Children in Japan collect cards of local grandpas

Nick's ESL News Lessons

A printable worksheet for news-based English conversation classes.

Date: 2025/04/12

Difficulty: Elementary A2

PDF: Children in Japan collect cards of local grandpas

Vocabulary Match

trading •• signature
fantasy •• thought
creatures •• exchanging
abilities •• magical
autograph •• animals
imagined •• skills

Vocabulary Answers

tradingexchanging
fantasymagical
creaturesanimals
abilitiesskills
autographsignature
imaginedthought

Article

In Kawara, a small town in Japan, children are excited about special trading cards. These cards are not about fantasy creatures like Pokemon but show real local grandpas and older men. The cards have fun details like "special abilities" and "attacks."

One popular card is of Mr. Fujii, a 68-year-old former prison officer. Kids love his card so much they ask for his autograph. Mr. Fujii said, "I never imagined I'd become a trading card."

Eri Miyahara started this idea to help kids connect with older people in the community. Now, children are more active in town events and enjoy meeting these local heroes. The cards are a fun way to bring young and old together.

Quiz

  1. What are the trading cards in Kawara about?
  2. Who is Mr. Fujii?
  3. Why do children ask for Mr. Fujii's autograph?
  4. Who started the idea of the trading cards?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. The trading cards in Kawara are about local grandpas and older men.
  2. Mr. Fujii is a 68-year-old former prison officer.
  3. Children ask for Mr. Fujii's autograph because they love his card.
  4. Eri Miyahara started the idea of the trading cards.

Conversation

A:Hey, did you see my card?
B:Yes! It says you have "special abilities."
A:Haha, I never imagined I'd be a trading card.
B:The kids love it. They even ask for your autograph!
A:It's fun to see them so excited.
B:Yes, it's a great way to connect with them.

Discussion

  1. Do you know your neighbours well?
  2. What can children learn from talking to elderly people?
  3. Have you ever collected anything? What was it?
  4. Would you like to collect cards of people you know?
  5. What special abilities would you want on your card?

Source Material

https://www.sunnyskyz.com/blog/3908/Why-Kids-In-This-Japanese-Town-Are-Obsessed-With-Trading-Cards-Of-Local-Grandpas

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