Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010

Kobe to host bilingual speech contest

The Kobe Cross Cultural Center is seeking competitors for the 31st annual mayor's cup bilingual speech contest, which will be held on Nov. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. in Chuo Ward, Kobe.

This year's theme is "Creating a Dynamic 21st Century — bHow will We Promote 'Diversity.' " Competitors will make a speech in both English and Japanese, the total length of which should not exceed 10 minutes.

Those who wish to participate should send an application form, your speech recorded on a CD or cassette tape and a written transcript of the speech by Oct. 23 to Kobe Cross Cultural Center. The application form and further details can be obtained at kobecrp.at.infoseek.co.jp/ (in Japanese). Applicants can be of any nationality and should be 16 and older.

Around 10 successful candidates will be selected to make their speeches at the final contest on Nov. 21. Prizes include a trophy from the mayor of Kobe, a round trip ticket to Cairns, Australia, a digital camera, a motorbike and more.

For more information, contact the organizer at (078) 646-8127.

Art workshops for children held in Kobe

Kodomo Wonder Carnival, a festival featuring workshops for children, will take place at Kobe Cap Studio Y3 in Chuo Ward, Kobe, on Aug. 21 and 22.

This festival is held by Kobe Cap Studio Y3 in cooperation with the Kyoto University of Art and Design and Kobe Kodomo Junior College to promote a sense of wonder among children.

The organizer is planning unique workshops: a "Paint Ball Game" on both Aug. 21 and 22 will let kids throw paint-filled water balloons on canvas to draw paintings (requires ¥50 a throw); in the "Tenshi no Hanakuso" (Angel's Snot) workshop on Aug. 22, kids will make tiny angels with origami folding papers, set those angels in their nose and take pictures (requires ¥100). More out-of-the-box workshops are planned and the details can be found at www.cap-kobe.com (in Japanese).

The hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participation is ¥500 for anyone who is older than 5. Adults can also participate in the workshops. No advance applications are required, but due to the volume of materials, some workshops may close earlier than 6 p.m.

Visit the organizer's Web site or send an e-mail message to info@cap-kobe.com for further information.

Japanese conversation courses held in Osaka

International House, Osaka, is seeking students for its Japanese conversation courses from September to December in Tennoji Ward, Osaka.

The course has four classes — Level 1 & 2 classes every Tuesday from Sept. 7 to Nov. 30, and Level 3 & 4 classes every Wednesday from Sept. 8 to Dec. 1. The hours are from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is ¥5,000, which includes a textbook.

Those who wish to participate must take a placement interview in Japanese on Aug. 24 or 25 between 7 and 8:30 p.m. To take an interview, please make a reservation by phone.

The venue is International House, Osaka, which is about a 10-minute walk from Tanimachi 9-chome Station on the Tanimachi subway line.

For reservations and further information, contact the organizer at (06) 6773-8989.

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