I was inspired by a comment that is also from South Africa and was looking for inspiration for their English Board.
I am a new ALT and new in Japan (this is my first year), so I understand the daunting task of making an English Board for the first time. I really struggled to come up with ideas as to what I can show, as you don't really think about your culture until you are no longer living in it. At first I did differences between South Africa and Japan - as I saw other English Boards do this as well - but then I started to do a little bit more research about my country and culture and looked for things that might be interesting but still relatable.
I change my English Board every two weeks, and so there will many documents. I utilise Canva for all of my posters, and Word for things related to specific public holidays in my home country.
If you are not South African, you are more than welcome to use these posters to showcase other countries and cultures to your students if you want (but please in a positive manner). If you are South African, then have a lekker time with this and switch it up if you need to.
The files are everything I have or will post up on my English Board until the end of November 2024. One Graffiti section (it's a part of my English Board where I ask students questions and they write their answers, or I do a poll and they put stickers at the relevant place), I will ask my students what they want to know about SA, so we will see if this post will be updated continuously or not. If anyone has ideas, please let me know. I'm also thinking of asking (or having my JTE ask since my Japanese sucks) my Japanese colleagues what they want to know about.
PS: The majority of Japanese on my posters were checked by my JTEs but if some of the Japanese is incorrect or doesn't make sense, please let me know.
UPDATE 1: Here is a Drive link to the larger files - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ny-q0btd_ksxbyiParwwCDdPXcua8Rbh?usp=sharing
UPDATE 2: Added a poster of "South Africa or Japan?" on suggestion from a comment. The kids will put stickers to show their vote. At the end of 2 weeks, I will post the answers by printing out the flag and place name and pinning it over the picture. For those curious, the answers are as follow, in chronological order: Cape Town (SA), Yokohama (JP), Fuji Safari Park (JP), Huis Ten Bosch (JP), Blyde River Canyon (SA), Bloukrans Bridge (SA), Mt Fuji (JP), and Drakensberg (SA). So it is a perfect balance. I think it is easy, but it is just to engage the students. One or two will hopefully trip them up [like the safari one ;) ].
UPDATE 3: The difference between South Africa and Japan Christmas.
UPDATE 4: New Year's Day in South Africa vs Japan.
UPDATE 5: Valentine's Day in Japan vs South Africa
Cute materials! There was another creator who did something like "America or Japan Quiz" that I think could be a fun interactive part to add to your board; but obviously modified for S.Africa~ https://www.altopedia.net/activities/1422-america-or-japan-english-board-quiz
My kids really like learning about other cultures so I will add a little section for South Africa in our next board! Thanks :)
@CarpenterBee Thank you for the link! I will definitely take a look. I hope your kids enjoy South African culture!!
As a fellow Saffa, these are sooo cool! I've been told I could use our English board as well, and I've been scrambling for ideas. So, thank you :)!
I don't know if it's just my side, but the link to the Google folder says the folder is empty.
@Shabz I hope you can use some of these posters, either as they are or as a source of inspiration.
Thank you for bringing the link to my attention. I fixed it now. It should direct you to the documents in my English Board folder :)
Great job Monica! These are great. I've been here about a year and not made nearly as many SA themed posters. Thanks for sharing. Baie mooi!
awesome! Thanks for sharing your work!