Living Abroad (Intermediate) – Japanese Culture

ASKING QUESTIONS

Please ask me the following questions.
Take note of my responses as you will summarize them later.

ASK

1. What is your name?
2. Have you been to Japan?
3. Do you like Japanese food?
4. What Japanese custom do you know?
5. What can you say about the Japanese culture?

SUMMARIZING INFORMATION

Now, please summarize my responses to your questions.

SUMMARIZE

My tutor’s name is

DIALOGUE READING

Let’s read the dialogue below.
After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.

READ

Alex: I went to Japan with my family for vacation.
Bill: That’s nice. How was it?
Alex: It was great. We went to Kyoto and Osaka.
In Kyoto, we visited famous temples and ate shojin ryori.
Bill: What is shojin ryori?
Alex: It’s a vegetarian meal that follows the Buddhist tradition.
Bill: Interesting. How about Osaka?
Alex: Osaka is a modern city. Its takoyaki is so delicious.
Bill: Wow, takoyaki is one of my favorites! I want to try the takoyaki from Osaka.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Please answer the following questions based on the dialogue.

ANSWER

1. What did Bill and his family do in Kyoto?
Answer:
2. How did Bill describe Osaka?
Answer:
3. What does Alex want to try in Japan?
Answer:
DIALOGUE PRACTICE

Let’s read the dialogue below.
Complete each conversation by choosing the appropriate response from the choices below.

(Note to tutor: Please find the answer key in the last page.)

READ AND ANSWER

1. Tutor: This is my first time here in Japan. What should I wear during the fireworks festival?
Student: Most people wear Yukata during festivals.
Tutor: I see. Do you know where I can buy Yukata?
Student:
a. Yes. I don’t know.
b. Yes. I can take you there later.
c. I don’t like it.
d. Of course! It is twice a week.
(Answer is in the last page.)
READ AND ANSWER

2. Tutor: Have you ever visited a shrine here in Japan?
Student: No, I haven’t. I heard that people buy lucky charms when they visit shrines.
Tutor: Oh, you mean omamori? It’s a Japanese amulet. Would you like to buy one when we visit a shrine this weekend?
Student:
a. Yes, I’d love to.
b. No. I like that.
c. I think she is good.
d. Maybe, they will.
(Answer is in the last page.)
READ AND ANSWER

3. Tutor: Do you know how Japanese people greet others?
Student: Yes, Japanese people greet others by bowing.
Tutor: Is there a proper way of doing that? Can you teach me?
Student:
a. I want to go to the park.
b. I have to go.
c. Of course. That’s easy.
d. Sure. I don’t want to.
(Answer is in the last page.)
READ AND ANSWER

4. Tutor: I heard that bento is a common meal in Japan.
Student: Yes, it is. I often buy bento on my way to work.
Tutor: That’s nice. Do you know how to make one?
Student:
a. Yes. I don’t know how to cook.
b. No. That’s easy.
c. Yes. My mother taught me.
d. Yes. Cooking is not my thing.
(Answer is in the last page.)
READ AND ANSWER

5. Tutor: Do you know why Japanese people slurp their noodles when eating ramen?
Student: Of course, I do! In Japan, slurping is a good manner and it means that you are enjoying your food.
Tutor: Really? I want to try that. Would you like to eat ramen with me later?
Student:
a. I want to eat pizza later.
b. I would love to try it with you.
c. My mother is working abroad.
d. I went to America last year.
(Answer is in the last page.)
ROLE PLAY

Let’s do a role play with the given situation. You should mention the items below during the conversation.

PLAY

Situation: Your tutor will pretend as a foreign student in your class.
You will ask your tutor questions about Japanese culture.
Items to mention:
– Japanese food
– cultural festival
– wearing Yukata
– visit shrines and temples
– eating with chopsticks
– watching anime
– seiza

ANSWERS FOR DIALOGUE PRACTICE

1. b
2. b
3. c
4. c
5. b