I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS

Teacher Instructions

1. Before class prepare the handout and the transparency.
   
   
2. Distribute the handout. Have the students do #1. Go over the answer.
   
   
3. Have the students do #2. Go over the answers with the class.

Answer Key to Student Activities

1. c.

II. STUDENT ACTIVITY HANDOUTS

Do you know anything about Ichiro? Read the following article about him.

イチローは「マスコミ嫌い」？？

イチローは「マスコミ嫌い¹」と言われることが多い。インタビューでも、あまり楽しんでなさそうに見える。でも、実は²、イチローほど、ことばをたいせつにし³、人に自分の考えを伝える⁴ことを大事⁵に思っている人はいない。ことばがたいせつだから、イチローはマスコミに対して⁶もきびしい。イチローは選手がプロならマスコミもプロであるべきだと考える。だから、記者⁷が勉強不足⁸だったり、しつもんがよくないと、答えないこともある。イチローのまわりにいる記者は、いつもプレッシャーがあって、ぴりぴりしている。ある⁹記者は最初は野球の素人¹⁰で、ひどい記者だったが、イチローを取材¹¹することで変わったと言う。「そういうのは、ボクにとってもうれしい・・・前に進んでいる姿¹²というのはすごくいいものだと思うんです。」とイチローは言う。

[Extracting the main idea]

1. Which of the following best describes the main topic of the article? 

a. Ichiro's frustration towards mass media
b. Ichiro's reasons to dislike mass media 
c. Ichiro's attitude towards expressing himself

[Extracting details]

2. Circle T if the statement is true and F if the statement is false or not mentioned in the article.

1. Ichiro hates interviews.
   
2. Ichiro thinks interviews are worthless.
   
3. Ichiro thinks professional baseball players should focus on baseball and not interviews.
   
4. Ichiro thinks it's ok for reporters not to know much about baseball because they are not professional baseball players.
   
5. Reporters around Ichiro are relaxed because Ichiro is easy-going and answers any question.
   
6. Ichiro believes poor reporters are always poor and cannot improve.

<Useful Vocabulary>

III. VISUAL AIDS FOR TEACHERS

For this visual aid, make a transparency of the handout.

IV. FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES

Ask the class if they know more about Ichiro or other Japanese players playing in the U.S.