March 25, 2024

The 33rd Alberta Japanese Speech Contest 2024

Four prizes were won by UofC students with inspiring speeches in this year’s Japanese Speech Contest.

The annual Alberta Japanese speech contest took place for the 33rd time, at the TELUS Center 134, University of Alberta, and Language Research Center, University of Calgary on March 2nd, 2024.

This year, 24 students from the Alberta region demonstrated their Japanese language and speech skills, 8 of which represented the University of Calgary’s Japanese program from the School of Languages, Linguistics, and culture.

With the aid of the University of Calgary’s Japanese instructors and Hokkaido University of Education students, all participants worked hard to perfect their speech, advance their understanding of the Japanese language and create a bridge of culture between Japan and Canada once again.

This year, four students from UofC were placed in the top three in their respective categories.

In the beginner category, two students represented UofC;

● Anphisa Kovtunova presented “The many doors of a world I want to open” and won second place

● Johannes Navalta presented “My friend Patrick“ and won third place

In the intermediate category, two students represented UofC;

● Ezgi Ince presented “Recipe to become a lucky person” and won third place

● Bonnie Wu presented “Looking behind is also progress”

In the advanced category, three students represented UofC;

● Hyewon Chung presented “My colour”

● Kien Du presented “Living (a bit) dangerously”

In the open category, one student represented UofC;

● Weiqi Li presented “Travelling is a TV drama: Moments of Touching and Learning” and won second place

24 students from the Alberta region demonstrated their Japanese language and speech skills24 students from the Alberta region demonstrated their Japanese language and speech skills24 students from the Alberta region demonstrated their Japanese language and speech skills24 students from the Alberta region demonstrated their Japanese language and speech skills24 students from the Alberta region demonstrated their Japanese language and speech skills24 students from the Alberta region demonstrated their Japanes

We congratulate all the Speech contest participants and give special thanks to all the judges, co-host (Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary), donors (Mitsui Canada Foundation / Prince Takamado Japan Centre for Teaching and Research), Alberta Japanese Business Association, Canadian Association for Japanese Language Education, and Organizing Committee.

We would also like to show gratitude to the SLLLC Japanese program, especially the instructors who encouraged and guided the participating students in their practices and supported them through their language journey, Akiko Sharp, Yoko Kodama, Hinako Ishikawa, Hitomi Krebes, and Hitomi Nishikawa. Another big thank you to the Hokkaido University of Education students who took time out of their busy schedules to help improve U of C participants’ speech skills.