祝 播磨会賞受賞第27回 姫路独協大学 高校生英語スピーチコンテスト
平成26年10月19日（日）姫路独協大学講義棟222D教室SGH生徒１名参加
10月19日（日）にて行われた「第27回 姫路獨協大学 高校生英語スピーチコンテスト」に本校の代表として出場した１年１組の提坂尚玲くんが、見事「姫路獨協大学播磨会賞」を受賞しました。おめでとうございます！
このコンテストには、県内のみならず、県外（大阪・三重・岡山・広島県など）から４０名の参加者があり、スピーチ原稿およびCDによる予備審査により選ばれた１６名が本選に出場しました。本選では、バラエティに富むトピック（ネット社会・アニメ・郷土料理・環境問題・子供の虐待・高齢者問題・不登校・被災地支援・・・etc.）に関する、レベルの高いパフォーマンスが披露されました。提坂くんは’What Are Smiles For?’というタイトルのもと、自分の身近な体験を盛り込みながら、「日本人は、コミュニケーションスキルの一つとしての『笑顔』をもっと身につける必要がある。」と強く訴えました。写真の後に、当日の原稿を掲載します。
コンテスト終了後、参加者全員で記念写真
播磨会賞受賞に喜びの提坂君
What Are Smiles For? Shorei Sagesaka
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘the Japanese mysterious smiles’? Japanese people have been known to smile when foreigners don’t expect them to. We smile not only when we are pleased or happy, but also when we are embarrassed, angry, or even sad. We smile in order not to show our true feelings or make others displeased or offended. But for foreigners, it looks strange and mysterious. They cannot understand why we smile during arguments or even at funerals. It seems that our country is full of smiles. However, I think ‘true smiles’ or ‘positive smiles’ are lacking in Japan. On TV news, few politicians or company presidents are smiling. Teachers at our school always look busy and serious and there are few smiles in class. Do you always smile when you are happy or to make someone happy? I believe we Japanese need more smiles.
So why are smiles necessary? What are the effects of smiles? First, I think smiles can give others a good impression. This will make it easier to build better relationships or win the trust of others. This is true not only among people but also among companies or countries. I believe ‘positive smiles’ are the key to successful business and more peaceful international relationships. Second, smiles give us confidence. If we smile while we talk, it makes us feel more positive and confident. This summer I had an opportunity to make a small presentation about our school in front of exchange students from Harvard University. While I was practicing, I felt nervous and had a gloomy look on my face. Then our teacher said, “Enjoy your presentation!” So I started to smile while I talked. My voice became louder, clearer and I was meeting the eyes of the audience. I became more and more confident. I’m sure the Harvard students got interested in our school.
Why are Japanese people not good at smiling? In my opinion, ‘to smile’ is something we should learn to do. It is not something we can naturally do. I lived in the United States in my childhood. At the kindergarten where I went, I had a ‘smiling lesson.’ First, we were told to make pairs and ‘smile’ at each other. Then, each of us were told to stand alone in front of our other classmates. The teacher said, “OK. Suppose I’m going to take your picture. Say cheese.” I smiled. “Show me your teeth.” I showed them. “No, no, no. I don’t want to see your lower teeth. That’s not good.” I smiled again. “You can smile more. Shorei, smile more”,.… The teacher had me do that again and again. This is how Americans learn to smile and learn the importance of smiles in real life. When you visit America, you’ll find people smiling everywhere ― at a convenience store or in an elevator― because they have learned how to do it since they were small.
My dream is to work for a trading company and export Japanese advanced technologies or skills such as well digging to Africa. This job requires high communication skills because we have to make beneficial deals for both sides. I hope to realize my dream and make people around the world happy with my positive smile.
