Dear fellow Japanese language teachers

What is the role of language learning in the 21st century? Why should anyone learn a language in a traditional classroom setting when there are apps and services that translate languages and engage viewers with cultural information when they want? Is our classroom obsolete? Is our existence as language teachers becoming extinct?
We value that: the importance of human communication and understanding of each other takes us to the road to finding and building a common ground. With this common ground we are able to build empathy and a deeper understanding of ourselves.　The language learning process is a deeply human and integral experience. Our hearts and minds must work together to make a rich learning experience.　We believe that a curiosity for the outside world becomes the drive for learning. In order to further nurture and instill this desire, we have selected topics that are current, yet address universal human issues as the content for each unit of study. Our aim is that while students are engaged in the topic by critically thinking and exploring alternative solutions, language learning becomes a necessity to truly understand the views of Japanese people.　
It is our hope that through our textbook our students will not only gain academic content knowledge and language, they will also be able to find themselves in the Japanese and the newly acquired Japanese in themselves. Our role as Japanese teachers is therefore, not replaceable as it is a crucial part in creating a rich learning environment with learners in mind – which no apps can provide. We sincerely hope you join us in this new era of teaching Japanese in classrooms.

2022 June
Yo Azama

1. Understanding the Lesson Flow and Instructional Mindset

2. Lesson Design

3. Assessments and Feedback

4. Alignment with ACTFL World Readiness Standards

5. Connections to AP Unit Guides and IB Themes

6. Resources

Instructional Strategies

Considerations for Sensei’s Presentation (Activity 1)
How can we engage learners with new content? The opening of each lesson is crucial to lay out the context and establish purpose. Teachers activate learner curiosity, leverage and challenge their existing understanding of the topic, and convey meaning in this stage. Here are some strategies teachers must consider when they conduct Sensei’s presentation.

How am I making the new words and concepts accessible to my students?
• Set the tone by showing excitement or seriousness or humors depending on the topic
• highlight new words and concepts by repeating, enunciating, changing tones of voice, etc.
• explain new words and concepts by using multiple examples
• use new words and concepts in context rather than isolated words
• Use visuals, audio, and other artifacts
• Use gestures
• Vary the tempo as you present
• Interact with students by asking questions that require simple answers
• Refer to the brainstorming chart the class created in the Let’s Explore! (Activity 0) section and also previously learned content
• Share your internal thoughts with learners
• Consider chunking the presentation as needed
• Refrain from asking students questions too early

Reference: Glisan, E. W., & Donato, R. (2017). Enacting the Work of Language Instruction. Language, 51.

▶ Example video for Sensei’s Presentation (Activity 1)

Advancing Our Teaching Practice: Focusing on Form in a Dialogue Context Through PACE
Presentation Phase of PACE (8’35”)

▶ Example video for Let’s Explore Language Structure! Section (Activity 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5)

Advancing Our Teaching Practice: Focusing on Form in a Dialogue Context Through PACE
Attention Phase of PACE (11’35”)