Tokyo Travel Guide - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Level:	Topic:	Speakers:	Length:
easy	Tokyo vacation	man – woman	00:51

Pre-Listening Exercise

Finding budget plane tickets, hotels, and tours packages is not difficult in Tokyo, Japan. However, after you arrive, you still need to find your way around the city, especially like one as big as Tokyo. Buses and trains are very popular.

In your country, what are two of the most common ways to get around? Do foreigners visiting your country have a difficult time using public transportation in major cities? Why or why not?

Speak Up, Take a Stand! Instructions for Getting the Conversation Started

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.

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.
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?
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.

1. It’s fun to explore a new city when you travel.
2. You should always visit the most famous landmarks in a new city.
3. It’s important to use a map or GPS when sightseeing in a new city.
4. Trying local food is an important part of sightseeing.
5. You can see everything in a city in just one day.
6. It’s better to travel to a new city with friends or family.
7. Walking is the best way to see a new city.
8. It’s important to take pictures when sightseeing in a new city.
9. Traveling to a new city is more fun if you learn about its history first.
10. It’s okay to get lost in a new city, as long as you stay safe.

Idioms

“golden opportunity” = wonderful opportunity
“Going to Europe is a real golden opportunity to see the world.”

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Vocabulary Practice

Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:

Mixed-Up Sentence | Gap-fill Exercise | Sentence and Vocabulary Matching

Post-Listening Exercise

What are some ways you can prepare before you travel to another country? Where do you stay in a city like Tokyo, Japan? What are the good points of staying in a big hotel or a small traditional inn? How do you get around the city: by taxi, by bus, or on foot? Which is the easiest way to get around? Which is the cheapest? Discuss your ideas.

Online Investigation

Imagine that you have $3,000 to take a three-week vacation to one or more of these cities: New York City, Tokyo, or London, and one city of your choice. Use the Internet to find the cost of airfare and train/subway travel to get there. Compare prices from different travel companies.

See Listening Script

Back to Easy Quizzes

General Listening Quiz