Before being a primary school language camp facilitator...

         Being a language camp facilitator is not new to me. Before this, I had been a language camp facilitator in a secondary school and also UTM. However, I did not involve in the preparation of the games before this. This time, I was interested to join because I wish to see whether there are any changes on my performance after going through my practical teaching. In my practical teaching, I had tried to implement some simple games but most of them resembled competitions. Thus, I am interested to know more about language games. Perhaps, this is the reason why we were arranged to take this course after our practicum.

            Before going to the language camp, all of the facilitators were given a briefing on the tentative of the program as well as the tasks. We were assigned to prepare the instructions and materials for different games. This provided a chance for us to adapt and design games to suit the needs of the targeted learners. Among all of the facilitators, I worked with a few of them to prepare a game named “Win, Lose or Draw”. Throughout our discussions, we always thought of the appropriateness and difficulty level of the game so that it was suitable for the students. Since most of the targeted learners have low English proficiency level, we prepared simple instructions without forgetting to remain some challenging elements in the game. The instructions were also clear and precise so that it was easy for all of the facilitators to conduct the game. After preparing the instructions, all of us gathered up and had a short brief on the games. I personally think that this step is important before conducting a language camp because it can ensure all of the students to achieve the same learning objectives. In a language camp, all of the facilitators need to be clear on the rules and objectives of the games beforehand. By this, the implementation of the games in every group will be smooth and structured.

The instructions for "Win, Lose or Draw"

(*This is a game which consists of two groups to compete with each other to get the most number of correct guesses from sketched picture clues.)

1. Objectives:
- To enrich students’ vocabulary in English
- To encourage students to use English language

2. Language Components: Vocabulary

3. Level of Proficiency: Intermediate

4. Duration: 30 minutes

5. Materials : 4 mahjong papers, a roll of masking tape, 2 marker pens, 3 pieces of A4 blank papers

6. Procedures :

Brief

1. Facilitator divides the students into two groups.
2. Facilitator pastes one piece of mahjong paper in front of each group.
3. Facilitator distributes 3 pieces of A4 blank papers to 3 students randomly.
4. Facilitator asks them to fold the papers into 8 parts and tear off.
5. Facilitator distributes 3 paper strips to each student.
6. Facilitator asks students to write the name of one cartoon character on the first paper strip; one fruit on the second paper strip; and one animal on the last paper strip.
7. Facilitator asks students to pass all paper strips to them according to their own group.
8. Facilitator swaps the paper strips collected from group A and group B.
9. Facilitator asks for one representative to be the sketcher of each group.- The sketcher needs to announce the category of the name first, then proceeds to draw out the word while his/her group mates need to guess the word. (*He or she is not allowed to make any sound when drawing. No letters, words or numbers can be drawn.)
   -Both groups will be given 5 minutes to guess as many correct guesses as they can.-The opposing team helps to keep track of the time. They should remain quiet when the other group is guessing.  

Demonstrate

    10. Facilitators demonstrate the game.

Start off

    11. Facilitator A starts the game by showing the paper strips to sketcher A while Facilitator B becomes the time-keeper.

Debrief

   12. Facilitators count the points scored.
   13. Facilitators briefly review the words that written by the students.   14. Facilitators asks the students what they have learned from the game.