Others

Award-winning short stories with narration

 * **コミュニケーション大賞**

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Kids Activities
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 * kidsnet

= = Short stories in Japanese with English translations =
 * Emmerich, Michael. 2008. //Read Real Japanese: Short Stories by Contemporary Writers//. (with an audio narration CD) Tokyo: Kodansha International.
 * Kawauchi, Sayumi (ed.), Ralph F. McCarthy (translator). 1997. //Once Upon a Time in Japan// (『まんが日本昔ばなし』). Tokyo: Kodansha International.
 * Murray, Giles. 2003. //Breaking into Japanese Literature: Seven Modern Classics in Parallel Text//. (Free download of sound files from the Net) Tokyo: Kodansha International.

= Some QUESTIONS to be asked when looking for authentic materials: =
 * What do we humans use language for, generally?


 * 1) To communicate ideas, feelings, etc. 2. For pleasure. 3. Social needs; e.g. greetings.


 * What do our students READ in real life (as opposed to in the classroom)?
 * What do students their age in Japan READ?


 * What do our students LISTEN to in real life?
 * What do students their age in Japan LISTEN to?


 * What will be the FOCUS of the activity using this particular material? NOTE: The same material can be used effectively for different activities and at different levels.
 * Is the activity/material USEFUL and/or ENJOYABLE?
 * Does the material incorporate Japanese "CULTURE"? That is, will students learn something about Japan, what Japanese people typically do & why, how they typically think, etc.?
 * Are there natural ways to INTEGRATE listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture using this particular material?