Test Yourself | E.L.L. Practice, Nov. 11, 2013


Border Patrol Body Slam


By Kevin Gordon on Publish Date July 1, 2013.

Before You Take the Quiz

View this slide show to learn about a kind of Mexican wrestling that is called “lucha libre.”

Then, watch the video above to take the quiz.


Teaching Ideas

A young lucha libre fan booing the bad guys at a 2009 match in Sacramento. "It's spectacular for the kids," one spectator said. Go to related article »Credit

Discuss the Video: In the article that accompanies the Op-Doc, Kevin Gordon writes:

The promoter Gabriel Ramirez wanted to bring lucha libre, traditional Mexican-style professional wrestling, to the United States. When he dressed American professional wrestlers as Border Patrol agents to play the main villains, he knew he had a lucrative idea that would appeal to Latino audiences. More than entertainment, however, what he built is a type of Theater of the Oppressed, where social hierarchies are turned upside down and where, unlike in some media coverage, the Mexicans are the heroes.

Make sure students understand that the members of the Border Patrol tag team are not actual Border Patrol agents, but, instead, are playing the role of villains. Why would this be? How does watching a match like this provide an emotional release for the Mexican immigrants who cheer wrestlers like Blue Demon Jr. on?

Invent a Lucha Libre Name and Persona: Ask students to imagine that they are pro wrestlers and each invent a name, draw a mask, and develop an “identify” for themselves that they can describe in two-to-four sentences. Students can share their images and verbally read their paragraphs to classmates. One way to do this might be in “speed-dating” style, in which desks face one another, two at a time, and students are each given 90 seconds to share. Partners could be expected to ask at least one question and then, after a total of three minutes, the teacher yells “switch” to indicate that one side moves over one desk while the other side remains seated. This process can be repeated as many times as desired.

Research Lucha Libre: One of the best ways to support literacy development is to provide high-interest content to students. Lucha libre could fit into that category for many. If teachers find that to be the case in their classes, depending on their students’ English level, students could research the history of the “sport” and its variations among countries and create short reports or posters on what they learn.

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