The 3rd All Toyo University English Speech Contest Held 第3回東洋大学全学英語スピーチコンテストを開催しました

Report on the 3rd All Toyo University English Speech Contest

The All Toyo University English Speech Contest was held on Saturday November 4, 2017, during the Toyo University Festival.

This year’s theme was “What does the term Global Human Resource mean to you? ~Please draw on your own goals and experiences in your response~”.

Eleven finalists, one selected from each faculty at the four campuses (Hakusan, Asaka, Kawagoe and Itakura) delivered speeches in English on the theme in connection with their chosen subject such as globalization, law, food, and communication.

Introduction of winners

First prize

Mr. Ryoma Tsuchiya of the Faculty of Science and Engineering won first prize.

In his speech titled “A Biomedical Engineering Superhero,” he raised global issues such as poverty, environmental pollution and conflict, and strongly expressed his strong determination to contribute, like a movie superhero, to solving social problems through the application of biochemical engineering.

Second prize

Ms. Hitomi Hoshino of the Faculty of Law won second prize.

In her speech titled “Developing Our Capacity to Tackle Global Challenges,” she pointed out that global human resources currently required in society are not those who score highly on English tests but those who can actually participate in the global community actively. She raised the question that the reason why too much focus is placed on English scores is because Japanese education and teaching methods tend to attach great importance to test scores.

Third prize

Mr. Shunsuke Yamazaki of the Faculty of Human Life Design won third prize.

He gave a speech titled “What Makes Us Global?”

He passionately explained that through the experience of studying and living abroad, students can acquire the English communication skills needed to become a true global human resource.

Special Judges Awards

Special Judges Awards were presented for the first time this year.
The Eiken Foundation of Japan and Aeon Corporation among our sponsor organizations acted as special judges and presented the special awards.
Marimo Nagahara of the Faculty of Food and Nutritional Sciences won the Eiken Award with her speech titled “Global Human Resources Look like Good Chefs.”
Mahiro Wakabayashi of the Faculty of Sociology won the Aeon Award with her speech titled “My Enlightened Views on Being a Global Human Resource.”
It was a valuable opportunity for the students to give speeches to a large audience.

General comment

This year marked the third contest with 54 entrants. After the preliminaries, 11 finalists were selected, one from each faculty, to compete in the final.

The venue was set up and prepared by students of the Faculty of Regional Development Studies, who provided operational support in English on the day. One of the students also acted as master of ceremonies

At the beginning of the contest, the university’s Chairman Fukukawa offered words of encouragement for the students to deliver speeches with confidence. He also expressed gratitude for the attendance of all audience members, including sponsor organizations and faculty members.

After all speeches, a LEAP (Learning English for Academic Purposes) program instructor, who acted as a judge, commented and praised the speeches, saying, “Every year the quality of speeches and presentations improve. All speeches today were wonderful and inspiring.”

The winners received book cards as well as extra prizes from sponsor organizations. All finalists received sponsor gifts as a participation award, including free lesson tickets, books (such as IELTS and TOEFL textbooks) and rice coupons.

At the end of the contest, Associate Professor Green Steven of the Global Career Education Center expressed his admiration for the great effort and enthusiasm of the students and conveyed his gratitude to the faculty members who provided such valuable guidance to the students.

[Finalists] * In order of presentation

• Yume Oshita, Department of Regional Development Studies

Title: What You Really Need to Become a Global Human Resource

• Miyuki Kasuya, Faculty of Economics

Title: What makes us global?

• Shunsuke Yamazaki, Faculty of Human Life Design

Title: What I Discovered in the Study Abroad Program

• Shiomi Koyanagi, Faculty of Letters

Title: Expressing Own Opinion Is Crucial for Global Communication

• Mahiro Wakabayashi, Faculty of Sociology

Title: My Enlightened Views on Being a Global Human Resource 

• Tomoka Narita, Department of International Tourism Studies

Title: Break Your Prejudices

• Ai Kobayashi, Faculty of Business Administration 

Title: A Tender Heart Is a Ticket to the Other Hearts and Dreams

• Marimo Nagahara, Faculty of Food and Nutritional Sciences 

Title: Global Human Resources Look like Good Chefs

• Ryoma Tsuchiya, Faculty of Science and Engineering

Title: A Biomedical Engineering Superhero

• Hoshino Hitomi, Faculty of Law 

Title: Developing Our Capacity to Tackle Global Challenges

• Ayaka Takeshima, Faculty of Life Sciences

Title: Our Fabulous Captains

[Judges]
Ms. Kia DeCou (LEAP instructor)
Mr. Robert Morel (LEAP instructor)
Mr. Matt Wilson (LEAP instructor)