The tiny Japanese village preserving a traditional art form

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, watch a video, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

  

This article is about a small village in Japan with a long tradition of kabuki theater. Word count: 777

  

Before reading:

  

General Knowledge:

·Can you find Japan on a map? How about the village of Damine?

·What are some of the advantages that might come with life in a small village? How about disadvantages?

  

Speculate:

·In Japan, the populations of many smaller towns and villages are shrinking. What might be causing this?

  

After reading:

  

Review and discuss:

·Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".

·Why might large cities be more attractive to young people than life in a small village?

·Why do you think Damine's remaining families have stayed? In addition to kabuki, what might be a reason for choosing to stay even though many others have left?

·Imagine that you are part of the Damine community. What could you do to help save your village?

·In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

 

Reflect and evaluate:

·If the government where you live offered incentives like cheap land and thousands of dollars for home furnishings, would you consider moving to a rural area?

·In your culture, what are some traditions that children are encouraged to participate in? Is there anything similar to the kabuki tradition in Damine?

·Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?

·What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

 

Beyond the page

·Search online for information about or videos of the traditional Japanese performing art of kabuki. What is your impression of it?
    

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!

Familiar foods in foreign places

Taste of home: The enduring popularity of expat food shops - BBC News

Click on the embedded link above to read the article and see the photos on the BBC News website.

This article is about shops that sell imported food products. Word count: 1082

Before reading:

General Knowledge:

• Can you find Cologne, Germany, on a map?
• What is an 'expat'?

Speculate:

• The article says that although imported food products are in high demand, shops like this one have a lot of competition. Who do you think competes with these shops?
• Why might local people be interested in going to a shop selling imported foods?
• Customers at these shops come for more than imported products. What else might attract people to shop there?

After reading:

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• In the article Victoria Weatherall says, ""It's extraordinary the emotions that food can evoke." Do you agree with her? If so, give examples from your own experience.
• What would you miss most if you moved to a new country? In addition to food, what are some other things that people might miss when they are away from their home country?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

Reflect and evaluate:

• What kind of impact might shops like these have on local communities?
• Some local customers might visit an import shop to find a product they tried while on holiday in another country. Is there a product from another country that you really enjoy?
• What imported foods have you seen in your area? Which countries or regions seems to be popular or common?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

Beyond the page

• Have you ever been to an expat food store? Find a store in your area that sells imported food- maybe you'd like to try something new! Or look online for recipes for cuisine from your favorite country. (**Readers in Tokyo: see a list of suggested expat shops below.)
• Explore The English Shop's website.

   
Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!

**Readers in Tokyo- visit one of these expat food shops:
Kankoku Hiroba (Korean): http://www.ehiroba.jp/
Eataly (Italian): http://www.eataly.co.jp/
Maya Bazaar (Indian): http://www.mayabazaar.net/
Darvish (Iranian): http://darvishshop.com/
Mundo Latino (Latin American): http://www.nambei.com/
Asia Superstore (Thai): http://www.asia-superstore.com/
National Azabu (International): http://www.national-azabu.com/
Kaldi Coffee Farm (International): http://www.kaldi.co.jp/

New York City firefighters learn Chinese

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

This article is about NYC firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs who are learning Mandarin. Word count: 440

Before reading:

General Knowledge:

·Can you find New York City on a map?

·What comes to mind when you think about New York?

Speculate:

·New York City is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States. How might this affect the public services that are offered?

After reading:

Review and discuss:

·Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".

·What does Doraun Ellis mean when he says, "I'm a, you know, 6-foot-2 black guy. They were not expecting me to speak Mandarin"?

·Lt. Charles Flores says, "If you can put them a little at ease, that's half the treatment sometimes." How does learning Chinese help to accomplish this?

·What might happen in a situation where a firefighter or paramedic cannot speak the language of a person who needs help?

·In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

Reflect and evaluate:

·Have you ever been able to put someone at ease in a difficult or stressful situation? Or has someone helped you? What happened?

·Are there any skills you would like to learn in order to do your job better?

·Research: Chinese immigrants haven't always been New York City's largest immigrant group. Find out about immigration trends in the city's history. Then, find out more about immigration trends in the area where you live.

·Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?

·What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!

Coping with food shortages in Venezuela

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

This article is about how the government of Venezuela is encouraging people to grow urban gardens. Word count: 539

Before reading:

General Knowledge: 
·Can you find Venezuela on a map? What do you know about this country?

·What is an "urban garden"?

Speculate:
·Why might a government want people to grow urban gardens?
·What might be some of the challenges of growing an urban garden?

After reading:

Review and discuss:
·Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
·What are some ways that the Venezuelan government could support people who are willing to grow urban gardens?
·Imagine you are a farmer in Venezuela. Write a letter to the government explaining why they should offer you more support.
·What are the consequences of malnutrition, especially for children?

Reflect and evaluate:
·Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
·What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.
·In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?
·Have you ever worked in a farm or in a garden? If not, would you like to?
·What fruits or vegetables grow well where you live? What kind of foods are native in your area?

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!

Two months without a sunrise

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

This article is about life in a place where the sun doesn't rise during most of the winter. Word count: 636

   

Before reading:

General Knowledge:
·Can you find Greenland on a map? What do you know about this country?
·What is the Arctic Circle? What are its characteristics?

Speculate:
·What do you think life is like when it is dark 24 hours a day?


After reading:

Review and discuss:
·Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
·In the summer, Ittoqqortoormiit has sunlight for 24 hours a day. Imagine how this might affect daily life.
·Ms. Barselajsen isn't interested in lamps that mimic natural light. What do you think about this? Why might she not like them? 
·If you lived in this town, what would you do to get ready for the winter? How would you prepare for two months without sun?

Reflect and evaluate:
·Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
·What vocabulary words were new to you in this article?
·In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?
·Have you ever been to a place like this? How would you feel about living there?

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!