Click here to view the winning speech (YouTube)
JSANZ Tertiary Japanese Language Speech Contest Prizegiving
The prizegiving of the JSANZ Tertiary Japanese Language Speech Contest took place on Friday November 11, hosted by the School of Cultures, Languages and Linguistics of The University of Auckland.
Congratulatory addresses were given by Professor Martin East, Head, School of Cultures, Languages and Linguistics, The University of Auckland; Mr Hamada Shinichi, Consul-General of Japan; Mr Shimizu Yasumasa, Mitsubishi Corporation Auckland Branch and a director of Nisui-Kai (The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Auckland Inc.) and Dr Penny Shino, JSANZ President.
Mr Shimizu presented the awards to the three prize winners: Rika Xiong (1st place, University of Auckland), Kitty Cheng (2nd place, University of Auckland) and Wen-Po Yeh (3rd place, IPU New Zealand, Palmerston North). Video recordings of the placeholders’ winning speeches were also played.
Warm congratulations again to the prizewinners for your superb effort and the sincerity, animation and exceptional skill of your presentations.
Sincere gratitude to the JSANZ Speech Contest Committee, Mori Michiyo (Chair), Minagawa Harumi and Naomi Collins. It is a complex event to organise, with many stages, and as usual you have done an exceptional job.
Finally JSANZ would like to acknowledge with thankful appreciation the hard work of the anonymous judges and the generosity of our sponsors, The Japan Foundation and Nisui-Kai (The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Auckland Inc.).
Here is the link to the recording of the prizegiving: https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fauckland.au.panopto.com%2FPanopto%2FPages%2FViewer.aspx%3Fid%3Ddc5abe8b-d02d-4fdf-a32c-af4d000fc217&data=05%7C01%7Cp.a.shino%40massey.ac.nz%7C16a9db22f260483edeca08dac68df13a%7C388728e1bbd0437898dcf8682e644300%7C1%7C0%7C638040610207359738%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fyAvkz6ymZuVv0MhC5wPYOJdV%2F25R%2Bkw6aSc9ui8Jww%3D&reserved=0
JSANZ Japanese Firsts Awards
Congratulations to the winners of the JSANZ Japanese Firsts Awards 2022. There are 14 awards in all and there were many excellent nominations this year so if the person you nominated did not get chosen this time, please try again next year as we are keen to showcase all the amazing people working hard to make the language learning journey a great experience for everyone.
Most Dedicated Japanese Language Lecturer: Yoshiko Lowry, Ara Institute of Canterbury
Most Dedicated Japanese Language Lecturer (Highly Commended): Junko Yamamoto, IPU New Zealand
Most Dedicated Japanese Language Lecturer (Highly Commended): Katie Marr, Ara Institute of Canterbury
Most Engaged Third Year Student: Meg Koppen, University of Canterbury
Most Engaged Second Year Student: Carla Elliot, Massey University
Most Engaged First Year Student: Simon Zhang, Victoria University of Wellington https://www.dropbox.com/sh/unhs5hpiso85bpr/AACDTiij6ls2YUDnDhIJ1Gt-a/Posters/JSAN-Digital-v1%206.pdf?dl=0
Most Engaged First Year Student(Highly Commended): Jaelyn Clint, Auckland University of Technology
Most Valued Support Staff: Ayana Kuwabara, Teaching Assistant and Volunteer, Victoria University of Wellington
Most Valued Support Staff(Highly Commended): Tamami Ashizumi, Volunteer, Auckland University of Technology.
Awesome Again: Eri Kojima-Mathieson, University of Canterbury
Awesome Again: Masa Ogino, University of Canterbury
Awesome Again: David Wells, University of Canterbury
Awesome Again: Yoshie Nishikawa, Victoria University of Wellington
Awesome Again: Toshiaki Yamauchi, Massey University
Dr Junji Kawai receives prestigious award
Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland
On Thursday 30 June, Consul General Hamada awarded Dr Junji Kawai, Senior Lecturer of Auckland University of Technology, the Consul General’s Commendation in recognition of his distinguished service in contributing to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and New Zealand.
Dr Kawai has been involved in Japanese teaching in universities in New Zealand for 30 years, and also been actively involved in promoting the Japanese language in the community in various ways such as organising the Auckland Regional Secondary School Japanese Speech Contest.
We offer our deepest thanks to Dr Kawai for all of his efforts and achievements and look forward to his continued success.
JSANZ newsletters
Just a reminder that back copies of the JSANZ newsletter can be obtained on request from the Secretary.
2021 JSANZ Tertiary Japanese Language Speech Competition Winners
Our heartfelt congratulations go to the prizewinners
First Place: Joyce Wang, University of Auckland
Speech Title: New Zealand society and racism 平等な社会を目指そう
Second Place: Andrea Sevilla, IPU
Speech Title: My Roots and Family History 私のルーツと家族史
Third Place: Samuel Takuya Hanada, Ara institute of Canterbury
Speech Title: Home is where the heart is 家とは心がある場所
JSANZ Japanese Firsts Awards
These are difficult times and it has been a long process bringing these to you but JSANZ takes the greatest pleasure in finally announcing the JSANZ Japanese Firsts Award winners. There are seven winners over five categories. Not all of the 10 categories received nominations but there were many nominations for the five winning categories. If you missed out this time please try again next year as we would love to see all deserving Japanese stakeholders, teachers, and students recognised. Each winner will receive a print version of their poster to display in their classroom and office. Congratulations. Your awards are very well-deserved.
Bunkasai Cultural Festival
Five Manawatu secondary schools attended a Bunkasai (cultural festival) on July 7 2021, hosted by the Japanese programme at Massey University, Manawatu Campus. The event was attended by approximately 85 students, teachers, volunteers and Massey and IPU NZ Tertiary Institute staff.
As activities, students took part in a manga drawing contest, trivia quiz, origami contest and a formal Speech Contest (see below). They were also invited to dress in yukata (summer kimono), practise calligraphy, play kendama (a skill game) and take part in a tea ceremony. By good fortune the event coincided exactly with the Tanabata Festival, and students had the opportunity to tie their wishes to branches of sasa bamboo.
Artwork from the students was on display throughout the day
The Bunkasai allowed students to experience aspects of Japanese culture for the first time and enjoy the progress they have made learning Japanese with counterparts from other schools. It is hoped that the time on a university campus and learning more about Japanese at tertiary level from Massey and IPU staff will also encourage students to continue Japanese beyond school.
Speech Contest winners:
Category 1 (Year 11): Jake Cook, Awatapu College
Category 2 (Year 12): Anna Skiffington, St Peter’s College
Category 3 (Year 13): Floor Schalk, Awatapu College
Judges: Mr Toshi Yamauchi and Dr Penny Shino, Massey University.
