Lesson Title: Polite & Kind: A Guide to Good Manners in Japan

Lesson Overview:

• Target Audience: CEFR B1 Japanese Adults (Middle-aged/Older), Mixed returning/new.
• Time: 90 minutes
• Topic: Explaining Japanese Manners & Customs
• Main Goal: To enable students to confidently explain and demonstrate understanding of Japanese etiquette in common social situations using appropriate B1-level vocabulary and discourse strategies.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain 5 key etiquette tips for a chosen social situation.
• Use target vocabulary and phrases to give advice and explain cultural customs.
• Collaborate with a group to prepare and perform a short, simple role-play demonstrating a point of etiquette.
• Ask and answer follow-up questions about different social customs.

Target Language:

• Focus: Phrases for explaining customs and giving polite advice.
• Phrases/Vocabulary: (These are B1 level phrases that move beyond simple “should/shouldn’t”)
  • It’s customary to… (e.g., “In Japan, it’s customary to take off your shoes when entering a home.”)
  • to be considerate of… (e.g., “On the train, you should be considerate of other passengers and keep your voice down.”)
  • common courtesy (e.g., “It’s just common courtesy to offer your seat to an elderly person.”)
  • to be mindful of… (e.g., “Please be mindful of the volume of your music.”)
  • public space (e.g., “A train station is a public space, so we should keep it clean.”)

Materials:

• Whiteboard & Markers
• Projector & Computer
• Obsidian Slides (see outline below)
• Handouts: “Good Manners: Choose Your Situation” (1 per group)
• Small pieces of paper & pens for Exit Tickets

Lesson Procedure:

1. Getting Started (Warm-up & Intro) (15 minutes):

• Purpose: To activate students’ prior knowledge and introduce the lesson’s theme in a positive way. To introduce the target language efficiently.
• Activity: A Kind Stranger (5 mins)
  1. In pairs, ask students to discuss: “Think of a time a stranger was very kind or polite to you. What happened? How did it make you feel?”
  2. After a few minutes, ask 1-2 students to share their story with the class.
• Activity: Introducing the Topic & Language (10 mins)
  1. Transition: “That’s a great example of politeness. Today, we are going to be experts and create a guide to good manners in Japan for visitors.”
  2. Use the Obsidian slides to introduce the 5 target vocabulary words/phrases. For each one, show the phrase, explain the meaning simply, and give a clear example sentence.
  3. Briefly explain the main task for the day: “In groups, you will choose one situation, create a ‘Top 5’ list of manners tips, and then prepare a very short role-play to show one of your tips.”
• CCQs:
  • “Are you working alone or in groups today?” (In groups)
  • “How many tips will you create in your group?” (Five)
  • “Will your role-play be long or short?” (Short, about 1 minute)
  • “What is the goal of the role-play?” (To show one of your tips)

2. Let’s Talk! (Main Activities) (60 minutes):

• Purpose: Provide extended, scaffolded practice for students to collaborate, use the target language, and share their expertise in a structured but communicative way.
• Activity 1: The Manners Experts’ Meeting (25 minutes)
  1. Divide students into groups of 3 (or 4, depending on attendance).
  2. Give each group the “Good Manners: Choose Your Situation” handout.
  3. Instruct them to choose ONE situation that their group finds interesting.
  4. Their task: Discuss and write down their “Top 5 Tips for Good Manners” for that situation. Encourage them to use the target vocabulary on the board/slide.
  5. Circulate and assist groups, offering language support and encouragement. Help them phrase their tips clearly.
• CCQs:
  • “What’s the first thing you do in your group?” (Choose a situation)
  • “What are you writing down?” (Top 5 tips for manners)
  • “Should you try to use the new vocabulary?” (Yes)
• Activity 2: Role-Play Prep & Performance (35 minutes)
  1. Preparation (15 mins): Tell the groups: “Now, look at your list of 5 tips. Choose ONE tip. Prepare a very short, 1-minute role-play to demonstrate this tip. One person can be a visitor, and the others are Japanese locals. You can show the right way or the wrong way.”
  2. Performance (20 mins):
     • Bring the class back together.
     • Invite each group to the front one by one.
     • First, they present their chosen situation and read their “Top 5 Tips” to the class.
     • Then, they perform their 1-minute role-play.
     • After each role-play, ask the audience: “Which tip was that role-play about?” This keeps the other students engaged.
     • Applaud every group.

4. Wrapping Up (Review & Feedback) (15 minutes):

• Purpose: Consolidate learning, address questions, apply error correction, and gather feedback.
• Activities:
  1. Lesson Recap/Sharing Highlights (5 mins): Ask the whole class: “What was the most interesting or surprising tip you learned from another group today?”
  2. Error Correction Slot (5 mins): Use your delayed error correction method. Write 3-4 sentences on the board with common errors you heard, especially related to the target language (e.g., misuse of considerate or customary). Ask students to correct them in pairs.
  3. Final Q&A (2 mins): “Any questions about today’s topic or vocabulary?”
  4. Exit Ticket (3 mins): Distribute the paper slips for feedback.

Instructor Guidance & Notes:

• Error Correction Strategy: Focus on errors related to the target B1 phrases (It's customary to, be considerate of, etc.) as this is new language. Note down misuse and address it in the final slot.
• Cultural Sensitivity: This topic is perfect. Frame it as being helpful guides for visitors. The collaborative, non-confrontational nature is ideal.
• Flexibility: The timing is structured but can be adjusted. If groups are deeply engaged in creating their tips, give them a few extra minutes. The key is to protect time for the performance and wrap-up stages.
• Quality over Quantity: Emphasize that the role-plays should be very short and simple. The goal is clear communication of one idea, not a complex theatrical performance. This will prevent the “Desert Island” issue.
• Differentiation: Stronger students can be encouraged to explain the reason behind a custom. For students who need more support, encourage them to focus on writing clear, simple sentences for their tips before thinking about the role-play.

Obsidian Slides Outline:

## Polite & Kind
### A Guide to Good Manners in Japan
`A clean and simple photographic image for a presentation. Two middle-aged Japanese women are smiling and bowing slightly to each other in a bright, clean, modern setting like a shop entrance or a nice lobby. The image conveys respect and friendliness. Bright, minimalist background, out of focus. FLUX.1 style.`
---
# Warm-up

## A Kind Stranger
### In pairs, please discuss:
- Think of a time a stranger was very kind or polite to you.
- What happened?
- How did it make you feel?
---
# Key Vocabulary
---
# It's customary to...
---
## == **It's customary to...** ==
### This is a traditional or normal way of behaving.
#### Example: In Japan, it's customary to say "Itadakimasu" before eating.
---
# to be considerate of...
---
## == **to be considerate of...** ==
### To think about other people's feelings and needs.
#### Example: Please be considerate of your neighbors and don't make loud noise late at night.
---
# common courtesy
---
## == **common courtesy** ==
### The basic level of politeness that people are expected to show.
#### Example: Holding the door open for someone is common courtesy.
---
# to be mindful of...
---
## == **to be mindful of...** ==
### To be aware of something; to remember something important.
#### Example: When you are in a library, you should be mindful of the quiet atmosphere.
---
# public space
---
## == **public space** ==
### A place that is open and accessible to all people.
#### Example: Parks, train stations, and libraries are all public spaces.
---
# Today's Main Task

## The Manners Experts' Meeting
### In groups of 3-4:
1.  **Choose ONE** situation from the handout.
2.  **Create** a "Top 5 Tips" list for good manners in that situation.
3.  **Prepare** a short (1-min) role-play for **ONE** of your tips.
---
# Let's Begin!
## Activity 1: Create Your "Top 5 Tips"
### (25 minutes)
---
# Activity 2: Role-Play Time!
## Preparation (15 mins)
## Performance (20 mins)
### When you perform:
1.  Tell us your situation.
2.  Read your "Top 5 Tips."
3.  Perform your 1-minute role-play!
---
# Wrap-up & Q&A
---
# Exit Ticket
### Please take a moment to give your feedback. Thank you!