Time Japanese Telling

Year Level

Year 1

Duration

40 minutes

Class Profile

25 students

Curriculum Context

Learning Area: Languages – Japanese
Australian Curriculum (v9) Links:

• AC9LJ2C04: Notice that language carries cultural meaning in classroom-related greetings, introductions, instructions and routines (Years 1-2).
• AC9LJF01: With support, recognise and communicate meaning in Japanese (Foundation Year, but relevant foundational skills).
• AC9LJ4U02_E7: Recognise and use basic counters in Japanese for different purposes including time, e.g. ～じ (hour), はん (half past), and counting from 1–100 (Years 3 and 4 elaboration, adapted for Year 1's initial exposure).

The focus is on familiarising students with telling time to the hour in Japanese through play-based, interactive, and culturally rich activities that meet Year 1 language learning expectations, specifically guided by the curriculum's emphasis on formulaic expressions, visual and spoken cues, and cultural understanding【13:AC9LJF01.md】【15:AC9LJ2C04.md】【16:AC9LJ4U02.md】.

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Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Recognise and say the hours in Japanese to tell time to the hour (1時 〜 12時) and express "What time is it?" (なんじですか？).
• Understand and respond to the question "What time is it?" using formulaic expressions.
• Connect the Japanese way of telling time with daily routines and cultural context.
• Participate actively in interactive language activities using visual, spoken, and kinaesthetic cues.

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Lesson Outline and Timing

Time	Activity	Description	Curriculum Alignment
0–5 mins	Welcome & Warm-up	Greetings and brief review of numbers 1-12 in Japanese using flashcards and gestures.	AC9LJF01_E2, AC9LJ2C04_E2: Basic language recognition and formulaic expressions【13】【15】
5–10 mins	Introduction to Time Vocabulary	Teach "なんじ（何時）" (What time is it?) and hours 1時～12時 with flashcards and repetition. Use visuals of clocks showing times. Pronounce together as a group.	AC9LJ4U02_E7 for counters and numbers adapted; AC9LJF01_E8: locating and recognising key words【13】【16】
10–20 mins	Interactive Clock Activity	Provide paper clocks to pairs. Teacher calls out times in Japanese to the hour (e.g., ３じです) students set their clocks accordingly. Include commands like "Set to ___ o'clock" (___じにしてください). Use choral repetition and individual checks.	AC9LJ2C04_E5, AC9LJ2C04_E6: participating in games and giving/ following instructions【15】
20–30 mins	Song & Movement Break	Teach a simple Japanese time telling song/rhyme, e.g., “いちじ、にじ、さんじ…” with actions like pointing to the clock, turning hands, clapping. Encourage students to sing along and move.	AC9LJF01_E4: Play and experiment with language through songs, rhymes, actions【13】
30–35 mins	Role-play: Asking the Time	In groups of 4-5, students practise asking "なんじですか？" and answering with "[number]じです" using toy clocks and props (e.g., schedule pictures for daily activities). Teacher models and supports.	AC9LJ2C04_E5: Guided role-play on familiar questions and answers【15】
35–40 mins	Closing & Assessment	Quick oral formative assessment — Teacher points to clock images and students answer "なんじですか？" (What time is it?) and respond correctly. Praise effort and acknowledge cultural aspect of time telling in Japanese culture.	AC9LJF01_E7: Responding to spoken language and instructions; AC9LJ2C04_E1: Use of formulaic expressions【13】【15】

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Resources Required

• Flashcards with numbers 1–12 and clock faces showing hours only
• Paper clocks with movable hands (one per student pair)
• Audio or video of Japanese time telling songs or rhymes (teacher-created or simple chant)
• Toy clocks or printed clock images for role-play
• Visual timetable depicting common daily activities (optional)

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Differentiation

• Provide visual supports and stroke order aids to assist correct pronunciation and recognition.
• Support EAL/D students with paired learning and gestures.
• Encourage advanced students to attempt writing simple phrases 〇時です。
• Use repetition and multisensory input to help all learners.

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Cross-Curriculum Priorities & General Capabilities

• Cultural understanding: Learn the Japanese way of telling time and related cultural expressions, fostering respect and interest in diverse communication methods.
• Literacy: Speaking and listening skills developed through repetition, role play, and song.
• ICT Capability: Optional use of digital clocks on tablets or interactive whiteboards for demonstrating time.
• Personal and Social Capability: Cooperation and turn-taking during group activities and role plays.

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Teacher Tips

• Keep energy high with movement and song to maintain engagement.
• Use clear, slow pronunciation and model multiple times.
• Use positive reinforcement and culturally enriching comments to contextualise learning.
• Incorporate visual aids continually to support word-image associations.

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This lesson plan delivers a solid foundation for telling time to the hour in Japanese tailored specifically for Year 1 learners in Australia, aligned to the Australian Curriculum (v9) with age-appropriate, interactive, culturally contextual activities designed to delight and engage both students and teachers alike【13:AC9LJF01.md】【15:AC9LJ2C04.md】【16:AC9LJ4U02.md】.