One of Latin America’s most anticipated annual sporting events, the Acapulco Tennis Open, offers a unique cultural and educational experience for English language learners. Held in the stunning coastal city of Acapulco, this event is in its 27th year and brings together tennis champions from around the world each February. For TESOL teachers, this grand tournament isn’t just a thrilling sporting occasion—it’s a perfect opportunity to integrate real-world events into English learning.
Incorporating popular events like the Acapulco Tennis Open into your lessons can make language learning both exciting and relatable. This article shares how you can engage students with activities and lesson ideas inspired by the Open, helping them practice English while diving into the world of international sports.
Why Use the Acapulco Tennis Open in the TESOL Classroom?
Sports events are powerful teaching tools for multiple reasons:
- Cultural Exposure: Events like the Acapulco Tennis Open introduce students to global sports culture and customs.
- Real-World Vocabulary: Discussing sports terms, scores, and athlete bios adds meaningful vocabulary.
- Engagement: Connecting language learning to current events keeps students interested and motivated.
- Critical Thinking: Analyzing games, predicting outcomes, and discussing strategies improve comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Activities and Lesson Ideas Inspired by the Acapulco Tennis Open
1. Tennis Terminology Match-Up
- Objective: Expand sports vocabulary.
- Materials: Flashcards with tennis terms (e.g., serve, match point, volley, grand slam).
- Activity: Introduce students to common tennis terms and phrases by creating flashcards. Divide the class into pairs and challenge them to match the term with its definition. For extra practice, students can create example sentences using each term or identify them in articles about the tournament.
2. Player Profiles: Writing Practice
- Objective: Improve writing and research skills.
- Materials: Internet access, worksheets.
- Activity: Assign each student a tennis player participating in the Open. Students research their player’s background, nationality, playing style, and notable wins, then write a short biography. Have them present their profiles to the class, turning it into a mini “press conference” where classmates ask questions.
3. Scoreboard Speaking and Listening
- Objective: Practice listening and pronunciation of numbers and scores.
- Materials: Scoreboards or access to live match scores.
- Activity: Have students listen to a match and record the scores as they hear them. Then, practice announcing the scores to a partner, helping with pronunciation and cadence. This activity builds listening precision, number comprehension, and public speaking confidence.
4. Fantasy Tournament Predictions
- Objective: Practice prediction language and future tense.
- Materials: Tournament bracket sheets.
- Activity: Provide students with the tournament bracket and ask them to predict the winners of each match. They can discuss their predictions in small groups, using phrases like “I think [player] will win because…” or “I predict that…” After the actual matches, students can compare their predictions with the results, practicing past tense for review.
5. Acapulco Tourism Brochure Project
- Objective: Boost descriptive writing and presentation skills.
- Materials: Paper, colored pencils, or computer design tools.
- Activity: Introduce students to the city of Acapulco, known for its beaches, vibrant nightlife, and scenic beauty. Then, task them with creating a brochure that promotes the Acapulco Tennis Open and the city as a tourist destination. Students describe popular sites, local foods, and cultural attractions, practicing persuasive language. Display the brochures around the classroom as a mini “travel fair.”
6. Interview with a Champion: Role-Play Activity
- Objective: Develop speaking and questioning skills.
- Materials: Microphones or pretend press badges.
- Activity: In pairs, have one student role-play as a famous tennis player and the other as a journalist. Journalists prepare questions, and players respond as if they were discussing their experience in the Acapulco Tennis Open. Switch roles to give everyone a chance to practice both interviewing and responding in character.
Additional Resources
- Watch Match Highlights: Many matches are available online. Show clips to discuss play strategies, practice listening, and analyze player movements.
- Follow the Tournament on Social Media: Use the official hashtags or accounts to stay updated on tournament news. This can provide fresh content and additional English practice.
One of the biggest and most exciting sporting events in Latin America is the Tennis Open which is held in Acapulco. This year marks the 27th anniversary, and tickets are available now for February when champions from around the world compete in the ambiance of one of America’s most serene settings. Learn more about the Acapulco Tennis Open.
American TESOL offers a certification to teach English abroad so individuals can attend these exciting events in a sustainable and responsible way. Learn more about living and working in Mexico with TESOL Certification.
