James Kon
Nurulafifah binti Haji Hassan from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the winner in the Advanced Level category of the 34th Japanese Speech contest 2023, said she was always interested in learning foreign languages. “I’ve learnt Korean language as a child and in 2017, I began learning Japanese language. By having a good command of many languages, it can help shape me into being a better person. Its interesting to know many foreign languages,” she said.
Nurulafifah won a ticket to Japan yesterday with her presentation titled ‘Children’s Safety’.
Liyana Nadhirah Haji Yussof was placed second and Muhammad Nur Amin bin Muhaidini was placed third. Nurulafifah said: “I felt surprised when I was told that I was the winner. It was unexpected as this is the first time I entered a speech contest. I am happy to be going to Japan.“
Nurulafifah took up Japanese language in her second year and this year’s semester. “Trying to incorporate theatrical knowledge into practice especially in conversation is one of the challenges of learning new languages, It’s different knowing how to read and write and to being able to converse well.”
Meanwhile in the Beginner Level, Arissa Azzahira binti Haji Md Sofian from Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre was placed first followed by Fatimah Amalia Nasuha. Third place went to Omar Mohamad Maher El-Itani Arissa said, “I feel very happy to have won this competition because I wasn’t expecting anything and I was really nervous. However with the contest’s topic ’Importance of Courage’ I tried to be courageous.”
On the topic she chose, she explained, “I have GP at school and my topic was on courage so I thought that since I had already done my research, it was better to use the same information for my topic.”
On why she learnt Japanese language, she said, “I actually didn’t really learn Japanese in a proper class setting. I unconsciously learnt Japanese by watching anime from the age of 10. I listened so much that I was able to grasp what the characters were saying and its meaning. I also practice conversing in Japanese with my Japanese friends.” In the group presentation, Seri Mulia Sarjana School was placed first followed by Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College and Ma’had Islam Brunei in third place.
UBD Vice Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle, Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam Maeda Toru, Director of Lifelong Learning Centre Dr Sheikh Lukman bin Sheikh Abdul Hamid and Acting Director of the Department Co-Curriculum Education Julaihi bin Mohamad/Mohamat presented the prizes.
UBD’s Language Centre Director Dr Yabit bin Alas, Japanese Association President Hatanaka Hiroyuki, ANA Singapore Vice President Tsubaki Risa and Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur chief lecturer Osada Kanako were also present. The 34th Japanese Speech Contest was organised by the Lifelong Learning Centre of the Ministry of Education, the Language Centre of UBD and the Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam.
