Press Release
2016/3/1
[16-02] The 14th Japanese Speech Contest in Ireland
On 5 March 2016, the 14th 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, 12 participants in the Secondary School Category (TY & LC1 Group), 7 in the Secondary School Category (LC2 Group) and 4 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 2015 conducted by the Japan Foundation, 3,213 Irish people study Japanese, which is an increase of 14% from the previous survey conducted in 2012. These students are mainly found in around 40 secondary schools and five third level institutions throughout Ireland.
Mrs Mari Miyoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland said, “I hope that through learning Japanese students deepen their understanding of Japan and the facets and charms it has culturally, technologically and economically”, and continued “Next year (2017) marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland. In 2019, Japan will host the Rugby World Cup and, in 2020, the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will take place. I hope a lot of Irish people will take these large international events as an opportunity to visit, see and experience Japan”.
Ms Róisín McGowan, Chairperson of the JLTI said “We would like to show our appreciation to all the contestants and their teachers”. She continued “It is through events such as these, that we have opportunity to showcase the talent of young Irish people, as well as celebrate the love we have for the Japanese language and culture.”
The contest started in 2003 and is organised by the JLTI. This year’s contest is the 14th organised by the JLTI, and the fourth 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.
(END)
(Contact)
Press and Cultural Affairs Section, Embassy of Japan in Ireland
Tel: 01 - 202 8305, E-mail: cultural@ir.mofa.go.jp, Website: www.ie.emb-japan.go.jp
Ms Róisín McGowan, Chairperson, JLTI
E-mail: jltireland@gmail.com, Website: www.jltireland.com/index/speech_en.html
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, 12 participants in the Secondary School Category (TY & LC1 Group), 7 in the Secondary School Category (LC2 Group) and 4 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 2015 conducted by the Japan Foundation, 3,213 Irish people study Japanese, which is an increase of 14% from the previous survey conducted in 2012. These students are mainly found in around 40 secondary schools and five third level institutions throughout Ireland.
Mrs Mari Miyoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland said, “I hope that through learning Japanese students deepen their understanding of Japan and the facets and charms it has culturally, technologically and economically”, and continued “Next year (2017) marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland. In 2019, Japan will host the Rugby World Cup and, in 2020, the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will take place. I hope a lot of Irish people will take these large international events as an opportunity to visit, see and experience Japan”.
Ms Róisín McGowan, Chairperson of the JLTI said “We would like to show our appreciation to all the contestants and their teachers”. She continued “It is through events such as these, that we have opportunity to showcase the talent of young Irish people, as well as celebrate the love we have for the Japanese language and culture.”
The contest started in 2003 and is organised by the JLTI. This year’s contest is the 14th organised by the JLTI, and the fourth 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.
(END)
(Contact)
Press and Cultural Affairs Section, Embassy of Japan in Ireland
Tel: 01 - 202 8305, E-mail: cultural@ir.mofa.go.jp, Website: www.ie.emb-japan.go.jp
Ms Róisín McGowan, Chairperson, JLTI
E-mail: jltireland@gmail.com, Website: www.jltireland.com/index/speech_en.html