Lesson 7: Japanese Ghosts and Monsters
The area by the river can be a bit spooky.

I can talk about Japanese ghosts and monsters.

INTRODUCE

Japanese ghosts and monsters are very unique. It can be fun to tell your foreign friends about them!

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.

    1. If something is supernatural, it means that it can’t be explained by science.

     

    Thea says her dad has supernatural powers. She claims he can see the future!

     

    Q: Would you like to have supernatural powers?

     

     

    2. If something is spooky, it means that it’s mysterious or scary.

     

    Nobody lives in the spooky house in the forest.

     

    Q: Would you spend a night alone in a spooky house for one million dollars?

     

     

    3. To give someone goosebumps means to make someone’s skin become slightly rough and bumpy, usually from fear or cold.

     

    Angelica’s scary story gave me goosebumps!

     

    Q: What was the last thing that gave you goosebumps?

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

Vowel sounds in between consonants are sometimes removed so that the pronunciation becomes smoother.
Phrase Example

supernatural

/ soo-per-nach-ruhl /

Our neighbors say the old lady living down the street has / soo-per-nach-ruhl / powers.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Saori and Aoi-chan are visiting Naoki in Fukouka. Saori is talking with Naoki while he gets ready for work.

Naoki:

So what are your plans for today?

Saori:

Hmm. In the morning, I’m thinking we might take a stroll along the river. I don’t have plans yet for the rest of the day, though.

Naoki:

Be careful. The area by the river can be a bit spooky. I guess you’ll be okay if it’s in the morning, though.

Saori:

What do you mean?

Naoki:

I used to walk there on my way home at night, but I stopped because I kept seeing these shapes moving in the dark. I could never see what they were, but they gave me goosebumps.

Saori:

I’m sure it was just your imagination playing tricks on you.

Naoki:

That’s what I thought, but then one day my co-worker Andy told me that he was walking along that river when he saw an ittan-momen!

Saori:

An ittan-momen? (laughs) Naoki, you can’t be serious.  I didn’t even know you believed in supernatural stuff like that.

Naoki:

Well, I believe Andy. He wouldn’t lie about something like that. He said it started to fly towards him, so he ran away as fast as he could.

Saori:

You know, he probably just ran away from a plastic bag in the wind. (laughs)

TRIVIA

In Japan, summer is usually considered to be the season for spooky stories. In many other countries, however, October or even the beginning of November is considered the time for ghostly things.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Complete the photo captions using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

supernatural
spooky
give someone goosebumps

1. @LeilaHudgens: I found an old photo of a haunted school! It looks so __________!

 

2. @IanFox: For those of you who want to communicate with the dead, I can help you. I have __________ abilities.

3. @MattyZane: There’s something kind of strange about my neighbor’s cat. The way it looks at me ________.

STEP B EXERCISE

Follow the instructions in parentheses using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

supernatural
spooky
give someone goosebumps

1.

Tutor: Well, what do you think about this painting? Should we buy it?

Student: (Say that you’re not sure and explain that it makes your skin react like you’re cold.)

 

2.

Tutor: I bet that house is pretty cheap. It’s kind of scary, though.

Student: (Say that you wouldn’t want to live in a scary house like that.)

 

3.

Tutor: Bill seems to be a rather strange guy. Don’t you agree?

Student: (Say that you heard he has abilities that cannot be explained by science.)

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your friend are hanging out at a café. Chat about your friend’s recent strange experience, then talk about Japanese ghosts and monsters in general.

Today's Expressions

  • supernatural
  • spooky
  • give someone goosebumps

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTERS
2

SPOOKY STORIES
3

JAPANESE GHOSTS AND MONSTERS
1

SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTERS

  1. What places in Japan are famous for supernatural encounters?
  2. What places outside of Japan are famous for supernatural encounters?
  3. Have you ever had a supernatural encounter?
  4. What would you do if you encountered a supernatural creature?

2SPOOKY STORIES

  1. What kind of spooky stories are popular in Japan?
  2. Why do you think some people like spooky stories?
  3. Do you think it’s good to tell spooky stories to children?
  4. Which is scarier: reading spooky stories or watching spooky movies?

3JAPANESE GHOSTS AND MONSTERS

  1. What are some famous Japanese ghosts or monsters?
  2. How are Japanese ghosts and monsters different from other countries’ ghosts and monsters?
  3. Do you know anyone who claims to have seen a real Japanese ghost or monster?
  4. What Japanese ghost or monster do you think foreigners would find the most interesting?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about Japanese ghosts and monsters.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK