Click here for the PDF handout or try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on Asahi Shimbun. Click on the links below or see the activities below this article:
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WORKSHEET ACTIVITIES
WARM-UPS
1. BRAINSTORM CHAT: Write all the words you can think of about the Asahi Shimbun on the board or on a piece of paper. Talk about these words with your partner(s).
2. ASAHI SHIMBUN STAFF ROOM: Each student pretends to be an employee of the Asahi Shimbun. They walk around the "staff room" (classroom) and talk about the company and their job.
3. RUMOURS: Each student writes down a pretend rumour about the Asahi Shimbun. They then walk around the class and talk to other students about their rumour.
4. BETTER: Brainstorm ideas why the Asahi Shimbun is better than other newspapers and write them on the board. Students talk about these in pairs and think of ways to make these ideas better.
5. TRUE OR FALSE: Students find out several facts about the Asahi Shimbun. They write these down and add the same number of things about the company that are false. Students test each other on which of their points are true or false.
6. FACTS: In groups, students write down as many facts as they can about the Asahi Shimbun. The winner is the group with the most facts. Teacher may wish to have groups share their facts to make sure they are real.
LISTENING / READING GAP FILL
The Asahi Shimbun ____________________ best-selling newspapers, with a ____________________ over eight million. Its website says it is the country's "most ______________________-language newspaper". "Asahi Shimbun" in English means "Morning Sun Newspaper". It was founded in 1879 and cost one sen (____________________ yen). The paper "prides itself on its investigative reporting ____________________ business and political coverage, as well as insightful stories on Japan's ____________________". There is a highly popular digital edition of the newspaper in English – the AJW (Asia and Japan Watch), which offers "in-depth coverage of China, ____________________ and the rest of Asia". There is a Kindle version that offers stories on "cool Japan". The newspaper ____________________ the International Herald Tribune.
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MATCHING EXERCISES
SYNONYM MATCH
1. |
circulation |
a. |
investigations |
2 |
respected |
b. |
partnership |
3. |
founded |
c. |
regarded |
4. |
analyses |
d. |
interesting |
5. |
coverage |
e. |
distribution |
6. |
insightful |
f. |
reporting |
7. |
fascinating |
g. |
extensive |
8. |
edition |
h. |
started |
9. |
in-depth |
i. |
razor-sharp |
10. |
alliance |
j. |
version |
PHRASE MATCH
1. |
one of Japan's best- |
a. |
of a yen |
2 |
a daily circulation of |
b. |
in 1879 |
3. |
It was founded |
c. |
and political coverage |
4. |
a hundredth |
d. |
over eight million |
5. |
The paper prides itself on its |
e. |
depth coverage |
6. |
business |
f. |
selling newspapers |
7. |
insightful stories on Japan's |
g. |
edition |
8. |
a highly popular digital |
h. |
International Herald |
9. |
in- |
i. |
fascinating subculture |
10. |
an alliance with the |
j. |
investigative reporting |
LANGUAGE – MULTIPLE CHOICE
| The Asahi Shimbun is one of Japan's (1) ____-selling newspapers, with a (2) ____ circulation of over eight million. Its website says it is the country's "(3) ____ respected daily Japanese-language newspaper". "Asahi Shimbun" in English means "Morning Sun Newspaper". It was (4) ____ in 1879 and cost one sen (a (5) ____ of a yen). The paper "prides (6) ____ on its investigative reporting and analyses of business and political (7) ____, as well as insightful stories on Japan's (8) ____ subculture". There is a (9) ____ popular digital edition of the newspaper in English – the AJW (Asia and Japan Watch), which offers "in-(10) ____ coverage of China, the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Asia". There is Kindle version that (11) ____ stories on "cool Japan". The newspaper has an (12) ____ with the International Herald Tribune. |
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1. |
(a) |
good |
(b) |
deepest |
(c) |
best |
(d) |
web |
2. |
(a) |
daily |
(b) |
day |
(c) |
daylight |
(d) |
daydream |
3. |
(a) |
best |
(b) |
most |
(c) |
fastest |
(d) |
hottest |
4. |
(a) |
discovered |
(b) |
considered |
(c) |
propelled |
(d) |
founded |
5. |
(a) |
hundreds |
(b) |
hundredth |
(c) |
hundred |
(d) |
few hundred |
6. |
(a) |
itself |
(b) |
themselves |
(c) |
self |
(d) |
selves |
7. |
(a) |
brokerage |
(b) |
leverage |
(c) |
coverage |
(d) |
adage |
8. |
(a) |
fastening |
(b) |
frosting |
(c) |
faltering |
(d) |
fascinating |
9. |
(a) |
lowly |
(b) |
highly |
(c) |
width |
(d) |
depth |
10. |
(a) |
depth |
(b) |
length |
(c) |
width |
(d) |
height |
11. |
(a) |
requests |
(b) |
confirms |
(c) |
offers |
(d) |
asks |
12. |
(a) |
ally |
(b) |
allergy |
(c) |
allegation |
(d) |
alliance |
CORRECT THE SPELLING
The Asahi Shimbun is one of Japan's best-nligsel newspapers, with a daily cnoauiiclrt of over eight million. Its website says it is the country's "most derstpece daily Japanese-language newspaper". "Asahi Shimbun" in English means "Morning Sun Newspaper". It was nodudfe in 1879 and cost one sen (a rthundhed of a yen). The paper "prides itself on its investigative reporting and analyses of business and political gveoerac, as well as ignlfishtu stories on Japan's fascinating subculture". There is a highly popular digital itndioe of the newspaper in English – the AJW (Asia and Japan Watch), which offers "in-depth coverage of China, the Korean lnnsPuaei and the rest of Asia". There is a Kindle version that offers stories on "cool Japan". The newspaper has an eacialln with the International Herald Tribune.
UNJUMBLE THE WORDS
The Asahi Shimbun of one is newspapers selling - best Japan's, with over million daily of eight a circulation. Its website says it is the respected most " country's language - Japanese daily newspaper". "Asahi Shimbun" in English means "Morning Sun Newspaper". founded and was 1879 sen It one in cost (a hundredth of a yen). The paper "prides itself on its investigative political and of and reporting analyses business coverage, as well stories Japan's subculture insightful on fascinating as". There is a of edition digital popular highly in newspaper the English – the AJW (Asia and Japan Watch), which offers "in-depth coverage of China, the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Asia". There is a Kindle " that cool offers Japan stories ". on version. The newspaper has an alliance with the International Herald Tribune.
INSERT THE VOWELS
Th_ _s_h_ Sh_mb_n _s _n_ _f J_p_n's b_st-s_ll_ng n_wsp_p_rs, w_th _ d__ly c_rc_l_t__n _f _v_r __ght m_ll__n. _ts w_bs_t_ s_ys _t _s th_ c__ntry's "m_st r_sp_ct_d d__ly J_p_n_s_-l_ng__g_ n_wsp_p_r". "_s_h_ Sh_mb_n" _n _ngl_sh m__ns "M_rn_ng S_n N_wsp_p_r". _t w_s f__nd_d _n 1879 _nd c_st _n_ s_n (_ h_ndr_dth _f _ y_n). Th_ p_p_r "pr_d_s _ts_lf _n _ts _nv_st_g_t_v_ r_p_rt_ng _nd _n_lys_s _f b_s_n_ss _nd p_l_t_c_l c_v_r_g_, _s w_ll _s _ns_ghtf_l st_r__s _n J_p_n's f_sc_n_t_ng s_bc_lt_r_". Th_r_ _s _ h_ghly p_p_l_r d_g_t_l _d_t__n _f th_ n_wsp_p_r _n _ngl_sh – th_ _JW (_s__ _nd J_p_n W_tch), wh_ch _ff_rs "_n-d_pth c_v_r_g_ _f Ch_n_, th_ K_r__n P_n_ns_l_ _nd th_ r_st _f _s__". Th_r_ _s _ K_ndl_ v_rs__n th_t _ff_rs st_r__s _n "c__l J_p_n". Th_ n_wsp_p_r h_s _n _ll__nc_ w_th th_ _nt_rn_t__n_l H_r_ld Tr_b_n_.
PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS
the asahi shimbun is one of japan's best-selling newspapers with a daily circulation of over eight million its website says it is the country's "most respected daily japanese-language newspaper" "asahi shimbun" in english means "morning sun newspaper" it was founded in 1879 and cost one sen (a hundredth of a yen) the paper "prides itself on its investigative reporting and analyses of business and political coverage as well as insightful stories on japan's fascinating subculture" there is a highly popular digital edition of the newspaper in english – the ajw (asia and japan watch) which offers "in-depth coverage of china the korean peninsula and the rest of asia" there is a kindle version that offers stories on "cool japan" the newspaper has an alliance with the international herald tribune
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( ) |
respected daily Japanese-language newspaper". "Asahi Shimbun" |
( ) |
and analyses of business and political coverage, as well as insightful |
( ) |
depth coverage of China, the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Asia". There is Kindle version that offers stories |
( ) |
in English means "Morning Sun Newspaper". It was founded in 1879 and |
( ) |
cost one sen (a hundredth of a yen). The paper "prides itself on its investigative reporting |
( ) |
circulation of over eight million. Its website says it is the country's "most |
( ) |
on "cool Japan". The newspaper has an alliance with the International Herald Tribune. |
( ) |
stories on Japan's fascinating subculture". There is a highly popular digital |
( ) |
The Asahi Shimbun is one of Japan's best-selling newspapers, with a daily |
( ) |
edition of the newspaper in English – the AJW (Asia and Japan Watch), which offers "in- |
CHOOSE THE CORRECT TENSE
The Asahi Shimbun .......... (be) one of Japan's best-selling newspapers with a daily circulation of over eight million Its website .......... (say) it is the country's "most .......... (respect) daily Japanese-language newspaper" "Asahi Shimbun" in English .......... (mean) "Morning Sun Newspaper" It .......... (be) founded in 1879 and cost one sen (a hundredth of a yen) The paper ".......... (pride) itself on its investigative reporting and analyses of business and political coverage as well as insightful stories on Japan's fascinating subculture" There .......... (be) a highly popular digital edition of the newspaper in English – the AJW (Asia and Japan Watch) which .......... (offer) "in-depth coverage of China the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Asia" There .......... (be) a Kindle version that .......... (offer) stories on "cool Japan" The newspaper .......... (have) an alliance with the International Herald Tribune
REWRITE WITH SPACES
TheAsahiShimbunisoneofJapan'sbest-sellingnewspapers,withadailycirculationof
overeightmillion.Itswebsitesaysitisthecountry's"mostrespecteddailyJapanese-language
newspaper"."AsahiShimbun"inEnglishmeans"MorningSunNewspaper".Itwas
foundedin1879andcostonesen(ahundredthofayen).Thepaper"pridesitselfonitsinvestigative
reportingandanalysesofbusinessandpoliticalcoverage,aswellasinsightfulstoriesonJapan's
fascinatingsubculture".ThereisahighlypopulardigitaleditionofthenewspaperinEnglish–the
AJW(AsiaandJapanWatch),whichoffers"in-depthcoverageofChina,theKoreanPeninsulaandtherest
ofAsia".ThereisaKindleversionthatoffersstorieson"cool
Japan".ThenewspaperhasanalliancewiththeInternationalHeraldTribune.
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CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD
The Asahi Shimbun is one of Japan's best-____________ newspapers, with a ____________ circulation of over eight million. Its website says it is the country's "____________ respected daily Japanese-language newspaper". "Asahi Shimbun" in English means "Morning Sun Newspaper". It was ____________ in 1879 and cost one sen (a ____________ of a yen). The paper "____________ itself on its investigative reporting and ____________ of business and political coverage, as well as ____________ stories on Japan's fascinating subculture". There is a highly popular digital ____________ of the newspaper in English – the AJW (Asia and Japan Watch), which offers "in-____________ coverage of China, the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Asia". There is a Kindle version that offers stories on "____________ Japan". The newspaper has an ____________ with the International Herald Tribune. |
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insightful hundredth alliance daily depth prides selling most cool founded analyses edition |
PROJECT ASAHI SHIMBUN
Part 1. Your mission is to increase the profits and sales of the Asahi Shimbun. Complete this table with your project partner(s):
Main products |
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How to improve them |
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A brand new 'killer' product |
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How the Asahi Shimbun is better than the competition |
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How to beat the competition |
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Part 2. Change partners and look at their project. Suggest improvements. Ask for advice on your project:
Part 3. Make a presentation on your project. Give it to the class. Vote the best projects.
ASAHI SHIMBUN – ROLE PLAY 1
Role A – Asahi Shimbun CEO You believe your company is the best in the world. It pays its workers very well and working conditions are great. Your company is very green – it cares about the environment. You think your levels of customer service are great. Disagree with person B, C and D. |
Role B – Asahi Shimbun worker You think it's a bad company to work for. You're very unhappy with pay, raises and bonuses. You are very unhappy with the working environment. You don't like the company's policy on the environment. You keep hearing profits are more important than customers. Disagree with A and C. Tell D the truth. |
Role C – Asahi Shimbun customer You are a customer of the Asahi Shimbun. You used to think it was great, but not now. You can never find anyone in customer service - no one answers the phone. You are shocked about its policy on the environment. You think all staff should get less pay. You disagree with person A and B. Tell D the truth. |
Role D – A journalist from another newspaper You keep hearing bad things about the Asahi Shimbun. You want to tell the world in your newspaper. You heard the CEO gets a huge bonus every year. You found a company memo saying profits are more important than the environment. You want to know why so many staff are ill. Find the truth. |
ASAHI SHIMBUN – ROLE PLAY 2
Role A – Asahi Shimbun New Sections Director You have created a new features section for the Asahi Shimbun. You believe the new section will be the company's best ever. There are people who do not agree with you. You need B, C and D on your side. Tell them why this is a section that will bring great things to the Asahi Shimbun. |
Role B – Asahi Shimbun Marketing Director You think the company's new section is a really bad idea. It will give your company a really bad name. You think the New Sections Director is trying to destroy the company. Try to get him/her to understand there's no way the new section will help the newspaper. Try to get person C and D to agree with you. |
Role C – Asahi Shimbun Market Researcher You have interviewed thousands of people about the new section. They love it. You think it is risky but that it will be a huge success. Tell the New Sections Director he/she needs to go ahead with it very quickly. You do not trust person B. Disagree will him/her. |
Role D – Asahi Shimbun Shareholder You know a lot about the Asahi Shimbun's new section. You are worried it will not be popular and share prices will go down. You think A is crazy and must find a new job. You agree with everything B says. You don't agree with C. The new section should not be put in the newspaper. |
JOB INTERVIEW ROLE PLAY
INTERVIEWER (Write the questions you want to ask the candidate.) |
|
1. |
________________________________________________________ |
2. |
________________________________________________________ |
3. |
________________________________________________________ |
4. |
________________________________________________________ |
5. |
________________________________________________________ |
6. |
________________________________________________________ |
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INTERVIEWEE (Write questions you want to ask the interviewer.) |
|
1. |
________________________________________________________ |
2. |
________________________________________________________ |
3. |
________________________________________________________ |
4. |
________________________________________________________ |
5. |
________________________________________________________ |
6. |
________________________________________________________ |
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B) |
|
1. |
________________________________________________________ |
2. |
________________________________________________________ |
3. |
________________________________________________________ |
4. |
________________________________________________________ |
5. |
________________________________________________________ |
6. |
________________________________________________________ |
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STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A) |
|
1. |
________________________________________________________ |
2. |
________________________________________________________ |
3. |
________________________________________________________ |
4. |
________________________________________________________ |
5. |
________________________________________________________ |
6. |
________________________________________________________ |
ASAHI SHIMBUN SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about the Asahi Shimbun in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.
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STUDENT 1 _____________ |
STUDENT 2 _____________ |
STUDENT 3 _____________ |
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Q.1.
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Q.2.
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Q.3.
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Q.4.
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Q.5.
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- Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
- Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.
WRITING 1 – SPEED WRITING
Write anything about the Asahi Shimbun for 10 minutes. Show your partner your paper. Correct each other's work.
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WRITING 2 – LETTER OF COMPLAINT
Write a letter to the Asahi Shimbun. Complain about one of its stories. Explain what the story was and why you don't like it. Show your partner your paper. Correct their work.
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WRITING 3 – REPLY
Write a reply to the reader. Say you understand his/her point of view and explain why you think the story was OK. Show your partner your letter. Correct each other's work.
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HOMEWORK
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET INFO: Search the Internet and find more information about the Asahi Shimbun. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about the Asahi Shimbun. What have they done recently? What are their plans? Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
4. ASAHI SHIMBUN POSTER Make a poster about the Asahi Shimbun. Make sure you sell the company to the public. Show it to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your posters.
5. MY ASAHI SHIMBUN LESSON: Make your own English lesson on the Asahi Shimbun. Make sure there is a good mix of things to do. Find some good online activities. Teach the class / another group when you have finished.
6. ONLINE SHARING: Use your blog, wiki, Facebook page, MySpace page, Twitter stream, other social network account, or any other social media tool to get opinions on the Asahi Shimbun. Share your findings with the class.
ANSWERS
Check your answers in the article at the top of this page.
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