Lesson 7: Japanese-Style Holidays
Valentine’s Day is all about the guys in Japan.

I can talk about Japan’s unique ways of celebrating certain holidays.

INTRODUCE

Many foreigners may be surprised to see how international holidays like Valentine's Day and Halloween are celebrated in Japan. It can be fun to talk about the differences between their culture and yours.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. Something is commercialized when businesses take advantage of it to earn money.

     

    Valentine’s Day is one of the most commercialized holidays around the world.

     

     

    2. Something is secular when it’s not based on religion.

     

    Children’s Day is a secular holiday that was made to celebrate children and thank their mothers.

     

     

    3. If an event is all about something, that thing is the most important part of the event.

     

    Christmas in Japan is different from other countries—it’s all about eating fried chicken and cake!

     

    II. What’s your favorite holiday? Talk about it using the expressions above.

     

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

Important words in a sentence are often stressed to give a clear picture.
Phrase Example

is all about

/ iz AWL uh-bout /

Halloween / iz AWL uh-bout / wearing costumes.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

It’s Valentine’s Day! Naoki is talking with his Australian coworker Andy.

Andy:

Where did all this chocolate come from?!

Naoki:

(laughs) It’s probably from the female staff.

Andy:

Wow, I’m flattered. I’ve never received this much chocolate for Valentine’s Day before! I must be more popular with the ladies here than I thought! (laughs)

Naoki:

I wouldn’t read too much into it. In Japan, women give their male friends and coworkers chocolate for Valentine’s Day even if they don’t really like them that much. It’s very commercialized.

Andy:

Oh… Well, I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that. (laughs) Anyway, I feel kind of bad. I didn’t buy chocolate for anyone.

Naoki:

No worries! Valentine’s Day is all about the guys in Japan. You’ll have your turn next month.

Andy:

What do you mean?

Naoki:

Well, guys have to return the favor on White Day. It’s on March 14.

Andy:

Huh? What’s White Day?

Naoki:

It’s a secular holiday. On White Day, men are supposed to give gifts to all the women who gave them gifts today.

Andy:

Well, that’s understandable.

Naoki:

And the gifts should cost three times as much as the Valentine’s Day gifts.

Andy:

Whoa, seriously?! I’m going to go broke!

TRIVIA

Did you know that White Day used to be called Marshmallow Day? The Japanese chocolate and candy industry started the holiday in the 1970s to increase profits. Aside from Japan, only a few other Asian countries such as South Korea and China celebrate White Day. In the West, men and women exchange gifts with each other on Valentine’s Day, so they don’t have a need for White Day.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

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

be all about something
commercialized
secular

1.

@MikeRoss Man, professional sports are so _____ now. I can’t even watch a single game of football without a long commercial break every 10 minutes.

2.

@DYoung22 We’re happy to announce that we’re expanding beyond Christian publications. Starting this month, _____ books will also be available at all Good Book branches!

3.

@ArielFisher Grassland Rockfest used to be an event where people could come together and have fun listening to great music, but now it seems like it _____ making money. They raised ticket prices from $5 to $100!

STEP B EXERCISE

Complete the dialogues using the pictures and the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

commercialized
secular
be all about something

1.

Tutor: Mother’s Day has become just a day to buy flowers and cards, don’t you think?

Student: I agree. __________.

 

2.

Tutor: I’ve never been to a cosplay event before! What’s it like?

Student: It’s fun. You should put a lot of thought into your costume because __________.

 

3.

Tutor: Wow! Neil and Julia had their wedding at the beach, not a church?

Student: Yup. __________.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Tomorrow is New Year’s Day! Talk to your foreign friend about how Japanese people celebrate the start of the year.

Today's Expressions

  • commercialized
  • secular
  • be all about something

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

COMMERCIALIZED HOLIDAYS
2

VALENTINE’S DAY VS WHITE DAY
3

CHRISTMAS IN JAPAN
1

COMMERCIALIZED HOLIDAYS

  1. What do you think is the most commercialized holiday in Japan?
  2. What is that holiday all about?
  3. How do you feel about it being so commercialized?
  4. What do you think it would be like if it weren’t so commercialized?

2VALENTINE’S DAY VS WHITE DAY

  1. Do you think more men should celebrate White Day?
  2. How do you feel about the rule that men should give a gift worth three times the value of the gift they received?
  3. Why do you think only women give chocolate on Valentine’s Day in Japan?
  4. Should Japan get rid of White Day and start celebrating Valentine’s Day like the West?

3CHRISTMAS IN JAPAN

  1. Did you do anything special for Christmas last year?
  2. Do you think Christmas should be a national holiday in Japan?
  3. Would you like to try celebrating Christmas in another country?
  4. Do you want to change how Christmas is celebrated in Japan?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about Japan’s unique ways of celebrating certain holidays.

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