On 8^th July 2023, a sunny Saturday, dozens of young learners of Japanese from around the UK travelled to London for the JaLaChamp Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK 2023 Finals Day.

JaLaChamp is a new contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese, and consists of two categories: a speech category, and a video category where students are asked to create an original video. On Finals Day, speech category finalists gave their speeches in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. What’s more, the videos created by all the video category finalists were played on the big screen of Japan House London Hall for everyone to enjoy.

The day kicked off with the five finalists of the Speech Category giving speeches on a topic of their choice. We heard about a variety of topics, from the impression made by our choice of clothes to how we can bring world peace. After deliberation from the judges, First Place was awarded to Ava Corcoran, a year 12 student from Didcot Sixth Form and studying Japanese at Oxford Japanese School. Ava’s speech was called: “The music of Japan that the West doesn’t know: Enka / 西洋が知らない日本の音楽：演歌”. Second Place was awarded to Kieran Blackley, a year 11 student from Dartford Grammar School, for his speech “Language Extinction / 言語消滅”.

After the Speech Category finalists finished giving their speeches, it was time for the three video categories. The finalists in these categories made videos on a set theme while using their Japanese skills as well as harnessing their creativity. They were allowed to work solo or in a group. The video category was divided by age (secondary school and primary school), and the secondary division was split further into two according to Japanese language ability.

The first videos to be shown were the five videos in Secondary School Division 1 (theme: “My/Our Favourite Day / わたし（たち）のすきな日”). Finalists in this category have a Japanese level of A1-A2 (JF Standard for Japanese-language education/CEFR). All five videos creatively responded to the theme, using animation, acting, and presentation skills. Edward Nicolson from Colfe’s School won second place for his video “ぼくの友達”. First place was won by Eleanor Waterhouse, Hazel Cheng, and Evelyn Liu from Hockerill Anglo European College (team name: 日光) for their video “The Perfect Day”.

The audience was then shown the three videos in Secondary School Division 2 (theme: “My/Our Life/Lives in 2050 / 2050年のわたし（たち）の生活”). Finalists in this category have a Japanese level of B1 (JF Standard for Japanese language education/CEFR). Predictions for 2050 by the finalists concerned subjects as varied as marine biology, global warming, and the UK education system. It was Amalie Brown from Westcliff High School for Girls’ who scooped first place in this category for her thoughtful video on “The UK education system.  in 2050 / 2050年のイギリスの教育制度”. In the video, Amalie played two roles – the interviewer and the interviewee – leading people to think that there were two people in the video!

The final videos of the day were the finalists of the Primary School Division (theme: “My/Our Favourite Things / わたし（たち）のすきなもの”). Finalists in this category have a Japanese level of A1-A2 (JF standard for Japanese-language Education/CEFR). The audience was introduced to an assortment of wonderful things, ranging from toy cats and rabbits, highland cows, football, stop-motion animation and more. Prizes in this category were not placed, and each finalist instead won a unique individual prize based off the theme of their video.

Before the award ceremony, we were honoured to welcome Mr Phillip Breen, a well-known theatre director and playwright, to give a talk about his career in the theatre and his work in Japan. Mr Breen has directed over 60 professional productions all over the world, and has worked frequently in Japan. He knows better than anyone the hard work the finalists all put in to using their Japanese and their other skills to make creative, entertaining and thoughtful speeches and videos. Mr Breen also took questions from the audience, with many of our young attendees eager to find out how they can maximise their potential and work in the creative fields in the future.

The day ended with the award ceremony, during which all of our finalists (both those who placed and runners-up) won wonderful prizes, many of which were provided by our brilliant and generous sponsors. It was great to see the young finalists so well-deservedly rewarded for all of their hard work.

List of Awards

Speech Category

• First Place: Ava Corcoran, Didcot Sixth Form / Oxford Japanese School


• Second Place: Kieran Blackley, Dartford Grammar School


• Runners-Up: Ashton Kong, Harrow School; Jessie Baker-Piercy, Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College; Julia Sosnowska, Matthew Arnold School Sixth Form / Oxford Japanese School

Video Category – Secondary School Division 1

• First Place: Eleanor Waterhouse, Hazel Cheng, Evelyn Liu, Hockerill Anglo European College


• Second Place: Edward Nicolson, Cole’s School


• Runners-Up: Shereena and Amelia, Tomlinscote School; Lochlann Hamilton, Whitgift School; Nicky Hall, Jack Taylor, Finley Coan, Ashton Huntley, Fintan Mcnally, Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College

Video Category – Secondary School Division 2

• First Place: Amalie Brown, Westcliff High School for Girls


• Runners-Up: Adam Farhan, Cheney School / Dream Language Academy; Jessie Baker, Evie Harvatt, Emily Bowers, Kian Nutbrown, Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College

Video Category – Primary School Division

• The Family Legacy Award – Emi Nicolson, Stillness Infant School


• The Nice Cooperation Award – Japanese Club, Blackthorns Primary Academy


• The Outstanding Creativity Award – Timothy Pooley, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce


• The Scottish Animal Ambassador Award – Kikka McKee, Sion McKee, Carronshore Primary School / The Scotland Japanese School


• The Lifetime Friendship Award – Adriana Farhan, Wood Farm Primary School / Dream Language Academy

---

We were so excited to be able to hold this event, which allows young people to be creative and use their Japanese in combination with other skills. Judging from the smiling faces of the audience, we think that they had a great time watching the work of the young finalists too. We can’t wait to see how JaLaChamp will grow and develop in the future.

 Download the JaLaChamp 2023 programme

View photos from JaLaChamp 2023 Finals Day 

New! View videos from JaLaChamp 2023 Finals Day

We would like to thank our judges, interlocutor, special guest, and venue staff for all of their invaluable assistance in helping us to hold this event. This event would also not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors: