Using The Daily Yomiuri in the Classroom
Simon Goddard Weedon Special to The Daily Yomiuri
This month we look at the new political landscape of Japan, with an article about the end of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's tenure. The topic should provide plenty of interest; the Language Transfer section gives a four-stage activity drawn from the article topic.
Curtain comes down
suddenly on Abe's rule
Since its inauguration in September last year, the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been hit by a myriad of scandals, especially over political expenses and gaffes made by Cabinet ministers.
Each time a scandal surfaced, Abe came in for fierce criticism for his botched response to each situation.
The first scandal to shake the administration was a series of reports that huge office expense claims had been filed by Cabinet ministers' political organizations. Last December, Genichiro Sato, state minister for administrative reform and regional revitalization, resigned following the discovery of his political organization's inappropriate accounting records.
The scandal was followed by the suicide in May of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka, who had >>>>> at the Diet for reporting what appeared to be extravagant expense figures for such mundane office running costs as lighting and heating.
Matsuoka's successor, Norihiko Akagi, was also criticized for earmarking a large sum to cover the running expenses for one of his political support groups, which was using his parents' home as its office. Akagi was also rapped in the media for failing to give an explanation when he appeared at a press conference with adhesive bandages on his face.
Every time a scandal over money and politics emerged, Abe >>>>>> >> defending the relevant Cabinet minister, saying the reporting of funds was done appropriately and in accordance with the law. Such a lenient stance >> >>> criticism that Abe was trying to defend "problematic" ministers.
In the face of criticism, Abe effectively fired Akagi in August >>>> the Liberal Democratic Party's humiliating defeat in the House of Councillors election. Ministerial gaffes have also characterized the Abe administration.
In January, then Health, labor and Welfare Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa described women as "birthing machines."
In July, Defense Minster Fumio Kyuma resigned after controversial remarks in which he said: "I understand the atomic bombings [of Hiroshima and Nagasaki] brought the war to an end. I think it was something that couldn't be helped." (edited for column)
(The Daily Yomiuri, Sept. 13)
STUDENTS' ACTIVITIES
Dictionary work/scanning
Scan the text and underline these words--criticism, resign, fierce, administration, suicide
Now use your dictionary to check their meaning.
Vocabulary
Look at the underlined words in the text. Match them to the correct definition:
>>>> embarrassing mistakes
>>>> a large number (of)
>>>> common/ordinary
>>>> criticized strongly
>>>> clumsy
>>>> formal start (of something)
>>>> allocate/prepare to give
Phrases
Match the phrases to their meanings
stuck to the position of after
come under fire caused a lot of
in the wake of didn't change
his answer
drew a barrage of be criticized
Now, put them in the correct space in the article.
Reading comprehension
1. When did Genichiro Sato resign?
2. Why was Toshikatsu Matsuoka in trouble?
3. Give two reasons why Norihiko Akagi was in trouble.
4. What happened to Akagi in August?
5. Who called women "birthing machines"?
6. How many ministers' scandals are mentioned in the article?
Language transfer
1. Make a list of skills and personality traits that a prime minister needs. (Option: complete each sentence as many times as possible.)
A good Prime Minister should be........
A good Prime Minister should have........
A good Prime Minister should be prepared to (do something)
2. Now change each sentence into a question; e.g.,
Is (NAME) adj.?
Does (NAME) have noun?
Would (NAME) be prepared to (do x)?
3. Now, use the list of questions and interview your partner about Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. How many "yes" answer does he get?
4. Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru is very popular.
Choose a famous Japanese celebrity to be the next prime minister.
Tell your partner about why your celebrity would be a good choice.
NOTES FOR TEACHERS
Dictionary work/scanning
This focuses on the 2,000-4,000 vocabulary range. Underlining helps to improve students' basic scanning skills, and the dictionary work will let them read without stopping to check vocabulary.
Vocabulary
This focuses on less frequent vocabulary and encourages students to use context to understand meaning. Answers: gaffes = embarrassing mistakes, myriad = a large number (of), mundane = common / ordinary, rapped = criticized strongly, botched = clumsy, inauguration = formal start (of something), earmark = allocate / prepare to give
Phrases
This activity expands to phrase level understanding. Answers are: come under fire = be criticized; stuck to the position of = didn't change his answer; drew a barrage of = caused a lot of; in the wake of = after
Reading comprehension
A recommended approach would be: Lower intermediate students--read questions then look for answers in the article. Upper intermediate--read article first, cover it and try to answer the questions. Answers: 1. December 2006; 2. His expenses for basic office costs were very high; 3. earmarking money for his supporters / not giving reason for strange appearance; 4. He was effectively fired; 5. Hakuo Yanagisawa; 6. 5
Language transfer
The language transfer activity has four stages, but each activity can be done separately. In class, students may take time to brainstorm vocabulary for Stage 1. one way round this is to provide a list of appropriate vocabulary for the students to choose from.
Weedon has 11 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.
(Oct. 4, 2007)
Simon Goddard Weedon Special to The Daily Yomiuri
This month we look at the new political landscape of Japan, with an article about the end of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's tenure. The topic should provide plenty of interest; the Language Transfer section gives a four-stage activity drawn from the article topic.
Curtain comes down
suddenly on Abe's rule
Since its inauguration in September last year, the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been hit by a myriad of scandals, especially over political expenses and gaffes made by Cabinet ministers.
Each time a scandal surfaced, Abe came in for fierce criticism for his botched response to each situation.
The first scandal to shake the administration was a series of reports that huge office expense claims had been filed by Cabinet ministers' political organizations. Last December, Genichiro Sato, state minister for administrative reform and regional revitalization, resigned following the discovery of his political organization's inappropriate accounting records.
The scandal was followed by the suicide in May of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka, who had >>>>> at the Diet for reporting what appeared to be extravagant expense figures for such mundane office running costs as lighting and heating.
Matsuoka's successor, Norihiko Akagi, was also criticized for earmarking a large sum to cover the running expenses for one of his political support groups, which was using his parents' home as its office. Akagi was also rapped in the media for failing to give an explanation when he appeared at a press conference with adhesive bandages on his face.
Every time a scandal over money and politics emerged, Abe >>>>>> >> defending the relevant Cabinet minister, saying the reporting of funds was done appropriately and in accordance with the law. Such a lenient stance >> >>> criticism that Abe was trying to defend "problematic" ministers.
In the face of criticism, Abe effectively fired Akagi in August >>>> the Liberal Democratic Party's humiliating defeat in the House of Councillors election. Ministerial gaffes have also characterized the Abe administration.
In January, then Health, labor and Welfare Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa described women as "birthing machines."
In July, Defense Minster Fumio Kyuma resigned after controversial remarks in which he said: "I understand the atomic bombings [of Hiroshima and Nagasaki] brought the war to an end. I think it was something that couldn't be helped." (edited for column)
(The Daily Yomiuri, Sept. 13)
STUDENTS' ACTIVITIES
Dictionary work/scanning
Scan the text and underline these words--criticism, resign, fierce, administration, suicide
Now use your dictionary to check their meaning.
Vocabulary
Look at the underlined words in the text. Match them to the correct definition:
>>>> embarrassing mistakes
>>>> a large number (of)
>>>> common/ordinary
>>>> criticized strongly
>>>> clumsy
>>>> formal start (of something)
>>>> allocate/prepare to give
Phrases
Match the phrases to their meanings
stuck to the position of after
come under fire caused a lot of
in the wake of didn't change
his answer
drew a barrage of be criticized
Now, put them in the correct space in the article.
Reading comprehension
1. When did Genichiro Sato resign?
2. Why was Toshikatsu Matsuoka in trouble?
3. Give two reasons why Norihiko Akagi was in trouble.
4. What happened to Akagi in August?
5. Who called women "birthing machines"?
6. How many ministers' scandals are mentioned in the article?
Language transfer
1. Make a list of skills and personality traits that a prime minister needs. (Option: complete each sentence as many times as possible.)
A good Prime Minister should be........
A good Prime Minister should have........
A good Prime Minister should be prepared to (do something)
2. Now change each sentence into a question; e.g.,
Is (NAME) adj.?
Does (NAME) have noun?
Would (NAME) be prepared to (do x)?
3. Now, use the list of questions and interview your partner about Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. How many "yes" answer does he get?
4. Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru is very popular.
Choose a famous Japanese celebrity to be the next prime minister.
Tell your partner about why your celebrity would be a good choice.
NOTES FOR TEACHERS
Dictionary work/scanning
This focuses on the 2,000-4,000 vocabulary range. Underlining helps to improve students' basic scanning skills, and the dictionary work will let them read without stopping to check vocabulary.
Vocabulary
This focuses on less frequent vocabulary and encourages students to use context to understand meaning. Answers: gaffes = embarrassing mistakes, myriad = a large number (of), mundane = common / ordinary, rapped = criticized strongly, botched = clumsy, inauguration = formal start (of something), earmark = allocate / prepare to give
Phrases
This activity expands to phrase level understanding. Answers are: come under fire = be criticized; stuck to the position of = didn't change his answer; drew a barrage of = caused a lot of; in the wake of = after
Reading comprehension
A recommended approach would be: Lower intermediate students--read questions then look for answers in the article. Upper intermediate--read article first, cover it and try to answer the questions. Answers: 1. December 2006; 2. His expenses for basic office costs were very high; 3. earmarking money for his supporters / not giving reason for strange appearance; 4. He was effectively fired; 5. Hakuo Yanagisawa; 6. 5
Language transfer
The language transfer activity has four stages, but each activity can be done separately. In class, students may take time to brainstorm vocabulary for Stage 1. one way round this is to provide a list of appropriate vocabulary for the students to choose from.
Weedon has 11 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.
(Oct. 4, 2007)