NBA and Italian mafia gambling scandal — Video-based ESL lesson

This ESL lesson plan is designed for intermediate to advanced learners (B2-C1) and centers on a compelling real-world topic: the intersection of organized crime, specifically the Italian mafia, and illegal gambling within the context of the NBA. The 60-minute lesson leverages a video-based approach to engage students, using a simplified transcript to explore a high-profile gambling scandal involving mafia-run poker games.

The lesson aims to enhance students’ listening, reading, and speaking skills while introducing key vocabulary related to organized crime and gambling. Through a combination of warm-up discussions, vocabulary exercises, comprehension activities, and a dynamic role-play scenario, students will develop their ability to discuss complex societal issues, use specialized vocabulary in context, and engage in critical thinking.

The lesson is structured to be interactive and thought-provoking, encouraging students to connect the topic to broader themes of legality, ethics, and societal impact, while fostering both linguistic and analytical skills.

ESL lesson plan based on organized crime and NBA gambling

Level: Intermediate to advanced (B2-C1)
Duration: 60 minutes
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to understand and discuss the topic of organized crime and gambling, use related vocabulary in context, and engage in a role-play activity to practice speaking and critical thinking.
Sources:

Mafia linked sports investigation roils start of NBA season

Former Gambino crime family member reacts to mafia and NBA scandal

Lesson outline

Warm-up (10 minutes)

Objective: Activate prior knowledge and introduce the topic.

1. Discussion questions:
   • What do you know about organized crime? Have you seen movies or TV shows about the mafia?
   • What is gambling? Is it legal in your country? Why might people be attracted to illegal gambling?
2. Brainstorm: Write “Mafia” and “Gambling” on the board. Ask students to share words or phrases they associate with these terms (e.g., crime, poker, money, danger).

Vocabulary introduction (15 minutes)

Objective: Introduce and practice key vocabulary from the transcript and related terms. 10 vocabulary words from the transcript:

• Indictment (n): A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.
• Mafia (n): An organized criminal group.
• Gambling (n): Betting money on games or events with uncertain outcomes.
• Racket (n): An illegal or dishonest scheme for making money.
• Sophisticated (adj): Complex or advanced, often in a clever way.
• Conspiracy (n): A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful.
• Informant (n): A person who gives information to the police or authorities.
• Cheating (n): Acting dishonestly to gain an advantage.
• Oversee (v): To supervise or manage an activity.
• Pinch (n): Slang for an arrest by the police.

Vocabulary for extension

• Underground (adj): Secret or hidden, often illegal.
• Stake (n): Money bet in a gambling game.
• Bookmaking (n): The practice of taking bets on events, often illegally.
• Scam (n): A fraudulent scheme to deceive people for money.
• Legitimate (adj): Legal or lawful.
• Surveillance (n): Close observation, often by authorities, to monitor activities.
• Rigged (adj): Manipulated dishonestly to ensure a specific outcome.
• Associate (n): A person connected to a group, often in a lesser role.
• Prosecution (n): The act of charging someone with a crime in court.
• Extortion (n): Obtaining money or goods through threats or force.

Activity

• Provide a handout with the 20 vocabulary words, their definitions, and example sentences from the transcript or created examples (e.g., “The mafia was involved in a sophisticated cheating scheme.”).
• Matching exercise: Students match each word to its definition.
• Sentence creation: In pairs, students create their own sentences using 5 vocabulary words of their choice. Share with the class.

Listening/reading comprehension (15 minutes)

Objective: Develop listening or reading skills and comprehension of the topic.

1. Shortened transcript: Provide a simplified excerpt from the transcript (300-400 words) focusing on the gambling scandal and mafia involvement.
   Example: Jeff Nadu discusses a major gambling scandal involving the mafia and illegal poker games in New York. The games were run by crime families like the Gambino and Bonanno, who used sophisticated technology to cheat. Shuffling machines were rigged to read cards, and information was sent via text messages to players. The mafia oversaw these games, taking a portion of the profits. An NBA coach and players were allegedly involved, but the games were not limited to New York—they happened in Las Vegas and Miami too. Despite indictments, these illegal games continue because they are profitable.
2. Comprehension questions:
   • What role did the mafia play in the poker games?
   • How did technology help the cheating?
   • Why do these illegal games continue despite arrests?
3. Discussion: In small groups, students discuss whether they think gambling should be legal and why illegal gambling might attract people.

Speaking activity: Role-play (15 minutes)

Objective: Practice using vocabulary and discussing the topic in a real-world context.
Activity:

• Scenario: Students are divided into groups of 3-4 and assigned roles: a police officer, a mafia member, a gambler, and an informant. They act out a scene where the police officer investigates an illegal poker game, the mafia member defends their actions, the gambler complains about being cheated, and the informant reveals secrets.
• Preparation: Give students 5 minutes to prepare their arguments using at least 5 vocabulary words.
• Performance: Each group performs its role-play for the class. Encourage use of vocabulary like “indictment,” “rigged,” and “surveillance.”

Wrap-up and homework (5 minutes)

Objective: Review and extend learning.

1. Class discussion: What was the most surprising thing you learned about organized crime or gambling today?
2. Homework:
   • Write a short paragraph (100-150 words) about whether illegal gambling should be stopped and why, using at least 5 vocabulary words from the lesson.
   • Optional: Research a famous mafia-related event or movie (e.g., The Godfather, Goodfellas) and prepare a 1-minute summary for the next class.

Materials needed

• Handout with vocabulary words, definitions, and example sentences.
• Simplified transcript excerpt.
• Role-play scenario descriptions.

Assessment

• Participation in discussions and role-play.
• Accuracy in vocabulary use during activities and homework.
• Comprehension questions answered correctly.