Annual Japanese Language Speech & Skit Contest
Since 1990, HBCC has promoted many cultural, educational, and business programs to foster mutual exchange and understanding between the US and Japan. One of the organization's most successful programs in the field of education is the Annual Japanese Language Speech and Skit Contest for High School Students of Washington State.
Originally founded in 1982 by the Japan Business Association of Seattle and the Motoda Foundation, the Speech & Skit Contest has been conducted annually with the generous support of many local individuals and organizations. Since the mid 1990’s responsibility for organizing the contest was given to Hyogo Business & Cultural Center, and co-sponsor Consulate General of Japan, Seattle.
The primary objective for this contest is to promote the study of Japanese as a second language to non-native Japanese speakers of Washington State. The contest is a fun and challenging opportunity for students to use their language skills to communicate important ideas and thought, and is open to Washington State high school students studying Japanese as a foreign language. The panel of judges consists of representatives from the Consul-General of Japan, local Japanese businesses and Japanese educators.
Each year the Speech and Skit Contest has marked considerable success, both in an increase in the number of participants and improvement in language skills. The outcome of these contests has resulted in many participants furthering their studies in the Japanese language through higher education, going overseas to study and/or work in Japan, and to utilize these skills in their chosen profession. The Speech and Skit Contest lends opportunities for students to strive to improve their language in succeeding years, gain confidence in speaking and expressing their thoughts in the non-native language, and ultimately to find the incentive to continue their language studies so that they may use their hard-won skills in future careers. We look forward to and anticipate a continual growth in numbers and successes in future Speech and Skit Contests.
We have watched this contest grow from year to year and see that the energy put into this contest strengthens life long passion for the Japanese language and culture among many of the contestants and strokes the enthusiasm of those just beginning Japanese!
Speech & Skit Home | Evaluation of the Contest | Contest Location & Guidelines
Posters for Print | 2008 Contestants & Winners| Slideshow
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