Ballarat students put their Japanese to the test

BALLARAT’S most skilled Japanese language students were put to the test in the annual Japan Speech and Cultural contest for Year 10 students last week.

Organised by the City of Ballarat in conjunction with the Ballarat Japanese Teachers’ Network, first and second prizes in the competition feature a twoweek visit to Ballarat’s Sister City – Inagawa, in Japan, where the students will be able to further their language skills and learn more about the Japanese culture.

This special prize has been provided by the City of Ballarat and covers the students’ travel expenses. The students will experience home stay accommodation with two Inagawa families during their visit in November and December.

The competition builds on Ballarat’s strong 30- year Sister City relationship with Inagawa-cho. Over the past 15 years, Ballarat has hosted a number of Japanese students, winners of the English Speaking Competition, sponsored by the Inagawa International Association. These students spend a reciprocal two weeks studying in Ballarat every March – learning about our local cultures and traditions.

With the assistance of the Ballarat Japanese Teachers Network, the participating schools in 2018 include Loreto College, Mount Clear College, Ballarat High School and Ballarat and Clarendon College.

In first place this year was Zoe Hunt and second was Loris Bayly.