The student speech event Lightning Talks 5 took place on 8 November 2025. This year, ten participants registered for the event; however, one was unfortunately unable to attend due to an internet outage in her area.

Overall, the standard of the speakers was impressively high. Each participant delivered their speech in fluent Japanese, a testament to the hard work and dedication they had invested in their preparation. The speakers were: Rosemary, Elsa, Rune, Robert, Christopher, Monty, Luke, Abigail, and Charlie.

Among these excellent speakers, four students received commendations from our guest judges, Akiko and Miriam. In no particular order, the awardees were Rosemary, Christopher, Abigail, and Rune. Congratulations to all!

I was truly delighted to listen to each presentation. Having witnessed the progress and growth of these speakers over time, I felt proud to see them perform at their very best on the day of the event. Both Miriam and Akiko expressed how impressed they were by the overall standard and enthusiasm of the participants.

Well done to everyone who took part! Your effort and commitment have undoubtedly contributed to the continued improvement of your language skills.

With warmest wishes,
Noriko