Translation game

Activity
Groups of students race to see who can translate 10 sentences the fastest.
Target level	JHS
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Groups of students race to see who can translate 10 sentences the fastest. This game can be adapted for use with any grade. This game is suitable after the students have learned a new grammar point.

Preparation

1. Prepare 10 sentences that use the grammar point.
2. Have your JTE translate 5 of the sentences to Japanese.
3. Prepare a sheet with spaces for students to write 10 sentences on.
4. Cut squares of paper for the groups to draw their group picture on.

Setup

1. Get the students in groups of 4.
2. Give each group a square of paper and allow them 2 minutes to draw any picture on it; this will be the groups marker on the blackboard.
3. Draw a table on the blackboard. This table should have 11 columns and group number of rows. Label columns as Start, 1, 2, 3, ..., 9, Finish.
4. As the students finish their pictures place them on the board in any row. Each group has its own row.
5. Students janken to get a number from 1 to 4.

Description

1. Student #1 from each group goes to the ALT.
2. The ALT says an English sentence to all the student #1's.
3. Those students then return to their group and repeat the sentence to the group.
4. As a group the students translate the sentence to Japanese.
5. Next student #2 goes to the JTE and says the sentence they just translated.
6. If the sentence is ok, the JTE then tells the student a new Japanese sentence.
7. The student goes to the board and moves the groups marker on one place.
8. Then the student returns to the group and tells the Japanese sentence to the group.
9. This sentence is then translated to English and student #3 checks it with the ALT.
10. If it's ok, the ALT tells them another sentence in English.
11. Student move on their group marker and tells their group the new sentence.
12. Repeat until you have a winner or are out of time.

Example

For 2nd grade JHS while reviewing if / when / that / because...

• If you are free, let's go shopping.
• I think that Mike likes Emi.
• I went to the restaurant because I was hungry.
• I read manga when I have free time.
• If you go to the zoo, you can see many animals.
• I think that EXILE is the best band in the world.
• I did not go to the festival because I was sick.
• I always eat mochi when I go to my grandmother’s house.
• If you speak English, you can visit many countries.
• I think that Mr. Umetsu is very beautiful.

Variations

• Hide clues around the classroom, and use a detective theme.

See also

• Junior high school activities