Classroom Instructions (CIs) and Romaji
Romaji (Roman letters) as you see below are sometimes seen around town usually at tourist places to aid non-Japanese visitors to be able to read Japanese words. They are seen on the signs of train stations and traffic signs.However, they are usually available at major cities so you need to learn Japanese letters for you to be able to get around in Japan.Also, Romaji is useful if you choose to type in Japanese using English alphabet keys.
Let’s learn some Classroom Instructions phrases to get started with a Japanese instructor to help you learn and understand what the instructor wants you to do in class. Here are some commonly used Classroom Instructions phrases.
Please keep in mind that you need to learn how to pronounce these Romaji in Japanese way.
The pronunciation of Japanese vowels “A, I, U, E, O”Father, eat, foot, egg, comb
Konnichiwa.Hello!
Ohayoo gozaimasuGood morningNote: The double "oo" is an extended "o".
Pronunciation Rules:
Each syllable are pronounced in equal length.
*The double vowels are just to be extended.
**The first consonant is not pronounced (it is a pause or silent) but it is pronounced/paused as one syllable.
E.g. Itte kudasai.“I (pause) te kudasai.”If you miss the pause, it will be “I te kudasai” which means “please stay here.”
Classroom Expressions:
Kiite* kudasai. Listen, (polite request). |
Mite kudasai.Look, (polite request). |
Question: Wakarimasu ka.Do you understand/know? Answer: Hai, wakarimasu.Yes, I do. |
Question: sh*tsumon ga arimasu ka. Do you have a question? Answer: Hai, arimasu.Yes, I do. Answer: Iie, arimasen.No, I do not. |
Itte** kudasai. Say (it), please. |
Kaite kudasai.Write (it), (polite request). |
Yonde kudasai.Read (it), (polite request). |
Mooichido itte* kudasai. Say (it) again, (polite request). |
Mooichido* onegai shimasu. Do (it), (polite request). |
Hon o mite kudasai.Look at the book, (polite request). |
Hon o minaide kudasai.Do not look at the book (polite request). |
Tekisuto or Kyookasho*Textbook |
Nihongo dein (using) Japanese Eego* de in (using) English |
Nihongo de itte** kudasai. Say (it) in Japanese (polite request). |
Question: ”Textbook" tte Nihongo de nan desu ka. *How do you say "textbook"in Japanese? Answer: (Nihongo de) kyookasho desu.* It is “kyookasho.” |
Renshuu* sh*te kudasai. Practice (polite request). |
Chotto matte** kudasai. Just a moment (polite request). |
Shukudai, dash*te kudasai.Homework, turn (it) in. (polite request). |
Dekimash*ta ka. Are you done/completed? |
Class Activity
Let’s listen to the instructor’s classroom expressions and learn how to write Japanese letters. Can you pick up new Japanese words such as numbers from her saying some words while he/she is writing? Please write as the instructor does by paying attention to details. It is very important to learn correct stroke orders and balance of a letter such as pacing, straight down or up, hook, curve, stop or release.<![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]>
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Renshuu
Listen to the phrases in the following.Say or write what it means in English to show you understand what is said.
Practice 1
http://people.uncw.edu/kanoy/101/ListeningPractices/CIs-List-left1_chart.htmPractice 2
http://people.uncw.edu/kanoy/101/ListeningPractices/CIs-List-left2_chart.htmPractice 3
http://people.uncw.edu/kanoy/101/ListeningPractices/CIs-List-left3_chart.htmPractice 4
http://people.uncw.edu/kanoy/101/ListeningPractices/CIs-List-left4_chart.htmWhat do you say at the following situations?
<![if !supportLists]>1.<![endif]>You have a question.
<![if !supportLists]>2.<![endif]>You do not know the answer to a question.
<![if !supportLists]>3.<![endif]>You comprehended what someone explained to you.
<![if !supportLists]>4.<![endif]>You want to know how to say “pencil” in Japanese.
<![if !supportLists]>5.<![endif]>You need a bit of time to respond to what you are asked to do.
<![if !supportLists]>6.<![endif]>Your instructor spoke too fast for you to catch the phrase.You want him to say it again.
<![if !supportLists]>7.<![endif]>Your Japanese friend said “Chuugokugo wakarimasu ka.” and you do not know “Chuugokugo”. So you ask:
<![if !supportLists]>8.<![endif]>Your instructor asked a questions and called on you but you were not paying attention. You say:
<![if !supportLists]>9.<![endif]>Your instructor wrote a Japanese letter but you could not see it.
<![if !supportLists]>10.<![endif]>You want your instructor to check what you wrote is correct.
<![if !supportLists]>11.<![endif]>You want someone to show you something again.
<![if !supportLists]>12.<![endif]>At the end of your presentation in class, you invite a question from the audience.
<![if !supportLists]>13.<![endif]>During your presentation in class, you wonder if the audience understand your explanation.
If you do not understand a key word:
Sensei said something but you did not understand a key word to respond.Practice saying すみません。「(repeat a key word you want to know a meaning) 」って、えいごで なんですか。
Useful phrases: Sorry. I forgot (I left it behind). Sumimasen. Wasure mash*ta.
