Japanese Language Schools and Speech Contest Committee Receive Commendation
In recognition of their contribution toward the promotion of the Japanese language in Ontario, the Toronto Kokugo Kyoshitsu, Nikka Gakuen, Nishu Gakuin and The Organizing Committee for the Ontario Japanese Speech Contest received special commendations from the Consul-General of Japan Eiji Yamamoto on Oct. 30.
Representatives of the Toronto Kokugo Kyoshitsu
Representatives of Nikka Gakuen.
Representatives of Nisshu Gakuin
Representatives of The Organizing Committee for the Ontario Japanese Speech Contest.
The Toronto Kokugo Kyoshitsu, Nikka Gakuen and the Nishu Gakuin are schools established primarily to maintain the heritage of children of Japanese families in Canada.
The Toronto Kokugo Kyoshitsu opened in 1976 and presents an enhanced Japanese language curriculum. It teaches practical Japanese through such initiatives as its annual exchange with Uryu Elementary School in Hokkaido.
The Nikka Gakuen was established in 1978, and, along with the Japanese language, also gives opportunities to learn various Japanese traditions such as nursery rhymes, calligraphy, karate, Ssogi (Japanese chess), flower arrangement, origami, and poetry.
The Nisshu Gakuin opend in 1986, and its school day consists of six classes totaling five hours, longer than the others schools and intended to allow its students to acquire the same level of Japanese as those in Japan.
All three schools contributed greatly to the strengthening of the Japanese community in Toronto by educating children to maintain both their Japanese and Canadian identities. Of course, the positive results that come out of their activities are also due to the parents who take their children to and from school, as well as the students themselves who attend their regular schools through the week and sacrifice their Saturdays to devote additional hours toward Japanese language education.
The Ontario Japanese Language Speech Contest has been held annually since 1983, and welcomed its 30th anniversary in March of this year. Its Organizing Committee is comprised of volunteers who are Japanese language educators from universities and other institutions in this province. Their activities include organization and planning, gathering sponsorship and establishing criteria and application procedure. The members are all working educators who find time in their busy schedule to maintain this important annual event. Japanese businesses have also extended invaluable support as sponsors.
The Contest serves as a benchmark for local students of Japanese, and has contributed greatly to the promotion of Japanese language education.
