Pronunciation II
Fall 2000
TIUA Seibert

Your last name _____________ First name _________

READ THIS HANDOUT BEFORE MEETING WITH YOUR PARTNER

Conversation Partner Assignment 2 (due Wednesday, October 18)

You will turn in this paper. Take notes on the extra copy of the handout as you talk with your partner. Later, write a "clean" copy. What you give to me must be neat, complete (more than a few words), and accurate (grammar and spelling).

  • Prepare before you meet with your partner. Practice words and phrases you might need.
  • Try to have a conversation, not an interview.
  • Speak for at least 30 minutes in Japanese and 30 minutes in English. Do this assignment in English. Do your partner's assignment in Japanese.
  • Communicate by speaking not writing. If you don't understand your partner or don't know how to spell something, ask; do not pass this paper across the table. You, not your partner, must write on this paper.
  • Relax; speak naturally. Look at your partner, not at the paper or the table.
  • Primarily focus on speaking not on note taking. Do not copy down your partner's answers "word for word" ( = exactly).
  • This assignment is a chance for you to practice English and additionally to learn more about language in general by helping someone learning Japanese.
 

1. Explain to your partner that you will tell him or her a five-minute story you prepared about an experience in the United States. When you are finished, encourage your partner to ask you some questions about this experience. 

2. Now ask your partner to tell you about an experience your partner had when he or she was traveling or living in another country or visiting or living in another part of the United States. Ask your partner some questions about this experience. (Write some information here about what your partner told you.) ["Could you tell me about an experience you had when you were traveling or living in another country or visiting or living in another part of the United States?"]

 

 

 

 

 

3. Ask your partner these questions about the role of travel in American culture:

"Do American families or individuals generally take vacations and how often?"

 

"Where do they go and what do they do?"

 

 

"For how long are they gone?"

 

"Why do they take these vacations?" (to spend time together? to relax? to see new places? to enjoy sports? to learn something new? to get away from the rain in the winter? for social status?)

 

 

"Did your family take vacations together when you were a child?"

 

"Would you tell me about your childhood vacations?"

 

 

4. Tell your partner about the role of vacations and travel in Japanese culture. Use the questions above for ideas of what to include.

Finally, write a few English words or phrases your partner had trouble understanding as you spoke. Ask your partner to help you say these English words and/or phrases more clearly.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

 

 

 

Finally, write a few English words or phrases you had difficulty understanding as you partner spoke. Ask your partner to say these English words and phrases again.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

Your partner's name ________________________________

Your partner's E-mail address ______________________

Your partner's phone number _________________

The date you met, place you met, and the time period in which you met (e.g., October 16, Bistro, 8 - 9 p.m.):

____________________________________________________________________

The place and time you will meet next time (next assignment due Wednesday, November 8).

____________________________________________________________________ 

 

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Last modified October 11, 2000
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