Japanese Denim
WORKSHEET
1. Suggested Use
Skill and culture focus, followed by A1-level vocabulary and grammar activities.
2. Suggested Activities
A. Project-based learning
Students create a short presentation or poster about a traditional product or craft from their town or country. They describe what it is, who makes it, and why it is special. This could be handmade pottery, carpets, tea, or sweets, anything made with care and skill, like the jeans in Kojima. They include simple information such as what materials people use, how long it takes, and why people are proud of it. Have them use the videoscript as a model.
B. Mediation task: Facilitating pluricultural space
Students discuss why they think this tradition is important in Japan, using the video to help them. Then they discuss if there’s a similar traditional craft in their country that is passed down through generations. Alternatively, have students research some examples online to share with the group.
C. Pronunciation task: Connected speech, consonant + vowel
Have students identify words that end in consonants or consonant sounds which are followed by words with vowels, e.g. is a, use it, proud of, in each, not only, and old. Elicit what they hear and have students explain that the consonant sound carries over to the vowel so they sound connected. Have students think of other examples and writer example sentences to give to another pair to practise.
3. Vocabulary
Clothes
denim
cotton
cloth
jeans
factory
shop
worker
skill
Adjectives
Famous
Good
Small
Different
Hard
Expensive
4. Grammar
Is vs are:
Kojima is a town in Japan; It is famous for making denim; The jeans are famous for their dark blue colour.
Prepositions of place:
Kojima is a town in Japan; People come from around the world.
Coordinating conjunctions:
Some are very expensive. But in Kojima, shopping is not only about buying clothes; They teach young people how to make jeans, so the skill can continue.
TRANSCRIPT
Japanese Denim
NARRATOR:
Kojima is a town in Japan that is famous for making denim. Denim is a strong cotton cloth. People use it to make jeans. In Kojima there is a famous road called Jeans Street. There are around 40 shops and factories. Many people from around the world come here to shop. They want to buy very good jeans.
SOUNDBITE - Zhi-hao Chan:
“I think Japan is known for denim quality.”
NARRATOR:
In Kojima, the factories are small. The workers make the jeans very carefully. They are proud of what they make. They teach young people how to make jeans, so the skill can continue. The jeans are famous for their dark blue colour. People call this “Japan blue”. The price of jeans is different in each shop. Some are very expensive. But in Kojima, shopping for jeans is not only about buying clothes. People also learn about hard work, style, and old ways.