Weather Interview Task
Minefields

Two dilemmas are met when teaching the weather in Japan; i) it isn't introduced by the text book until 2nd year junior high school, and ii) once taught it is only referred to for 20 seconds in each following lesson (at best). So, instead of beginning the morning warm-up with only one asking of "How's the weather?" and only one possible reply (even in Japan's climate extremes it's unlikely to be stormy, windy, rainy, cloudy, sunny, and snowy during the course of one lesson), introduce this interview activity as a warm-up or consolidation activity! Add a bit of spice to the activity by teaching, "It's raining cats and dogs!". Draw in a few felines and inu, or add your own weather art; your students' reactions will reward you.

Why not be really adventurous and try this with elementary school students. Have the class practice the question and answers in chorus, then divide the class in half and get 2 or 3 students from group A to ask the B group students the question. They then have much fun drawing the answer into the corresponding blank. This activity assumes a passing familiarity with the days of the week, so a lesson spent learning these might be helpful, but never underestimate elementary school students. Some of mine told me that it was windy and rainy, because the girl on sheet -A- is carrying an umbrella! junior high school students should interview each other on a one to one level, and write the adjective on their worksheet.

Teaching Tip When speaking to the class always use a loud, clear voice; don't mumble. Look up so that students can also watch your mouth to see how the words are formed. When using the blackboard remember to turn around before you speak, don't talk into the board. It will never understand you, but there's an outside chance your students might!

View this page without frames (good for editing or printing)

Complete index ... without frames

Introduction (frames)