The Reading / Listening - First Kiss - Level 3

A new study suggests that the number of Japanese teenagers who have experienced a first kiss is at a record low. A national survey was conducted by the Japan Association for Sex Education. High schoolers answered questions on their sexual experiences and behaviour. The researchers found that just one in five high school boys has experienced kissing. This is the lowest figure since records began in 1974. The number of girls who have kissed is also on the decline. Just a quarter of Japan's female high school students have done so. The numbers for both sexes have been on the decline since their peak in 2005. Researchers analyzed data from 12,562 questionnaires.

The researchers said there were several reasons why fewer and fewer Japanese teens are kissing. A big reason is the coronavirus pandemic. A researcher suggested that: "The limited contact with others during the coronavirus outbreak may have lowered the rate of sexual activity among junior and senior high school students." Researcher Professor Yusuke Hayashi said there was a "combination of school closures and restrictions on face-to-face contact" during the pandemic. Professor Hayashi said another reason could be smartphones. More young people are choosing to interact with their phones rather than with each other. This trend could worsen Japan's already low birth rate.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    First Kiss - Level 0,  First Kiss - Level 1   or  First Kiss - Level 2

Sources
  • https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20241104/p2a/00m/0na/016000c
  • https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/05/kiss-chaste-number-of-high-school-boys-in-japan-who-have-had-first-kiss-falls-to-1970s-levels
  • https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/japan/japan-high-school-students-kiss-birth-rate-b2641476.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. A FIRST KISS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about a first kiss. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       teenagers / first kiss / survey / high school boys / high school girls / decline / peak /
       researcher / coronavirus / pandemic / school closure / smartphone / trend / birth rate
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. EDUCATION: Students A strongly believe schools should educate children about kissing; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. THE FIRST: How important and exciting are these firsts? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How Important

How Exciting

Kiss    
Job    
Tooth    
Pet    
Car    
Mobile phone    
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. LOW: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "low". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SCHOOL: Rank these with your partner. Put the best school at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Kindergarten
  • Elementary school
  • Junior high school
  • High school
  • University
  • Graduate school
  • Sunday school
  • After hours school

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. Suggest a. The highest point or level of something.
      2. Survey b. Done or carried out (for example, a survey or experiment).
      3. Conducted c. Going down or becoming less.
      4. Figure d. Give an idea or say something that you think is a good plan.
      5. On the decline e. One-fourth (¼) of something; 25%.
      6. A quarter f. A questionnaire that gets people to answer questions to find out what they think or do.
      7. Peak g. A number or amount.

    Paragraph 2

      8. Several h. Talk or do things with other people.
      9. Combination i. A general direction that something is moving toward.
      10. Restriction j. The number of babies born in a certain place and time.
      11. Interact k. Two or more things put together.
      12. Trend l. Become worse or go down in quality.
      13. Worsen m. A rule that limits or stops something.
      14. Birth rate n. More than two, but not a lot.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The survey said Japan's teenagers kiss less than anyone in the world.     T / F
  2. Japan first started recording high schoolers' first kisses in 1954.     T / F
  3. A third of Japan's female high schoolers have never had a first kiss.     T / F
  4. Researchers looked at over 12,000 questionnaires in their study.     T / F
  5. The article says there are seven reasons for boys not kissing.     T / F
  6. A researcher said there is less kissing because of coronavirus.     T / F
  7. A researcher said there was less kissing because of smartphones.     T / F
  8. The article says kissing could worsen Japan's low birth rate.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. conducted
  2. figure
  3. decline
  4. peak
  5. questionnaire
  6. reason
  7. combination
  8. during
  9. interact
  10. trend
  1. decrease
  2. meet
  3. poll
  4. cause
  5. throughout
  6. high point
  7. movement
  8. done
  9. mix
  10. number

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. A national survey
  2. This is the lowest figure since
  3. Just a quarter of Japan's
  4. been on the decline since
  5. Researchers analyzed data from
  6. The researchers said there were several
  7. The limited contact with others during
  8. face-to-face contact"
  9. interact with their phones rather
  10. This trend could worsen Japan's already
  1. female high school students
  2. than with each other
  3. their peak in 2005
  4. the coronavirus outbreak
  5. was conducted
  6. low birth rate
  7. during the pandemic
  8. 12,562 questionnaires
  9. reasons why
  10. records began in 1974

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
just
suggests
decline
data
answered
figure
peak
low

A new study (1) ______________________________________________ that the number of Japanese teenagers who have experienced a first kiss is at a record (2) ______________________________________________. A national survey was conducted by the Japan Association for Sex Education. High schoolers (3) ______________________________________________ questions on their sexual experiences and behaviour. The researchers found that (4) ______________________________________________ one in five high school boys has experienced kissing. This is the lowest (5) ______________________________________________ since records began in 1974. The number of girls who have kissed is also on the (6) ______________________________________________. Just a quarter of Japan's female high school students have done so. The numbers for both sexes have been on the decline since their (7) ______________________________________________ in 2005. Researchers analyzed (8) ______________________________________________ from 12,562 questionnaires.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
closures
reasons
contact
trend
another
big
interact
among

The researchers said there were several (9) ____________________________________________ why fewer and fewer Japanese teens are kissing. A (10) ______________________________________________ reason is the coronavirus pandemic. A researcher suggested that: "The limited (11) ___________________________________________ with others during the coronavirus outbreak may have lowered the rate of sexual activity (12) ______________________________________________ junior and senior high school students." Researcher Professor Yusuke Hayashi said there was a "combination of school (13) ____________________________________________ and restrictions on face-to-face contact" during the pandemic. Professor Hayashi said (14) ______________________________________________ reason could be smartphones. More young people are choosing to (15) ______________________________________________ with their phones rather than with each other. This (16) ______________________________________________ could worsen Japan's already low birth rate.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) teenagers who have experienced a first kiss is at ______
     a.  a record slow
     b.  a record low
     c.  a record allow
     d.  a record follow
2)  High schoolers answered questions on their sexual ______
     a.  experiences and behaviour
     b.  experiences and behavioural
     c.  experiences and behaviourist
     d.  experiences and behaviourism
3)  Just a quarter of Japan's female high school students ______
     a.  have doing so
     b.  has done so
     c.  have done so
     d.  has doing so
4)  The numbers for both sexes have been on the decline ______
     a.  since their speak
     b.  since their peak
     c.  since the peak
     d.  since their peek
5)  Researchers analyzed data ______
     a.  from 12,562 questionnaires
     b.  from 12,563 questionnaires
     c.  from 12,564 questionnaires
     d.  from 12,552 questionnaires

6)  there were several reasons why fewer and fewer Japanese ______
     a.  teens are kissed
     b.  teen are kissing
     c.  teens be kissing
     d.  teens are kissing
7)  The limited contact with others during ______
     a.  the coronavirus out brake
     b.  the coronavirus outer break
     c.  the coronavirus outbreak
     d.  the coronavirus take a break
8)  a combination of school closures and restrictions on face-______
     a.  to-face contract
     b.  to-face contact
     c.  to-face counteract
     d.  to-face con tacked
9)  More young people are ______
     a.  choosing too interact
     b.  chosen to interact
     c.  choosing to interact
     d.  choosing to counteract
10)  This trend could worsen Japan's already ______
     a.  lowered birth rate
     b.  low birth rate
     c.  lower birth rate
     d.  lows birth rate

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new study suggests that (1) __________________________________________________ Japanese teenagers who have experienced a first kiss is at (2) __________________________________________________. A national survey was conducted by the Japan Association for Sex Education. High schoolers (3) __________________________________________________ their sexual experiences and behaviour. The researchers found that just one in five high school boys has experienced kissing. This is (4) __________________________________________________ since records began in 1974. The number of girls who have kissed is also on the decline. Just a quarter of Japan's female high school students have done so. The numbers for both sexes have been on the decline (5) __________________________________________________ in 2005. Researchers (6) __________________________________________________ 12,562 questionnaires.

The researchers said there were (7) _________________________________________________ fewer and fewer Japanese teens are kissing. A big reason is the coronavirus pandemic. A researcher suggested that: "The (8) __________________________________________________ others during the coronavirus outbreak may have (9) _________________________________________________ of sexual activity among junior and senior high school students." Researcher Professor Yusuke Hayashi said there was a "combination (10) __________________________________________________ and restrictions on face-to-face contact" during the pandemic. Professor Hayashi said another reason could be smartphones. More young people (11) __________________________________________________ interact with their phones rather than with each other. This (12) __________________________________________________ Japan's already low birth rate.

Comprehension questions

  1. In which parts of Japan was a survey conducted?
  2. When did Japan start recording first kisses among high schoolers?
  3. How many of Japan's high school girls have never had a first kiss?
  4. In what year was there a record number of high schoolers' first kisses?
  5. How many questionnaires did researchers analyze?
  6. How many reasons did the article say there were for the lack of kissing?
  7. When did teenagers have limited contact with each other?
  8. What were there restrictions on during coronavirus?
  9. What are more and more high schoolers interacting with?
  10. What trend could non-kissing high schoolers worsen?

Multiple choice quiz

1) In which parts of Japan was a survey conducted?
a) nationally
b) the north
c) the centre
d) Tokyo and Osaka
2) When did Japan start recording first kisses among high schoolers?
a) 1972
b) 1973
c) 1974
d) 1975
3) How many of Japan's high school girls have never had a first kiss?
a) two fifths
b) three quarters
c) seven eighths
d) two thirds
4) In what year was there a record number of high schoolers' first kisses?
a) 2008
b) 2007
c) 2006
d) 2005
5)  How many questionnaires did researchers analyze?
a) 12,562
b) 12,652
c) 12,265
d) 12,625

6) How many reasons did the article say there were for the lack of kissing?
a) seventeen
b) seventy
c) seven
d) several
7) When did teenagers have limited contact with each other?
a) after school hours
b) during the coronavirus pandemic
c) during lunch time
d) 2019
8) What were there restrictions on during coronavirus?
a) playing sport
b) masks
c) coughing
d) face-to-face contact
9) What are more and more high schoolers interacting with?
a) each other
b) networks
c) their smartphones
d) environmental issues
10) What trend could non-kissing high schoolers worsen?
a) marriage
b) Japan's low birth rate
c) divorce
d) teenagers getting engaged

Role play

Role  A – Kindergarten
You think kindergarten is the best place to be at school. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their schools. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): elementary school, high school or university.
Role  B – Elementary School
You think elementary school is the best place to be at school. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their schools. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): kindergarten, high school or university.
Role  C – High School
You think high school is the best place to be at school. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their schools. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): elementary school, kindergarten or university.
Role  D – University
You think university is the best place to be at school. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their schools. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): elementary school, high school or kindergarten.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'teenager'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'kiss'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • new
    • answered
    • lowest
    • quarter
    • peak
    • data
    • several
    • big
    • junior
    • combination
    • young
    • worsen

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - First Kiss

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'teenager'?
    3. What do you think of teenagers?
    4. At what age should a person's first kiss be?
    5. Why do people kiss?
    6. What are the good and bad things about kissing?
    7. Should schools educate children about kissing?
    8. Is the figure of one in five boys too high or too low?
    9. Should people kiss only the person they marry?
    10. Should kissing at high school be banned?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'kiss'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How important and special is a first kiss?
    5. How did coronavirus affect kissing?
    6. Should kissing be banned in public?
    7. How are smartphones changing human interaction?
    8. What do you think of songs about kissing?
    9. How can countries improve birth rates?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    A new study (1) ____ that the number of Japanese teenagers who have experienced a first kiss is (2) ____ a record low. A national survey was conducted by the Japan Association for Sex Education. High schoolers answered questions (3) ____ their sexual experiences and behaviour. The researchers found that just one in five high school boys (4) ____ experienced kissing. This is the lowest figure since records began in 1974. The number of girls who have kissed is also on the decline. Just a (5) ____ of Japan's female high school students have done so. The numbers for both sexes have been on the decline since their (6) ____ in 2005. Researchers analyzed data from 12,562 questionnaires.

    The researchers said there were several reasons why (7) ____ and fewer Japanese teens are kissing. A big reason is the coronavirus pandemic. A researcher suggested that: "The limited (8) ____ with others during the coronavirus outbreak may have lowered the (9) ____ of sexual activity among junior and senior high school students." Researcher Professor Yusuke Hayashi said there was a "combination of school closures and restrictions on face-to-face contact" (10) ____ the pandemic. Professor Hayashi said another reason could (11) ____ smartphones. More young people are choosing to interact with their phones rather than with each other. This trend could (12) ____ Japan's already low birth rate.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     suggestive     (b)     suggest     (c)     suggests     (d)     suggestion    
    2. (a)     at     (b)     in     (c)     by     (d)     of    
    3. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    4. (a)     has     (b)     having     (c)     have     (d)     behave    
    5. (a)     quarters     (b)     quartered     (c)     quarterly     (d)     quarter    
    6. (a)     pack     (b)     peek     (c)     speak     (d)     peak    
    7. (a)     fewer     (b)     less     (c)     few     (d)     lesser    
    8. (a)     intact     (b)     contract     (c)     contrast     (d)     contact    
    9. (a)     rate     (b)     late     (c)     mate     (d)     sate    
    10. (a)     while     (b)     during     (c)     awhile     (d)     among    
    11. (a)     being     (b)     be     (c)     been     (d)     have    
    12. (a)     worsen     (b)     baddie     (c)     bad     (d)     worse

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. A new study sseugstg that
    2. A national revsyu
    3. experiences and uvhebrioa
    4. the lowest gruefi since records began
    5. on the eidelnc since their peak in 2005
    6. Researchers aayenzld data

    Paragraph 2

    1. there were slverea reasons why
    2. during the coronavirus ketboura
    3. school esocsulr
    4. during the dcnimepa
    5. people are choosing to ieanrctt with their phones
    6. This trend could snrowe

    Put the text back together

    (...)  kissing. A big reason is the coronavirus pandemic. A researcher suggested that: "The limited contact with
    (...)  of girls who have kissed is also on the decline. Just a quarter of Japan's female high school students have done
    (...)  so. The numbers for both sexes have been on the decline since their
    (...)  others during the coronavirus outbreak may have lowered the rate of sexual activity among
    (  1  )  A new study suggests that the number of Japanese teenagers who have experienced a first kiss is at a record
    (...)  low. A national survey was conducted by the Japan Association for Sex Education. High schoolers answered
    (...)  The researchers said there were several reasons why fewer and fewer Japanese teens are
    (...)  five high school boys has experienced kissing. This is the lowest figure since records began in 1974. The number
    (...)  peak in 2005. Researchers analyzed data from 12,562 questionnaires.
    (...)  questions on their sexual experiences and behaviour. The researchers found that just one in
    (...)  junior and senior high school students." Researcher Professor Yusuke Hayashi said there was a "combination of school
    (...)  reason could be smartphones. More young people are choosing to interact with their phones rather
    (...)  closures and restrictions on face-to-face contact" during the pandemic. Professor Hayashi said another
    (...)  than with each other. This trend could worsen Japan's already low birth rate.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. who   first   experienced   Japanese   have   a   teenagers   kiss   .
    2. five   one   Just   in   school   boys   .   high
    3. 1974   .   figure   records   began   lowest   in   since   The
    4. students   .   A   of   female   school   Japan's   quarter   high
    5. the   have   decline   .   been   sexes   Both   on
    6. researchers   were   why   .   reasons   there   said   several   The
    7. others   coronavirus   with   contact   outbreak   .   the   Limited   during
    8. Hayashi   be   said   reason   another   Professor   could  smartphones  .
    9. choosing   are   interact   with   phones   .   to   their   People
    10. worsen   could   trend   birth   Japan's   This   rate   .   low

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new study suggests that the number / numeral of Japanese teenagers who have experienced a first kiss is at a record lower / low. A national survey was conducted by / of the Japan Association for Sex Education. High schoolers answered questions on / in their sexual experiences and behaviour. The researchers found that just once / one in five high school boys has experienced kissing. This is the lowest figure since records began / beginning in 1974. The number of girls who have kissed is also / addition on the decline. Just a quarterly / quarter of Japan's female high school students have done / doing so. The numbers for both sexes have been on the decline since their peak in / on 2005. Researchers analyzed data from 12,562 questionnaires.

    The researchers said there were several reasons what / why fewer and fewer / less Japanese teens are kissing. A big reason is the coronavirus pandemic. A researcher suggested what / that: "The limited contact with others during the coronavirus outbreak may have heightened / lowered the rate of sexual activity among junior and seniority / senior high school students." Researcher Professor Yusuke Hayashi said there was a "combination to / of school closures and restrictions on face-to-face contract / contact" during the pandemic. Professor Hayashi said another / other reason could be smartphones. More young people are chosen / choosing to interact with their phones rather than with each other. This trendy / trend could worsen Japan's already low birth rate.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    _  n_w  st_dy  s_gg_sts  th_t  th_  n_mb_r  _f  J_p_n_s_  t__n_g_rs  wh_  h_v_  _xp_r__nc_d  _  f_rst  k_ss  _s  _t  _  r_c_rd  l_w.  _  n_t__n_l  s_rv_y  w_s  c_nd_ct_d  by  th_  J_p_n  _ss_c__t__n  f_r  S_x  _d_c_t__n.  H_gh  sch__l_rs  _nsw_r_d  q__st__ns  _n  th__r  s_x__l  _xp_r__nc_s  _nd  b_h_v___r.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  f__nd  th_t  j_st  _n_  _n  f_v_  h_gh  sch__l  b_ys  h_s  _xp_r__nc_d  k_ss_ng.  Th_s  _s  th_  l_w_st  f_g_r_  s_nc_  r_c_rds  b_g_n  _n  1974.  Th_  n_mb_r  _f  g_rls  wh_  h_v_  k_ss_d  _s  _ls_  _n  th_  d_cl_n_.  J_st  _  q__rt_r  _f  J_p_n's  f_m_l_  h_gh  sch__l  st_d_nts  h_v_  d_n_  s_.  Th_  n_mb_rs  f_r  b_th  s_x_s  h_v_  b__n  _n  th_  d_cl_n_  s_nc_  th__r  p__k  _n  2005.  R_s__rch_rs  _n_lyz_d  d_t_  fr_m  12,562  q__st__nn__r_s.

    Th_  r_s__rch_rs  s__d  th_r_  w_r_  s_v_r_l  r__s_ns  why  f_w_r  _nd  f_w_r  J_p_n_s_  t__ns  _r_  k_ss_ng.  _  b_g  r__s_n  _s  th_  c_r_n_v_r_s  p_nd_m_c.  _  r_s__rch_r  s_gg_st_d  th_t:  "Th_  l_m_t_d  c_nt_ct  w_th  _th_rs  d_r_ng  th_  c_r_n_v_r_s  __tbr__k  m_y  h_v_  l_w_r_d  th_  r_t_  _f  s_x__l  _ct_v_ty  _m_ng  j_n__r  _nd  s_n__r  h_gh  sch__l  st_d_nts."  R_s__rch_r  Pr_f_ss_r  Y_s_k_  H_y_sh_  s__d  th_r_  w_s  _  "c_mb_n_t__n  _f  sch__l  cl_s_r_s  _nd  r_str_ct__ns  _n  f_c_-t_-f_c_  c_nt_ct"  d_r_ng  th_  p_nd_m_c.  Pr_f_ss_r  H_y_sh_  s__d  _n_th_r  r__s_n  c__ld  b_  sm_rtph_n_s.  M_r_  y__ng  p__pl_  _r_  ch__s_ng  t_  _nt_r_ct  w_th  th__r  ph_n_s  r_th_r  th_n  w_th  __ch  _th_r.  Th_s  tr_nd  c__ld  w_rs_n  J_p_n's  _lr__dy  l_w  b_rth  r_t_.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new study suggests that the number of japanese teenagers who have experienced a first kiss is at a record low a national survey was conducted by the japan association for sex education high schoolers answered questions on their sexual experiences and behaviour the researchers found that just one in five high school boys has experienced kissing this is the lowest figure since records began in 1974 the number of girls who have kissed is also on the decline just a quarter of japans female high school students have done so the numbers for both sexes have been on the decline since their peak in 2005 researchers analyzed data from 12562 questionnaires

    the researchers said there were several reasons why fewer and fewer japanese teens are kissing a big reason is the coronavirus pandemic a researcher suggested that the limited contact with others during the coronavirus outbreak may have lowered the rate of sexual activity among junior and senior high school students researcher professor yusuke hayashi said there was a combination of school closures and restrictions on facetoface contact during the pandemic professor hayashi said another reason could be smartphones more young people are choosing to interact with their phones rather than with each other this trend could worsen japans already low birth rate

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AnewstudysuggeststhatthenumberofJapaneseteenagerswhohavee
    xperiencedafirstkissisatarecordlow.Anationalsurveywasconductedb
    ytheJapanAssociationforSexEducation.Highschoolersansweredque
    stionsontheirsexualexperiencesandbehaviour.Theresearchersfoun
    dthatjustoneinfivehighschoolboyshasexperiencedkissing.Thisisthel
    owestfiguresincerecordsbeganin1974.Thenumberofgirlswhohaveki
    ssedisalsoonthedecline.JustaquarterofJapan'sfemalehighschoolstu
    dentshavedoneso.Thenumbersforbothsexeshavebeenonthedecline
    sincetheirpeakin2005.Researchersanalyzeddatafrom12,562questi
    onnaires.Theresearcherssaidtherewereseveralreasonswhyfeweran
    dfewerJapaneseteensarekissing.Abigreasonisthecoronaviruspande
    mic.Aresearchersuggestedthat:"Thelimitedcontactwithothersdurin
    gthecoronavirusoutbreakmayhaveloweredtherateofsexualactivitya
    mongjuniorandseniorhighschoolstudents."ResearcherProfessorYus
    ukeHayashisaidtherewasa"combinationofschoolclosuresandrestrict
    ionsonface-to-facecontact"duringthepandemic.ProfessorHayashis
    aidanotherreasoncouldbesmartphones.Moreyoungpeoplearechoosi
    ngtointeractwiththeirphonesratherthanwitheachother.Thistrendco
    uldworsenJapan'salreadylowbirthrate.

    Free writing

    Write about first kiss for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Our first kiss is something we should think seriously about before doing. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. A FIRST KISS: Make a poster about a first kiss. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. KISSING LESSONS: Write a magazine article about having education on kissing in school. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on a first kiss. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on first kisses. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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