Speeches
Speech by Mr Masagos Zulkifli BMM, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, at the Japanese Speech Contest 2008 at the Japanese Association Auditorium on Sunday, 6 July 2008, at 1.20pm
His Excellency, Mr. Makoto Yamanaka, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore
Mr. Gan Siang Kiong, President, the Japanese Cultural Society, Singapore
Mr Hironori Ishikawa, Vice-President, the Japanese Association, Singapore
Mr. Yasuhiko Kitagawa, President, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore
Mr. Tan Jong Lek, President, Japanese University Graduates Association of Singapore
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
It is my pleasure to be here this afternoon at the Japanese Speech Contest 2008.
This Japanese Speech Contest has a long history, dating back to the first contest in 1968. Initiated by the Japanese Cultural Society and subsequently merged with the Japanese Association’s Students’ Eloquence Contest in 1996, it has become what it is today. This is the 13th year that the Japanese Speech Contest is organised and it has seen participation from many keen learners of the Japanese language.
You may be aware that the Ministry of Education began offering the Japanese Language as a Third Language in selected local schools. Over the years, the Ministry has also expanded the list of languages being offered as Third Languages. Bilingualism is a key feature of our education system. Our competence in both English and the Mother Tongue Languages gives Singapore a competitive edge in the world. Simultaneously, we are also aware that there is a need to continually groom a pool of Singaporeans competent in other languages. Singaporeans who are conversant in a third language act as important bridges to opportunities in other countries such as Japan.
This contest provides a good platform for Japanese language learners to demonstrate their Japanese language abilities, to introduce their own native cultures, and even to share with others their experiences in Japan. Language learning is never complete without practice. I know many people who have been learning foreign languages for many years but are unable to carry a conversation in those same foreign languages due to a lack of opportunities for practice. Currently, the Japanese Speech contest is the only speech competition organised for foreign language learners in Singapore. Learners of the Japanese language in Singapore are indeed fortunate compared to learners of other foreign languages as they are provided with the opportunity to practice and present their views in the foreign language they have been learning.
I am heartened and delighted to learn that Singaporeans have won the top award for two consecutive years in the Contest held in Tokyo. Ms Yvonne Sim, who was the local winner for the junior college category, became the first Singaporean to beat representatives from other countries such as China and Korea in Tokyo, clinching the top prize in the 11th Japanese Speech Contest in 2006. The top prize was then won by Mr Shawn Chua in the following year. These achievements are a testament to the strong Japanese language and public speaking skills of our students.
As with the previous two winners, this year’s winner will participate in the 13th Japanese Speech Award which includes a Japanese Immersion and Cross-cultural Experience Programme. The Singapore representative will be joined by students from 15 other countries on this programme, including America, Indonesia, England, Australia, Canada, Cambodia and Brazil.
Hence, I must applaud the concerted efforts of the organizers in providing Japanese language learners in Singapore with a platform to practice and showcase their public speaking skills. And of course, we owe the success of the contest to strong support from the many Japanese corporations, which have been supporting the Japanese Speech contest all these years. I also congratulate the winners of the respective categories as well as all the other finalists. I hope your achievements in this contest will spur all of you to work even harder.
People who are conversant in various foreign languages are of great value to Singapore. I hope the contest will stimulate wider interest in the learning of the Japanese language in Singapore. I also hope that the contest will continue to inspire Japanese language learners to strive for greater excellence in their language proficiency and encourage them to deepen their understanding of the Japanese people and its culture. Lastly, I hope that the contest will contribute to the mutual understanding of the Japan people through better communication and therefore bring Singapore–Japan relations to greater heights.
Thank you.