Western Sydney Japanese Speech Contest

Japanese Speech

Western Sydney Japanese Speech Contest
School of Humanities and Communication Arts


Saturday the 25th of November
Building EA.G.34 and EA.G.36, Parramatta South Campus, Western Sydney University

The Western Sydney Japanese Speech Contest will bring together Japanese learners from high schools across Western Sydney and beyond. The Contest’s aims are fourfold:

  1. to motivate high school students from across Greater Western Sydney and beyond in their study of Japanese;
  2. to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their Japanese-language skills, as well as their public speaking skills, before a panel;
  3. to enable students to experience university life, and to introduce students to the opportunities that await Japanese-language learners;
  4. to generate publicity about the study of Japanese language in schools across Greater Western Sydney .

Eligibility and Divisions

Eligibility

  • Contestants must be attending a Sydney high school
  • Contestant’s background language must not be Japanese
  • Contestant has not spent more than 12 months in Japan after reaching the Japanese compulsory education starting age
  • Contestant has not completed more than one academic year of Japan’s compulsory education, either in Japan or at any Japanese school overseas
  • The contest is open to all Sydney residents: irrespective of their nationality and/or visa status, an individual currently living in Sydney who meets all other eligibility criteria of their division of choice is eligible to enter that Division

Divisions

1. Novice

  • Current High School Student
  • Has studied Japanese in school for 1 year or less (excluding Year 7 or 8 Mandatory Japanese)
  • Topic: “Why I want to go to Japan” (duration 2—3 minutes)

2. Advanced

  • Current High School Student
  • Has studied Japanese for 2 years or more (excluding Year 7 or 8 Mandatory Japanese)
  • Topic: “About me” (duration 4—5 minutes)

Prizes

All contestants will be awarded a participation certificate

1st prize in each division will win a $150 gift voucher

2nd prize in each division will win a $100 gift voucher

3rd prize in each division will win a $75 gift voucher

The Kinokuniya prize in each division will win a $50 in-store Kinokuniya voucher. Made possible by the generosity of Books Kinokuniya, these prizes will be determined at the discretion of the judges.

The best-performing high school will be awarded a F2F excursion to the Nihongo Tanken Centre (1 visit; maximum 30 students)

Contest Rules

Originality

The speech must be the original work of the contestant. Assistance given by teachers and/or native Japanese speakers is fine, so long as it is limited to correcting grammatical errors and/or making minor alterations for the sake of continuity

General rules

  • Do not read your speech. Palm cards are fine, but points will be deducted if speeches are not delivered from memory
  • Do not use props
  • Do not wear your school uniform
  • Your speech should have a clear message
  • Contestants will stand behind a lectern. It will be possible to rest your palm cards on the lectern.
  • Use the microphone/s provided so you can be clearly heard.

Registrations and Enquiries

Registrations: we welcome both contestants and supporters. Supporters might be parents, carers, family members, school friends, etc. All are welcome. We only ask that both contestants and supporters register.

How to register: Register by visiting the registration form here.

Enquiries: please direct enquiries to japanesespeechcontest@westernsydney.edu.au

Schedule

8:30—9:10: registration

9:10—9:20: special address

9:30—11:30: Speech Contest

11:30—13:00: Cultural Immersion/Konshinkai/Lunch (all welcome, including contestants and supporters)

13:00—13:30 Awards Ceremony

Judging and Judges

Judging criteria

  • Presentation 30% (includes delivery, manner, memorisation, attitude, impact, length)
  • Content 40% (includes coherence, cohesion of ideas, originality, intention, message)
  • Language 30% (includes fluency, pronunciation, grammatical complexity/flexibility, range of language, accuracy)

Judging

  • Aggregates of marks from each judge will determine the place allocated to each contestant in each division. In the case of a draw, the judges will determine the outcome through negotiation.
  • The judges’ decision is final.
  • The content of the judges’ discussion is not open to the public.

Handy hints for contestants

Below are a few points that the judges of the Speech Contest will be looking for. Please read these points carefully so that you can perform your very best on the day.

PRESENTATION

  • One slight bow is an appropriate way to begin your speech.
  • The MC will announce your name and the title of your speech. It is not necessary to announce your name, the title of your speech and school or institution’s name.
  • Do not read your speech!  You may refer to your palm cards; however excessive consultation will result in marks being deducted.
  • Keep in mind that exaggerated body language is not appropriate in a Japanese speech.
  • Also, props (e.g. puppets, objects etc.) may not be used.
  • Please speak clearly. Don’t race and speak calmly.

CONTENT

  • Does the subject have universal appeal? Is it timely?
  • It will be easier if you talk about something you’re passionate about.
  • Is your individual viewpoint and way of thinking adequately expressed? Is the subject logically and effectively presented?
  • Your speech will be more meaningful if it is based on your personal opinions or experiences.
  • Contestants are encouraged to give not only factual information, but to talk about their reactions to and feelings about their individual experiences.
  • Contestants should also consider the message they want to convey to the audience through their speech.
  • Pay attention for your speech ending.

LANGUAGE

  • Is the language clear, correct and appropriate for the subject?
  • Are the pronunciation, intonation, grammar and vocabulary suitable?
  • Please use language that you can understand. It may be necessary to use new vocabulary in order to express your ideas, however try to use sentence structures you know and can use confidently.
  • Keep in mind that this is a speech contest and that the use of ‘masu’ and ‘desu’ forms are most appropriate.
  • Be careful of the pronunciation of Katakana words. Record your speech and listen back to it carefully. Watch Japanese news, movie or TV programs and try to copy their pronunciation.
  • Practice long/short consonants and long vowels.

Adapted from Handy Hints for Contestants by the Japan Foundation, Sydney.

Good Luck!