Future Self Introduction

Lesson Overview

In this 40-minute lesson for Year 6 Japanese language learners, students will begin creating their own self-introduction Google Slides titled "Dear Future Me." They will compose and record four key sentences introducing their name, age, nickname (or none), and future nickname in Japanese using Romaji or an online Japanese keyboard. The lesson centres on linguistic accuracy, word order, and pronunciation practice, aligned with the Australian Curriculum (v9) Victorian Japanese Year 6 standards.

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Curriculum Links

• Victorian Curriculum 2.0 - Japanese Years 5 and 6
• Content Description:
  • AC9LJ6C01: Initiate and sustain modelled exchanges in familiar contexts related to personal world【2:AC9LJ6C01.md】
  • AC9LJ6U01: Apply knowledge of combinations of hiragana sounds, pronunciation, and intonation patterns for fluency【12:AC9LJ6U01.md】
  • AC9LJ6U02: Use modelled grammatical structures and writing system rules to compose texts with correct punctuation and conventions【9:AC9LJ6U02.md】
  • AC9LJ6C03: Locate and process information and respond in different ways to suit purpose【5:AC9LJ6C03.md】

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Be able to construct four simple sentences introducing themselves in Japanese based on the model:
  • なまえ は [Name] です。
  • 今 [Age] さい です。
  • あだな は [Nickname] です。or あだな は ありません。
  • みらい の あだな は なん ですか。
• Understand and correctly use Japanese sentence word order (Subject-Topic + information + です)
• Use Romaji or online Japanese keyboards to type these sentences digitally
• Record and evaluate their pronunciation, intonation, and reading smoothness prioritising Japanese sounds over English pronunciation
• Recognise cultural context of name usage and nicknames in Japanese communication

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Class Details

• Year Level: Year 6
• Subject: Japanese Language
• Duration: 40 minutes
• Class Size: 92 students (consider splitting for pair or group work with rotation)
• Resources: Computers/tablets with internet access, Google Slides, online Japanese keyboard or Romaji input enabled, microphone for recording audio

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Warm-up (5 minutes)

• Quick interactive oral review of key vocabulary and phrases related to self-introduction.
• Teachers say aloud examples: なまえは～です、今～さいです、あだなは～です or あだなはありません。
• Students repeat chorally focusing on pronunciation and intonation (pitch patterns).
• Brief explanation of cultural note on Japanese nicknames and formality of self-introductions【0:AC9LJ6U04.md】【2:AC9LJ6C01.md】.

2. Introduction to Typing Japanese (7 minutes)

• Demonstrate how to use Romaji input or an online Japanese keyboard to type Japanese sentences.
• Show how typing は as 'wa' (particle reading), さい for age counter, and です to end sentences.
• Provide a simple cheat sheet or quick reference for typing relevant words (なまえ, 今, あだな, みらい, etc.)
• Guided practice: Students type a sample sentence from template in Google Slides.

3. Creating Personal Sentences (15 minutes)

• Students create each slide with the following sentences populated with their own details:

  1. なまえ は [Name] です。
  2. 今 [Age] さい です。
  3. あだな は [Nickname] です。 or あだな は ありません。
  4. みらい の あだな は なん ですか。

• Teacher circulates or uses breakout rooms (if online) for support and to monitor word choice and sentence order accuracy

• Encourage peer assistance: check partner’s word order and spelling

• Students insert audio recordings on each slide practicing smooth reading and accurate pronunciation.

4. Pronunciation and Intonation Practice (8 minutes)

• Play model audio of the four sentences spoken clearly by a native speaker or teacher
• Students practice reading aloud in pairs or small groups, focusing on:
  • Correct pronunciation of particles such as は (pronounced as 'wa')
  • Intonation: rising intonation for questions (なん ですか)
  • Smoothness and pace avoiding English pronunciation tone
• Provide feedback and tips for improvement

5. Assessment and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Quick self-assessment checklist for students to mark accuracy of word choices, sentence order, and pronunciation
• Peer feedback: students listen to a partner’s recording and give constructive feedback on fluency and accuracy
• Teacher collects or reviews Google Slides for:
  • Correct sentence structure and vocabulary (word choice, order)
  • Audio quality with pronunciation, intonation, and minimal English accent
• Optional: Select few recordings for class listening and positive reinforcement

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Differentiation

Student Profile	Differentiation Strategies
Struggling learners	Provide sentence starters or fill-in-the-blank templates in Google Slides; more guided typing support; paired with peers for modelling pronunciation and sentence creation
English as an additional language (EAL)	Use visuals/icons for name, age, nickname concepts; additional pronunciation practice with slow modelled sounds; options to answer in Romaji only
Advanced learners	Challenge to add one more sentence about a hobby or interest in Japanese; create slides entirely in hiragana/katakana with less Romaji; record extended self-introduction
Large class management	Use rotas for computer access, check students' work in groups; employ classroom helpers or peer tutors to monitor and assist

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Resources Needed

• Classroom set of computers/tablets with internet access
• Google Slides template pre-shared for "Dear Future Me"
• Online Japanese keyboard or Romaji input enabled on devices
• Audio recording capability on devices
• Cheat sheet with sentence models and typing hints
• Example audio recording by teacher or native speaker model
• Self and peer assessment sheet (simple rubric)

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Teacher Tips

• Model entire process first to ensure students understand expectations
• Encourage multiple attempts at audio to build confidence and fluency
• Highlight cultural language use around nicknames and polite introductions
• Use classroom management software or monitors to ensure device use is on task
• Celebrate attempts and progress in pronunciation, not just accuracy

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Sample Sentence Models with English Meanings

Japanese Sentence	Meaning
なまえ は [Name] です。	My name is [Name].
今 [Age] さい です。	I am [Age] years old now.
あだな は [Nickname] です。	My nickname is [Nickname].
あだな は ありません。	I do not have a nickname.
みらい の あだな は なん ですか。	What will my future nickname be?

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This lesson plan integrates speaking, writing, listening and digital skills specifically tailored for the Victorian Curriculum Japanese Year 6 standards, fostering linguistic accuracy, cultural understanding, and digital literacy in a large classroom setting, following Australian Curriculum (v9) expectations in Languages【2:AC9LJ6C01.md】【9:AC9LJ6U02.md】【12:AC9LJ6U01.md】【5:AC9LJ6C03.md】.