4th Foreigner's Korean Speech Contest | 제 4회 외국인 말하기대회
National Folk Museum of Korea
13 October 2010
Last month, our Korean Language Professor informed us about a Korean Speech Contest organized by the National Folk Museum of Korea. This is in celebration of the Hangeul Day on the 9th of October 2010. The Contest day is on the 13th of October 2010.
I joined the contest just for fun and for the experience. I know for a fact that I have a long way to go to master the language. Anyhow, we have to write our own speech and of course deliver it on stage. The deadline of submission was right after Chuseok, 24 September 2010. We were only informed that we got in to the preliminary on 7 October 2010. My fellow Filipino scholars, Alex and Regina decided to join and fortunately got in to the preliminary screening. We started to seriously study and rehearse our speech since then, but it was less than 1-week left.
CUK Contestants consist of 5-Chinese Exchange Students from Level 6 (the highest level), 3-Filipino Students from Level 2 and 1-Russian Student who finished her Korean Language Studies already. The contest does not have leveling so all 3 of us, Filipinos just joined for the sake of the experience.
I just can't imagine how will I deliver a speech in front of native speakers. Given that we only have 1-week of time to really prepare for it, plus we have all our major subjects, papers, presentations, and GEO work all happening at the same time. So what happened was, every time I walk around, riding a subway, eating, even when in shower, only thing I do is rehearse my speech. This was also true for Alex and Regina.
We are all hoping that 13 October 2010 finally finishes. Until, the day really comes. My topic was about My experience in Mt. Jiri, a traditional village in Jeolla-nam-do. I took part with the project of Seoul Volunteer Center as a volunteer in July 22-24, 2010.
The Good Luck present of our Korean Language Professor before our contest. The touching thing is... She gave us a ride going to the subway station (even if it is just so near) because she cannot make it to the contest due to a class that afternoon.
The Stage in the Auditorium of the National Folk Museum of Korea.
Regina was 3rd in line for the contest. I am 9th. Alex is 22nd. I practiced well this morning but I cannot guarantee my actual performance since the situation is already different. My actual performance was a bit less than what I have in mind, less intonations, less movements/actions, etc. If I had enough time or if I am given another chance, I could do better than that. =) Regina got everyone's attention with her Doble Kara (see links below for photos). Alex looked like a Senator giving his speech in the Senate House.
The Traditional Music Band who played amazingly inspiring songs while waiting for the announcement of winners.
Finally, announcement of winners! But before that, one of the judges, who is a Linguistics Professor in a certain Women's University in Seoul gave her comments about the speech we delivered. She was very particular with the pronunciation of the words so she was teaching us how to pronounce some words correctly.
First announcement of winners: Bronze Awardees:
5 Bronze Awardees (동상) - From left to right: Karina-Filipino-CUK, Chinese lady from other university, Head of National Folk Museum, Chinese from CUK, Croatian lady, Chen Lu-Chinese-CUK.
I was very surprised to be in the Bronze Awardees because all of the CUK Chinese contestants were really good with their Speech. Their Professor even rehearsed them till late night the day before the contest. But, I do thank God and all of the people who supported me for this. =)
My Certificate
Three of the contestants from The Catholic University of Korea received Bronze Awards.
Filipino Contestants for the 4th Foreigner's Korean Speech Contest | 제 4회 외국인 말하기대회 from The Catholic University of Korea. From left to right: Alex, Karina, Regina.
All contestants for the 4th Foreigner's Korean Speech Contest | 제 4회 외국인 말하기대회
All The Catholic University of Korea contestants. From left to right (Alex-Filipino, Regina-Filipino, Karina-Filipino, Chen Lu-Chinese, 4 more Chinese and Alexandra-Russian)
Media Coverage of our fellow Filipino scholar (Regina Coeli Tan) with her Doble Kara:
Some of our audiences:
Some of the other contestants:
http://news.jkn.co.kr/arti
http://news.naver.com/main
http://media.paran.com/new
http://news.naver.com/main
http://media.paran.com/new
Grand Winner - Taiwanese guy
Gold Winner - Korean guy from Uzbekistan
Silver Winner - Japanese 70+ years old lady
Bronze Winner - Filipino, 3-Chinese, Croatian ladies
I am happy that I got Bronze. I wanted it but did not expected it since most of the participants were really good in their speech in terms of pronunciation and fluency. Also, given that this contest has no leveling, knowing that I am just in Level 2 and others are in Level 6 - I was quite uneasy that the other Level 6 Chinese participants did not received awards but this is a good inspiration for us in the lower level Korean Language Class as well. =)
Newsletter: The Catholic University of Korea - Korean Language Education Center
Again! Thank you!!!! =)
17 October 2010
2:04AM
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