Press Release
2015/3/3
[15-02] The 13th Japanese Speech Contest in Ireland
On 7 March 2015, the 13th Japanese Speech Contest in Ireland will be held at the FitzGerald Debating Chamber, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.
The contest is co-organised by the Japanese Language Teachers of Ireland (JLTI) and the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, and supported by the Japan Foundation and other organisations in order to encourage and promote Japanese language education in Ireland.
This year, 11 participants in the Secondary School Category (TY & LC1 Group), 5 in the Secondary School Category (LC2 Group) and 6 in the General Category will enjoy speaking about Japan and the things that interest them. The participants will be judged on the basis of the content, expression and grammar of their speeches and a Q&A session with the judges. The prize for the winner is a return ticket to Japan, funded by the Japan Business Society in Ireland.
According to the latest Survey on Japanese-Language Education Abroad 2012 conducted by the Japan Foundation, 2,827 Irish people study Japanese, which is the biggest number per capita among the 28 EU countries, mainly in around 40 secondary schools and five third level institutions.
Mr. Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland said, “This is a chance for all of the contestants to make use of their Japanese skills and enjoy speaking about Japan or the things that interest them, and I hope that the interest in the Japanese language and Japan will stay with them for the rest of their lives”, and continued, “I hope all contestants will continue to enjoy studies of Japanese language, culture and society, and in future, I look forward to seeing them play an active role as friends of Japan not only in Ireland but also on the international stage”.
Dr Keiko Inoue, Chairperson of the JLTI pointed out that the higher number of applicants this year meant it was necessary to conduct preliminary rounds for the two Secondary School Categories, and congratulated the contestants for their enthusiasm and the teachers for their hard work. She also said that it was the organisers’ hope that “the Speech Contest not only provides an opportunity to showcase the contestants' language ability, but also contributes to further friendship and mutual understanding between Ireland and Japan".
The contest started in 2003 and is organised by the JLTI. This year’s contest is the 13th organised by the JLTI, and the third to be co-organised by the Embassy of Japan. Every year, about 30 contestants take part in the contest which attracts an audience of around 200 people.
The contest is co-organised by the Japanese Language Teachers of Ireland (JLTI) and the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, and supported by the Japan Foundation and other organisations in order to encourage and promote Japanese language education in Ireland.
This year, 11 participants in the Secondary School Category (TY & LC1 Group), 5 in the Secondary School Category (LC2 Group) and 6 in the General Category will enjoy speaking about Japan and the things that interest them. The participants will be judged on the basis of the content, expression and grammar of their speeches and a Q&A session with the judges. The prize for the winner is a return ticket to Japan, funded by the Japan Business Society in Ireland.
According to the latest Survey on Japanese-Language Education Abroad 2012 conducted by the Japan Foundation, 2,827 Irish people study Japanese, which is the biggest number per capita among the 28 EU countries, mainly in around 40 secondary schools and five third level institutions.
Mr. Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland said, “This is a chance for all of the contestants to make use of their Japanese skills and enjoy speaking about Japan or the things that interest them, and I hope that the interest in the Japanese language and Japan will stay with them for the rest of their lives”, and continued, “I hope all contestants will continue to enjoy studies of Japanese language, culture and society, and in future, I look forward to seeing them play an active role as friends of Japan not only in Ireland but also on the international stage”.
Dr Keiko Inoue, Chairperson of the JLTI pointed out that the higher number of applicants this year meant it was necessary to conduct preliminary rounds for the two Secondary School Categories, and congratulated the contestants for their enthusiasm and the teachers for their hard work. She also said that it was the organisers’ hope that “the Speech Contest not only provides an opportunity to showcase the contestants' language ability, but also contributes to further friendship and mutual understanding between Ireland and Japan".
The contest started in 2003 and is organised by the JLTI. This year’s contest is the 13th organised by the JLTI, and the third to be co-organised by the Embassy of Japan. Every year, about 30 contestants take part in the contest which attracts an audience of around 200 people.