Japanese student impresses judges at English speaking competition at Cambridge University

Minami Yamamoto – who majors in business administration at Sophia University in Tokyo - was one of nine young English language students from across Asia who was flown to the UK to take part in the final of the Best Young Speaker from Asia competition.

The final was held at Robinson College, Cambridge on 5 July and Minami and the other contestants gave two presentations in English and answered a series of questions put to them by an expert panel. Minami told the event organisers that being involved in the contest was a wonderful experience and said she was impressed by the motivation of the other contestants. She also said she’d liked to be seen as a role model for Japanese women who go abroad for their careers.

Simon Wright, from competition organisers University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) said:

"Minami proved she could use spoken English to a really high level and her performance in the final was very impressive. This level of skill will be a big help to her when she enters the workplace and I wish her all the best."

The winner of the Best Young Speaker from Asia competition was Sruthi Vijayachandran from India who won the first prize of an MBA scholarship from one of the event’s sponsors the London School of Business Finance.

See also:
• Asia's got (English language) talent (Cambridge ESOL, 30 May 2012)

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