LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERSCHERRY BLOSSOMS
Apr. 23, 2024
Level: Mixed Levels (A2-B1; B1-B2)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Environment and Nature; Celebrations and Special Events; People and Places; Seasons; 13-15 Years Old; 10-12 Years Old; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old
Publication date: 04/23/2024
In this lesson, students learn about the Japanese custom of hanami, or flower watching. The lesson opens with a haiku, followed by video and vocabulary activities. There are discussion questions, optional homework tasks and an extension activity to review and extend spring vocabulary. (by Stephanie Hirschman)
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L3).
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L4).
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L3).
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L4).
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L3).
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L4).
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L3).
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L4).
- CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English (L3).
- CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English (L4).
- CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English (L3).
- CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English (L4).
- CLICK HERE to download/watch the video in American English (L3).
- CLICK HERE to download/watch the video in American English (L4).
- CLICK HERE to download/watch the video in British English (L3).
- CLICK HERE to download/watch the video in British English (L4).
AUDIO/VIDEO TRANSCRIPT (A2-B1)
Speaker: Everyone looks forward to spring, but in Japan, along with the warmer weather, people enjoy a special custom called hanami, or flower watching. At this time, families, friends and colleagues sit down together in parks to look at the pink, white and red blossoms of the sakura, or cherry tree.
In most places, the main season will be around the end of March or the beginning of April, but it’s the temperatures that decide exactly when the blossoms will come out each year. National weather forecasts give details of the flowers’ progress as they start to open across the country, from south to north, beginning as early as January and going on well into May. The blossoms can be seen for around two weeks once they’ve opened.
Because ninety percent of the one million cherry trees in Japan are from the same Yoshino variety, we can predict the blossoming dates. However, global warming means the flowers are appearing earlier each year. These days the sakura flowers are coming out two weeks before they did fifty years ago. Japan hasn’t always taken climate change very seriously, so perhaps changes in the sakura season will encourage the country to think about this issue again.
Whenever and wherever it is celebrated, spring hanami sees everyone picnicking together under the cherry trees in parks and public gardens. Often festivals take place, with music, snacks and drinks. In the evenings, special lights in the trees make the blossoms look magical. And of course, people will be taking pictures of the flowers, of each other and of themselves.
It’s not just in Japan that people appreciate sakura: China, South Korea and other Asian countries also have cherry blossom customs. Wherever you are, these short-lived spring flowers remind you that nothing lasts forever, so enjoy the happy times when they come.
AUDIO/VIDEO TRANSCRIPT (B1-B2)
Speaker: It’s springtime, and as the season gets into full swing, so too does the Japanese custom of hanami, or flower watching, when parties of families, friends and colleagues gather in parks to enjoy the pink, white and red blossoms of the sakura, or cherry tree.
In most places, the peak season will occur around the end of March or the beginning of April, but it’s the temperatures that determine exactly when the blossoms will come out each year. National weather forecasts give details of how far along the flowers are as the event rolls out across the country from south to north, beginning as early as January and going on well into May. The blossoms are generally visible for around two weeks once they’ve opened.
The blossoming period is made more predictable by the fact that ninety percent of the one million cherry trees in Japan are identical clones of the Yoshino variety. However, global warming trends are leading to earlier and earlier appearances for the flowers. These days the sakura flowers are coming out two weeks earlier than they did fifty years ago. While Japan hasn’t always been as forward-thinking as other countries when it comes to climate change, it’s possible that these shifts will encourage the country to rethink its priorities.
Whenever and wherever it is celebrated, spring hanami sees people from all walks of life picnicking together under the cherry trees. Frequently festivals are held featuring live music, with snacks and drinks for sale. As evening falls, lights in the trees make the blossoms glow. And of course, people will be taking pictures as souvenirs of the festivities, of each other and of themselves.
It’s not just in Japan that people appreciate sakura: China, South Korea and other Asian countries also have cherry blossom traditions. Wherever you are, these short-lived spring flowers remind you that nothing lasts forever, so make the most of happy times when they come.
Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/cherry-blossoms. Accessed on August 20, 2024. © 2008–2024 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.
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