Approaching Foreigners/Talking to Foreigners
Description
Lesson Overview
Duration: 15 Minutes
Target Audience: All ages (Adults, Kids, Families) & Levels (Beginner–Advanced)
Goal: Reframe direct "interrogation-style" English into warm, polite Japanese hospitality (Omotenashi).
1. Warm-Up & Key Nuance (3 Minutes)
Direct translations from Japanese often sound sharp or demanding in English, even when intended politely.
2. Core Magic Phrases (4 Minutes)
Teach these three "softeners" that make any sentence instantly polite:
"Excuse me..." (Use before starting any conversation)
"May I ask..." (Use before asking a personal question)
"Would you like..." (Use when offering help instead of "Do you want...")
3. Practical Scenarios & Role-Play (6 Minutes)
Practice these exact scripts based on real-world situations:
Scenario A: Offering Help to Someone Who Looks Lost
Beginner: "Excuse me, do you need help?"
Intermediate/Advanced: "Excuse me, are you looking for somewhere? I can help you with directions!"
Scenario B: Starting a Friendly Chat (e.g., at a Park, Café, or Event)
Beginner: "Hello! Welcome to Japan. Are you having a good trip?"
Intermediate/Advanced: "Hi there! Lovely day, isn't it? May I ask where you're visiting from?"
Scenario C: Asking for Permission (e.g., Taking a Photo)
Beginner: "Can I take a photo for you?"
Intermediate/Advanced: "Would you like me to take a picture of you together?"
4. Wrap-Up & Key Takeaway (2 Minutes)
Remind students that tone and body language matter just as much as words:
Smile & Soft Tone: A gentle smile cushions simple English phrases.
Respect Personal Space: Take one step back after approaching so the other person doesn't feel cornered.
Golden Rule: Always start with an opt-out: "Excuse me, do you have a quick moment?" gives the foreigner a polite exit if they are in a rush.
This tutor's cancellation policy
This lesson is “Immediately Confirmed”
If the requested date falls within 30 days, the request will be “confirmed” immediately without having to wait for the tutor to reply.
The policy “before request is confirmed” will not apply to requests that are confirmed immediately.
Before request is confirmed (fixed)
- Cancellation possible at any time without charge.
After request is confirmed (fixed)
- More than 24 hours before lesson start time.→ Cancellation is possible at any time.
- Less than 24 hours before lesson start time.→ The tutor may take a cancellation fee.
-
No-Show→ The tutor may take a cancellation fee.
(Please check with the tutor for details.)