Language Resident Name: Akihiro Shimizu

 Day and Date: Tuesday, January 27th, Wednesday January 28th.

 Language and Level (intermediate or advanced class): Japanese, Advanced and Intermediate

 Class theme/topics discussed: Love in Japan

 Goal of the class:

Students will be familiar with St. Valentine day in Japan.

Students will learn the differences of love between the US and Japan.

 How did you structure the class?

1. Advertisement

I advertise upcoming Japanese cultural activities.

2. St. Valentine day in Japan

I ask students what is happening in this season in Japan; the answer is St. Valentine day. I ask them what the Japanese do at the time of St. Valentine day. Students explain what they know about the event. After their explanation, I streamline what they say and give a short lecture on that topic. Foe example, what are 義理チョコ,友チョコ,本命チョコ? What’s the difference between them? I explain them, using whiteboard.

3. Where to meet in Japan?

I switch the topic from St Valentine day to Love in japan. First, I ask students where an American couple gets to know each other and meet. On the left side of whiteboard, I list what they say. Second, Students think about the places where a Japanese couple usually got to know each other. On the right side of white board, I list what they come up with. 合コン is a typically Japanese occasion, so I explain about this.

4. Love process in Japan.

I write a horizontal line on whiteboard. The left end of the line means when a couple gets to know each other. The other end is the end of the couple, which means marriage, break-up etc. I list these things; first date, second date, third date, confession of love, kiss, hold hands, introduction of partner to family. Students guess when a Japanese couple do these things. Students guess how long it takes them to do these things after they first meet each other? Then, I explain about confession of love in Japan, which is very typical process in Japan when a couple starts going out.

 What technology, media or props did you use? (internet resources, playmobiles, handouts, etc.)

Whiteboard

 What worked well in this class? What did not work?

 It worked really well. Actually I somehow hesitated to carry out this class, because I need more time to explain—so it becomes kind of lecture—and deprive students of their opportunities to talk. I strongly recommend this topic for any Japanese LRs, since the way, process to go out in Japan is very different from American one. Students were really interested in this class.

SP15 JPN Ad Int Love in Japan