While working with students on a play, song, or craft can provide opportunities to bring in topics such as food and family, topics that students find interesting and relevant to their own lives. When it comes to learning about other cultures, teenagers are more interested in what teenagers in other parts of the world are like than in strange customs and habits. Begin with everyday concern with which students can identify Going step by step from things with concrete numbers to a more abstract sense of values will help students understand and imagine a society that is different from their own familiar living environment. By starting from everyday issues, students can gain a sense of familiarity with Japanese cultural issues. Students will realize that there are many different sets of values, and by understanding that these values are different from their own can broaden their perspective.
Meals are integral to the culture of everyday Japan.
Giving students the chance to experience Japanese food is important, but it should not end merely with in just a superficial appreciation of how fun or delicious the meal was. The experience should instead provide a pathway for reflection on the students' own culture and a chance to understand Japanese culture through its eating customs. Too many Japanese teachers are eager to represent Japan as being unique. It would be more accurate to say that Japanese culture is unique in the sense that all cultures have unique elements. It is important for students to know that Japan and Japanese culture are not isolated entities, but rather are connected to other cultures, especially other Asian cultures.