‘Speak Japanese’ contest

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 5

‘Speak Japanese’ contest

Amanda Smith, of Avonside Girls’ High School, won the secondary schools section of the first “Speak Japanese” contest held at Noah’s Hotel in Christchurch last evening.

The winner of the open section was Miss Helen Crabb, a Christchurch Polytechnic student.

The eight finalists were chosen from 32 original entrants and were questioned at length on their knowledge of the South Island by the three Japanese judges. Awarding the prizes, the contest organiser, Mr Jim Mains, chief executive of the South Island Promotion Association, urged the importance of learning Japanese and was' critical that only four schools out of 100 in the Canterbury area taught it full-time. “Learning Japanese dould

hold out prospects of employment for young people in industry, tourism, and trade,” he said.

The contest was organised jointly by the South Island Promotion Association and the Christchurch Japan Centre. Mr Mains said he hoped the contest would be a national one next year. The three Japanese judges, all resident in Christchurch, were Mrs Sugarko Hart, Mr Eiji Kobayashi, and Mr Shoichiro Mizusawa'. Results.— Secondary schools section.— Amanda Smith (Avonside Girls’ High School) 1, Richard James (Shirley Boys’ High School) 2, Paige Toomer' (St Margaret’s College) 3. Open section.— Helen Crabb (Polytechnic) 1, Christopher Phillips (Polytechnic) 2, Susan Woods 3.