Any suggestions for teaching Japanese?

[KingDog]

I was fortunate enough to find a Japanese girl in our small town who was willing to give some informal Japanese lessons.

So far we've been learning some basics like colors, clothing, body parts etc.

I'd like to give her some possible suggestions on other fun things we can try. Stuff like games or role-playing.

For those with Japanese teachers do you have any suggestions?

[Belton]

It's hard to say really.

Beyond vocabulary you need some grammar to hold all the parts together if you will.

A lot of exercises we do in class are pairwork roleplay, often replacing a sentence or two with variations to practice a grammar point.

What you could do is have your friend make simple practical dialogues for you to try out. buying a train ticket, asking when the train is, ordering a meal, chatting someone up !

If you have a video camera, make a short (3 min) film in Japanese. Maybe an advert for why Japanese people should visit your hometown. you towns speciality food and most interesting tourist attraction.
She can help you script it and help with dialogue coaching.

Learning some songs might be good.


You could see if you can find this short book for ideas
100 ideas for teaching languages -- Nia Griffith -- Continium 2005 --ISBN0826485499

[markystar]

i second that!!!

[Elfunko]

Hehe, the role playing sounds like a good start. Later add some handcuffs for flavor.

but seriously,
Don't forget to make flashcards and practice incessently.

[markystar]

omg
too funny!

[aegd]

I'd suggest acting out scenarios that would happen in Japan...

- Going to the store

- Visting a friend, Having a friend come visit

- Having a meal at a resturant, Ordering at a resturant

- Asking for direction

Could seem kind of childish, but it would make life alot easier if you ever were
to travel to Japan.