Japanese language scholar takes top spot

Visits to Japan and dedication to improving her language skills have helped a Manawatu pupil net a top place in an international competition.

Cassy Feasey, 18, won top place in New Zealand and second in the world in the Japanese language section of the Language Perfect World Championships in May. The competition tested listening, reading, writing and diction. Her score ranked her 13th place overall in the whole competition in any subject, against 18,916 entrants.

The Awatapu College year 13 pupil began learning Japanese five years ago at the start of high school, and says her teacher has been a wonderful mentor. She also found her fluency improved dramatically on two study trips to Japan.

In 2015, her school’s Japanese class spent three weeks in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima, including a week living with a host family. ‘‘My language improved a lot because you’re just speaking Japanese 24/7, there’s no one to translate. It’s pretty hard but you’ve got to speak it if you want just a normal dinner conversation.’’

The trip inspired her to apply for a school exchange. Winning this prize allowed her to spend nine months in Osaka last year, where she attended a private girl’s school. ‘‘It was scary at first but you get accepted - they all love you.’’

Japanese is known as a difficult language to learn but the kanji script is especially challenging, with native Japanese learners continuing to learn new symbols throughout their time at school. ‘‘My kanji improved a whole lot. I did the same programme and tests the Japanese students do to learn kanji - but I did a primary school level one - and passed it,’’ Feasey said. ‘‘It’s crazy to see students still learning that - kanji is something you keep learning.’’

She lived with four homestay families during the exchange, and took part in normal family life. ‘‘I thought it was amazing that you could go shopping after school, everything’s still open. There’s just so much to do. You study a lot. Some of my classmates were studying till 2am then sleeping during class.‘‘

She plans to start a teaching degree in New Zealand next year, and hopes to return to Japan to live and teach.