This game aims to show the students that it's impossible to think about
English words using katakana and still get the pronunciation correct. The
kids do very well at it - but the teachers find it mega difficult (and
amusing!). It's also good for the times when the older kids are not in
the mood for a "genki", lively game.
1. Put the kids into 6 groups.
2. Give each group 6 pieces of paper. On the first piece
of paper write "1". Write "2" on the
second etc. etc.
3. For the scoring I like to use the "Banana Tree" scoring
system, its the same as the Banana
Tree Game but without the ball and music thing..
4. Explain that English syllables and Japanese ones (onsetsu) are different. For example "Lion" has
2 in English, but Japanese "Raion" has four (ra
- i - o - n). Get a Japanese teacher to help you! Then
you can start the game.
5. Say a word in English. (holding up a picture of the
"thing" also helps here to reinforce their
vocab)
6. The kids then have to guess how many syllables it has.
7. They hold up the card that has the correct number on (e..g if they think
it has 3 syllables then they hold up the 3 card).
Note that all the teams should hold the cards up at the
same time as the other teams, to avoid any cheating!
8. If they get it correct then their team's animal climbs
one step up the tree!
9. Repeat from step 5 until one team reaches the top.
This is a really good game. Things like "dog" and "cat"
confuse them at first, but they quickly get the hang of it. Similarly words
like "kendo" or "Japan" are good as in English the
"n" is not counted. After a few goes you can move on to things
like "The United Kingdom", "The Olympic Games" or "Hippopotamus"!!
Although adults will find it difficult the Primary School
Children should quickly get the hand of it, and realise
that to speak English they have to listen to you, and not
think in katakana!!!
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