17/05/2013
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Japanese Speech Winners Awarded
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H.E. Dr. Kazuchika Hamuro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga, awarded the winners of the 2013 Japanese Speech Contest on Wednesday afternoon, 8th of May, at the St. Andrew's School Hall. Hon. Dr. 'Ana Maui Taufe'ulungaki, Minister for Education and Training attended the contest as the guest of honor. Also present were Rev. Savelio 'Atuekaho, Director of Education of the Free Church of Tonga, and Mr. Mo'unga Maka, Deputy Principal of St. Andrew's School.
Japanese language was first taught in the Kingdom in 1986; to date, seven schools offer Japanese Language as an optional subject. H.E. Dr. Hamuro, in his speech, highlighted the unique feature of the Japanese Language Education in Tonga which consisted of the design of an original curriculum and textbook, which over the years, have been developed and elaborated upon by the continuing dispatch of JICA volunteers. Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Hamuro stated "Japanese language education is one of the indispensable elements of the people-to-people exchange between Japan and Tonga. It is my strong hope that the Japanese language education will further develop and thereby enhance closer and friendly ties between the people of Japan and Tonga". The Ambassador also expressed gratitude for the continuous assistance extended by the Minister and her Ministry towards educational programs hosted by the Embassy.
The Contest consisted of four categories: Form 4, Form 5, Form 6, and the Open Category (over 18 years old). The winner of the Open category was Ms. Fisi'itotoa Lihau, 2nd Year student of Tonga Institute of Education. As the winner of the Open Category, Ms. Lihau will be nominated to participate in the Japanese Language Program, which is a two-week study trip to Japan starting from August 28, and is fully funded by the Japan Foundation. The winners of the High School categories were Ms. Aline Teumohenga of Tonga High School, who won the Form 6 Category; Mr. Yi Wu of Tonga High School, who won the Form 5 Category; and Ms. 'Alisi Uhi of Tonga High School, who won the Form 4 Category. The contestants of the contest were judged according to certain criteria's which included content, pronunciation and intonation, presentation, grammar and vocabulary. Mr. Yasuhiro Nakagawa, Japanese Language Adviser from the Japan Foundation Sydney Center, visited Tonga to attend this contest as a representative on the panel of judges.
The Japanese Speech Contest was initiated in 2010 to motivate Japanese language learners in the Kingdom, as well as to offer outstanding Japanese language students an opportunity to visit Japan and to deepen their knowledge of the Japanese language, society and culture.
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