Greetings, Family
Situation:
It's morning. You leave your room and see your host mother for the first time that day. What do you say?
Useful Phrase:
"Good morning!"
We can use this greeting in the morning with pretty much anyone: family, friends, teachers, etc.
Situation:
You are talking to your host sister. She asks you: "What is your favorite food?"
Useful Phrases:
"My favorite food is ___________."
"I like ___________."
Open Response:
What school subjects do you think high schoolers study in Phoenix?
Some Common Answers:
Math (algebra, geometry), science (biology, chemistry), history, English, Spanish, German, P.E., health, business, engineering, engineering (工学), auto, etc.
Open Response:
What are some things you can say to your host parents if you're not feeling well?
Useful Phrases:
"I’m feeling (a bit) tired."
"I am really tired. I need to rest."
"I feel sick. I don’t feel well."
"I have a headache."
"I have a toothache."
Situation:
You are talking to a friend you met playing sports. They ask: "what is the weather like in Japan?"
Useful Phrases:
"The winter is cold but the summer is rainy and hot." "Spring is beautiful, I like the cherry blossoms."
Situation:
You meet another student at school for the first time. What do you say?
Useful Phrases:
"Hi, I'm _____! Nice to meet you!"
Situation:
Your host mother is going to make dinner tonight. She asks you: Can you eat dairy (cheese)?
Useful Phrases:
"Yes, I can."
"No, not really."
"No, definitely not."
Bonus Phrase:
"No, I'm lactose intolerant."
Situation:
You are in talking to a teacher in the hallway at school. He wants to know about your school in Japan. He asks: "How many students are there at your school (in Japan)?"
Useful Phrase:
"There are about (600) students at my school."
Roleplay:
I am your host father. Your head hurts. It's uncomfortable, but not an emergency. You want to ask me if for help.
Useful Phrases:
"Do you have painkillers?"
"Could I have some headache medicine, please?"
"Do you have acetaminophen (アセトアミノフェン)?"
Situation:
You are talking to a friend of your host family. They ask you: "What special things can you do in Himeji?"
Useful Phrases:
"Himeji Castle is famous and beautiful. Mt Shosha is very historic."
Situation:
Your host brother just introduced himself to you for the first time. He just told you his name, but you didn't understand. What should you say?
Useful Phrases:
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. / I'm sorry, I didn't understand."
"Please say your name again."
Bonus Phrase:
"I'm sorry, could you say it a little more slowly, please?"
Roleplay:
You are in a hamburger restaurant. You want to order some food. I am your waiter.
Useful Phrases:
"One _______, please."
"I'll have the _______, please."
Culture Note:
If your restaurant has a waiter, you should almost always tip 15% to 20% of the bill.
Roleplay:
I am an American student who is interested in Japanese culture. We are at school together. I am asking you about shoes in Japan.
Useful Phrases:
"Yes, we must change shoes at school. We have outside shoes, inside shoes and gym shoes! Every student has a shoe locker."
Culture Note:
Japanese culture is popular in America now. Some people may know about famous Japanese topics like anime, manga, sushi, bullet trains, etc. However, most people don't know that much about Japan or daily life in Japan.
Roleplay:
I am your host brother. I just used a word in English that you didn't understand. You need to ask me for help.
Useful Phrases:
"I don’t know the word ________."
"I don’t know that word."
"Do you have a dictionary? Can I use the internet to translate ______?"
Roleplay:
It's very sunny and hot in Phoenix this week. You need to buy sunscreen (日焼け止め), so you go to a store. The store is very big, and you can't find any sunscreen. I am a store employee. You need to ask me for help.
Useful Phrases:
"I would like to buy ________."
"I need to buy _________."
"Do you sell _______ ?"
My responses:
"Yes, it’s over there."
"No, sorry."
Roleplay:
I am your teacher. I want to know about your family.
Useful Phrase:
"There are (five) people in my family: my mother, my father, my (older) brother and my (younger) sister."
Bonus Phrase:
"We also have a (dog/cat). His/Her name is..."
Situation:
You are talking about food with your host father. You haven't been in America long. He asks: "Are you allergic to any foods?"
Useful Phrases:
"No, I’m not. I don't have any allergies."
"Yes, I am a little bit allergic to _________."
"Yes, I am very allergic to _________. It is very dangerous for me to eat it."
Roleplay:
I am your host brother. We are talking about your school life in Japan. I want to know about your schedule.
Useful Phrases:
"I leave for school at (7:30). School starts at (8:20).
School finishes at (4:00), but I sometimes have club activities."
Culture Note:
School clubs in America are optional. Some are pretty casual and relaxed. Some, like sports, are more work.
Roleplay:
I am a stranger. You are going to meet a friend at a McDonald's nearby, but you can't find it. You see me and ask for help.
Useful Phrases:
"Excuse me..."
"Which way to the _______ ?"
"Where can I find _______________?"
"Where is _________?"
"I’m looking for _______________."
Roleplay:
Your tooth hurts. It started hurting a few days ago, and you are worried it might be a cavity (虫歯). I am your host father. You need to ask me for help.
Useful Phrases:
"I think I need to see a dentist."
Roleplay:
I am a student at your school in Arizona. I want to know about where you are from.
Useful Phrase:
"We live in in Himeji, in Japan. We live in Hyogo prefecture. It is located here (show picture)."
Roleplay:
You are eating dinner with your host family. You enjoy the food, but you feel very full, and you can't eat all the food on your plate. I am your host father. Please explain the situation to me.
Useful phrases:
"I'm sorry, I'm really full. I can't finish all my food."
"I'm sorry, I'm really full. Can I save the food for later?"
Situation:
You are talking to a student in your American high school. You tell them you are in a school club in Japan. The student asks "What are school clubs like in Japan?"
Useful Phrases:
"In Japan, most students have club activities after school. I am a member of the basketball club. We practice after school 3 days a week."
Open Response:
What are some challenges or problems you think you might have in America?
Some Responses:
Homesickness ("I feel a bit homesick. / I miss my family a bit.)
Jet lag [時差ぼけ] ("I'm feeling a little jet lagged.")
Culture shock [カルチャーショック].
Feeling very tired / exhausted ("I am really tired. I need to rest.")
Roleplay:
I am your host father. You just arrived home from school. I ask you about your day. Let's have a short conversation about it.
Useful Phrases:
"I had (3, 4, 5) classes today."
"I went to the (science, Spanish) club today."
"It was really hot outside today!"