Ashikin's - PRE-Camp

Before the camp, one meeting had been conducted to appoint the Team Leader, person who is responsible for food, materials, MC and so on. I volunteered to be the person in charge for protocol. I am supposed to deal with the procedures in formal situation which is throughout the camp. 

This is my first time ever to be the person in charge in protocol. I helped the leader to meet Dr. Noor Zainab and discuss the other matter that need to be done before the day of the event. I hope I can do well during the camp!

Wan Zahidah's Preparations Before Language Camp A

Being an introvert, I am not quite comfortable doing outdoor activities or activities that includes a lot of strangers. However, being 22, I want to challenge myself and get outside of my comfort zone. Thus I decided to volunteer to join Language Camp A before it was changed to course assignment.

Before the language camp, facilitators had a meeting with the lecturer to get a brief explanation on language camp as some of us were not familiar with such activities.  We got into small group and each person was divided into smaller groups. Each group is handed a task to manage one of the activities that is going to be conducted in the Language Camp. Each group that manages certain activity is called game master.

A few days before the camp, we had a meeting at our college residence. The meeting was to do a briefing on each activity that was assigned earlier. Each group briefed on their task, starting from ice-breaking until short skit presentation. Game master also needs to prepare materials needed for each activity. All preparations from every aspects were given an emphasis to ensure the process of the camp will flow smoothly.

Before Language Camp B

     During the pre-camp phase, we had a meeting with our lecturer in Language Games subject which is Mr Ghazali to discuss a few issues that need to be settled before we proceed with the camp itself. One of those issues is the process of appointing the committee members among the facilitators. Each of these committee members are responsible for different kind of works but at the same time maintaining their main role which is to make sure that the necessities and the flow of the camp is in safety margin.

  The second meeting is to decide on the activities that will be conducted during the camp. In addition, each of the rest of the facilitators who are not in the committee members’ list was appointed to be the game master for the language games chosen before. The role of the game master is very simple yet it needs quite a lot of attention which is to master the game given. Game masters need to know how that game will be conducted, the duration of the game, and the role of the facilitator as well as the materials needed for that game. Each game masters will then explain the game to the other facilitators until they understand how the game works and ten prepare the lesson plan to ensure the smoothness of the activity. The same goes to the other game masters. During this phase, any game or material is subjected to changes or improvements.

Preparation of materials comes as the last step in this phase. Based on the activities’ planned, game masters will need to prepare the materials for the activities according to its suitability for the students as we want the materials to be neither easy nor hard for them.  A great emphasis is given to the amount of materials prepared. This is because we need to make sure that each student or group will have enough materials during the camp. Early preparation is done to cater this issue.

REFLECTION ON LANGUAGE CAMP B (BEFORE) BY FATIN NUR ALIA

When Encik Ghazali assigned us to conduct this language camp, I was a bit reluctant since I’ve never joined any language camp before. The fact that one facilitator needs to handle ten students of secondary school also make me nervous. However, I just stayed positive and hoping for the best since this was one of the subject requirements. We were divided into few groups according to different activities. I and my two other friends were assigned to be the master of ice breaking game. This means that we need to design the ice breaking activity and its rule. Each group has to come out with the written procedure and rules of the activity. My group had to complete the written document of the ice breaking activity. It was not very difficult since ice breaking is just an introductory activity to make the students know their group member. We also used the lesson plan of the previous language camp as our guideline in designing the ice breaking activity. The committee members of the language camp were also being elected to make this language camp run smoothly. We also decided to exclude the committee members from becoming a facilitator in the language camp as it going to be burdensome for them. We had few meetings one week before the language camp to give details on the flow of the camp and to provide clarification. During the meeting, each group which in charge of different activity takes turn in explaining the rules and procedure of their activity. As one of the member in ice breaking group, we were the one who deciding the name of the group during the language camp. We decided to name the groups with the name of superheroes and well-known cartoons and randomly gave it to each of the facilitator. Apart from that, we also provided ten envelopes with twenty names of cartoon and superheroes. This envelop will decide which groups that the students belong to. 

Language Camp A: Preparation

Greetings earthlings, aliens, and all beings that have internet connection~ [^A^]/

This is an intro, you can skip this paragraph and directly go the subheadings for the main point. ... Oh! you are still here? Cool! You must really like reading! Me too!! I love books, pamphlets, brochure, billboards and simply all things that have words that I can comprehend(Beware of things said on the net they are not all true, especially this previous sentence) . I am taking a degree for Bachelor of Science with Education(TESL) and this post and my following post is a based on experience related to the language camp(s) that I have participated and contains suggestions for future language camp facilitators

ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY WALK INTO MORDOR A LANGUAGE CAMP 

Surviving Language Camp 101

I listed down the preparations that my fellow facilitators and I did that works for me. I also inserted some aspects I think is important for any facilitators to pay attention to before conducting a language camp.

1. Have awareness that you are going into complete disorder and confusion a room full of people/kids which have their own "unique" personality, be prepared Mentally and Physically (I tried to find out what cartoons school kids nowadays like so that I will at least have something to talk about with them) 
2. Prepare a COMPLETE Language games instruction that suits your participants. a good instruction should have clear and easy to understand steps, list of materials as well as estimated duration. However, as conductors of these activity you must bend and alter the activities to suit the targeted participants.( having games that is not suitable for your target students is a recepi for migraine and it will not go smoothly. Believe me, I am talking from experience here. >~<lll it will be awful)
3. LOTS of DISCUSSIONS on how the games should/need to be conducted. You can do like what we did, we tried to play the language games among ourselves first to be able to see how it might go wrong or what can be improved or maybe you need extra material, etc.
4. Building up group dynamics among the facilitators (it ensure smooth execution of games later)
5. Read and read again. It is very good for you to read the instructions multiple times and know it by heart before the actual day. (This step helped me a lot and avoid me from getting panic attack while conducting the games.)
6. Make sure you have enough materials. (be aware how many participant is there and be prepared for excess or lack of materials)

Survival kits

Conducting as a facilitator for Language Camp A was my first experience so I was puzzled on what stuff other than materials needed for activities that I should have on hand and such( I freaked out actually). Here are things I think would become quite useful( I wish I had brought it along with me T^T)

1. A light but high capacity bag. Shopping bag or summer bag that can be folded is ideal. (ease your movement and you will not lose stuff like extra papers, pens and small materials left off from for your games)
2.  Tissue and wet tissue. (We had activities which used crayons and markers and it got all over my students hand, shirt, simply put everywhere. These guys really are saviors at those times)
3. Candies (no matter what, everyone like getting rewarded, it is good to bring lil' extra sweets to motivate participation)

  That's all from me on preparation for language camp! I hope it will help! This are certainly not all in term of preparation. In this blog my comrades posted their experience as well so please do click on the labels and/or cruise through my friends posts for more!! ^x^

Alison's Pre Reflection on Language Camp B

Despite to share my experience in the preparation for the language camp at SK Kota Masai 2, I rather like to share more on my thoughts and opinion on language camp before I attended the camp. Well, I believe that most of my friends who joined the camp together has shared their experience during the preparation and to be critical, we were most likely did the same thing since we had our meetings together, gave out our opinions and so and thus, I would like to more emphasis on the inner thoughts of myself throughout the preparation of the camp.

Firstly, I would like to confess that I can be said to be categorized to the group of person who prefers indoor compare to anything related with outdoors or they call it as ‘otaku’ in Japanese. To be precise, I hate outdoor activities. I admitted I was unsure of the “usage” and the main purpose to specially organise an activity for the students for whole day as teachers are actually giving their effort to teach the students in the classroom. The word “camp” has actually gives out a signal that this is an activity to have fun instead of having an effective teaching and learning. I would like to confess that I felt relieve after I heard Mr. Ghazali’s decision on just make it as 1-day camp instead of maybe 3-days 2-nights camp.

However, after the post mortem session for the Camp A, which I was just a listener in the class, I deeply realised and get more into deeply on the differences among the students’ learning attitude in the classroom and during a language camp. I did my practicum last semester and I truly had difficulties in enhancing students’ interest in language learning. Yes, I believe the main motive for the students to join the language camp is to have fun but unconsciously, they did learn something new with new peers and in a new environment. The joy and the satisfaction gained by the committees in Camp A has gave me an encouragement to accomplish the task without the mindset of getting rid another assignment but is that I want to succeed it and influence the students to have the thoughts of learning English can be fun.   

Before Language Camp B by Stephanie Young

This is actually not my first time joining a language camp as one of the facilitators. Before this, I had the experience of conducting a language camp at KTDI with three of my coursemates. It was one of the programs organized by CELLA which requires us to conduct language camp. In other words, we have to submit proposal which including the budget and tentative of the camp and design our own language games. Although the language camp did not turn out to what we have expected, we really enjoy the moment working together. Therefore, when we were informed that we have to join a language camp at SK Kota Masai 2, I was rather excited :) I used to deal with Form 4 students (whom I regard as matured and obedient teenagers) but to me Form 1 and Form 2 students were rather active and rebellious. I guess that is the only worried I have :P

We had our first meeting with Mr. Ghazali after the class to discuss and appoint the committee members for the language camp. Not long after the first meeting, we met again to elect the game master for every game. This is to ensure that we were aware of our respective task and be well-prepared. Three of my friends and I volunteered to become the game master for Tandem Writing. We agreed to fix three themes, which are ghost story, animal story and love story. The night before the camp, we gathered to brief about the flow of the camp. All of the game masters briefed about the rules, regulations and variation of the respective game. We also discussed and provide comments for better management of the game for the next day.

On that early morning, we gathered at D05 to wait for the bus. All of us were energetic and looking forward to participate in the camp. 

Reflection (Before the Language Camp A)

Before the camp

Greetings everyone.

I am one of the facilitators for the Language Camp A at SMK Kota Masai 2. Before we proceed with the camp, I would like to tell you about our work progress and preparation before the camp. We have been assigned to prepare our activities together. We were divided into few groups according to different activities. Each group has to come out with the written procedure and rules of the activity. My group had to complete the written document of Win, Lose or Draw. We have learnt about this activity during our class. Hence, it is easier for us to know the rules of this activity. As to make it more comprehensible, we watched the recorded video of this activity on YouTube. A day before the camp, all of the facilitators gather early in the morning to discuss about the tentative and to clear up any confusion regarding the activities. Each group takes turn to explain on their activity. Q&A session took place after the presentation of each activity. Apart from that, we did a brainstorming session to give names for each group. We decided to name the groups with the name of superheroes and well-known cartoons. Before we end the meeting, we ask around if there is any other question for the activity and we end the meeting with a hope that all of us are able to conduct our activities successfully. 

Before Language Camp B by Yuanyi Tan

      It was actually not my first time getting involved in a language camp, but it was absolutely a new experience to get my hands dirty helping in organizing one. Also, before this, I was only assigned to facilitate either primary students or tertiary students (ELCW camp). Dealing with secondary students in a language camp was something that I had no practical idea about. Prior to Language Camp B, I actually imagined the possibility of having to handle a bunch of teenagers who are in their rebellious phase. What if they refuse to cooperate and think whatever I am doing is a waste of time or worse, childish? But luckily, that doesn’t happen at all.

       As far as I can recall, we had our first meeting right after Mr. Ghazali’s class where he informed us the particulars of the language camp that we are going to be in charge of. In that meeting, we discussed and appointed the committee members for the sake of systematic task delegation. From that point onwards, I was aware that I would be playing the role as a facilitator, of which I was happy about. After that, our director created a Facebook group to keep everyone updated with the camp’s progress and whatnots.

       Not long later, we met for the second time. In that meeting, we elected the game masters for every game. Three friends of mine and I volunteered to look after Tandem Writing. After dismissal, we straight away discussed the details of the game and quickly decided that we would only need around 200 A4 papers for the game. The materials were prepared by Language Academy but to play safe, we agreed on bringing 40 extra papers (10 for each) on the actual day. When it came to document preparation, we realized that the previous group provided themes for students to conduct this writing game. We mutually reckoned that would the better way of doing it as it would provide constructive directions for students on what to write. Therefore, we similarly fixed 3 themes which include love story, ghost story and animal story (a new theme). After confirming all the details, I was responsible for typing and printing the facilitator’s game note (consisting of Tandem Writing’s procedures and time allocation) for everyone.

        In our last meeting, all the game masters gave briefing about the rules, regulations and variations of respective games. Through the meeting, we managed to grasp the overall idea of the camp more confidently because those games had then been steadily stored in our pockets.

         A Chinese idiom has its say that “one minute of performance on stage needs ten years of practice off stage “. To a certain extent, it does reflect the efforts that we have made in a week’s time to succeed a one-day language camp. I have learnt that rigorous, careful and no-hard-feeling teamwork is crucial towards building victory in every attempt that we are making.

BEFORE THE LANGUAGE CAMP B

Assalamualaikum, peace be upon you. It's midnight so perhaps good evening or good night to all.

To be very honest, when we were informed that there will be a language camp, we got to know like a week before the camp so basically, I was not that mentally prepared and I was thinking to just go on with the flow but at the same time I was quite excited. 

The day we were informed that there will a language camp for group B, we had a very quick meeting to select the director, the camp commander, the committee for food, materials, and protocol, as well as the masters of ceremony and the facilitators.

I was actually the committee member for materials and prizes and I honestly felt that I did not contribute that much before the camp because Hafiz (Director of Program) said everything will be provided by Dr. Noor Zainab, However, I did feel bad because it seemed like I was not doing what I supposed to do.

Overall, we had a couple of meetings afterwards to discuss who will be the game master of every slot and to demonstrate the games before the actual camp so that everyone is well prepared. Everything went well I suppose. Things and preparations had to be done in a short period of time because the camp was just around the corner. However, everyone managed to give a very good cooperation. Well done.

Before the Language Camp B… by Lim Pei Rong

Hello guys, 

I am going to talk about all the stuff that we had done before we are going to the language camp.

Ok first, due to the large amount of leftover people from Language Camp A, we not only have 20 facilitators as Language Camp A, we have also extra seven people to work as high communities for the camp. After our discussion, we decided to let those who have the experience in language camp to become the director and camp commander. For your information, Hafiz and Khairul Syafiq are the lucky ones to have the responsibilities. Hehe.

After we had the briefing regarding all the games that will be played in the language camp, we decided to appoint game masters for each activity to ease everybody’s job. Me, Shirley and Pei Ching were volunteered to become the game masters for the Charade game. Since we are going to use the same games as Language Camp A, thus we requested help from Atin (Charade’s game master from Language Camp A) to know more details about the game. We started our preparation by discussing the rules of the games that suit the level of our target learners and preparing the sets of words for each group.

Apart from that, we also have another group meeting to discuss on other things like dress code, transportation and others. We had also the deep explanation about the games by each game master (yeah, I need to explain the charade game to every facilitator. Haha).  

To know more about the Charade Game, click here. 

Skit by NS

Before: English Language Camp 1, September 26, 2014.

English camp is a FUN camp. As one hears the phrase, he or she would think the camp will be filled with lots of games and activities.

For this camp, I have been provided with games and information of the participants. Basically, the games were; Ice-breaking, Logo and Cheers making, Charade, Win Lose or Draw, Tandem Story and Skits. Each and every activity has been distributed to each group for us to prepare the lesson plan. Discussions and meetings were done periodically to produce a good activity for the students.

As for me, I was in the Skit group. We were having discussion via media social (Whatsapp) and face to face meeting. Basically, we have three people with different task (Roles, Instructions and Rules). As time went by, another person joined us; another task was added – Scoring.

First, we were having problems with theme. As from my experiences with ETA (English Teaching), we usually focus on a theme for a camp so that we could focus on certain scope. With that, it could help the students to focus on certain life event based on the theme given. Then, we decided that the Skit would be depended on a list of words prepared by us.

After Mr.Ghazali class end, we were informed to just use the story from the previous games – Tandem Story, just like we did in class. So, we decided to have a discussion with Tandem Story groups.

As planned, a meeting was held two nights before the Camp Day. We were informed that we have to divided the 20 groups into 3 zones; Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C. Before the Tandem Writing starts, we decided to give 3 different themes for each zone; Love, Horror and Aliens. Basically, after the Tandem Story ended, the students would choose a story for them to use in the Skit.

The four of us, wrote down our papers.