『大人のための英語スピーチコンテストin山梨/2014』 @ 日本語教師奈々の夢想生活日記

3連休に山梨学院生涯学習センターにて開催された大人のための英語スピーチコンテストin山梨/2014に参加してきました。当日は快晴で、朝早く群馬を出発し、子供が途中の急傾斜の山道で車に酔って嘔吐するなどのアクシデントがありましたが、無事に1時間前に到着できました。

ヤング部門　10名　シニア部門　12名の計22名が参加した英語スピーチコンテストで、しかも参加者は大学生、大学院生などを中心とした海外短期留学経験者や中国人留学生なども含む非常にレベルの高いスピーチコンテストでした。審査員の先生方は、現役の外国人という緊張が続く環境の中、家族に応援してもらい、なんとかすべての力を出し切ることができました。結局、原稿に視線を落とすことなく、すべて暗記して挑みました。

旦那さんにアドバイスしてもらい一緒に作り上げた原稿には自信がありましたが、日本に来て取得した英検2級の資格しかもたない私でしたので、結果を聞くまでは不安で仕方ありませんでした。審査が終わり、全体評価であるシニア部門の結果発表となり、審査員の先生から一番最初に名前を呼ばれた時は驚きました。私は第3位相当の奨励賞をいただくことができました。ホッとすると同時に、努力が報われて、とてもうれしかったです。

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Nana.

Today, the title of my speech is ' The Japanese culture and foreign languages'.

I'm Taiwanese. Back to 2010 I married to my husband who is Japanese and since then I started my life in Japan.

When I came to Japan, what I noticed first is that we can drink tap water everywhere in Japan. I like this very much.

In Taiwan we prefer to drink boiled water.
But in Japan I can drink tap water without boiling it.
Which I found Japan is very convenient.

Also, in Taiwan, people often eat cooked vegetables, but in Japan, people often eat salad or eating vegetables which are grown by ourselves it's safe and fresh has brought me happiness.

Time flies. I have been living in Japan for 4 years.

And now, I have become the mother of a one-year-old baby. I work hard to take care of my baby and raise him.

In our family, I talk to my baby in Taiwanese mandarin, and my husband talks to him in Japanese.

I have a friend who also married a foreign husband. She told me that if mother talks to her baby in many different languages, then the baby will be confused and it’s not good for the baby. Therefore, my husband and I talk to our baby in our own first language.

Since my baby has turned one year old, he has more reactions to simple words. For example, when we ask him where the light, clock, or the car is, he is able to use his finger to point at the object.

I usually hear people say that, no matter what language you want to learn (especially English), it’s better to learn when you are a child.

Since my baby was born, I take him back to Taiwan every year.

Because I got married far away from Taiwan, my parents hope to see me very much and they look forward to seeing their grandson, too. If my baby can have reactions to Taiwanese mandarin and can speak some simple words, they will be very happy.

As an example, I think learning foreign languages is very important.

Then, if there is no problem when you communicate, we can also understand each other without misunderstanding.

If I have free time while I am taking care of my baby, I will study English. I participate many kinds of English contests. I hope I can teach my child English, so I want to study English very well.

It’s fortunate I can be the Takasaki sight-seeing ambassador this year.
I will introduce the glamour of Takasaki to foreigners.
If you read my article and become interested in visiting Japan, I will be very happy.

Thank you for your attention.