Gangs and Football supporters

Monday, March 4th, 2013 (Lesson 28)


What do you find most shocking about the text on p. 46?

What was mind-blowing was the initiation ceremonies, especially the ones for girls.

They seem so barbaric that not many people live to see their 30's: the phrase  "violence takes a huge toll' means that many of them die as a result of the violence.
 
The interview of one of the gang members, Melvi, gives an insight into what the text explores: 
He gives short, incisive answers (this is probably because it is normal to want to to sound tough)
He talks of the city as a place where he can’t walk freely (the limits of territories dictated by the walls)
The reasons for joining the gang are quite clear: feeling of revenge, search for identity and an innate feeling


The article resembles what happens in this movie, Freedom Writers.

To find similarities between gangs and football supporters we have to think of the following generalizations: 
  
Some football supporters are gang members

Not all football supporters are gang members

(In general) Gang members are football supporters

Gang members pretend to be football supporters

Presenting arguments and counter-arguments p.47

1. Some similarities between gangs and football supporters

• the way they dress or the dress code
• the language - slang, signs, jargon
• the behavior - aggressive, instinctive, herd-like
• the age groups - 18-30

2. Which of the sentences do you agree with?

Being a football fan is giving up your identity to your club
Women will never play for male teams
Football players make too much money
Drugs in sport should be legalized
Most hooligans come from underprivileged backgrounds
There us far too much football on TV

ex. 3 The counter arguments used in the dialogs

 (1)  I know what you mean, but …
 (2) *That’s what people think, but …
 (3) *But that overlooks the fact that …
 (4)  Do you really think so? I mean, ..;
 (5) *That’s not always the case, …
 (6) *That’s true to a certain extent, but …

The sentences with an asterisk * are used in formal writing. Here are some more examples:

As I understand it, …
It goes without saying …
As far as I’m concerned, …

These are more informal:  
You don’t …
The way I see it, …
Let’s face it, …

That’s what people think. …

Informal - Formal phrases
1. c
2. d
3. a/e
4. f
5. a/e
6. b
 

Which of topics below would you like to write about?

1.  People don't complain about problems as much as they should
2. Advice columns in newspapers are a waste of time
3. Companies use body language as a form of discrimination against interview candidates
4. Sports personalities make too much money

Cast your vote in the Comments Box below.