Pupils take part in Japanese speech contest

Twenty-five high school pupils took part in the 20th Massey University Japanese Speech Contest on Friday.

School of Humanities East Asian Programme coordinator Dr Penny Shino said the contest motivated pupils studying Japanese and rewarded their achievements.

She was impressed by the pupils’ confidence and the diverse and entertaining speeches.

“I’m always overwhelmed how good their Japanese is, and how even the beginners can put together really interesting, engaging and sometimes quite touching story about their topic,” Dr Shino said. “They were just brimming with enthusiasm about Japan and Japanese. It’s always a fantastic event.”

Pupils from seven schools in Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay and the Central Plateau participated in the event, which is supported by the Embassy of Japan and funded by the Japan Foundation.

Dr Shino said only two pupils from each school were permitted to enter each category so making it through to the contest was itself significant. Participants were divided into three categories: Year 10 proficiency, Year 11 proficiency and equivalent to Year 12/13 proficiency. They spoke for 1.5 minutes, two minutes and three minutes in the respective categories.

Aisya Ahmad Zamri of Palmerston North Girls’ High School won the Year 10 category, Ella Austin of Awatapu College the Year 11 category, and Harrison Faumuina, also of Awatapu College, and Terry Lee of Palmerston North Boys High School shared the top prize in the Year 12/13 category.

The winners received a book and DVD prizes. The event was organised by the School of Humanities Japanese programme and also celebrated the 60th anniversary of Japan-New Zealand relations.