Presentation

[ludoNL]

Hi

On september the 26th it will be the Europian day of Languages, and my school will contribute to this day by letting it´s students (only the young ones) get in touch with different languages. And since I will be going to Japan as an exchange student, I was asked to do a little presentation about japanese language.
I had some troubles coming up with a creative way to introduce these kids with japanese language in an easy but fun way, though.
So I wanted to ask you guys for some ideas; I know there are some creative people around here.
The kids whom I'll be teaching are 11 to 13 years old.
Any feedback will be appreciated.

Ludo

[nice gaijin]

I'm guessing you will be introducing them to the spoken language? Well, what conclusions, if any, have you come to about the language so far in your studies? I would guess that a quick explanation and some audience interaction in some kind of skit or game would be the most fun way to present to a group in that age group.

[ludoNL]

I'm guessing you will be introducing them to the spoken language?

Yes, I think trying to teach them hiragana would be taking things too far.

Well, what conclusions, if any, have you come to about the language so far in your studies?

Man, that's a pretty tough question.
I guess: It's a beautiful language, but it's also pretty hard to learn (And I haven't even started with the kanji's :( )
I would guess that a quick explanation and some audience interaction in some kind of skit or game would be the most fun way to present to a group in that age group.
Sounds great, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks a lot

[nice gaijin]

well, you don't want to scare the children off... The written language takes a lot of practice to get down, but how does the spoken language compare to learning English, or Dutch for that matter? Give some them positives about the language; that it's not especially more difficult, but that it's different from what they're used to.

[ludoNL]

well, you don't want to scare the children off... The written language takes a lot of practice to get down, but how does the spoken language compare to learning English, or Dutch for that matter? Give some them positives about the language; that it's not especially more difficult, but that it's different from what they're used to.
I'm affraid that if I go comparing languages, it'll be a dredfully boring talk about grammer wich will scares them of for sure.

[nice gaijin]

You don't have to go in depth, just let them know that the spoken language is surprisingly easy in your introduction. When it comes to the skit or game, you can demonstrate this by having the kids read their lines, and make it a "voila, you're speaking Japanese!" kind of thing

[ludoNL]

Good point!, do you think I should first give them an impression of how it all sounds? My theacher suggested giving them the lyrics to a japanese childrens song, and then letting them sing it.

[nice gaijin]

That's also an excellent idea, and I have also done that for a similar presentation (albeit for an older group). I recommend "Ojiisan no furudokei (http://www.zokky.com/artist_k/ken_hirai_lyrics/ookina_furudokei_grandfathers_clock_lyrics.html)," or "Sukiyaki (http://www.japanorama.com/kyuchan.html)." (I just did a google search for the lyrics). That's a good way to get the group involved, and the pace is nice and slow so everyone should be able to keep up. You should either run off a bunch of copies of the lyrics to pass out, or have them up on a projector or something.

[misa.j]

Singing songs in Japanese is a great idea.:cool:

If you are able to get a children's book with pictures written in Japanese and read it to them, that might be fun, too. I've had some toddlers say a few simple words with me while I read, all of them got quite good at it.

[ludoNL]

Thanks guys!

[nice gaijin]

forgot to mention that if you're going to be singing a song, have a tape deck or something so people can hear what it's supposed to sound like.

[ludoNL]

Of course; do you know a website where I can download the songs you mentioned?

[Mars Man]

Some good ideas provided here. Another side thing that might be interesting to the children would be the sound words, and the conotations that they have. . . such as 'chippu chippu choppu choppu' in the rain song, or sara sara, basa basa, and so on. I'd think we could come up with some good interesting ones. MM

[ludoNL]

Thanks you guys, I really appreciate it.
Any other ideas besides the song?

[ludoNL]

Well, I guess it was quite a succes; the kids seemed to be having a great time.

thanks you guys

[nice gaijin]

I'm glad it went well, what did you decide to do for your presentation?

[ludoNL]

I tought them some basic conversational skills using a few skits; I was planning on singing one of the songs you recommended with the kids, but I didn't have the time as it turned out that I wasn't the only that was asked for this assignment. But they seemed to like what I was teaching them, and it looked like they were really interested.

[Mars Man]

Congradulations on a job well done !! MM