Press Release on March 13, 2010
The 13th Japanese speech contest at the University of Jordan
The Embassy of Japan in Jordan and the Faculty of Foreign Languages at the
University of Jordan jointly organized, on Saturday 13 March, the thirteenth
Japanese Speech Contest.
Twenty contestants took part in the event which consisted of two sections,
namely Haiku and Speech. Each participant was given the choice of either
choosing one Haiku - a very short lyric poem - reading it in Japanese and later
explaining it in Arabic and in English, or making a short presentation on one of
the four themes entitled “The person I respect”, “The … that changed my life” or
a topic of their choice.
The contest aims at providing students learning Japanese with an opportunity to
contemplate, examine their speaking proficiency, and find pleasure in speaking
Japanese and speaking about Japan.
H.E. Mr. Tetsuo Shioguchi, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, hailed the presentations that the contestants gave, saying “I am encouraged that so many people are trying to master the Japanese language and thereby hoping to better understand Japan and Japanese culture”.
Participants excelled in presenting their speeches as many talked in native-like Japanese pronunciation that Japanese judges expressed their admiration of the students’ talents.
After an incredibly very competitive contest, Sumaya Anu Hayeh won first place in the Haiku session with Hanan Imam and Amer Mango coming in second and third respectively. As for the speech section, Ahmed Horani came in first, Firas Shehab second while Ala’ Daoud won third place. Moreover and since contestants gave outstanding presentations, Japanese Ambassador’s special prize was awarded to Mohammed Juneidi and Sevan Gerges while the Japanese Community Association was given to Hana Nasser.