had the better season so far, but at least Liverpool can look forward with new owners and popular and effective new manager. Vocabulary pan out: a casual expression meaning - to work out; turn out; result in something take centre stage: be the most important action, be the main focus in charge: in control, to be the leader outfit: team steady the ship: make things calm, make the situation safe after a difficult time fail to impress: do not live up to expectations, to not make people impressed splash out: spend a lot of money, be extravagant away goals: in two leg ties (home and away) if you score a goal away it counts more than one scored at home. When results are tied, then the team with more away goals wins dead wood: something not wanted, something old and not useful new signing: new player, new addition to the team beef up: strengthen, improve overhaul: overtake, move above in the league

On this week's podcast we interview two fans who talk about their first ever game experience. Remember on this week's podcast you can also: Listen only to the main report here - complete with transcript and vocabulary Learners of English can review the footballing news from around the world in our good, the bad and the ugly section of the show Check out a new football expression in English for Football For learners of English check out our Football Language Resources page with: A page with all our Football vocabulary posts Football glossary (a huge collection of football vocabulary, football cliches and football phrases) Worksheets and transcripts from previous podcasts Automatically receive the podcast each week by clicking here //

[print_link] | Subscribe: Main Listening Report | Complete List Here This week's main report asks a couple of fans about their first ever football match experience. There is a transcript below, while explanations of key vocabulary (in bold) can be found at the foot of the post. Transcript Steve: Fulham-Sunderland 1972 Damian: Right, continuing our series of do you remember the first time you went to a football game we have Steve. He's gonna' tell us about his first football experience. Steve, how are you doing? Steve: I'm very well thank you, very well. And I remember my first football experience very clearly. I would have been around 6 years old, it would have been about 1972 and I went with my grandfather who lived next door to the Fulham ground. And we went to see Fulham against Sunderland. And I remember we lost, we lost 2-1 but Fulham, when I say 'we' I mean Fulham, Fulham did score the best goal so that made up for it in some ways. And the other thing I remember really clearly at half-time my granddad got a flask of hot chocolate out of his bag and we sat there drinking the hot chocolate and reading the programme and I loved it. Damian: Is there anything else that you can remember from that day? Steve: Yes, I remember the first time of ever seeing a full-size football pitch. I remember coming up the steps into the stadium and then the pitch opening up in front of me and it just seemed enormous. The goals seemed so big and the roar of the crowd ... the atmosphere inside the game and I think... I think from that moment I was hooked... I was hooked on football. Lena: Man Utd - Bolton 2001Damian: OK, continuing in our series of do you remember your first football game, we've got Lena here today. Hi Lena, how are you doing? Lena: Fine thank you Damian: So, Lena can you tell me a little about your first football memory? Lena: Well, the first time I went to a game here in the UK was to go up to see Man United and they were playing Bolton and I remember there was problems getting there, train...whatever so we were late. So my boyfriend at the time was very, very angry that we missed the first bit and then thing just got worse because then they lost 2-0 which was ... you know... shouldn't have happened. So, yes, he was getting more and more angry and... everyone around us was just getting infuriated because, you know, they weren't expected to lose against Bolton and ... and I remember being very ... well, quite shocked at how angry people were getting and just how, you know, they were just spitting with rage and red faced and you know, I thought they were just going to have a coronary these people around me. And I just thought this is not good. And that was my first impression of Premier League football. // Vocabulary I would have been around 6 years old: Here Steve is speculating on his age at that time in the past - he is pretty sure that he was 7. (Note: It would have been around 6:30 when it happened - it was probably around 6:30) made up for it : He took some comfort from the defeat; he was upset that Fulham lost but at least they scored a very good goal. a flask: Something to carry hot or cold drinks in reading the programme : Every team produces some information for each game and this is known as the match programme opening up in front of me: The view before him seemed to get bigger (sense of enormity) The goals: The nets, the place where players score goals! I was hooked: I was addicted to the game my boyfriend at the time: This expression means that they are no longer together as a couple getting infuriated: Really angry spitting with rage and red faced : Even angrier! to have a coronary:They were so angry Lena thought they would have a heart attack

This week's phrase is 'an off the ball incident'

On this week's languagecaster podcast find out about planned changes to the FA Cup, listen to a round up of some of the big stories from last week, learn what 'to draw a blank' means and more. Listen only to the main report here - complete with transcript and vocabulary Learners of English can review the footballing news from around the world in our good, the bad and the ugly section of the show Check out a new football expression in English for Football For learners of English check out our Football Language Resources page with: A page with all our Football vocabulary posts Football glossary (a huge collection of football vocabulary, football cliches and football phrases) Worksheets and transcripts from previous podcasts Automatically receive the podcast each week by clicking here //

What does 'draw a blank' mean?

This week's main report talks about the English FA Cup competition.

On this week's podcast we feature one of the greatest striker's of this generation, Ronaldo, who retired this week. Remember on this week's podcast you can also: Listen only to the main report here - complete with transcript and vocabulary Learners of English can review the footballing news from around the world in our good, the bad and the ugly section of the show Check out a new football expression in English for Football For learners of English check out our Football Language Resources page with: A page with all our Football vocabulary posts Football glossary (a huge collection of football vocabulary, football cliches and football phrases) Worksheets and transcripts from previous podcasts Automatically receive the podcast each week by clicking here //