brightlivesenglish.com/lessons/emil-zatopek-first-marathon/
45-minute lesson plan
| Time | Stage | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3′ | Warm-up | Ask the class: “What is the longest race you have ever run or walked? How did you feel?” Let a few students answer. |
| 3–13′ | Words | Pre-teach the 5 words with the flashcards: army, train, heavy, boot, marathon. Say each word, show the meaning, and ask for a quick example. |
| 13–20′ | Video | Play the video (3:59). Students follow the transcript. Play it a second time if needed. |
| 20–28′ | Comprehension | Worksheet C (or the online Story Challenge): check answers together. Ask “How do you know?” |
| 28–35′ | Grammar | even + word or phrase: to show that something is surprising. Show “He trained every day, even in the snow.”, then do worksheet E together. |
| 35–43′ | Worksheet | Students do worksheet A, B and D alone or in pairs. Check with the answer key. |
| 43–45′ | Speaking | In pairs: “Emil gave one of his gold medals to another runner. Why do you think he did that? Would you do it?” |
Homework: students finish the lesson online (flashcards + Story Challenge). With your class link, you see who finished.
Words and grammar
- army (noun): a big group of soldiers who fight for a country. “He joined the army.”
- train (verb): to practise for a sport. “He trained very hard.”
- heavy (adjective): not easy to lift. “His army boots were heavy.”
- boot (noun): a big, strong shoe that covers the ankle. “He ran in army boots.”
- marathon (noun): a very long race, about 42 kilometres. “He had never run a marathon.”
Grammar: even + word or phrase — to show that something is surprising. “He trained every day, even in the snow.”
Discussion questions
- Emil gave one of his gold medals to another runner. Why do you think he did that? Would you do it?
- What was the hardest moment in Emil Zátopek's story? What did Emil Zátopek do?
- Make two sentences about your own life with “even + word or phrase”. (From the story: “He trained every day, even in the snow.”)
Student worksheet
A Match the words to their meanings
- army (noun)
- train (verb)
- heavy (adjective)
- boot (noun)
- marathon (noun)
- lap (noun)
- sweat (verb)
- record-breaker (noun)
- one time around a running track
- a big group of soldiers who fight for a country
- a big, strong shoe that covers the ankle
- to practise for a sport
- not easy to lift
- to get wet on your skin because you are hot or working hard
- a very long race, about 42 kilometres
- a person who does something better or faster than anyone before
B Complete the sentences from the story
lap · record-breaker · army · heavy · boots · marathon · sweated · trained
- He was a : he set 18 world records.
- In training, he ran after lap.
- He ran in army .
- He had never run a .
- His army boots were .
- He joined the .
- He very hard.
- He in the hot sun.
C Did you understand?
- Emil had run many marathons before 1952.True / False
- What did he wear when he trained in the snow?
- Sandals
- No shoes
- Heavy army boots
- Skis
- Who in his family won a gold medal on the same day?
- Jim Peters
- His wife Dana
- His brother
- Nobody
- Jim Peters said the pace was too slow.True / False
D Put the words in order
- in / the / trained / even / snow / every / He / day
E Grammar: even + word or phrase
We use it for to show that something is surprising. He trained every day, even in the snow. · He even gave one of his gold medals to another runner.
Example from the story: He trained every day, even in the snow.
- He trained every day, in the snow. (even / ever / every)
- He gave one of his gold medals to another runner. (even / ever / every)
- We use even for something . (surprising / normal / boring)
F Your turn
Retell Emil Zátopek's story in 5–6 sentences. Use at least three words from exercise A.
Answer key
A. 1b 2d 3e 4c 5g 6a 7f 8h
B. 1 record-breaker · 2 lap · 3 boots · 4 marathon · 5 heavy · 6 army · 7 trained · 8 sweated
C. 1 False · 2 c · 3 b · 4 True
D. 1 He trained every day even in the snow.
E. 1 even · 2 even · 3 surprising
Transcript
He had never run a marathon.
His first one was at the Olympics.
This is the story of Emil Zátopek.
Welcome to brightlivesenglish.com, where we teach real English using real-life stories.
Army. An army is a big group of soldiers.
He joined the army.
Train. To train means to practise for a sport.
He trained very hard.
Heavy. Heavy means not easy to lift.
His army boots were heavy.
Boot. A boot is a big, strong shoe.
He ran in army boots.
Marathon. A marathon is a very long race, about 42 kilometres.
He had never run a marathon.
Now, one pattern: even.
We use it for a surprise.
He trained every day.
He trained every day, even in the snow.
Ready? Let's begin.
Emil was born in Czechoslovakia in 1922.
His factory made him run in a race.
He did not want to, but only one runner was faster!
After the war, he joined the army.
He trained very hard.
He trained every day, even in the snow.
He ran in army boots.
His army boots were heavy!
In 1952, at the Olympics in Helsinki, he won the 10,000 metres.
Four days later, he won the 5,000 metres too!
That same day, his wife Dana won a gold medal in the javelin.
And they were born on the same day!
Then came the marathon.
He had never run a marathon.
Could he win?
He ran next to Jim Peters, the favourite.
Emil asked Peters if the pace was OK.
Peters said it was too slow.
So Emil ran faster.
He won, and the crowd shouted his name!
He is still the only runner to win all three races at one Olympics.
Years later, he even gave one of his gold medals to another runner!
Let's review. He joined the army.
He trained very hard.
His army boots were heavy.
He ran in army boots.
He had never run a marathon.
And remember: he trained every day, even in the snow.
Emil Zátopek's story teaches us: hard work can take you further than you think.
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