J.LIVE (Japanese Learning Inspired Vision and Engagement) Talk is a Japanese language speech competition for graduate and undergraduate students presented by The George Washington University.  The competition evaluates a comprehensive range of communication skills with an emphasis on the dynamism, vision and level of engagement of each participant’s presentation.  Entrants may include audio-visual materials, audience interaction, and other innovations that enhance his or her talk in a manner similar to the TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) talks.

Jong In (Joe) Chey began learning the Japanese language in Fall 2014, as a first-year student at the University of Virginia. After having completed a third-year level Japanese class by the end of his second year, Joe sought further adventures in his Japanese learning, and decided to participate in the J.LIVE competition to polish his public speaking skills and showcase his proficiency in Japanese. 

Drawing from his experience through his affiliation with Japanese community in Charlottesville as a Cultural Chair of the Japan Club at UVa, Joe carefully scripted his speech for the preliminary round. Participants were required to provide a short video about themselves, which was used to evaluate their qualifications and proficiency level.  His performance earned him an opportunity to advance onto the Final Round, where he placed 2nd, after speaking about his unique perspectives and experiences as the founder/president of Kinetic Sound, a performing arts organization at the university. Joe stated that he is "thankful for his mentors and peers at the University, who helped [him] to be honored with the achievement at the contest."

(Joe is a third-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Computer Science and Music.)