'Bend it like Beckham' is better known as a film, but Dharinder Dhami's book of the same name follows the film faithfully, even reproducing some of the dialogue. The materials in this kit are based on the pivotal Chapter 7 of the book, and also make reference to the film.

An Indian teenage girl living in London is madly in love with footballer David Beckham and loves playing football in the park. Her family doesn't know about this because they wouldn't allow her to wear shorts, let alone play football. Their plans for her are to study law and then marry an Indian man. But she only dreams of playing football side by side with David Beckham. A new reality takes shape when she gets the chance to play for a local women's football team - a long as her parents don't find out! Then life gets more complicated as she finds her white, Irish coach rather attractive as well………

Downloads

• Introduction for teachers 111k
• Characterisation 216k Character based activities
• Context 881k background information and exercises
• Word Work 250k language activities
• After reading exercises 189k follow-up and consolidation
• Answer key 105k teacher's notes for activities.

The BritLit materials for this story were developed as part of the British Council's engagement with Euro 2004, the UEFA Football Cup tournament being hosted in Portugal. They follow the familiar pattern of BritLit kits, with a section looking at the main characters, a section which contextualises the main elements of the story, a look at the language and an opportunity to look at a linked text, in this case Antoinette Moses little tale "One of the lads".

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Dharinder Dhami