Japanese Level 2
Year at a Glance
Theme 1: Home Life
Daily Routine
Communication
Person to Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions about daily routines in the home.
- Exchange information about family routines in the home.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify daily routines based on spoken and written description.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Describe daily routines.
- Describe family members in relation to daily routines.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Discuss daily routines in Japan.
- Discuss the importance of family in daily routines in Japan.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Explore differences in health and fitness in Japan and the U.S.
Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons
- Compare daily routines of typical American teenagers and teenagers from Japan.
Communication Across Communities
- Comprehend information about daily routines of individuals in Japan from print and Internet sources (journal entries, magazine articles, etc.).
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to personal care
- Vocabulary for parts of the body
- Sequencing vocabulary
- Adverbs of frequency, Tokidoki ("sometimes"), Yoku ("often"), etc.
- Review of time and time expressions
- Vocabulary of daily routine (verbs and nouns)
Rooms of the House and Household Chores
Communication
Person to Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions about rooms of the house, furnishings, and chores.
- Discuss the home including its rooms, furniture, and household objects.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify the rooms of the house and/or furniture based on spoken and written description.
- Comprehend comments and commands about daily chores and the house.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Describe the home including its rooms, furniture and household objects.
- Describe family members in relation to daily chores.
- Describe household responsibilities for self and/or family members.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Discuss different styles of houses and living arrangements in Japan.
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Make connections between styles of houses and geographic locations.
Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons
- Compare household responsibilities of typical American teenagers and teenagers from Japan.
- Compare and contrast space allocation in homes in the U.S. and Japan.
- Identify differences in architecture of homes in Japan and in the U.S.
- Identify home-related katakana cognates.
Communication Across Communities
- Explore information about homes in Japan in print and Internet resources.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to furniture and furnishings
- Affirmative and negative commands
- Sequencing vocabulary (Te-forming verbs)
- Prepositions of location
- Adverbs of frequency
Food
Communication
Person to Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions relating to food.
- Ask and answer questions about food at a celebration.
- Order or take an order for a meal in a variety of dining situations.
- Exchange opinions about food.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify foods based on spoken and written description.
- Understand comments and commands about foods and/or celebrations.
- Identify foods based on visual aids.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Describe foods and/or shopping for food.
- Describe foods and menus in relation to celebrations.
- Describe a menu or recipe from Japan.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Discuss the different eating customs for formal and informal meals in Japan.
- Discuss the different food shopping patterns in Japan (frequency, specialty shops, etc.).
- Discuss typical mealtime schedules in Japan.
- Discuss the staple foods of Japan (e.g. rice, soybean products, beans, etc.).
Communication Across Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Discuss the influence of Japanese foods and cooking styles in the United States.
Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons
- Compare the differences between Americans and Japanese cuisines.
- Compare the role of food in celebrations in the U.S. and in Japan.
- Contrast the eating habits and food preparation in the U.S. and in Japan.
- Discuss the influence of American fast-food on eating habits in Japan.
- Discuss the increasing popularity within the American diet of food items of Japan and the effect on vocabulary (tofu, sushi, miso, shooyu, wasabi, etc.).
Communication Across Communities
- Demonstrate knowledge of recipes and menus for celebrations in Japan.
- Demonstrate knowledge of typical food products from Japan.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to table settings
- Vocabulary related to opinions about food (oishii, karai, amai, etc.)
- Direct and indirect object pronouns
- Courtesy expressions (itadakimasu, gochisousama, etc.)
- Affirmative and negative commands
Theme 2: Student Life
Classes and School Routines
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions about classes and school routines.
- Give and understand basic instructions on class and school procedures.
- Exchange information about past, present and future school plans.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Understand announcements related to the school day and schedule.
- Understand procedures for using the computer.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce spoken and written presentations in relation to classes and school routines.
- Present rehearsed and unrehearsed material, such as role-plays, skits, poems, plays, short narratives, and songs.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products
- Identify some aspects of school systems of Japan.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Identify educational and vocational options for students in Japan.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast school routines in the U.S. and in Japan.
Communication Across Communities
- Describe school routines of teenagers in Japan.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Computer terminology
School-Related Activities
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions about school-related activities.
- Exchange information about past school-related activities compared to current school-related activities.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Interpret spoken and written presentations about school-related activities.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce spoken and written presentations in relation to classes and school routines.
- Present rehearsed and unrehearsed material, such as role-plays, skits, poems, plays, short narratives, and songs.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products
- Describe school-related activities in Japan.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Identify after-school activities and extracurricular sports available in Japan.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast the popularity of school-related activities such as yearbook, band, and theater in Japan and in the U.S.
- Identify katakana (foreign loan) words related to school activities.
Communication Across Communities
- Identify activities offered through community clubs in Japan.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Past tenses
- Sequencing vocabulary (conjunctions and Te-form connectives)
Health and Fitness
Communication
Person-to-Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions about fitness and exercise.
- Ask and answer questions about a nutritional diet.
- Exchange information about maintaining good health.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Understanding directions of a fitness or diet plan.
- Comprehend information advocating a healthy lifestyle.
- Identify body parts based on oral or written information.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Produce spoken and written presentations about health and fitness.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products
- Discuss the importance of health and fitness in Japan.
- Discuss Japanese traditional alternative medicines and methods.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Discuss health and fitness issues as presented in P. E. class.
- Express height and weight using the metric system.
Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
- Compare and contrast what is perceived as a healthy lifestyle in Japan and in the U.S.
- Compare fitness activities and sports complexes (such as gyms) in Japan and the U.S.
- Compare structures used to express pain and injury in Japanese and English.
- Compare the use of reflexive and nonreflexive verbs to discuss health conditions in Japanese and English.
Communication Across Communities
- Interpret authentic Japanese language material related to health and fitness.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary for giving advice for good health
- Commands
Theme 3: Leisure Time
Indoor and Outdoor Activities
Communication
Person to Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions about indoor and outdoor activities.
- Share opinions about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Understand announcements and advertisements about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
- Comprehend spoken or written narratives about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Present information about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
- Describe when, where, and how often one participates in indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
- Tell about indoor and outdoor leisure time activities that took place in the past.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Discuss how and where young people spend leisure time in Japan.
- Discuss popular sports and sporting events in Japan, such as soccer, sumo wrestling, and baseball.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Discuss famous Japanese individuals studied in other classes (sports figures, musicians, artists, etc.).
Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons
- Compare indoor and outdoor leisure time activities in Japan and the U.S.
- Compare the amount of time and money spent on indoor and outdoor leisure time activities in Japan and the U.S.
- Compare the use of the past tense in Japanese and English.
- Identify katakana (foreign loan) words for indoor and outdoor leisure time activities.
Communication Across Communities
- Explore information about indoor and outdoor activities in Japan in print and Internet sources.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary for locations for leisure time activities
- Vocabulary for expressing opinions
- Sequencing vocabulary such as hajimeni ("at first"), sorekara ("after that"), and tsugi ("next")
- Formal and informal questions
- Adjectives of description
- Vocabulary related to indoor and outdoor activities
Shopping
Communication
Person to Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions related to shopping.
- Ask for and give a detailed description of an item being purchased.
- Ask and answer questions regarding where items can be purchased and for how much.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify and comprehend descriptions of items in an advertisement.
- Comprehend oral and written information about where specific items can be purchased.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Tell about the purchase and/or sale of an item.
- Relate a shopping experience.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Identify currency of Japan.
- Identify shopping customs in Japan.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Compare merchandise prices in the U.S. to prices in Japan.
Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons
- Compare shopping venues in Japan and the U.S.
- Discuss the American influence on stores and products in Japan.
- Discuss unique crafts and specialties in Japan.
- Identify katakana (foreign loan) words related to shopping.
- Compare the use of counters in Japanese and English.
Communication Across Communities
- Identify merchandise available on the Internet, through catalogs and/or in advertisements from Japan or local retail establishments.
- Identify international job opportunities related to retail and marketing.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Expressions of politeness
- Use of counters
- Descriptive adjectives
- Affirmative and negative commands
Special Events
Communication
Person to Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions related to special events (e.g. holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc.).
- Ask for and give a detailed description of a special event.
- Ask and answer questions regarding plans for a special event.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Comprehend descriptions of items needed for a special event.
- Comprehend invitations and announcements for special events.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Invite a friend to attend a special event.
- Describe a past, present or future celebration.
- Present rehearsed and nonrehearsed material related to a special event, such as a skit, poem, play or song.
- Respond to an invitation orally or in writing.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Identify holidays and typical celebrations of Japan.
- Discuss how Japanese people celebrate special events.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Discuss traditional foods served at special events in Japan.
- Discuss how Japanese people celebrate special events.
Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons
- Compare and contrast holidays and celebrations in Japan and the United States.
Communication Across Communities
- Identify options for attending Japanese special events or celebrations in the metropolitan area, such as Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival).
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary related to celebrations and special occasions (food, activities).
- Extending, accepting, and refusing invitations
- Extending good wishes
- Giving and receiving expressions based on in- and out-groups
Theme 4: Vacation and Travel
Travel Plans and Activities
Communication
Person to Person Communication
- Discuss and make travel plans.
- Ask and answer questions about travel and vacations, to include transportation schedules, modes of transportation, destinations and activities.
- Discuss past travel experience.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Interpret materials providing travel information.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Describe past travel experiences and future travel plans.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Discuss common modes of transportation in Japan.
- Discuss typical vacation spots and resorts in Japan.
- Discuss what teens in Japan enjoy doing while on vacation.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Discuss temperature and weather in Japan.
- Discuss the use of the 24-hour clock in Japan.
- Identify the geographical locations of Japan and its neighboring countries.
- Do mathematical computations to figure travel costs.
- Discuss the impact of current events on foreign travel.
Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons
- Compare travel and vacations in the U.S. and Japan.
- Compare the importance of public transportation in the U.S. and in Japan.
- Identify katakana (foreign loan) words related to travel, such as suutsukeesu, pasupooto, etc.
Communication Across Communities
- Utilize authentic materials to make travel plans to go to or travel in Japan.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Modes of transportation
- Affirmative and negative commands
- Prepositions with places and transportation
- Vocabulary for places of interest
Countries and Nationalities
Communication
Person to Person Communication
- Ask and answer questions about nationality and country of origin.
- Ask and answer questions about countries.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Identify various countries and nationalities.
- Interpret maps of Japan.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Discuss countries, cities, and languages spoken in Japan.
- Give geographical locations for countries, cities, and geographical features.
- Present information about nationalities and/or origins.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Discuss the impact of geography of daily life.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Discuss or write about news events related to the geography of Japan.
Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons
- Identify katakana (foreign loan) words for countries and nationalities.
Communication Across Communities
- Locate and use resources with information about Japan as a travel destination (Internet, brochures, etc.).
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Vocabulary for geographic locations (N, S, E, W, etc.)
- Particles and relationals of location with cities and countries
Asking for and Giving Directions
Communication
Person to Person Communication
- Ask for and give directions.
- Discuss where various places are located in Japan.
Listening and Reading for Understanding
- Understand written and spoken directions.
- Interpret directions with the assistance of a map.
Oral and Written Presentation
- Tell about going to specific places using various time frames (past, present and future).
- Give directions to a destination.
Cultures
Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products
- Discuss typical modes of transportation and places found in Japan.
Connections, Comparisons and Communities
Making Connections Through Language
- Use map-reading skills to interpret a map of a Japanese city or region.
Cultural and Linguistics Comparisons
- Identify similarities and differences between American cities and cities in Japan.
- Identify differences between American and Japanese ways of giving directions (distance v. time).
Communication Across Communities
- Access and interpret maps from Japan.
Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements
- Places of interest in Japanese cities
- Modes of transportation in Japan
- Places to go for directions in Japan, such as the police box