This year, the Japanese language instructors at Carleton University successfully ran the 25th Canada National Japanese Language Speech Contest in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan, the Japan Foundation and the Prince Takamado Japan Centre for Teaching & Research. The competition was held at the Embassy of Japan on March 29, 2014. The event was sponsored by Carleton University, the Embassy of Japan, the Japan Foundation, the Prince Takamado Japan Canada Memorial Fund, Mitsui Canada, Astellas Pharma and Japan Airlines.
This year’s contest was a celebration of a quarter century of continuation of the Japanese Language Speech Contest actively involving the Japanese community as well as university programs in Japanese language and culture across Canada. The purpose of the Japanese Language Speech Contest is to promote Japanese language education in Canada and to provide post-secondary students with an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of their peers. In total, 25 participants, who were the winners in their own category (beginner, intermediate, advanced, or open) in 7 regional contests, competed in this national contest, again in their respective categories. The regional contests are held every year in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. The sites of the national competition alternate each year between western and eastern provinces, and this year, Carleton University was in charge of the contest by representing the Ottawa and Kingston regions, including Queen’s University and the University of Ottawa. Two students, Ms. Ran Tao and Ms. Yingxin Qian from Carleton University participated in the national contest. Both of them delivered their speech very fluently and Ms. Tao placed third in the Intermediate Category with a speech entitled “The Great Passage”. Congratulations!!!
Carleton University’s students have had considerable success in the past as well. Mr. Yahor Kazlou, now working in Tokyo for an internationally renowned research company, participated in the National Speech Contest during his time as a student at Carleton. He was chosen to be the grand champion of the contest and won a trip to Japan. Later, he was invited to the table of their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan when Carleton University hosted them on the occasion of their visit to Ottawa in 2009. The same year, Yahor received a scholarship valued over $35,000 from one of the large corporations in Japan. Having completed his Master’s degree in Japan, Yahor is using Japanese language every day in his work. His story illustrates how participating in the Japanese Language Speech Contest may open up windows to students in their career path, all the while learning a little more about the Japanese language.
The opening remarks for this year contest were given by the Director of SLaLS, Dr. Randall Gess, along with the Minister Fumio Yawata from the Embassy of Japan. Ms. Paula Chinkiwsky and Mr. Mike Barker produced video recordings of the event. CUJA and several students in Japanese Language courses assisted at the event as volunteers. After the contest, the participants were invited to a reception by the Japanese Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Norihiro Okuda at his residence. All participants enjoyed Washoku (Japanese cuisine) and had a pleasant time.
Our sincere gratitude goes to our Dean, Dr. John Osborne and Dr. Randall Gess for supporting the contest, which provides stimulation and motivation for our students to pursue their study of Japanese language and culture. Furthermore, the National and Regional contests foster mutual understanding between Canada and Japan.
Yoko Azuma Prikryl
Japanese language Instructor, SLaLS
Head of the Ottawa Organizing Committee for the 25th Canada National Japanese Language Speech Contest