PRE-VIEWING – USING YOUR KNOWLEDGE:

What do you know about Japan? Brainstorm some things that Japan is known for.

e.g. kimono, sushi…

LISTENING FOR TOPIC CHANGES:

The following topics from the video are listed in the wrong order. Watch the video and put them in order. a. traditional arts and crafts

b. Mount Fuji

c. sports

d. Tokyo

e. sea life and wildlife

f. traditional theatre 

LISTENING FOR THE MEANING OF SPECIAL TERMS:

Match the Japanese terms to what they are. Watch the video and check.

LISTENING FOR DETAIL:

Are the following sentences true or false? First, predict the answers. Then watch the video and check.

1. The population of Japan is over 127 million.

2. Tokyo has a population of about 20 million.

3. The Tsukiji fish market supplies fish to Tokyo and the surrounding area.

4. Mount Fuji is north-west of Tokyo.

5. Because of the snow, not many visitors go to Mount Fuji.

6. Suruga bay is good for sailing.

7. The Japanese macaque is a kind of monkey.

8. Only men perform kabuki.

9. Kabuki performances are quite short.

10. Japan combines tradition and modernity.

POST-LISTENING:

Discussion: Find a study friend to discuss the video clip with.

• Would you like to visit Japan? What would you like to do and see there?

• What are some examples of Vietnamese traditions (e.g. arts and crafts, music, theatre)? How can these be protected while Vietnam modernizes?

VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT:

Look at the tapescript and fill the gaps.

Glossary:

Pay attention to how the word is combined with other words in context. Do not learn the meaning of the word without sentences. Vietnamese should be the last resort after you have tried all the learning strategies.

• Paradox (n): a situation or statement that seems strange because it involves two ideas or qualities that are very different (Nghịch lý)

• Thriving (adj): prosperous and growing (Thịnh vượng, phát triển)

• Crammed (into) (adj): forcing a lot of people or things into a small space (Nhồi nhét)

• Emerge (from) (v): to come out of a difficult experience (Thoát khỏi)

• Isolation (n): without relation to other people or things (Sự cô lập)

• Embody (v): to be a very good example of an idea or quality (Tiêu biểu, thể hiện rõ nét)

• Authentic (adj): real, genuine (Xác thực, đích thực)

• Iconic (adj): acting as a sign or symbol of something (Mang tính biểu tượng)

• Pristine (adj): extremely clean and looking as good as when new (Ban sơ, tinh khôi, sạch tinh khiết)

• Congregate (v): to come together in a group (Tụ tập, nhóm họp)

• Habitat (n): the natural environment in which a plant or animal lives (Môi trường tự nhiên)

• Hornet (n): a large, fairly docile wasp which is typically red and yellow or red and black and usually nests in hollow trees (Ong bắp cày)

• Macaque (n): a medium-sized, chiefly forest-dwelling Old World monkey which has a long face and cheek pouches for holding food (Khỉ đuôi ngắn)

• Stylized (adj): done in a style that does not look natural or like real life (Cách điệu hóa)

• Elaborate (adj): having a lot of small details or complicated parts (Tỉ mỉ, công phu, trau chuốt, tinh vi)

• Foyer (n): lobby (Sảnh giải lao trong rạp hát)

• Bento (n): Japanese-style lunch in a box (Cơm trưa hộp kiểu Nhật)

• Intermission (n): a short period between the parts of a play, concert (Nghỉ giải lao)

• Ceramics (n): pots, plates etc made from clay, or the art of making them (Đồ sứ)

• Kiln (n): a special oven for baking clay pots, bricks etc (Lò nung)

• Potter (n): someone who makes pottery (Thợ làm gốm)

• Master (craftsman) (adj): used to describe a person who is very skilled at the job mentioned (Xuất sắc, giỏi)

• Puppetry (n): the art and skill of making and using puppets (Nghệ thuật múa rối)

Idioms and Expressions:

• (Be) steeped in: containing a lot of a particular quality (Thấm đượm, tràn đầy)

• Cutting edge: the latest or most advanced stage in the development of something (Sự tiến bộ, phát triển)

• (A and B go) hand in hand: closely connected ((A và B đi) kề nhau, có liên hệ mật thiết)

• Hold a strong grip (on something): to take and keep a firm hold of something (Gìn giữ, giữ chặt)

• A taste of something: a short experience of something new (nghĩa bóng) (Sự nếm trải)

• (Your) best bet (for something): (spoken) informal a candidate or option offering a specified likelihood of success (Điều gì đó có khả năng nhất)

• Boast (something): to possess (a feature that is a source of pride) (Sở hữu)

Answers:

Topic changes

1. d. Tokyo

2. b. Mount Fuji

3. e. sea life and wildlife

4. f. traditional theatre

5. a. traditional arts and crafts

6. c. sports

Special terms

Listening for detail

1. The population of Japan is over 127 million. T (‘more than 127 million people’)

2. Tokyo has a population of about 20 million. F (‘12 million’)

3. The Tsukiji fish market supplies fish to Tokyo and the surrounding area. T (‘the entire region’)

4. Mount Fuji is north-west of Tokyo. F (‘south west’)

5. Because of the snow, not many visitors go to Mount Fuji. F (‘a popular tourist attraction’)

6. Suruga bay is good for sailing. T (‘boaters enjoy pristine water conditions’)

7. The Japanese macaque is a kind of monkey. T (look at video!)

8. Only men perform kabuki. T (‘all male performers’)

9. Kabuki performances are quite short. F (‘last about 3 hours’)

10. Japan combines tradition and modernity T (‘experiencing the past…with one eye on the future’)

 This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).