ADVICE FOR THE FUTURE.
Planning and executing a language camp takes a lot of work. You have to be mentally and psychologically prepared for completing this huge task. From my experience, there are many aspects were well managed while some can be mend for better results. My advices to future facilitators are, set a good example for the participants in any matter, be in the programme always, commit to the team as much as you can and bear in mind to facilitate, not teach.
Facilitators should always set a good example to the participants in any matter such as punctuality, using English in conversation, energetic, actively involve and show them how to have fun. In a camp, time is most valued for all as every thing need to be done. There will be no problem of participants coming late for an activity or the problem of being behind schedule if the facilitators themselves are punctual.
Participants will abide to the rule of punctuality and respect us for it. Using English is compulsory since we are in an English language camp. English must be the only medium used no matter how poor you are. This goes to both participants and facilitators. Once facilitator starts using their mother tongue, the participants would make this as an excuse to not use the target language. Thus, the objective of the whole camp will be crushed to bits.
Facilitators need to be in the programme because sometimes (or in our case, a lot of) adjustments and changes were being done. You need to be aware and one step ahead on what goes next and what to do if anything occurs. Ask around and join the briefing session. Be aware for any calls for facilitators. Do not act as if you are the participants, by joining them for dinner or fool around in the activities and neglect your responsibilities to your team. Commit to the team (facilitators? team) as much as you can by sharing the workloads together. United we stand, divided we fall.
Last but not least, your task is to facilitate not to teach. Sometimes that ?teacher aura? does get to you but bear in mind that the participants are no younger than you. They might be your peers and even older than you think. Treat them as your friend, not as your students. This will motivate them to join in the activity and you would not be too apprehensive. Do not be the sage on stage and you will have a lot of fun managing and joining the language camp.
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Akum...
ReplyDeleteSuggestions that you gave make sense somehow. The part where you said that facilitators should be aware that they are facilitators. i think facilitators really need to be sure of everything that relates to management things. yeah you are right. I felt offended a bit because i did join some of the participants for dinner. hehe. just be friendly... (jual minyak)
so for the future facilitators, it is okay to be close to the participants, but just make sure that what you should do is done in secure.
MaximuM
helo baizura...personally, i think some of the facis are too focus on achieving the objective of the games that they've neglect the part where we need to give full supports by giving them words of encouragement...lift up their spirits when they feel down...like, what Mr.G said, "you are like mothers to them..."we need to nurture them, guide them, and be friends with them...about Amazing Race, it was a lil bit of "kelam kabut" but, you managed to pull it through, rite? well done...hhhhmmm about the love letter saying that i'm not being fair with them and letting my cat to win the race...well, " xxxxxxx cat" next time, please listen CAREFULLY to the instructions....just ignore the minority...don't hate me, coz i'm beautiful!!!!!heehehe...'nuff said...
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