This page provides ideas and links to resources that can be used to introduce Australia to your students. They may be used in the English class, another class (such as social studies or art), on an English board, or for other cultural exchange activities.
Digital resources and pdfs provided by the Australian Government, DFaT, through the Embassy in Tokyo (https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyojapanese/aust_intro.html)
Australian arts and culture information available in Japanese from the embassy website (https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyo/art_culture_aust.html)
Digital resources provided by the Australia-Japan Foundation (http://australiamanabo.com/index.html)
Experience Australia kit (https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyojapanese/ajf_eakit_orgs.html)
Places in Australia (states; cities and towns; where the ALT or other teachers have lived; what to do and see on holiday; sister cities in Japan [http://www.clair.or.jp/e/exchange/shimai/countries/detail/1]).
“A Year in the Life of Australia” (NYE; Australia Day/Survival Day; Easter and Sydney Royal Easter Show; ANZAC Day; Queen’s Birthday; winter; NAIDOC Week; NRL & AFL Grand Finals; Melbourne Cup; Christmas; your town's agricultural show; arts festivals; Book Week [CBCA: https://www.cbca.org.au/cbca-book-week; third week of August]).
Australian people with Japanese 'connections:' Henry Black, Paul and Tony Glynn, Tetsuya Wakuda, Eddie Jones, Kumi Taguchi, Donna Burke, Akira Isogawa.
Australian children's/YA writers and their work: Matthew Reilly, Mem Fox, Emily Rodda, Morris Gleitzman, Andy Griffiths, Paul Jennings, P.L. Travers, May Gibbs, Bryce Courtenay.
Australian poetry: Henry Lawson, "Banjo" Paterson, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Gwen Harwood, Michael Leunig.
Australian homes (design, pools, addresses, furnishings)
Australian food: meat pie, sausage roll, sausage sandwich, lamington, Tim Tams, fairy bread, Farmer’s Union milk, Zooper Dooper, Aeroplane Jelly, Burger Rings, lamb, kangaroo, Weet-Bix, vegemite, Sydney rock oyster, damper, neenish tart, Anzac biscuits, white Christmas, hot cross buns, pavlova, Golden Gaytime, Cherry Ripe, Caramello Koala, jaffas, Minties, musk sticks, lemon myrtle, quandong. Reading a typical restaurant, cafe, or pub menu.
Symbols of each Australian state (bird, animal, colours, flag, etc.).