Learning English with CBC Listening Lessons for Intermediate Students Based on CBC Manitoba Radio Broadcasts May 31, 2010 Level: CLB 5 and up Topic: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Language Skills and Functions: Language Competencies: Language Tasks: Listening – listening to a short interview for main ideas, details and inference Speaking – giving and responding to an apology; expressing opinions Reading – reading a text for detail; scanning a chart for information Writing – writing a letter to give advice Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Listening and Speaking Strategies, Socio-cultural/sociolinguistic Competence Answer questions about the relationship between newcomers, visible minorities and hockey, Canada's national sport Listen for main ideas and inference to a radio interview with Ishmael Mustapha about racial taunts his sons and family have experienced in the world of minor hockey Learn the language used in an apology Read and analyze a short text about an incident in professional sports involving racial insults and express opinions about the incident Scan a chart about bullying and answer myth/fact questions Write a letter to minor hockey officials with advice on how to encourage newcomer youth to participate in the sport Essential Skills: Reading text, thinking skills, oral communication, writing Appendices: Transcript of the podcast Chart on Bullying and Responding to Bullying Situations Answers to Worksheets Attention students: You will need to print the lesson to be able to complete the activities. Manitoba Memo Is ice hockey a "uniter" in the Canadian mosaic? How important is it that newcomers to Manitoba understand the never-ending conversation about bringing an NHL team back to Winnipeg? As the country is once again caught up in the Stanley Cup playoffs, a new study1 suggests that hockey offers immigrants to Canada a public way to show how they identify with Canadian culture and their new country. The study found that interest in watching hockey is higher than the Canadian average in some immigrant communities. For example, Italian and Arab Canadians are among the sport's most avid fans. In Toronto, the CBC hired Parminder Singh to broadcast Toronto Maple Leaf games in Punjabi, cultivating an interest in the sport in a population where hockey has no roots at all. Clearly, new Canadians are watching this country's national sport, but are they actually playing it? The answer to that question appears to be "not yet." Soccer is the sport of many new Canadians. Statistics show that as youth soccer participation has soared over the past ten years, hockey registration has dropped dramatically. Minor hockey leagues across Canada are facing a stark reality. To survive, they need to recruit players from a new demographic. They need to persuade new Canadians that hockey is a great sport to play, as well as watch. There are many reasons why hockey is not the chosen sport of newcomers. First and foremost, it's unfamiliar to many as it is not played in their home country. It's expensive to play, especially when compared to soccer. Hockey is perceived by some as an aggressive and dangerous sport. And last, but not least, there's a lack of diversity among players. The skin colour of professional and minor hockey is overwhelmingly white. As a result, the sport can feel cliquish and unwelcoming. This is not a new phenomenon in sport. Other sports, like baseball and basketball, have diversified their player ranks over time. And that's the path hockey hopes to follow as officials begin to address the barriers newcomers face to becoming involved in the game. Perhaps, as has been the case in other sports, it will be role models like the young, talented Montreal Canadians player P.K. Subban, who will inspire more new Canadians to get involved in hockey. Time will tell! Background 1. Think about and the following questions Is ice hockey played in your country? What sports are popular in your country? Is there a national sport? What is it? Have you ever been to a hockey game? Watched hockey on TV? What are your overall impressions of hockey as a sport? How would you describe it? 1 Sources: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-great-melting-rink/article1576685/ and http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/toronto-maple-leafs/story.html?id=92809f78-33d3-430f-a6c9-226109f553d1 Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 2 of 17 Is it important for newcomers to Canada to understand something about hockey? Why or why not? Is it important for newcomer youth to consider playing hockey? Why or why not? Competition in youth minor sport and professional sport doesn't always bring out the best in players, parents, coaches or fans. There are many examples of incidents where a fight breaks out or personal or racial insults are exchanged during or after a game. What do you think of this kind of behaviour in sport? Is it just part of the game? Why or why not? 2. Vocabulary definitions Here are some words you need to know to understand the CBC interview. hockey-crazed To be crazy or passionate about watching or playing hockey. minor hockey A term used to describe amateur or nonprofessional hockey played by youth under the age of 16. (belong to its) ranks To belong to an organization or group. For example, the members of a minor hockey or soccer league are said to belong to the ranks of that particular sports organization. racial taunt To upset someone with teasing, a remark or joke about their race. an incident A specific event, happening or occurrence that takes place. For example, in sports, events that upset players, coaches or fans are often referred to as incidents. a face-off A method of starting play in ice hockey, lacrosse, and other games where an official drops the puck or ball between two opposing players. Each player tries to control it to give their team an advantage. the "n" word The word nigger is seen as taboo and as a racial slur, so instead of actually saying the offensive word, people will refer to it as the "n" word. f-ing An abbreviation of common swear word used in English. Also referred to as the "f" word. Abbreviated expressions are used to avoid saying the actual word, which is seen as impolite or inappropriate. to shrug it off To respond to an incident in sports with a shrug of your shoulders, ignore what has happened and continue to play the game. Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 3 of 17 to shut down To stop doing something or stop being involved in something. (to be) degraded To be treated without respect. To lose respect for yourself. (to be) insulted To be the recipient of a remark or action that was deliberately rude, insulting or offensive. racial discrimination To treat someone or a group differently or unfairly due to their race. 3. Predict what the podcast is about In this story, Ishmael Mustapha talks to Terry MacLeod about racial incidents that his sons and family have experience at youth hockey games. What kind of emotions would you expect Ishmael to express when he talks to Terry about these incidents? I think he'll be ...upset about what happened. He might be...concerned about what happened. He could be...happy about how the incidents were resolved. Maybe he'll be...angry. I expect he'll be...offended. I don't know what kind of emotions he'll express. 4. Get ready to listen In this podcast (listening), you will hear three speakers. They are: Marcy Markusa – host Terry MacLeod – interviewer Ishmael Mustapha – parent Play the podcast for the first time. Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 4 of 17 5. Listen for main ideas, detail and inference Sometimes when we listen, we are listening for important details that help us to understand a situation. Sometimes we are listening for the main ideas or for inference. When you listen to the interview this time, listen for main ideas, details and inference. Read the questions and select the best answer for each question. The first one is completed for you as an example. 1 2 All of the incidents Ishmael talks about _________. Ishmael's sons have________. 3 The recent racial taunts have _________. 4 Ishamel has __________about his sons continuing to play hockey. 5 Ishmael believes that nonwhite parents should ________________. 6 Based on Ishmael's experience, it appears that minor hockey _____________ of welcoming player from different ethnic backgrounds. a) happened in 2010 b) happened in 2009 c) happened last month d) all of the above e) none of the above a) frequently been exposed to racial taunts on the ice b) occasionally been exposed to racial taunts on the ice c) rarely been exposed to racial taunts on the ice d) all of the above e) none of the above a) affected his son's self-esteem b) meant his son doesn't always feel like playing hockey c) upset his son d) all of the above e) none of the above a) strong feelings b) mixed feelings c) confused feelings d) all of the above e) none of the above a) encourage their children to play hockey b) think about whether they and their children can handle the hockey environment c) make sure their children do not play hockey d) all of the above e) none of the above a) does a very good job b) does a very poor job c) needs to do a better job d) all of the above e) none of the above Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 5 of 17 6. Use of taboo words in the English language Do you have taboo or swear words in your language? In English, there are three traditional categories of bad words. The first category is religious words, the second is words referring to body functions and the third, which is considered by many to be the most offensive, are words referring to sexual acts or organs. Today there is a fourth category of taboo words. It consists of words that relate to race or sexuality. However, what is and isn't considered taboo in English is constantly evolving. Many words that were once taboo are now viewed as slang. The words that continue to be taboo are words that the majority of the population still finds offensive or unacceptable. In English, when people want to talk about a taboo word but not actually use the word, they sometimes use alternative expressions or abbreviations. These expressions are universal - everyone knows what taboo word they are referring to. Ishmael uses two examples in this interview, as follows:. the "n" word, which refers to "nigger" The word "nigger" has its origins in several languages. In a neutral context, it meant the colour black. But historically, the word is linked to slavery. It was used to denote hatred and repulsion toward Africans and African Americans and to mock or stereotype. It is this historical use of the word which has made it taboo. "f-ing" or the "f" word Although this word, which refers to a sexual act, is used frequently, it is still considered rude and offensive by many. It is generally not heard on radio or TV, except in its abbreviated form. Do you have ways to talk about taboo words in your language without actually saying them? 7. Use of pauses in spoken English Listen to Terry's last question and Ishmael's answer one more time (lines 44/45). There is a long pause before Ishmael answers. Why do you think Ishmael paused for such a long time before he answered? How does that long pause affect you as a listener? When there is a long pause in spoken English it may be because the speaker is trying to decide what to say, or because the speaker is very emotional or distracted. Long pauses are also used for dramatic effect. Do you use pauses in your spoken language? What role do they play? Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 6 of 17 Cloze Exercise – Listen again and complete the conversation May 11, 2010 (broadcast date)2 Speaker Podcast Marcy Hi I'm Marcy Markusa and ________ ___________ to Learning Line English with CBC. Well Canada is a ________-_________land and hockey is certainly part of our ___________. Today, Terry MacLeod interviews a father who loves the game, but thinks ___________ ___________ has work to do when it comes to 5 welcoming _____-______ players into its ranks. His family has been subject to ___________ ___________ on and off the ice and this experience has him ___-________ whether his kids should play hockey at all. Terry Hello, Ishmael Mustapha. Ishmael Good morning. Terry Tell us a bit about ___________ ___________ ___________ to 10 your sons on the ice. Ishmael It just, over the years, ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________, depending on the situation, and who they're playing, often, not often, it happens, but not very often, but every once in a 15 while, a player on the opposing team, when the kids are lining up or going back to a face off, y'know, ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ would say some really ___________ ___________ to them and of course there's of course ___________ ___________ in sports, but when it comes to levels 20 of you know, you're a coloured boy, you're, the "n" word comes out, you're, you know, you're an f-ing terrorist, y'know those sorta things will affect the boys, ___________. I mean in years past, with my eldest, what often they've done, my eldest boy, this is my second son, sometimes they just ___________ ___________ ___________ and continue to play, but any kids who's between the 2 The complete interview is a CBC Information Radio podcast. Go to http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/pastpodcasts.html?56#ref56 Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 7 of 17 25 ages of 13 and 15, and that's usually when this sort of instances occur, they ___________ ___________ athletically, y'know, they don't feel like playing, they don't feel like going on the ice, 'cause ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________. Terry When you sent me the note yesterday, you you said in that, my message to any non-white parent is ___________ ___________ 30 ___________ ___________ ___________, don't encourage them to play hockey. ___________ ___________ ___________. Ishmael It is, and that's how I felt at that time. And and at times, you know ah, my feelings regarding that same incident3, they go up and down, you know, after the event, ___________ ___________, ___________ ___________, am I protecting my child by putting 35 them in that sort of situation? But then you spend time talking to them and you you realize that sure, ___________ ___________ ___________, they got insulted, is my kid going to learn from this or is he just going to not be part of a hockey team and enjoy the Canadian culture as he should? Terry So ah... Ishmael So as far as that statement goes, it's different, depending on the 40 person, depending on the parents and the child, y'know, can you handle that sort of ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________? Terry What do your kids say about it? What have they said about it? Ishmael (pause) Well I know for a fact that ___________ ___________ 45 ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________, but he's still ___________ about it and this happened about three, four months ago. 3 In the particular incident Ishmael references, the player who made the racist comment received a three game suspension. Ishmael's son received a one game suspension for "inappropriate activity" after the game. Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 8 of 17 After you listen a) Review your pre-listening predictions Were you able to correctly predict the emotions Ishmael expresses in his conversation with Terry? b) The world of apologies An apology is when we tell someone we are sorry for having done something that caused inconvenience, unhappiness or was hurtful. When and how we make apologies differs from one culture to the next. Here are a few examples: 1. In one culture, you may be expected to apologize if you sneeze, but not if you burp. In another culture, the expectation may be the opposite. 2. In some cities, you may be expected to apologize if you step on a person's foot in the subway. In another city, this may happen so often people no longer apologize, although they may say "excuse me." 3. In one culture, someone might apologize if they take the job of a colleague who is retiring in order to show respect. In another culture, someone who takes the job of a retiring colleague would never think of apologizing. The chart below provides examples of expressions we use to make apologies, explain our behaviour and respond to apologies. To make an apology I'm sorry. I'm very sorry. I'm terribly sorry. Excuse me. Pardon me. I apologize. To explain ourselves I wasn't feeling well yesterday. I didn't see you. It won't happen again. I'll be more careful next time. It was my fault. I'm responsible for what happened. I was upset. I wasn't thinking about what I was saying/doing. I was wrong. What I did/said was unacceptable. To respond to an apology That's okay. No problem. Don't worry about it. No worries. I accept your apology. Your task: Think of examples of situations or incidents where an apology would be required. Try role playing that situation. What would each person say? Use the appropriate language for an apology from the chart above to help you get started. Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 9 of 17 c) Read a news story about an apology There are certain things that make an apology effective. Read the following CBC news story. Pay attention to the details about how Chris Simon apologizes and what he says. Remember, you do not need to understand every word of the story to get the gist and understand the main points. On the night of November 8, 1997, a racist incident occurred in an NHL hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Washington Capitals. In an emotionally charged and unusually physical game, Chris Simon of the Washington Capitals called Mike Grier of the Edmonton Oilers a “nigger.” “I don’t know how it happened between us,” Grier said. “It was a physical game. . . . Two days later a very contrite Chris Simon met Grier in Toronto and apologized for his racial slur. “I feel very saddened about what’s happened,” Simon said. “Being a native North American I should know better . . . I’ve had to put up with racial taunts myself. We all came on the ice and we started mouthing back and forth . . . I’m not making any excuses, it was very wrong what I said and I’m very sorry. That’s not the type of person I am. I just wanted to speak to him [Grier] and apologize.” After the meeting, Grier said, “We met for about five minutes and it went well. He said, ‘I’m sorry’ and I believe him; he had a very sincere look in his eye. It takes a stand-up person to come here and handle it the way he did . . . I accept his apology.” Grier said it was an emotional moment for Simon. “He was really broken up.” Simon was suspended for three games. Grier said he hopes the incident will raise awareness about the issue of racism in sports. “There have been times when I’ve done things, stupid things,” admitted Grier, “but at the same time, I don’t think something like that should ever be said man to man—in the heat of the battle or not. I hope it raises awareness . . . People think racism doesn’t exist, but it’s out there, it hasn’t gone away.”4 4 Adapted version of news story and questions from: http://newsinreview.cbclearning.ca/wp-content/archives/dec97/coleharb/blakice.html. Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 10 of 17 d) Complete the chart on effective apologies The chart below lists the main elements or criteria of an effective apology. Can you find information in the text to show or illustrate each of the criteria of an effective apology? The first example is completed for you. An Effective Apology... Chris Simon's apology... Is given promptly and in person - took place two days after the incident - was in person - Is brief and to the point Is sincere and heart-felt - Accepts responsibility for actions and admits wrong doing Shows regret - e) Answer opinion questions about the news story Here are some questions to think about. 1. What kinds of factors lead to the racial incident described in this news story? Do any of these factors excuse the racial comment Chris Simon made? Why or why not? 2. Is the fact that Chris Simon is also a visible minority and of Aboriginal descent an important part of this incident? Why? 3. Do you think an incident between two members of different visible minority communities has a different meaning than an incident between a visible minority person and a white person? Why? What does this tell us about the nature of racism and how we perceive it? 4. What do you think of the way the two players resolved this incident? Was it resolved successfully? Why or why not? 5. Do you think a three game suspension for Chris Simons is a fair penalty? Why or why not? 6. In what ways is what happened to Mike Grier on the ice similar to what happened to Ishmael's son? Was one incidents more serious that the other? Why or why not? 7. Does the age of the participants matter? Is it more/less acceptable if these kinds of incidents occur when adults are playing a sport then when youth are playing? Why? Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 11 of 17 f) Scan a chart for information and answer fact and myth questions Sometimes our views on people or on things that happen in our society are based on myths. Myths are ideas that people may think are true, but which are not supported by the facts. Scan the information about bullying on page 15. Read the following statements and decide whether each statement is a myth or a fact. The answers will be reviewed in class. 1. Bullying is just a stage in life. All kids go through it. Myth Fact 2. The best response in a bullying situation is to get angry and fight back. Myth Fact 3. People are born bullies. Myth Fact 4. Bullying is a problem for the schools to deal with. Myth Fact 5. One of the most important things young people who are being bullied can do is tell a trusted adult what has happened to them. Myth Fact 6. If children observe repeated incidents of aggression or abuse within the family, they are more likely to bully others. Myth Fact 7. If peers intervene to help the victim of bullying, the bullying often stops quickly. Myth Fact 8. Children and youth who experience bullying can be depressed, sad and lose interest in going to school or participating in activities. Myth Fact 9. Bullying can cause serious harm. Myth Fact 10. Most children grow out of bullying. Myth Fact 11. Reporting bullies to the officials in charge will only make the problem worse. Myth Fact Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 12 of 17 g) Write a letter of advice After the interview with Ishmael, CBC interviewed Don McIntosh, the President of the Winnipeg Minor Hockey League. In the interview, he spoke about the minor hockey's efforts to undertake education and develop policies so that Ishmael's sons can play hockey without experiencing harassment or discrimination. He also gave examples of things minor hockey is doing to encourage newcomer and visible minority youth to play, including developing behaviour guidelines that coaches and players must sign and developing educational materials. Write a letter of advice to Don McIntosh about how you think the participation of newcomer and visible minority youth in hockey can be increased. Use the following outline to help you. Who are you writing to? Dear ____________________________ Start with why you are writing the letter. I have just listened an interview on CBC radio about ______________________________________________. I have some advice that I would like to share. What is your advice? First of all, I believe it is very important for minor hockey to ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Secondly, I think minor hockey should________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Conclude your letter. I believe if minor hockey makes these changes, one result will be that ______________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Yours ___________, (sincerely or truly) _____________________________ (sign your name) Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 13 of 17 Want to know more… For more information on hockey and new Canadians, go to the following CBC sports link: www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/ourgame/story/2009/01/09/minorities-minor-hockey.html There are many sites with information on bullying. Here are some of them: The Canadian Children's Rights Council website: www.canadiancrc.com/Bullying_Canada_Resources_Provincial_Programs.aspx The Canadian Safe Schools Network: www.cssn.org Government of Manitoba and Safe Schools Manitoba: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/safe_schools/index.html The Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System: www.lfcc.on.ca/bully.htm The Kids Help Phone: www.kidshelp.sympatico.ca/en The Red Cross program RespectED: Violence & Abuse Prevention has a section on bullying: http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=294 The information on myths and facts is from: The Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet) www.prevnet.ca/Home/tabid/36/language/en-US/Default.aspx and from: http://www.bullying.org Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external websites Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 14 of 17 Bullying and Harassment What is Bullying? Bullying results from a misuse of power. It involves deliberate, hostile and repeated behaviour that is intended to harm someone. It can be physically or emotionally hurtful. The forms of bullying change with age. They include everything from playground bullying to racial insults in sports to sexual harassment to elder abuse. Bullying is about contempt. It's a powerful feeling of dislike toward someone who the bully perceives as worthless, inferior or undeserving of respect. Bullies often feel they have the right to hurt or control others. They don't tolerate differences and they think they are free to exclude or isolate others. Bullying and harassment are the terms generally used for problems in peer relationships. Repeated aggression within a family relationship is more likely to be called abuse or family violence. Types of Bullying Physical Hitting Kicking Punching Pushing/shoving Stealing Dating aggression* Verbal Insults Name-calling Comments about how someone looks or talks Threats Sexual harassment** Ethnoculturally-based or racial comments*** Social Cyber Gossiping Rumours Ignoring Not including someone in group activities Use of email, cell phones, text messaging, Internet sites and other forms of communication technology to physically threaten, verbally harass or socially exclude an individual or group * Physical or verbal actions on a date, including grabbing, punching and spreading rumours or name-calling. ** When a person or group hurts another person by taunting or discussing sensitive sexual issues, creating sexual rumours or messages, making homophobic comments, rating sexual body parts, telling sexual jokes or initiating unwanted sexual touching. *** Physical or verbal behaviour used to hurt another person because of his or her culture, race, colour or religion. Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 15 of 17 Suggested Responses to Bullying The following chart suggests responses to bullying behaviour. The information is targeted at youth ages 12 to 18, but the general principles apply to other age groups. If you are being bullied... Stay calm and try not to show you are upset; try not to get angry Look the person in the eye and say you don't like what they are doing Find an adult you trust and tell the adult what happened Stay close to friends who you know will stick up for you Stay away from places where you know bullying happens If the bullying doesn't stop, walk away, join other friends or ask for help If you are a bystander... Speak out and help the person being bullied Tell the bully to stop Comfort the person; let them know what happened was not fair or deserved If this doesn't work, or you are afraid of the situation, find an adult you trust to help Help someone who is being bullied by inviting them to participate in activities with you so they do not feel so alone If you are a parent or guardian... Listen and respond to all complaints from your child, even seemingly small ones like namecalling Talk to the adults who were in charge when the incident occurred and try to find ways to remedy the hurt and prevent future problems Stop bullying behaviour that happens at home Be a role model - consider how you treat others and others treat you Ensure organizations you are involved with have effective antibullying policies Most of the information on bullying in this section is from: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/res/cp/bully_12217-eng.aspx Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Learning English with CBC Page 16 of 17 Self Study: Hockey, Newcomers and Visible Minorities: Racial Incidents on the Ice Page 17 of 17 Learning English with CBC