Job Discussion Forums

[Inflames]

I work at a senmon gakko and this year I have to teach a culture studies course. The thing is that I've never taught it and the person who taught it for the last 4 years or so quit.

I got his course outline (basically the title for whatever he was supposed to do during the week) but it's sparse. The students (about 7, it's not fixed yet) are supposed to go and study abroad (either Australia or Canada). I'm struggling to think of good ideas for this course. I'd appreciate it if some other people could share some ideas.

[Glenski]

Can we assume that the "culture" they are intended to study will only be about Australia or Canada? There are some materials you can get from publishers along those lines, including workbooks and videos.

Perhaps consider introducing them to A and C newspapers (online), famous people, maps (where they initially have to try locating cities based only on their current knowledge), and online TV news sites.

Students in a HS where I used to work were deeply involved in an overseas study abroad project (everyone went abroad for 10-14 days). They assembled their own materials to help each other learn about the money used in the intended countries, climate & geography, food (a BIG cultural item!), and other items.

General survival expressions would also be helpful, even if not specific to those countries' cultures.

[OneJoelFifty]

Neighbours, everybody needs to Neighbours... Home and Away too. Sorted.

[Inflames]

Thanks for the ideas.

I've already planned lessons about maps and geography.

[OneJoelFifty]

Sorry, a more serious suggestion: music. What are the lyrics to the national anthems? They might not be fun to sing, but you can take a look at them. And you can find some popular bands with songs that are fun to sing, and learn them.

Also, traditional music and indigenous peoples. Things you might be able to relate to their equivalents in Japan.

[teacheratlarge]

First, the level would be helpful to know.

I teach students who have just returned from studying abroad, and there are lots of cultural tidbits on the web contrasting various cultures. Videos, readings, blogs, etc.. I work with some vlogger material as well as they often comment on cultural aspects where they are and about places that they travel to.

[Cool Teacher]

I don't know if the American or Canadian embassies and consultates are helpful but I wrote to the British one and told them some students were going abroad and they sent along a load of posters which had things like quiz questions on them. Maybe you could try that.

Also, foreign money is nice "realia" (as they ssay in the trade! ) that eveybody loves to see and hold - but make sure they give it back!!!

Menus, pamphlets etc...

A good book is Passport because it has lessons on situations studetns might find themselves in and also I think there are one or two lessons about explaining Japanese culture to foreginers so maybe you can reverse it and have them ask about Canadian and American culture.

[Inflames]

Thanks for the additional ideas. The class level is mixed so I have everywhere from true beginners to intermediates in there, although the average person is pre-intermediate.

I talked to one of the other teachers and she gave me a great idea - gestures and body language.