The contest was split into two levels-elementary and intermediate (intermediate and/or students with experience living in Japan). Seven students participated in the elementary level, and two students in intermediate level for a total of nine participants. Each student presented a three to five minute long speech, which was evaluated not only on linguistic points such pronunciation, grammar, expressions etc., but also students’ expression and the contents of their speech as well.

Following in the steps of the previous year, despite the fact that the contest was not held in a live auditorium, around 100 people were watching the live streaming of the event, proving not only that there is a high level of interest in Japanese, but also that this contest was an important opportunity for Japanese language learners. Specifically, Ms. Adiola Chase, who was the winner of the intermediate level, took part in APIC’s Pacific and Caribbean Student Invitation Program in 2018, continued her Japanese studies upon her returning home, surely helping her win the competition. She has received a teaching job offer from JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme), and once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides she will return to Japan to teach English at a Japanese school.

APIC was very proud to support this Japanese speech contest, and tremendously happy to see a previous participant in APIC’s program continue to study Japanese and to take her learning a step further.