Pronunciation II
Fall 2000
TIUA Seibert

Your last name _____________ First name _________

READ THIS HANDOUT BEFORE MEETING WITH YOUR PARTNER
Prepare before you meet with your partner.

Conversation Partner Assignment 4 (due Wednesday, November 29)

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.

I. Before meeting with your partner,

Prepare to describe a situation in which you have been uncomfortable or could not understand what was going on because of the style of communication in the United States or the speaker's cultural background -- that is, you understood the words but not the real, deeper meaning of the conversation. For example, have you been uncomfortable or unable to communicate (in spite of understanding the words) in a conversation with an American roommate, a shop clerk, a professor, a Tomodachi family member, or someone else?

A. What made you uncomfortable: directness or indirectness, the way or place the person stood or sat, body language or eye contact, the content or subject of the conversation, or what?

B. Explain what happened and then explain how a similar conversation would or might have happened in Japan.

C. Ask your partner if he or she has been in a situation with a native Japanese speaker in which the style of communication or the cultural background of the speaker made him or her uncomfortable or unable to understand the real meaning of the conversation.

 

Make notes before you meet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

II. Since this is your last meeting with your conversation partner, discuss how you communicated with each other.

Were there any misunderstandings? Analyze them.

 

 

Who spoke the most and the least and why?

 

 

What cultural differences were there in communication styles?

 

 

Your partner will ask you these questions. Prepare some ideas before your meeting, so that you can respond.

1. What's your favorite Japanese movie? What is it about? Why do you like it?

 

 

 

2. What will you probably do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day?

 

 

 

Finally, write at least three English words, phrases or sentences 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.

 

Finally, write at least three English words, phrases or sentences you had difficulty understanding as you partner spoke. Ask your partner to say these English words and phrases again.

1.

2.

3.

Some ways to thank your partner and say good-bye:

Well, we've finished our assignments. I've really enjoyed talking with you. Good luck in your studies at Willamette. Have a nice break and keep in touch. Here's my home address and E-mail address, if you'd like to stay in contact or if you ever come to Japan.

or

We're done, but I'd like to say something else: Thanks so much for being my conversation partner! It was fun and I learned a lot. Have a nice holiday and I hope to see you again someday.

or

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

 

Your partner's name ________________________________

The date you met, place you met, and the time period in which you met (for example, November 28, Bistro, 8 - 9 p.m.):

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________ 

 

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Last modified November 15, 2000
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