Introduction
You are studying abroad in Japan and know the town well. Today, you will help a new student get around. In this lesson, you will use a map to practice reading and writing skills while showing them how to find different places in town.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
· Read short directions in Japanese and understand them
· Find destinations on a map
· Write and give directions in Japanese to help someone
Get ready to become a helpful navigator and show a new student your town as a local!
Task
In this WebQuest, you will help a new student explore the town.
First, you will read directions in Japanese and identify locations on a map.
Next, you will write directions in Japanese to guide someone from one place to another.
Finally, you will work with a partner to practice giving and following directions using the town map.
By completing this task, you will develop your reading and writing skills while learning how to give directions in Japanese.
This activity will help you use Japanese in real-life situations when asking for or giving directions.
Goals – Focus on Reading and Writing
· Read short directions in Japanese and understand what they mean
· Use a map to locate destinations accurately
· Write and give directions in Japanese to help someone find their way
Process
Step 1 – Vocabulary Introduction
|
Verbs |
|
|
案内（あんない）します |
to guide |
|
止（と）まります |
to stop |
|
曲（ま）がります |
to turn |
|
乗（の）ります |
to ride |
|
降（お）ります |
to get off |
|
（～を）いきます |
to go |
|
渡（わた）ります |
to cross |
|
越（こ）えます |
to go over |
|
Locations |
|
|
町（まち） |
town |
|
たてもの |
building |
|
ばしょ |
location |
|
所（ところ） |
place |
|
ガソリンスタンド |
gas station |
|
タクシー乗（の）り場（ば） |
Taxi stand |
|
バス停（てい） |
bus stop |
|
駅（えき） |
station (usually trains in Japan) |
|
交番（こうばん） |
police box |
|
郵便局（ゆうびんきょく） |
post office |
|
博物館（はくぶつかん） |
museum |
|
美術館（びじゅつかん） |
art museum |
|
動物園（どうぶつえん） |
zoo |
|
駐車場（ちゅうしゃじょう） |
parking lot |
|
空港（くうこう） |
airport |
|
Direction Nouns |
|
|
信号（しんごう） |
traffic lights |
|
通（とお）り |
road/street |
|
道（みち） |
street/avenue |
|
交差点（こうさてん） |
intersection |
|
入口（いりぐち） |
entrance |
|
出口（でぐち） |
exit |
|
橋（はし） |
bridge |
|
向（む）こう |
the other side |
|
左（ひだり） |
left |
|
右（みぎ） |
right |
|
東（ひがし） |
east |
|
西（にし） |
west |
|
南（みなみ） |
south |
|
北（きた） |
north |
|
角（かど） |
corner |
|
地図（ちず） |
map |
|
道案内（みちあんない） |
directions |
|
～側（がわ） |
~ side |
|
～番目（ばんめ） |
~th (number)/Order |
|
～つ目（め） |
first, second, and third, etc. |
|
徒歩（とほ） |
on foot |
|
歩道（ほどう） |
sidewalk |
|
横断歩道橋（おうだんほどうきょう） |
pedestrian overpass (bridge crosswalk) |
|
交通（こうつう） |
transportation |
|
交通事故（こうつうじこ） |
traffic accident |
|
道路（どうろ） |
road |
|
Adjectives/Adverbs/Other expressions |
|
|
まっすぐ |
go straight |
|
速（はや）く |
quickly |
|
危（あぶ）ない |
dangerous |
|
急（きゅう）に |
suddenly |
|
安全（あんぜん） |
safe/safely |
・ The teacher checks the pronunciation.
・ Students practice by repeating.
Step 2 – Map Check
・ Confirm the buildings and locations in the town (station, post office, and museum, etc.).
Step 3 – Reading Activity
例文（れいぶん）／Example sentences:
はくぶつかんへいきたいです。
(I want to go to the museum.)
えきからみぎにまっすぐいって、一（ひと）つめのかどをひだりにまがります。
(From the station, go straight and turn left at the first corner.)
はくぶつかんは、三（みっ）つめのかどをみぎにまがったところです。
(The museum is where you turn right at the third corner.)
質問 （しつもん）／Question：博物館（はくぶつかん）はいくつめの角（かど）の右（みぎ）にありますか？
(Which corner is the museum on the right?)
A. 一（ひと）つ目（め）
B. 二（ふた）つ目（め）
C. 三（みっ）つ目（め）
Step 4 – Writing Activity
あなたの友達（ともだち）が学校（がっこう）から駅（えき）に行（い）きます。
学校（がっこう）から駅（えき）までの道案内（みちあんない）を日本語（にほんご）で書（か）きましょう。
*** ヒント：まっすぐ、～をまがります、～を渡（わた）ります、角（かど）を～ ***
Step 5 – Pair Activity
・ Student B reads them and finds the locations on the map.
・ Student A writes directions.
・ Switch roles and repeat.
Step 6 – Reflection
・ Did you remember the new vocabulary?
・ Were you able to read and understand the directions?
・ Were you able to write and explain directions?
Resources
・ Interactive map (Google Map)
・ Town map (PowerPoint)
・ Example sentences for giving directions
・ Vocabulary table
Evaluation
|
Criteria |
4 Excellent |
3 Good |
2 Developing |
1 Beginning |
|
Reading comprehension |
Correctly understands directions and identifies locations |
Mostly correct |
Some understanding |
Has difficulty understanding |
|
Writing directions |
Writes clear and accurate directions |
Minor errors |
Several errors |
Unable to write directions clearly |
|
Participation |
Actively participates |
Participates regularly |
Limited participation |
Minimal participation |
Conclusion
In this WebQuest, you practiced reading and writing directions in Japanese.
By using a town map, you learned how to describe locations and guide someone to a destination.
These skills help you use Japanese in real-life situations.
Let's continue practicing giving directions and communicating in Japanese.
Credits
Google. (n.d.). Google Maps. https://maps.google.com
Teachers Pay Teachers. (n.d.). Town wall map. Teachers Pay Teachers.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Town-Wall-Map-5050543
Notes: Vocabulary and example sentences were created by using words learned during the fieldwork study. No external sources were used.
Teacher Page
Target Students
9th -12th grade High school Japanese Level 2 students
Objectives
Students will be able to:
・ Read simple directions in Japanese
・ Locate places on a map
・ Write directions using basic vocabulary and sentence structures
Materials
・ WebQuest page
・ Town map
・ Vocabulary list
・ Optional worksheet for writing activity
Estimated Time
45–50 minutes
Lesson Procedure
1. Introduce vocabulary (10 minutes)
2. Reading activity (15 minutes)
3. Writing activity (10 minutes)
4. Pair activity (10 minutes)