I. Pre-Listening Exercises [Top]

Describe a normal school day in the life of a student in your country including hours, class subjects, meals, rules, dress, and extra-curricular activities. What options are there in your country to take online classes through distance learning, even for children?

HELPFUL TIP: Instruction in the United States is very student centered and discussion is highly encouraged. Be prepared to talk and interact with students, perhaps more than you are used to in your country.

II. Listening Exercises [Top]

Listen to the conversation by pressing the “Play Audio” button of the audio type you want to hear, and answer the questions. Press the “Final Score” button to check your quiz.

1. How does Joshua go to school in Japan?

A. He takes a school bus every morning

B. He rides the subway at 8:00 AM.

C. He walks with a group of students.
2. Which item did Joshua NOT mention when talking about the things he takes to school?

A. backpack

B. gym clothes

C. school hat

3. What is one of the first things Joshua does when he arrives at school?

A. He practices his reading and writing.

B. He stands and bows to the teacher.

C. He puts on his gym clothes for class.

4. Where does Joshua eat lunch at school?

A. in his classroom

B. in the lunchroom

C. in the gymnasium

5. What time does Joshua probably get home from school most days?

A. between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM

B. between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM

C. between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM


Score =

Correct answers:


Randall: Hello. Today I’m interviewing Joshua on his experiences going to a Japanese school. Now Joshua, what time do you go to school?
Joshua: Eight O’clock.

Randall: Eight O’clock. And do you go by yourself, or on a school bus?

Joshua: No, I have a group that goes with me.

Randall: So you go with a group?

Joshua: Uh-huh.

Randall: Now what kinds of things do you take to school?

Joshua: I take my taiso fuku, that is gym clothes, and I take my backpack and my books [ Oh, okay. ] and stuff like that.

Randall: Okay and what is the first thing you do when you get to school?

Joshua: We do “kiritsu, rei.”

Randall: “Kiritsu” and “rei.” Now what are those?

Joshua: It means “stand up, bow.”

Randall: Stand up and bow.

Joshua: Uh-huh.

Randall: And what do you study at school?

Joshua: We study kokugo, that is writing and reading and stuff like that [ Okay ], and sansu, that’s math. [ Okay. ]. And, let’s see . . . , we do gym too.

Randall: Okay, and where do you eat lunch? Do you have a lunchroom or cafeteria?

Joshua: No, we eat in our classroom.

Randall: You eat in your classroom! [ Yeah. ]. Oh wow. That is very interesting. Now what time do you come home from school?

Joshua: We come home sometimes at 3:00 and sometimes at 2:00.

Randall: Okay, well thank you very much Joshua.

Joshua: You’re welcome.

III. Post-Listening Exercises [Top]

What thing did you most enjoy about your school life in your country? Talk with a partner. Explain and discuss some of these topics:

  • the length of the school year
  • a typical day at school
  • teacher and student interaction
  • school rules (e.g., dress, hair styles, chewing gum, talking in class, cheating, arriving late, etc.)

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