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This is a WebQuest asking students to prepare for a Japanese student to stay at their house by researching student life in Japan and planning activities in the local, regional and state wide area that would be familiar and unfamiliar to their student in order for them to have a rich and worthwhile trip.

(*** Adapted from Webquest Direct for educational purpose; All materials & photographs presented in this WebQuest remain the property of the author.) 


Directions for class 53TA2:
- A group leader in each group will be responsible for monitoring the group progress, giving the members a push if needed, and making a report to hand-in together with the assignment. The group leader may wish to explore some topics in step 2, but (s)he does not need submit his/her answer.
- A note about the report by the group leader: The report should include "who" responsible for "which topic" in step 2, and how each member contribute to the group work. The group leader may not need to make the report public.
- The group leader still needs to join other steps (3,4,5,6) together with the rest of the group.

Introduction

Congratulations!


You and your family have been chosen to host a student from Japan for two weeks over the summer. The home stay company "Real Life Homestay" wishes that their students do more than just sightseeing and actually learn about and experience the culture of their host country.


Because they will be staying for only a short time, you will need to find out about their life in Japan to help you plan two weeks of activities. This will help you to get to know them better, show them some Hamilton Island and Queensland experiences that are similar and different from their life in Japan, and of course, become great friends!

Task

Can short stay Japanese tourists enjoy a travel experience that has cultural relevance and brings about a greater understanding of the parallels and differences between our two countries and lifestyles?


First you will choose a homestay student that you think will get along well with you and your family. Then you will be working as part of a group to create a reference list of cultural points. You will then be working in pairs to brainstorm similarities and differences between your culture and that of Japan. Finally you will be creating a unique and exciting travel itinerary for your host student to experience parts of your own culture and lifestyle. Some activities will need to be in your homestay student's "comfort zone," while others need to be experiences they have never had before.

   

Step 1 & 2

Step 1: Choose your own host sister or host brother!  We have a list of students waiting to meet you.  Choose the one that you think you and your family will get along well with from the profiles. 

The profile includes their name, age, language spoken, school, family members, favourite food, and interests.  See the profiles here.
Step 2:  As part of a team, you need to research about cultural topics in relation to Japan.  Each team member will have different topics to research.  Once you have conducted your research you will report your findings to the group in a two minute presentation.  Then as a group you will brainstorm similarities or differences with Vietnamese culture.

Note down at least two or three relevant points for each research topic.  Remember that we are looking for points that are similar to or different from Vietnamese culture and lifestyle.   You will need to complete your section of the chart with your notes here. 

So let's start the investigation!

Click on the pictures below to use websites for your research, or find books from the library. It is also advised that you should find more information from http://web-japan.org/.

Group member #1

You will research these topics with the following focus questions in mind:

Language - What language skills do students have by the end of primary school or junior high school?

Favourite food and recipes for kids - What main ingredients are used or what types of foods are in these recipes?






Group member #2



Dining in Japan - What customs are there and what is considered rude and polite?



Nature and Climate - How do Japanese people feel about the seasons?





Group member #3



Natural features - How do Japanese feel about natural features of their country?


picture courtesy of Gary Wang



School life - What is a typical school day like in Japan?



picture courtesy of Gary Wang


Group member #4


Housing and clothing in Japan - What are features of Japanese housing?  What do children usually wear?



Religion - Where do Japanese go to pray and when?





Group member #5



Festivals - What are most festivals about in Japan?





Popular sports - What sports do children like to play in Japan?








With your group, watch some children's games from Japan - you may recognise some of them, others will be new to you!




Children's games - watch channel 2 on the TV for some videos of games.

Step 3 & 4

Now you have completed your research, and have used your team mate's notes to make two or three points in each category.  You should know a little about the country Japan, typical Japanese school life, what children like to eat, how they celebrate, what kind of sports they do and of course some cultural points.

Step 3: In pairs, brainstorm parts of your own life and Vietnamese life and culture which is different or similar to your research about Japan.  Add these notes into the correct boxes on your chart.  Use a highlighter to highlight specific points of similarity and difference between Japan and Vietnam.  Use one colour to show similarities and another colour to show differences.

These points should help you understand how Japanese culture is different and similar to your own.

Step 4: In pairs, brainstorm lots of activities from our area, region, and in Nha Trang that you think would be interesting for a homestay student.  Put them into a comparison chart to say whether they are similar to or different from your host student's life and your research on Japan.

For example:
FACT: my host student likes basketball.
SIMILAR ACTIVITY OPTION = we will go to the sports club to watch and play basketball.
DIFFERENT ACTIVITY OPTION = we will go to the sports club to learn how to play netball and watch a game.

FACT: my host student eats lots of rice.
SIMILAR ACTIVITY OPTION = we will cook Omlette Rice together for my family.
DIFFERENT ACTIVITY OPTION = we will go to the beach for a barbeque and eat steak and salad.

Use your imagination and be creative!

Use the chart here.  

Step 5

Many Japanese tourists come to Vietnam and do many fun things but the experiences they have don't help them to understand Vietnamese culture better or show them the 'real' Vietnamese lifestyle.  When your host student comes to visit it is important that they leave your home with a greater understanding of your culture and how it is sometimes similar and sometimes different from their own. 

Step 5: Now you should have thought about a variety of activities and fun things that you can do with your host student to show them what your life on Nha Trang and in Khanh Hoa is like.  Next you will create an itinerary for them so they know where you will be going, what you will be doing, and most importantly, why you are doing those activities.  Remember to plan some meals as well to show them Vietnamese food.  You can include activities with your family because they need to see what regular Vietnamese family life is like too.  The activities and travel can be here on Nha Trang, our region, and in Khanh Hoa.  Please do not go out of Khanh Hoa as your student is only here for a short time.  

During the first week your student is here your job is to plan activities which are familiar or "in their comfort zone."  This will prevent them from having culture shock.
During the second week you are free to show them activities which are completely different from what they know and are "out of their comfort zone."  This will open their eyes to how Vietnamese culture is different. 

Remember to think about your host student's profile as there may be some things which they cannot do.  You will need to plan for this and maybe make special arrangements.

Create your own travel itinerary or use the template here.  On your itinerary you should note the following:

- date of activity
- type and location of activity
- reason you have chosen that activity / what your student will gain from the activity
- predict your host student's reaction to the activity

You might like to look at the following travel websites to get ideas to complete your itinerary.  

Things to do in Nha Trang

Things to see and do in Khanh Hoa 

Step 6

Step 6: Now you have a plan of what you will be showing your student and why.  They will be arriving soon, so you need to write them a letter to introduce yourself and the activities you will be doing with them. In your letter include all of the following:
- introduce yourself and your family
- tell them about at least five of the activities you have planned with them
- tell them why you have planned those activities
- include your thoughts on what they might think/ how they might react to the activities

Remember!  Use language that is appropriate to your host sister or host brother's English level. You may need to explain what some unfamiliar things are.  You can be as creative with your letter format as you like.  It doesn't need to look like a traditional letter!

Once you have finished, submit your group research with highlighting, your pair brainstorming chart, your individual itinerary and your letter to your teacher for marking.

Host student profile 1

REAL LIFE HOMESTAY KK (Japan Ltd)

Homestay Host Student Profile

Name:	Nobuhiro Yamaoka
Age:	18
Hometown:	Nagano
School:	Nagano Chuugakkou
Hobbies/Sports:	Karaoke, baseball, soccer, ski.
Language:	Japanese.  Studies English at cram school.
Family:	Father and Mother have an apple orchard.  Grandmother lives at home with parents.
Message to Host Family  ホストファミリーへのメッセージ  Hello, my name is Nobuhiro.  Please call me Nobu.  I come from Nagano.  Do you know Nagano?  I like ski in winter and play soccer in summer.  I study English at cram school but I don’t have overseas friend.  I want to meet you and your family.  Please show me your country. Food I like:  I love ramen noodles.  I like curry rice. Food I dislike:  Cheese.

 OFFICE USE ONLY:

Note to host family:  Nobuhiro cannot swim.  Please make sure he is
safe when doing water sports and with an adult at all times.

Student ID# 13938

Date: 2011/7/26

Received by: Nishiwaki

Host family confirmed name _______________________________ Date________________

NEXT 

Host student profile 2

REAL LIFE HOMESTAY KK (Japan Ltd) 

Homestay Host Student Profile

Name:	Ryooko Suzuki
Age:	20
Hometown:	Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
School:	Yokohama Chuugakkou
Hobbies/Sports:	English club, volleyball club, shopping, movies.
Language:	Japanese.  Studies English in school and at English club.
Family:	Has an older sister in college.  Mother has part time job.  Father is salaryman.
Message to Host Family ホストファミリーへのメッセージ Nice to meet you.  My name is Ryooko.  I am from Yokohama.   I am 20 years old.  I have a sister, she is 19 years old.  She goes to junior college.  I like to play barreball at school.  I have a cat.  Her name is Torachan.  I like to shopping with my friends in Yokohama.  I want to see koala and kangaroo.   I am looking forward to meet you and your family.  Let’s have fun time together! Food I like:  Italian food.  Sushi. Food I dislike:  cereal. lamb.

OFFICE USE ONLY

Note to host family: Ryooko is afraid of heights, and does not like
the idea of riding in a helicopter.  

Student ID# 13945

Date: 2011/7/28

Received by: Nishiwaki

Host family confirmed name _______________________________ Date________________

NEXT

Host student profile 3

REAL LIFE HOMESTAY KK (Japan Ltd) 

Homestay Host Student Profile

Name:	Mayumi Ito
Age:	18
Hometown:	Machida, Tokyo.
School:	HonMachida Shoogakkou
Hobbies/Sports:	Playing with pet dogs, baking cookies, going to the park, softball, watching movies.
Language:	Japanese.  Studies English once a week at school.
Family:	Has a little brother called Daisuke.  Mother Aiko is a housewife.  Father Yoshi is a salaryman.
Message to Host Familyホストファミリーへのメッセージ Hello, my name is Mayumi.  Nice to meet you.  I am 18 years old.  I have two dogs.  I like to play with my dogs in the park.  I study English at school.  I like softball.  My father like fishing.  I am not good swimming but I want to see fish in Vietnam.  I like eat fish too!  Please look after me in Vietnam. Food I like:  I like fish and shellfish.  I very like icecream. Food I dislike:  lamb.

 OFFICE USE ONLY

Note to Host Family: Mayumi gets seasick easily when on long boat rides.

Student ID# 13621

Date: 2011/6/30

Received by: Nishiwaki

Host family confirmed name _______________________________ Date________________

NEXT

Host student profile 4

REAL LIFE HOMESTAY KK (Japan Ltd) 

Homestay Host Student Profile

Name:	Manabu Kato
Age:	19
Hometown:	Fukuoka
School:	Fukuoka Shougakkou
Hobbies/Sports:	Violin, swimming, club activities, computer games.
Language:	Japanese.  Studies English once a week in school.
Family:	Mother volunteers at a nursing home.  Father has a shop.
Message to Host Family　ホストファミリーへのメッセージ  My name is Manabu.  I live in Fukuoka.  I want to visit Vietnam.  I want to speak English.  I like animal. Please show me Vietnamese sports.  I like play sports.    Let’s play sports together. Food I like:  I like fish and meat.  I want to try Quang noodle. Food I dislike:  Peanuts.

 OFFICE USE ONLY

Note to Host Family:  Manabu's English is very limited so please help him
when he doesn't understand.

Student ID# 13942

Date: 2011/7/31

Received by: Nishiwaki

Host family confirmed name _______________________________ Date________________

RETURN to PROCESS

Resources

Kids Web Japan
This resource is made for children about children.

Japan Link
This page has a concise list of cultural details on Japan.  Better for learners with higher literacy skills.

Japan Atlas 
This page has virtual tours and maps pinpointing areas of interest in Japan

All about Nha Trang

Travel in Nha Trang

Nha Trang Holidays
                     

Word Document Templates for Use or Modification

Culture Research Chart

Activity Brainstorm Chart

Travel Itinerary Template

Conclusion

Congratulations! 

You have worked in a team to complete your research of Japanese culture and found out about Japan as a country, Japanese language, school life, housing, what children eat, table manners, religion, popular sports and festivals.  You will have seen that some games that children play in Japan are very similar to your own!
In pairs you have also compared your research points to your lifestyle and culture, and have put together an excitinghomestay itinerary for a host student.  To do this you have considered some activities more worthwhile than others to show them.  You have also written to your host student about what you will be doing and why.
If you have thought deeply about your host student's life in Japan and their culture when planning your activities, then the two weeks here in Vietnam should really show them how your lives are sometimes similar and sometimes completely different to what they are used to! The homestay company will be grateful for your efforts to fulfill their company goal.

Knowing what you now do about finding holiday activities that bring greater understanding between cultures, how would you now plan a trip to our region for children from the USA? Or how would you plan your own trip to Japan?

Evaluation

Your project will be marked using the following rubric.
You will be marked on your cultural study and how well you have found similarities and differences between Japanese culture and your own.
Remember to include what your host student will learn, or their reactions to the activities you have planned on your itinerary as well as in your letter.
Your activities should clearly link to your cultural study or to your host student's life.
Be careful with your spelling, and be creative with how you present your letter.

CRITERIA	EXCELLENT	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE	STILL DEVELOPING
Teamwork: Quality of Information gathered in cultural study and presented to team.	Individual task undertaken and completed with responsibility and timeliness.   At least 2 or 3 relevant cultural points noted in each section. All information gathered has relevance to task. Research presented to team with clarity, confidence and with depth of understanding of the material.	Individual task undertaken by self. At least 2 or 3 relevant cultural points noted in each section. Most information gathered has relevance to task. Research presented to the team clearly and with understanding of the material.	Individual task undertaken with some assistance from others.  At least 2 cultural points noted in each section. Some of the information has relevance to the task but some points are not on the topic.  Research presented to the team.	Individual task undertaken begrudgingly, or with extensive assistance.  One or no cultural points noted in each section, or all noted are not relevant, or points are noted in the wrong sections. Presentation to class of research shows little understanding of material.
Pair work: Points of similarity and difference highlighted.  Brainstorming and classification of activities.	Pair work done with cooperation at all times. All relevant similarities and differences highlighted in different colours.  Relevant and creative points noted for all Vietnamn culture in all sections.  Brainstorming shows deep insight into own life and culture.	Pair work done cooperatively.  Most similarities and differences highlighted in different colours.  Relevant points noted for Vietnamn culture in most sections. Brainstorming shows some insight into own life and culture.	Pair work done with some hesitation. Some comparisons highlighted.  May be highlighted in same colour.  Some relevant points noted for Vietnamn culture noted in some sections.  Brainstorming shows a surface understanding of own life and culture.	Pair work done with difficulty.  Few or no comparisons highlighted.  May be highlighted in same colour.  Few relevant or mostly irrelevant points noted for Vietnamn culture.   Brainstorming shows little understanding of own life and culture.
Itinerary planning, order of activities.	A variety of on-island (local) and region-wide activities are presented in a logical time order.       The majority of activities adhere to "similar" and then "dissimilar" cultural activities for each week. Includes three or more family based activities.	A variety of on-island (local) and region-wide activities are presented.  Some of the activities adhere to "similar" or "dissimilar" cultural activities for each week. Includes two or more family based activities.	Mostly on-island (local) or mostly regional activities are presented.  Activities may not flow logically.   Activities are either "similar" or "dissimilar" for the majority of the itinerary. Includes one family based activity.	Only on-island (local) or only regional activities included.  Activities do not flow logically.   Activities are not planned around being "similar" or "dissimilar." No family based activity included.
Reasons for choices of activities and predictions of host student reactions in itinerary.	All activities chosen are relevant to student profile or cultural study.  Reasons for choice are clearly expressed. Host student reactions/feelings/learning are predicted for all activities given in letter.	Most activities chosen are relevant to student profile or cultural study. Reasons of choice are given. Host student reactions/feelings/learning are predicted for most activities given in letter.	Some activities chosen are relevant to student profile or cultural study.  Reasons for choice are stated for some activities. Host student reactions/feelings/learning are predicted for less than half of the activities given in the letter.	Most activities chosen are not linked to student profile or cultural study notes.  Reasons for choice may be missing or inadequate. One or no student reaction/feeling/learning is predicted for the activities included in the letter.
Presentation and writing of letter.	Innovative creation and clear presentation of letter with less than 3 or no spelling mistakes. Language is appropriate to English level of host student.  Tone is friendly. 5 or more activities given in letter with reasons and reactions.	Clear presentation of letter with up to 5 spelling mistakes. Language is mostly appropriate to level of host student.  Tone is mostly friendly. 4 activities given in letter with reasons and reactions, or some reactions missing for activities.	Logical presentation of letter with no more than 8 spelling mistakes. Language is sometimes inappropriate for level of host student.  Tone is sometimes flat. 3 activities given in letter with reasons and reactions, or some reasons and reactions missing for activities.	Presentation of letter requires more effort and care.  More than 8 spelling mistakes. Language is inappropriate to host student level or is mostly unfriendly in tone. Less than 3 activities given in letter or reasons and reactions missing for all activities.