Activity

School Differences

Students identify which sentences describe American or Japanese schools.

Archived from Englipedia.
Originally submitted by Ashlea Miyauchi on Nov 25, 2009.

DETAILED EXPLANATION:

  • Explain how a Venn Diagram works (see attachment) - one side is Japan and the other USA (or your home country), the overlap is both, and the outside box is neither.
  • Working together, identify the first one or two sentences as Japan/America/Both/Neither.
  • Give students 5-7 minutes to read and guess the sentences.
  • Check answers together, explaining with pictures and other information about your home country's school system.

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

  • This activity was designed for students who had learned "have to" and "don't have to." For a class which has already covered "must" and "mustn't," replace some of the grammar on the worksheet.

TIPS/CAUTIONS:

  • The concept that "You don't have to take tests" is NEITHER Japan nor USA is tricky. (double negative). So, ask them "In Japan, you don't have to take tests?" - "No!" - "In America, you don't have to take tests?" - "No!" - "Then, the answer is neither."
13
Submitted by Englipedia Archive November 13, 2019 Estimated time: 15-30 min
  1. ohnoko November 12, 2021

    This has become one of my favorite lessons to teach every year, and the kids really enjoy it too! This year I added a simple powerpoint presentation to provide some visual context which went over really well. My kids are always shocked that American students have to make good grades to play sports haha

Sign in or create an account to leave a comment.