50th Japanese Language Speech Contest Finals
This year is the 50th year since the Australian speech contest was first held. The aim of the contest is to encourage learners who are studying Japanese to showcase their language skills in a challenging context.
Contest Format
Winners from the state/territory contests from the following divisions will progress to the Australian final. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Contestants from New Zealand may be invited to participate in High School Senior Division at the discretion of the Japan Foundation in consultation with the New Zealand Japanese National Advisor.
Divisions
The National Final Contest has two categories:
Subject of Speech
The subject, content and form of the speeches are left open to each contestant. Entrants who have competed in previous contests may not use the same speech (this includes title and content) presented in previous years.
Length of Speech (Time Limit)
| High School Senior Division: | 2.5 – 3 mins |
| Open Division: | 4.5 – 5 mins |
Q & A
After delivering their speech, contestants will be asked up to two questions based on the content of their speech.
Eligibility
High School Senior Division
This Division is open to students in Year 11 and 12. Contestants must fulfil all the following conditions to be eligible for the High School Senior Division:
- Contestant’s background language is not Japanese.
- Contestant may be studying Japanese as a Language other than English (LOTE).
- Contestant has not spent more than 24 months in Japan after reaching the Japanese compulsory education starting age.
- Contestant has not completed more than 2 academic years of Japan’s compulsory education, either in Japan or at any Japanese school overseas.
- Contestant has not been the first prize winner of a previous Australian Japanese Language Speech Contest in this division.
Open Division
This Division is open to individuals’ aged 17 or above who are no longer high school students. Contestants must fulfill all the following conditions to be eligible for the Open.
Division:
- Contestant’s background language is not Japanese.
- Contestant may be studying Japanese as a Language other than English (LOTE) at a tertiary institution or privately.
- Contestant has not spent more than 36 months in Japan after reaching the Japanese compulsory education starting age.
- Contestant has not completed more than 2 academic years of Japan’s compulsory education, either in Japan or at any Japanese school overseas.
- Contestant has not been the first prize winner of a previous Australian Japanese Language Speech Contest in this division.
*The definition of ‘background language’ is based on the following by Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA):http://docs.acara.edu.au/resources/Languages_-_Shape_of_the_Australian_Curriculum_new.pdf
<58 on Page 21> states “Background language learners are those who may use the target language at home (not necessarily exclusively) and have knowledge of the target language to varying degrees (e.g. vocabulary, phonological accuracy, fluency, and readiness to use the language) and have a base for literacy development in that language.”
JUDGING CRITERIA & JUDGES
The marking system is as follows:
| Presentation | 30% (e.g. delivery, manner, memorisation, attitude, impact, length) |
| Content | 40% (e.g. coherence, cohesion of ideas, originality, intention, message) |
| Language | 25% (e.g. fluency, pronunciation, grammatical complexity/flexibility, range of language, accuracy) |
| Q & A | 5% (e.g. communication competence, appropriateness of response) |
- The speech must be the original work of the contestant. The degree of assistance given by teachers or by Japanese native speakers should be limited to no more than correcting grammatical errors or making minor alterations for the sake of continuity.
- Props (e.g. puppets, objects etc.) must not be used. A lectern will be provided for contestants to stand behind and on which to rest their notes. Use of the lectern is optional.
- Microphone with a stand will be provided for contestants.
- Contestants should not read their speeches. Contestants may refer to their notes, however excessive consultation will result in marks being deducted.
- Uniform is not compulsory, however neat presentation is encouraged.
- Please be mindful of the speech time limit.
Judges’ Decision
Judges will be from the field of Japanese language education and members of the Japanese community, and will decide the winners. Aggregates of marks from all judges will determine the place allocated to each contestant in the order of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. In case of a draw, the judges will determine the outcome through discussion. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The content of the judges’ discussion is not open to the public at any time.
Prizes
All contestants will receive a participation certificate. Prizes will be awarded in each division.
Date and Venue
The contest will be held at the Japan Foundation, Sydney on Saturday, October 12, 2019 (Sat). The Japan Foundation, Sydney will provide transport cost (i.e. airfare) and accommodation allowance for successful candidate(s) who are travelling from interstate. Contestants must submit their application form, speech script and speech summary in 100-150 words in English.
