Hi everyone,皆さん、おげんきですか。

My Japanese classes and lessons include the following features. We had activities of speaking, reading, listening, writing, (esp. in group lessons) making and performing dialogues in front of classes with use of the course book, “Genki 1”, its grammar and vocabulary of the Unit taught and exercises. Also, we used some pages from other books that include Japanese for Busy People Book 2, Japanese for Everyone, The First Couse in Japanese (by Fudeko Reekie) etc.  As usual, flash cards, magazines, CDs, etc were also used to create a variety of methods in teaching.

The exam of Beginners 2 included the listening test.

As one of new things, I used the Jikokuhyo (the national wide timetable of all trains, esp. bullet trains, of the JR network and many of local private trains (and even buses) for speaking timetable of the bullet trains, e.g. “What time will the bullet train, Nozomi, depart from Tokyo Station? What time will it arrive at Hakata, Kyushu Island? It is language related to travelling in Japan as well. It seemed worthwhile for students to practice, since they will or could used such language if they visit Japan?

The majority of my classes (and some tutorials) watched the dvd City Guide as well as the video series of Japanese for Beginners if they have not seen them yet. Also, there was an interesting video that was produced by the Department of Education NSW and it talks about the difference of gestures (including expressing something serious or unpleasant) between Japanese speakers and English speakers. That video was interesting and useful.

There were many exciting news in a newspaper Nihon-keizai-shimbun (Nikkei), ones issued in June. They are mostly related to technology, industries and economy. I informed them in the majority of classes/lessons. They were:

1. (29.6.12) The Japanese, eight major car manufacturers increased the total sales profits over 60% in the current financial year. In cases of Toyota and Honda, they got twice of the amount for the increase. The demand has been great; especially the sales of hybrid cars and small cars were high. The phenomenon was partly due to the assistance given by the Government’s package to make the prices of cars to be approachable for many consumers to pay, for over a few years.
2. (27.6.12) Microsoft and Mitsui Home made a joint venture to create technology used at homes. With that, people can wave a hand (up and down, right and left) or speak some words and they can close/open curtains, turn on or off TV, change TV stations, turn on or off lights etc at many homes. The users of that do not need to stand up and do not need a remote control. The technology is based on system called “Kinekuto” of Microsoft. Amazing project! That will be available in market about 3 years later.
3. (30.6.12) Toyoto Motors and BMW made a joint project to make a better eco-car, and battery based sports cars. (Nissan and German-based Daimler Motors have been actively making similar ventures to improve and make better cars for environment, the report says.)
4. (28.6.12) Toyota Group is leasing 3000 cars that are of a new model called Komusu. In it, only one driver/person rides. It will be used for the network of Seven Eleven in Japan. The small and light car can stop easily and that will increase the business and efficiency in business. (There are 14000 shops of Seven Eleven sell popular bento and packed vegetable etc around Japan; the small cars will be used for the deliveries.)
5. (26.6.12) Japanese Government, local organizations and companies are trying to establish the environmentally friendly and energy saving system and community called “Smart Community” that will used solar energy, battery based energy, buses run with electricity, buildings that will be categorized as Sumaarto Biru, Sumaato-sutoa, Sumaato-sukuuru, Sumaato-hausu etc.
6. (29.6.12) The U.S. Boeing 787 has the research and innovation project with the Tokyo University to make better carbon fiber to be used in their aircrafts.

Japanese Teacher, Toshiko Jackson

4.8.12