外国語コーススピーチコンテスト 受賞者全文 2025
2024/25 Topics 外国語コース 英語スピーチコンテスト 受賞者全文
1st place
「What is the "Beauty"?」
外国語コース2年 伊藤さん
What comes to your mind when you hear the word "beauty"? I believe that we have different images of what beauty is. Through the experience studying abroad in the United States, I learned that our sense of beauty differs depending on each country. I also realized that these differences are related to the historical backgrounds of each country. Today, I would like to talk about the sense of beauty in both the United States and Japan, as well as the history that influenced their current perspectives.
Everyone, what do you think about the sense of beauty in Japan? Here, many people find it attractive when women are humble, calm and reserved. This sensibility is connected to our country's traditional culture. Have you ever heard of the Japanese term "Wabi-Sabi"? "Wabi" means appreciating things that are ambiguous and humble. "Sabi" means seeing beauty in things that have aged, changed, or worn down over time. This idea was spread in Japan about 450 years ago through the practice of the traditional tea ceremony. Since then, many people have been aware of the behavior that reflects the beauty of wabi-sabi. Humble, calm and reserved. This mindset reflects the sensibilities of Japanese people even now.
Because of this ancient mindset, I believe many Japanese people feel that ambiguity and grace are more beautiful than flashiness.
On the other hand, the sense of beauty I experienced in the United States was completely different from that in Japan. In the United States, beauty is often defined by accepting one's individuality and showing one's own characteristics. Unlike Japan's quiet sense of grace, I felt that many people in the United States found women, who are independent and able to express their own opinions, to be attractive. Looking back at American history, there was a movement in the late 19th and 20th centuries called, "Women's Liberation". Does anyone know who Betty Friedan was? She was one of the women who led this movement. I want to introduce to you the quote that she left, "The only way for a woman, as for a man, to find herself, to know herself as a person, is by creative work of her own." She gave hope and courage to many women in America by working as a journalist. This movement aimed to raise women's awareness of self-reliance and careers, enabling them to advance in society. This feminist movement shaped the current idea that women who are strong and independent are considered beautiful.
Until now, I've been talking about the relationship between a country's historical background and its sense of beauty. However, these are just thoughts that people share in general. I would like to share a quote from a woman I respect, Sofia Carson, who is not only an actress, but also a UNICEF ambassador, "Beauty is something that we are, not something you can see. " She implies that beauty is something emerges from inside of us. Other people's opinions or ideas don't matter at all. No matter how beautiful you look or how politely you behave, if you detest yourself, it's meaningless. Beauty is all about what you think about yourself. To discover our true beauty, we must know that we are perfect just the way we are. We must realize that our true self is already beautiful.
2nd place
「A Country That Abandoned Its Military」
外国語コース1年 菊地さん
"$2,443 billion" - what do you think this figure is? This huge amount of money, in fact, was the world's military spending in 2023. Every country says that all military spending is necessary to "win the battle" or "defend the country," but I have my doubts about that. I think there are other things we should be doing more of. There are many challenges in the world that need to be solved. However, global military spending continues to increase year after year. In such a situation, do you know that there is a country that has achieved a zero military budget? Today, I would like to talk about one of those few countries, Costa Rica, which was the first country in the world to abolish its military.
Costa Rica is located in Central America between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The population is about 5.15 million, and it is also called "the happiest country in the world. Costa Rica always maintains a high ranking in the World Happiness Index published by the NEF in the U.K. It abolished its military because so many people lost their lives in the I qs4 civil war. It then decided to use 30% of the national budget, which had previously been devoted to the military, for education, health care, and environmental protection. Under the slogan "More teachers than soldiers." the government offered free education from kindergarten through high school. Pride in being unarmed, respect for life, and the importance of peace are actively fostered in the welldeveloped educational system. Costa Rica is also known for its rich biodiversity. It is also committed to environmental conservation, and surprisingly, almost all of their electricity comes from renewable energy sources. Instead of having no military, Costa Rica has built trusting relationships with other countries through trade and diplomacy. In other words, they "do not make enemies. It has been 76 years since it abolished their military, and not once have they resorted to force. It has maintained peaceful solutions through discussions, the law, and the help of other countries. The people of Costa Rica also support such a policy and believe that not resorting to force should be the basis of the world. It has proven that it is possible. This is why Costa Rica is called "the happiest country" in the world.
While the recent economic downturn and the increase in immigration have prompted a review of the country's finances, I think the international community has much to learn from Costa Rica's choice to abolish its military, and to allocate its military budget to social welfare, and take steps to achieve "happiness" for its people and the global environment. There are children in the world who do not have access to education. There are people who cannot lead a satisfactory life due to poverty. The earth cries as its natural environments are rapidly being lost. And yet, the world still does not stop fighting? Don't you think this is wrong? I am just one high school student living in Japan, and although I do not have any great power to change the world, I am still. a member of the global community that wishes for world peace. I think it is necessary for the countries and people of the world to join forces and act for the 'happiness' of all children and all lives around the world. I hope that what you have learned about one country through this speech will be a step forward in your thinking about peace.
3rd place
「Two Pictures」
外国語コース1年 児玉さん
"I really cannot draw pictures." These are words that many adults often say. I think it tends to be especially common among Japanese people.
Today, I would like to talk about “picture."
I have a question about that sentence. Why can't you draw pictures even though you can write letters?"
Everyone knows that children draw "pictures" before they can write words and letters. So, there must be pictures in the background of letters. But, when adults say "we can write letters "naturally" but cannot draw pictures." I find it very odd.
There are so many adults who write or type so much and they have
forgotten how to draw pictures. Then, let's think about what would happen if we let adults draw pictures. Please imagine two simple “apple drawings" from now. One is drawn by a small child. And the other is drawn by an adult. What do you think they look like? I'll give you a few seconds ……．All right, could you imagine them? Maybe most people have thought of them this way. The features of a child's picture have large, bright colors, and thick crayon lines. On the other hand, the features of an adult's picture are smaller in size, subdued colors, and delicate lines. The result, both pictures are different, not perfect but they could draw. No matter how big or small, and no matter how strange it is. If the person who drew it says "it's a picture.", then it becomes a picture. In other words, it is impossible for them to say that they cannot draw pictures.
A good example of this is the Nazca Lines in Peru. If you stand on the ground and look at it, it looks like strange white lines. But, if you look at it from the sky above, you can see the big images. Literally, if you change your point of view, you can see something new.
Speaking of a-changing perspectives, why is there differences between the two paintings of a child and adult? "Painting is the language of the soul," These are words said by the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. Young children cannot write, but can draw strong pictures instead of writing. For children, pictures are letters. Therefore, children will draw pictures larger, with bright colors to express what they are feeling.
However, unfortunately, no matter how much we try to change our point of view, there seems to be a tendency to divide pictures into categories based on whether they are realistic or not. Of course, I think that pictures such as cartoons need realism to look natural. But, are pictures only for that purpose? Do these have to look realistic? To sum up, I think that is not the case. For example, Picasso's artworks. His paintings are very unique, as he painted faces from two different directions in his cubism stage. But his drawings are not so realistic. For this reason, we don't often see his paintings on designs such as stationary but we often see Van Gogh's works. In this way, people may unknowingly think that a realistic picture is good artwork. Perhaps it was because there is a fear of being ridiculed for art that is not realistic. I feel that the world's sense of good and bad is determined by such subconscious and opinions. However, I believe that a painting is just a painting, and. has meaning even if it's not realistic.
Finally, how would you feel if all the paintings in museum were painted like photographs? At first, you would enjoy it, but as you looked at them, you soon realize that they are all the same, repetitive, and it would become boring. To avoid this situation, I think it is important to draw pictures without anyone interfering to develop yourself, your identity and art making style.
Find your own picture by freely painting and creating anything. Create your own art from one pen or pencil. In the end, I want to ask you.
"Can you draw your own pictures?"
Thank you.