Sid in Japan

Nouns are one of the fundamental building blocks of language. Teaching nouns effectively can help students build their vocabulary and improve their sentence construction skills. In the Japanese classroom, the teaching of nouns is usually the responsibility of the JTE. However, as an ALT, having a basic knowledge about how they work can greatly improve your own teaching style and you can better assist your students.

What is a Noun?

A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns can be classified into various types, each with unique characteristics. In Japanese, nouns (名詞 – meshi) function similarly to English nouns, but there are key differences, such as the absence of plural forms and articles.

How to Use Nouns

Nouns can act as:

• Subjects (e.g., The dog is sleeping.)
• Objects (e.g., She bought a book.)
• Complements (e.g., He is a teacher.)

Nouns are often modified by:

• Adjectives (e.g., the red apple)
• Determiners (e.g., a book, this house)

Nouns can have a number or indicate possession:

• Nouns can be singular or plural (dog vs. dogs).
• They can show possession using apostrophes (John’s book). In Japanese, possession is indicated with no (の), such as Taro no hon (太郎の本, Taro’s book).

Types of Nouns & How to Teach Them

Concrete Nouns (個体名詞, Kotai Meishi)

• These are nouns that represent things you can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste.
• Examples: dog (犬 – inu), music (音楽 – ongaku), bread (パン – pan)
• In the classroom: Bring real objects or flashcards and ask students sensory questions like: “Can you touch it? Can you see it?”

Abstract Nouns (抽象名詞, Chūshō Meishi)

• These nouns refer to emotions, concepts, or qualities that cannot be perceived by the senses.
• Examples: love (愛 – ai), freedom (自由 – jiyuu), truth (真実 – shinjitsu)
• In the classroom: For a discussion, ask students, “What is happiness?” or “What does freedom mean to you?” For storytelling, have students create short sentences using abstract nouns (e.g., “Happiness is eating ice cream”).

Proper Nouns (固有名詞, Koyuu Meishi)

• Specific names of people, places, or organizations. Always capitalized in English.
• Examples: London, Sarah, Microsoft
• In the classroom: Show famous landmarks and ask students to name them. Check their writing and make sure the names are capitalized! You could also have students correct lowercase proper nouns.

Collective Nouns (集合名詞, Shūgō Meishi)

• Words that denote groups of people, animals, or things.
• Examples: team (チーム), flock (群 – mure)
• In the classroom: Give students a mix of singular and collective nouns and ask them to sort them.

Plural Nouns (複数名詞, Fukusuu Meishi)

• Nouns that indicate more than one item.
• Examples: cats, boxes, children
• Japanese does not have strict plural noun forms. Instead, -tachi (たち) or -ra (ら) can indicate plurality (e.g., 子供たち, kodomo-tachi for “children”).
• In the classroom: Have students match singular nouns with their plural forms. Also, teach common irregular plurals (e.g., man → men).

Possessive Nouns (所有名詞, Shoyuu Meishi)

• Nouns that show ownership, often with an apostrophe.
• Examples: John’s book, the dogs’ park
• Japanese Note: Possession is shown with no (の), e.g., 太郎の本 (Taro no hon).
• In the classroom: Ask “Whose [item] is this?” and have the students describe possessions (e.g., “This is Yuki’s pencil”). You could also have them convert phrases into possessives and vice versa (the bag of Tom → Tom’s bag).

Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns

• Countable: Items you can count (e.g., apple, car, idea)
• Uncountable: Substances or concepts not easily counted (e.g., water, rice, information). Use quantifiers like “a piece of” or “a glass of” for uncountable nouns.
• In the classroom: Have students classify nouns as countable or uncountable. For a real world example, students can read or write grocery lists, using correct quantifiers (e.g., “two bottles of milk”).

Final Tips

• Use Visual Aids: Pictures, objects, and flashcards help students grasp concepts quickly.
• Encourage Sentence Creation: Always have students practice nouns in full sentences.
• Relate to Daily Life: Use examples from their environment (e.g., school, anime, food).
• Practice with Games: Word association, bingo, and storytelling keep learning engaging.

Teaching nouns is an essential step in helping students develop their English proficiency. By incorporating interactive and contextual learning strategies, ALTs can make noun lessons engaging and effective. Happy teaching!