Academic English
“Tour of Kyoto, Japan”
| Level: | Topic: | Speakers: | Length: |
| intermediate | travel and tourism | man | 01:57 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Imagine you are going on a bus tour of a famous city like Kyoto, Japan. What general places do you think you would visit? What things would the tour guide point out about a famous landmark (for example, the date of its construction)?
Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.
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In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
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In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
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For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and self-assess your progress.
- Famous tourist spots are often less enjoyable because they are too crowded.
- It’s better to explore a few places deeply than to try to see everything.
- Local street food is an important part of sightseeing.
- Museums are the best way to learn about a city’s history.
- Nature sightseeing is more relaxing than city sightseeing.
- Using a guidebook or app takes away from the adventure of discovering a place.
- Visiting a country’s capital is not always the most interesting travel experience.
- Traveling with a group makes sightseeing easier but less personal.
- Japan’s temples and shrines offer a more peaceful sightseeing experience than many other countries.
- Sightseeing in Japan requires more cultural awareness than in most Western countries.
Idioms
“take in” = attend a movie, concert, or play
“Why don’t we take in a traditional Japanese play while we’re in the city?“
“for a song” = very cheaply
“We were able to buy these Japanese dolls for a song.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Post-Listening Exercise
Are there any sightseeing tours available in your home city? If so, where would they take a visitor to your city? Pretend you are the tour guide hosting exchange students in your city. What details about the city would you share with your guests? What would be the best way to see your city: on foot, by bicycle, by bus, or by taxi?