Using The Daily Yomiuri in the Classroom
Following last month's focus on the new governor of Miyazaki, this time we stay on the same subject so that students can see how vocabulary and topics carry over from one story to another. Students using the article for the first time will be able to use their knowledge of the topic from Japanese news to better understand the content of the story. once again there are two vocabulary activities, with a further two activities on grammar points and a choice of three Language Transfer activities.
Rough start for new Miyazaki governor
Despite his active media campaign to promote Miyazaki Prefecture, Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru has made some eyebrow-raising statements about policies, causing growing concern among observers. (1)
"I'm happy that many people took an interest in Miyazaki [Prefecture], but many things aren't developing as I had planned," Higashikokubaru said frankly to reporters Thursday. In the month since he was appointed governor, Higashikokubaru, 49, has been kept extremely busy. He demonstrated his leadership when three cases of bird flu virus were found in the prefecture, almost coinciding with his appointment as governor. He was also busy attending meetings with various departments and receiving courtesy visits day after day. The governor reportedly complained to a close friend that he could not remember his own schedule. However, his statements seem unusual for a politician. (2)
After his win, Higashikokubaru offered the deputy governor's seat to his rival in the gubernatorial election, Tetsuji Mochinaga, 46, a former Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry official who had been officially backed by the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, drawing a great deal of attention. (3)
He withdrew the suggestion when the people of Miyazaki Prefecture opposed the idea. The 42-year-old head of the prefectural government's general affairs department was eventually named deputy governor. (4)
Higashikokubaru's plan to come across as one of the people also has been scrapped. Due to a stream of official ceremonies such as award ceremonies and assembly meetings, he no longer wears the factory outfit that he became known for after his appointment. The governor is mostly seen in his suit now. (5)
Higashikokubaru also plans to move into the governor's official residence despite having previously suggested it be sold because of its lavishness and high maintenance costs. He now says, "It has good functions." (6)
"I can see he's ambitious about reform, but I'm paying attention to whether he'll actually try to bridge the gap between his ideals and reality," a veteran LDP assemblyman said. (7)
(The Daily Yomiuri, Feb. 24)
STUDENTS' ACTIVITIES
-- Vocabulary building 1
Look at the following paragraphs and find words with a similar meaning to: worry (paragraph 1), showed (paragraph 2.), happen at the same time (paragraph 2.), stopped (paragraph 5.), clothes (paragraph 5.), experienced (paragraph 7.)
-- Vocabulary building 2
Now find multi-word phrases for these terms
surprising (paragraph 1), seem/appear (paragraph 5), all the time (paragraph 2), an ordinary man (paragraph 5), watching (paragraph 7), find a compromise (paragraph 7)
-- Reading comprehension
1. Why was Higashi especially busy after his election?
2. Who was his first choice as deputy governor?
3. Why did he change his mind?
4. How has Higashi changed his policies?
5. Why has he changed?
-- Grammar focus 1--adverbs
Highlight all the " ly" adverbs in the article. Now match them to these meanings: before, in the end, honest,very, usually
-- Grammar focus 2--reported speech
Look at the highlighted sentences. Change them into reported speech using the following sentence heads
* In a recent interview, Higashi said....
* In response to queries, the governor stated...
* Commenting on Higashi's first few months in office, a veteran LDP member noted that while...he was...
-- Language transfer
Imagine the governor is visiting your hometown. Make a schedule showing what he will do and see. Now, write a letter or e-mail and a) invite the governor, b) explain the schedule
Look at the underlined section. Use your imagination and write a conversation between Higashi and his close friend.
Imagine you work for The Daily Yomiuri and you are going to interview Higashi. Make a list of questions about his first few months in office.
NOTES FOR TEACHERS
-- Vocabulary building 1
The first activity familiarizes the students with vocabulary in the text and helps build synonym knowledge. Answers: concern, demonstrate, coincide, scrapped, outfit, veteran
-- Vocabulary building 2
The second vocabulary activity focuses on multi-word phrases and offers a higher challenge. Answers: eyebrow-raising, come across as, pay attention to, day after day, one of the people, bridge the gap
-- Reading comprehension
The comprehension questions can be set before reading to give support to lower students or used as a reading speed activity. Answers: outbreak of bird flu, lots of meetings and visits, Tetsuji Mochinaga, The people of Miyazaki weren't happy, He decided to use the governor's official residence/thinks the residence has useful functions.
-- Grammar focus 1--adverbs
The activity focuses on regular adverbs (-ly ending) and should help students to better understand how adverbs are used by seeing them in context. Answers: previously, eventually, frankly, extremely, mostly.
-- Grammar Focus 2--reported speech
The activity allows students authentic practice of reported speech (commonly found in newspaper reports). The sentence heads help give greater complexity to the students work.
-- Language transfer
The first Language Transfer task can be used to review making suggestions and agreeing/disagreeing as well as the format of letters and e-mails.
The second activity can be expanded by having the students role play the conversation.
The third activity can also include a role play. To extend further, get the students to write a short article about their interview.
Weedon has 10 years' experience teaching English in Japan. He is also the coordinator for the Oita chapter of English Teachers in Japan. Contact him with any questions about the ideas in this column at gweedon 1971@nifty.com.