The 7 Steps January
1. CONTEXT
Mindmap
anything you
know about thetopic, including
vocabulary. Do
some research
online to help.

Coming of Age
Listening Questions 1
1. In what month and at what age is coming of age celebrated in Japan?

2. QUESTIONS.
2. What is the difference between a Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah?
.

Read the listening
questions tocheck yourunderstanding.
Look up any new
vocabulary.

3. Where did Quinceanera begin and at what age is it celebrated?
.
4. What religions are associated with Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Quinceanerarespectively?
.
5. What are the two events that occur during a Quinceanera?
.
Listening Questions 2

3. LISTEN

1. What is the price range for a Quinceanera ceremony?
.

Listen and answer
the questions
using full
sentences. Circle
the number oftimes and % you
understood.

2. What is a unique coming of age tradition in the US?
.
3. What TV show followed this custom and what did it focus on?
.
4. What countries did the show expand into showing?
.
5. How much did some of the most expensive parties on the show cost?

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Listening 1
2 3 45%%%

Discussion Questions

1Listening 2
2 3 45%%%

1. Why do you think so many cultures mark the transition intoadulthood with ceremony? Is this necessary?
2. How do you feel about the commercialization of traditional rituals?

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4. CHECK ANSWERS

TRANSCRIPT 1
In January, it is a familiar sight in Japan to see young men and women dressed in beautiful
kimonos and hakamas to celebrate reaching the legal age of 20. However, Japan is not the only
country in the world with a unique ritual to celebrate the transition from childhood to adulthood.
The beginning of adulthood is marked by special occasions in many cultures, though the exact
age that adulthood begins varies from culture to culture.

Read through thetranscript andunderline theanswers. Checkthem against yourown answers.

5. CHECK VOCABULARY

Another widely practiced tradition is the Quinceanera, originating in Mexico and now widelycelebrated throughout Latin America. This ceremony, celebrated at age 15, marks the movementfrom girlhood to womanhood and similarly has a strong religious connection, this time primarily
with the Catholic Church. Following a renewal of vows to church and family, there is often a big
fiesta or party that can be quite expensive. In many ways coming of age has become a big
business around the world.

Read thetranscript andcircle any new
vocabulary you
find. Look themup and add themto your list.

MATCH THE ANTONYMS BY DRAWING LINES BELOW:

6. READ ALOUD

Read thetranscript aloudat least 5 times,
focusing on
intonation andpronunciation.

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1

2
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3

4
455

7. SHADOWING2233

44

Primarily

Stingily

RenewalImmorally

Ethically

DeclineEncapsulate

Ordinary

Lavishly

ExemptExtravagant

Secondarily

TRANSCRIPT 2In many cases traditional coming of age activities have become an opportunity to demonstrate status
within a community, and associated costs have grown to match. Quinceanera ceremonies can range
in price from US$5,000 to US$20,000 taking into consideration gowns, cakes, catering and more.
The trend of increased costs for coming of age is best encapsulated by the U.S. television series“My Super Sweet 16”. Based off the US custom of a ‘Sweet 16’ party for girls and sometimes boys ontheir 16th birthday, the show follows the extravagant exploits of parents as they pour thousands ofdollars into creating the perfect party for their child.

Say the transcript
aloud at the sametime as the audio
without reading
it. Circle how
many times
below.

1
1

One widely known example of this is the Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah celebrated by membersof the Jewish faith. Bar Mitzvahs are for boys and Bat Mitzvahs are for girls, and they are
typically celebrated at 12 years of age except for Orthodox Jewish girls a year later. Bothcelebrate the transition to adulthood by marking when a person becomes morally and ethically
responsible for their choices.

The show generally followed wealthy families that would spend lavishly on cakes, entertainment,and luxury cars for their children’s birthday gifts. The show was popular enough that it expanded tocover Sweet 16 parties in Canada and the U.K. as well. Some of the episodes featured parties thatcost in excess of US$100,000.

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While most families won’t be spending that much, it seems that coming of age, similar to weddings
before it, is becoming its own very profitable industry.