Lin Sz-yi, senior C, Department of Japanese, Tamkang University (TKU) defeated representatives from 26 universities and colleges around the nation to win the first place of the 2002 National Collegiate Japanese Speech Contest jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Japan’s Interchange Association (JIA) on Dec. 6, 2002.

TKU has won the title for two consecutive years. Yu Hsiao-chiu, an alumna, won the title last year.

Lin represented TKU to participate in the nationwide contest after winning the first place at a Japanese speech contest held on school campus. Lin said in self-effacing that she did not make special efforts on the Japanese speech. She could show her talent in such a short span of one month, she said, she should specially thank to Prof. Hiroyuki Kawamura for his guidance and training. She described the month-long training as “evil training”. She also consulted Yu Hsiao-chiu, the title holder of last year. Therefore, she got full mark on the ability of language expression and bearing.

In a two-minute drawing subject of impromptu speech, Lin drew a subject entitled “To be a male or female for the next transmigration”. She answered the question with emotion and perception. She said that she has a gentle and tender mother. Her mother has always been considerate towards her when she makes mistakes; She has always been encouraging her when she is in frustration. She wanted to be as good as her mother in the future and she hoped that she would like to be such a female as her mother next transmigration by giving the same concern, love and protection to children.

Lin was very calm and not afraid of facing her challengers. She took notes while her rivals speaking. She never imagined she could win the first place. She regarded the contest as a priceless experience. She even could not be aware of it when she was announced to be the first place of the contest. Speaking of the NT$40,000 subsidy for a trip to Japan, she said that she would have a nice winter vacation.