Jblog 2

Key Features of Jblog 2 Textbook

1. The chapter title page includes a chapter summary and an eye-catching photograph; students are more adept at learning from images than they are given credit for.

2. Jblog is a weblog that introduces the cultural background of the chapter. It has a side panel with focus Japanese words. Facts are detailed enough to keep even the most gifted students engaged.

3. The ski challenge section encourages students to try challenges according to their ability, with three levels of difficulty based on the ski run rating system of green for beginner, blue for intermediate, and black for advanced. Each chapter features one differentiated challenge. Worksheets and listening drills also follow this rating system.

4. The Ask Your Senpai column is based on an Agony Aunt column. A problem is posed to explain new concepts of the language, culture, or the language learning experience. For example, the problems you may encounter when using a dictionary.

5. Each chapter ends with Lucy’s Diary. Lucy is the more advanced younger sister in the textbook who models the language in more contextualised texts.

6. NEW: A Japanese Recipe. In Jblog 2, Jake begins Japanese cooking lessons with his mum. The recipes are in Japanese introducing the plain form in a non-threatening way. Students are too distracted by the food to notice! We recommend cooking these in class if possible.

7. NEW: 10-Second Genius. This is a short grab that allows students to improve their “genius” ability in 10 seconds, for example, using suffixes to create new words.

Topics covered in Jblog Textbook 2

Chapter 1: Hobbies and Interests

The first chapter of this textbook acknowledges the start of the elective course. Students may have been in various classes in Stage 4, and will bring with them varying levels of confidence in script, grammar and vocabulary. Chapter 1 revises the key concepts covered in the first textbook. It then develops the student’s ability to talk about their contemporary hobbies and interests, such as screen-based activities. A new text type is introduced in the form of a recipe and provides an opportunity to cook yakitori at school or at home. Such hands-on tasks are an excellent way to help maintain elective numbers in the first vital month of a course.

Chapter 2: My Family and Friends

This chapter introduces aspects of Japanese philosophy such as きんつぎandわびさび. Many students struggle with mental health and self-confidence issues, so these concepts are an excellent way to begin a discussion. The chapter also explores intercultural competency and develops an understanding of how their knowledge of language and culture works together to enable more positive interactions with others.

Chapter 3: Body Talk

The third chapter focuses on the body. Students progress from using basic skills to describe appearance to a reflection on how culture influences our clothing choices and sense of modesty. Interesting superstitions regarding teeth and umbilical cords are described, and rites of passage in Japanese culture such as 七五三andせいじんの日are explored.

Chapter 4: Home Life

This chapter introduces features of Japanese home life such as futon, kotatsu, and bathing customs. Students develop the skills to describe the location of people and objects in a home and to describe what others are doing in specific rooms using present continuous verbs. The topic is concluded by considering the issue of homelessness in Australia and Japan. This is a good launch pad for schools considering supporting a cause through voluntary work or fundraising activities.

Chapter 5: Seasons

The fifth chapter offers a more contemporary exploration of the topic of seasons. Students progress from developing an understanding of seasonal associations in Japan to describing weather and snowfall rates at popular Japanese ski resorts. An investigation follows of natural phenomena such as earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, the effect on people (for example, following the events of Tohoku in 2011), and how people manage daily life under such conditions. We promote opportunities to support the Tohoku region through fundraising events or through tourism to Tohoku festivals such as Kanto and Nebuta.

Chapter 6: My Time

This chapter explores how people spend their time each day, and how happy they are spending it that way. It considers the issues surrounding childcare, over-worked fathers, and care for an ageing population. The role of robots in Japanese society is raised as a possible solution, and the concept “what is average?” is discussed. Traditional and contemporary lifestyles are explored, and students move beyond stereotypical beliefs to a deeper understanding of Japanese society.

Chapter 7: Around Town

The seventh chapter introduces typical features of a Japanese neighbourhood, such asじんじゃ and こうばん. Students develop skills in making and negotiating plans with others, and learn the appropriate use of phrases to purchase food at different establishments. The chapter looks at apps that students can use to plan travel routes considering time and budget restrictions, and reveals “insider” tips on remembering kanji stroke order. The ultimate kanji challenge is also offered for the more determined students in the class.

Chapter 8: Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) Unit – Sumo

The last chapter is an optional chapter that provides an introduction to CLIL pedagogical approaches. It is designed to be taught in an immersion-style environment but can be modified for a regular lesson setting. The topic of sumo wrestling provides the opportunity to consider the rise of non-Japanese wrestlers, the health concerns associated with the sport, the daily routines of a wrestler, and superstitions regarding beef and pork consumption. There are many cross-curricular content links available with this topic.