A New Framework for Planning
Presented By: Ryan Brux – English Language Fellow, Tarapoto, Peru
Carlos Gabriel Medrano Melgarejo – ACCESS student, Tarapoto, Peru
Carlos Gabriel Medrano Melgarejo
15 years old
From: Tarapoto, Peru
ACCESS Student since October, 2012
Interests: Studying English and Singing
Dream: to one day study abroad in the United States
To discuss the purpose of Intensive English Camps
To discuss a new framework for planning a camp
To discuss considerations when planning a camp
To discuss various themes and activities possible
To look more in-depth at various activities that can be adapted and used at summer camps
To show how easily language and content can be taught through camp activities
Camps give campers opportunities to use language in a real setting
Camps help to contextualize language – gives language real purpose!
Camps support social and academic use of language
Camps teach students how to work together collaboratively to accomplish common goals.
Camps support existing classroom instruction and invite further inquiry.
Camps are just plain fun!
The Old Framework
Activities focus primarily on social use of language
Activities generally not very connected to one another
Less focus on language construction
Little to no reflection
Less consideration of context (environment)
Activities are used to support all 4 skills
Carefully planned, thematic activities support a specific content area.
Activities help facilitate language construction
Reflective learning
Language is highly contextualized.
The New Framework
Where and when will the camp be held?
Who will staff the camp?
What are the camp objectives?
What are your language objectives?
What materials/resources will you need?
What is your budget cost/participant?
Choose a theme that is neither too narrow nor too broad.
Choose a theme that is relevant and of interest to your students.
Choose a theme from which a variety of activities can support.
Possible Themes: The Civically Engaged Student Healthy Choices, Healthy Lives
The Local Environment Developing Leadership Skills
The Road to College
Other Themes?
Choose activities that support the theme being explored
Choose activities which can be used to support language teaching goals.
Choose activities that invite further inquiry for later classroom instruction.
Choose activities that invite students to ‘do’, to explore, to grow.
Held in San Miguel, Peru
3 Days (Friday a.m – Sunday p.m)
20 student participants from local ACCESS program
3:1 Ratio (Students : Adults)
Theme: “It’s a Jungle out There”
Peace Corps Volunteers
Bi-national Centers
NGOs
Volunteer Groups
Fulbright ETAs
Local Businesses
Community Groups
Local Government
Embassies
Pre-Service Institutions
BEFORE the Camp •Preview Material •Increase awareness
•Build Interest •Get students interacting
with one another
Alphabet Dancing
Knot Games
Balloon Pass
•Games provide an opportunity to get to know one another. •Teach language through games
Factor in a variety of things when grouping students: Age, Gender, English levels, Behavioral issues, Etc.
Exploring And Understanding Your Surroundings
Nature Walk
Nature: Your First-Aid Kit
Landscape Water Color
a yellow banana a fast-moving river a village resident a white cloud a beautiful flower a tall tree a 4-legged animal an old bridge a dirt road a green plant an example of
deforestation a relaxing place
X
Movie in English
Highly visual
Students use a graphic organizer to write down as many things as they see throughout the film
Comprehension Questions guide students to better understanding.
Teach theme-related content through visual, hands-on workshops
Nap Time Swim Time
Play Time
Invite students to reflect upon their camp experience: What have they liked?
What have they learned?
What are some of the best things about attending an English Immersion camp?
Do you think attending a camp helped you to learn more English? What about American Culture?
Would you attend another camp in the future?
Other questions for Carlos?
Check out our YouTube video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDLUkTtG6mE www.ultimatecampresource.com A great resource for planning camp activities. Exploring a summer English Camp Experience in China: A
Descriptive Study, found at http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/pta_feb_06_mw.pdf Great research about camps’ impact on learning and teaching!
Find out more about ACCESS programs worldwide! http://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/english-access-
microscholarship-program
For more information, contact us!