TKI - Learning Language Series: Japanese

Word find

Vocabulary acquisition and reinforcement.

Students have their recognition of some common words in Japanese reinforced.

Individual activity

To download the 'word find' puzzle template and answer sheet in roomaji about names of countries, select from the following Word or PDF formats:

To download the 'word find' puzzle template and answer sheet in hiragana about parts of the body, select from the following Word or PDF formats:

Give each student a copy of one of the puzzles.
Go through the Japanese vocabulary (listed below the grid) with the class, to recall the words and practice pronunciation.
Tell students to circle or highlight the listed words on the grid.
At end of lesson, give out copies of the answer sheet so that students can self-assess their work.

This activity can be adapted for use with any of the Hai! units. As an example, see Unit 4 lesson B check sheet 2 in which there is a 'word find' puzzle using classroom vocabulary.
To make a new puzzle, choose around 12 words and write them in a blank grid in any direction. Then fill the rest of the squares with random letters. Use hiragana or roomaji.

Make a new puzzle with a topic specified but no words listed, so students have to recall words then find them.
Give the list of words to be found in English, and ask students to write the corresponding Japanese word alongside before finding them in the puzzle.
Give students a blank grid with which to make their own 'word find' puzzle to share with the class or add to the language corner activities.
Do a cultural comparison with the class, focussing on similarities and differences with Japan in areas such as formal/informal language, work, and school.