17、“Animal observation　by　Engrish”　Introduction of activity of ‘Ikimono chikyu juku’

 

Misako NAMIKI

Ikimono chikyu juku

 

Introduction of the activity supported by the 2011 grants of Japanese zoo and aquarium educators.
Since Sept. 2011, we have been developed several observation sheets which are mainly targeted for school children who are interested in English. The concept of zoo animal observation in this activity is to clearly raise awareness of behavior by using ‘ethogram’ in English, which means using very few words such as ‘cute!’ instead of scientific words such as ‘he is smelling’ or ‘they are grooming each other’.  Another concept of observation is to compare body parts between humans and animals. We just have prepared tools and activities targeted only at red pandas, goats and giraffes. The NGO organization called ‘Ikimono chikyu juku’ will develop other tools and activities not only by English but Chinese as well. Members of this organization consist of an English teacher, nurse and supporters of the Chiba Zoological Park.