Lesson 9: City vs. Country
I consider myself a country girl.

I can talk about whether someone prefers the city or the country.

INTRODUCE

Talking about your preference for the city or country can give others a better idea of who you are as a person.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.

    1. The hustle and bustle refers to the high energy of a place.

     

    I don’t like the hustle and bustle of Shibuya.

     

    Q: Which picture shows the hustle and bustle of Japan? Why?

    Shibuya Crossing

    a bamboo forest

     

    2. The middle of nowhere usually refers to the countryside or any place that is far from a city and has very few people or things.

     

    Oh, man, I think we’re lost. We’re in the middle of nowhere!

     

    Q: Which picture shows the middle of nowhere? Why?

    somewhere in Tokyo

    somewhere in Kumamoto

     

    3. To consider someone a country/city boy/girl means to think of someone as a typical person from the country/city.

     

    I get so happy whenever I see cows grazing in a field. I consider myself a country girl.

     

    Q: Which photo shows someone you consider a city boy? Why?

    someone who works outside all day

    someone who goes clubbing all night

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When of is between two words, it's sometimes pronounced as /ə/.
Phrase Example

middle of nowhere

/ mid-l ə noh-wair /

That place is the  / mid-l ə noh-wair /!

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Kelsie is on a date with a guy she met at the Sanja Festival.

Kelsie:

So, are you originally from Tokyo?

Moto:

No, I’m just here for my studies. I’m getting my masters in mechanical engineering from Waseda University, but I’m originally from Kumamoto.

Kelsie:

Kumamoto?

Moto:

Yeah, it’s in Kyushu. If you haven’t been there before, you should definitely go. It’s very different from Tokyo. Everything is so green. It’s usually pretty quiet, but in the summer, it’s actually as loud as Tokyo with all the cicadas. (laughs)

Kelsie:

Sounds nice! So, how did you feel when you first came to Tokyo?

Moto:

Overwhelmed, to be honest! Trying to keep up with the hustle and bustle of rush hour on my way to school was really stressful. I like Tokyo, but honestly, I consider myself a country boy.

Kelsie:

I can totally relate! I may look like a city girl, but I consider myself a country girl too! I’m from Alberta. My family owns a huge farm there. I went to university in Vancouver, and my friends there described my hometown as the middle of nowhere! (laughs)

TRIVIA

Did you know that there are a lot of ways to say inakamono (田舎者) in English? You can say hick, hillbilly, country bumpkin, or redneck to describe a country boy/girl. But be careful of using these as they’re usually considered offensive or disrespectful!

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Choose the best caption for each social media post. Use the photos as clues.

moriuchi1983: He sure loves sleeping on the grass. _____.

a: I consider my son a city boy.

b: I consider my son a country boy.

lookieheredean: _____.

a: Visiting the hustle and bustle of the city.

b: Relaxing in the middle of nowhere.

たか1989: Still farming after 60 years! _____.

a: I consider my uncle a true city boy.

b: I consider my uncle a true country boy.

Ponponツ: Leaving Gangnam District today. _____.

a: Time to say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of Seoul.

b: Time to say goodbye to the middle of nowhere.

STEP B EXERCISE

Choose the sentences that best complete the speeches.

1.

I consider myself a country boy. _____.

  • The fresh air from the mountains makes me happy.
  • The hustle and bustle of the city make me happy.

 

2.

My favorite café is in the middle of nowhere. The coffee is great and _____.

  • it’s always full of new people.
  • I can drink my coffee in peace.

 

3.

You want to see the hustle and bustle of Tokyo? _____.

  • Check out Ginza on a Friday night.
  • Check out Ginza very early on a Sunday morning.

 

4.

I consider myself a city girl. _____.

  • I can’t see myself living in a place that doesn’t have dozens of clubs to choose from.
  • I can’t see myself living in a crowded place.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your new coworker are having coffee together. He/She wants to know whether you prefer the city or the country. Explain your preference to him/her.

Today's Expressions

  • the hustle and bustle
  • the middle of nowhere
  • consider someone a country/city boy/girl

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

CITY LIFE
2

COUNTRY LIFE
3

DESCRIBING JAPANESE LIFE
1

CITY LIFE

  1. What things are better in the city (ex. transportation, technology)?
  2. What are the disadvantages of living in the city?
  3. How would you describe city life on the weekend? How about on weekdays?
  4. How do you think city life can be improved?

2COUNTRY LIFE

  1. What things are better in the country (ex. neighbors, prices)?
  2. What are the disadvantages of living in the country?
  3. How would you describe country life in Japan?
  4. How do you think country life can be improved?

3DESCRIBING JAPANESE LIFE

  1. What’s a Japanese country boy/girl like?
  2. What’s a Japanese city boy/girl like?
  3. What’s it like to be in the hustle and bustle of a Japanese city?
  4. How would you describe the middle of nowhere in Japan?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about whether someone prefers the city or the country.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK