Ambassador Orita, organisers of the event and the top 3 speakers in both categories

The six finalists in each of the two categories of Key Stage 3 (age 11-14) and Key Stage 4 (age 14-16) were selected from a total of almost one hundred entries, representing some of the very best of 11-16 year-olds who are enthusiastically taking up the challenge of learning Japanese. The theme for speeches was áßÏ®y Dream' which the contestants were allowed to interpret in any way they wished. Among the aspects that the panel of five judges took into account were accuracy of pronunciation and grammar, range of vocabulary, complexity of structures, content and presentation.

Winner of the Key Stage 3 category was Emma Goring of Wolverhampton Girls' High School who spoke about her dream of travelling into space. On winning the category Emma commented, áßת did not expect to win but am very proud. My friends won't believe it! I began studying Japanese three years ago. I chose the course because I wanted to study an unfamiliar language. I want to take my studies further and am very interested in learning about Japanese culture and food.áß¡¦

Harriet Russell of South Wolds School, Nottinghamshire, was the best speaker in the Key Stage 4 category. Her speech was based on her dream of relaxing on a small, peaceful island. Delighted to have won, Harriet said, áßת'm so shocked. I had not expected to be a winner at all. I began to study Japanese a year and a half ago, because I wanted a rare challenge. Studying Japanese is very exciting.áß¡¦Both winners received a trophy from the event's organisers and prizes donated by the sponsors.

In his welcome speech Ambassador Orita praised the contestants' enthusiasm. He also stressed his idea that áß×Íanguage is the most important gateway to other cultures.áß¡¦He said, áßת strongly believe that English-speaking people should learn other languages especially difficult and totally different ones like Japanese to understand much deeply different cultures and different ways of thinking.áß¡¦

The participants and their supporters also enjoyed Japanese entertainment and cultural activities organised by the Embassy. Special Advisor for Cultural Exchange áßϬakushow' presented the art of paper cutting ( kamikiri ). Musical entertainment was provided by Hiroko Sue who performed the koto and a calligraphy workshop was presented by volunteers from the Embassy's Club Taishikan programme.

The JLC is part of the Association for Language Learning, which is the voice of language teachers in the UK. JLC represents the views of Japanese language teachers from Primary to Adult Education level in the UK. Since the first JLC speech contest in 2001, there has continued to be an increase in the number of students studying Japanese across the UK. There are currently more than 230 secondary and post-16 institutions teaching Japanese with over 8,000 learners and 250 teachers.

For 15-18 year olds