2021年3月13日（土）、松蔭中学校レシテーション＆スピーチコンテストが行われました。保護者の方もお招きし、各学年の代表者が練習の成果を発表してくれました。以下、担当の先生のレポートです。(J１・J２・J３： 中学１年・２年・３年、A class： A組（英語特別クラスです））
Today, Shoin held its 18th Annual Recitation contest. There were 6 students from J1, and they performed “The Ice Cream Man”. There were 8 students from J2, and they performed “The Crow and the Pitcher”. 4 of the students, who were from A class, performed a longer version of the same story.
In addition, there were 7 students from J3 who joined the competition. 3 girls performed “Harry the Dirty Dog” and the 4 girls from A class gave a speech which they wrote themselves. The A class students also prepared their own PowerPoint slide shows.
In addition, there were also 2 MCs which were selected from J3 A class. They had the important job of introducing everyone and adding energy to this important event. They did an excellent job.
After all the performances were finished, students from Shoin’s new “Global Stream” gave 2 special presentations which included fun quizzes and 2 videos which they made themselves.
For each group, 2 prizes were awarded: 1st place and 2nd place. The students were judged on 4 categories: Pronunciation, Rhythm, Clarity, and Expression. The competition is judged by the principal, 2 vice-principals, and all the English teachers here at Shoin.
We even had a special guest judge, Mr. Bunch. Mr. Bunch works for St. Michael International School in Sannomiya. He is a very important partner for Shoin English education and we were very appreciative he took time out of his busy schedule to help us with the contest.
Although there were only 2 prizes, every student did an amazing job. They had all practiced very hard not only to memorize their stories, but to perform them. Their effort made the contest into a very special event.
This year’s contest was unique in a few ways. Due to Covid-19, last year’s contest had to be cancelled. Because of the ongoing pandemic, performing students wore face shields. Students and parents in the audience also had to maintain safe seating distances.
I hope this contest has shown students, whether they were on stage or in the audience, that with effort their English ability can improve beyond their own imagination.
