ENGLISH IN CAMP

Introduction

Every year the English Language Panel of Sekolah Kebangsaan Serendah will
carry out the English in Camp (EIC) activity. The target groups for this activity are Year
6 pupils who had just completed their UPSR exam. This programme is aimed at
promoting the use of English as a communicative tool in various real situations. Students
will enjoy and have lots of fun when using the language in the camp. It is also a way to
help these pupils to ease their mind upon completing their UPSR exam. Facilatators of
the programme are among the year 6 teachers only. The venue in which these activities
are carried out is only around the school compound. Activities are divided into two main
categories, indoor and outdoor. For indoor activities, school hall has been selected as the
venue.

Aims and Objectives of Programme

The main aim of EIC is to provide an avenue for campers to immerse themselves
in an English speaking environment. But apart from this main goal, there are five other
main objectives why this program is being carried out annually by the English panels. The
objectives are to enable participants to :

i. Communicate in the English language effectively – Pupils are not comfortable to

use English on a daily basis. This is because, English is not their mother tongue. Most
pupils of SK. Serendah are Malays so, it is more convenient for them to use Bahasa
Malaysia as their communication medium. But through this activity, they had to use
English to communicate because it is the rule of this program. They will not feel shy or
intimidate as everyone must speak in English.

ii. Have more confidence to use four skills of English (listening, speaking, reading
and writing) – When we speak about English, most people only focusing on the skills of
speaking. But, in order for one to have good command of this language, they need to
master four vital English skills which are listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Through this program, pupils need to use all these four skills to complete tasks given. By
doing so, they can improve their skills in directly and in a fun way. Thus, they will be
more confident with English as opposed to before.

iii. Build positive attitudes with the inculcation of moral values – All activities are
designed not only to improve pupils’ English but also to inculcate good values and
positive attitude among pupils. Along the way, they need to learn hoe to co-operate and
tolerate with each other. They also need to use their critical and creative thinking skills to
overcome any problem arise.
iv. Develop leadership qualities by involving themselves as leaders in the various
activities organized in the camp. – The importance of effective leadership is undeniable.
Pupils need to be equipped with good leadership skills if they want to be success in the
outside world. EIC, giving them a platform to polish their leadership skills even in a
smaller scale. “Kids today, a leader tomorrow”.

v. Relax their mind and enjoying themselves – Whatever objectives that this program
is trying to achieve, it is actually organized to let pupils enjoy and have fun with English.
It is a slot where our school UPSR candidates can relax and ease their mind away from the
exam mode.

Duration of Programme

This program took one whole morning school session starting from 8 am until 1
pm. It was divided into two parts, before recess (8 am to 10.30am) and after recess ( 11
am until 1 pm). Pupils take turns to do the task in accordance with the group they were
placed. Team A ( Group 1 – 8) did the outdoor activity first and followed by indoor
activity after recess, meanwhile it was the other way round for Team B ( Group 9 – 16).

Target Group

This camp is open only to year six pupils of S.K Serendah, approximately around
160 pupils involved. They were divided into two main groups consist of 80 pupils each.
Within these groups, pupils were again divided into smaller groups consist of ten
members per group. Pupils were mixed together where low proficiency pupils and high
proficiency were put in a group to compliment one another.

Report on the implementation of the programme

As was mentioned above, the program was divided into two parts, before recess (8
am to 10.30am) and after recess ( 11 am until 1 pm). Team A ( Group 1 – 8) did the
outdoor activity first and followed by indoor activity after recess, meanwhile it was the
other way round for Team B ( Group 9 – 16). The details of the activities done are as
follow :

Indoor Activities : ( School Hall )

There were several tasks that pupils need to complete during the indoor activities. Each
activity took about 30 minutes to be completed.

Activity One – Chinese Whisper ( 30 minutes )

- Each group lined up straight in a row.
- They were given a few sentences and need to pass it around.
- The last member of the group needs to come to the front and write out the
sentence.

Activity Two – Show Me The Money ( 30 minutes )

- Each group were given an envelope that consist of 4 sets of puzzle.
- They need to complete a puzzle of RM 1, RM 5, RM 10 and RM 50 notes.
- The fastest group to complete all four puzzles will be given point.

Activity Three – My Groceries ( 30 minutes)

- Pupils need to memorize 20 groceries that was paste on a big manila card within
15 minutes.
- Another 10 minutes was given for the group to list down what item that they can
remember.
- Stresses on spelling.

Activity Four – Word Formation ( 30 minutes )

- Pupils were given a word “ Mangosteen “.
- They need to come out with as many words as possible in a given time frame.
- Groups that able to give the most words with correct spelling will be given points.

Outdoor Activities : ( School Compound )

There were 8 stations around the school compound with different tasks in each
one of it. Group needs to complete task given and give report on a form given. Time
given for each station was 10 minutes. A siren sound was the signal for groups to move
on and change to the next station. All groups must rotate and complete all 8 stations.

Station One : Canteen

- Each group needs to list 2 foods that can be found which contain
- i) protein ii) carbohydrates iii) vitamin C iv) iron

Station Two : Computer Lab

- Pupils need to list down 10 things that associated with computer / IT which can be
found in the lab.

Station Three : Bicycle Shed

- Groups need to name parts of bicycle that has been labeled in picture given.

Station Four : Music Room

- Group need to identify at least 10 musical instruments that the music room has.

Station Five : Library

- Group need to complete nursery rhymes given by filling in the blanks.
- Nursery rhymes : Jack and Jill , Itsy-Bitsy Spider and Humpty Dumpty.

Station Six : Field

 - Pupils need to guess 10 popular sports according to the equipment given.
- Eg : shuttlecock - badminton
hockey stick – hockey

Station Seven : Tar Mat

- Groups need to identify flags of 10 states in Malaysia accordingly.

Station Eight : Parking Lot

- Fishing game.
- Groups need to use a magnetic fishing rod to fish for words related to vehicles.
- 20 word cards ( magnetic) were put in a big basin and only 10 were associate with
vehicles.

Strengths and weaknesses of the programme

Every program has its own strengths and weakness, so does this programme.
These two attributes need to be analyzed upon completing each programme in order for it
to be better the next time. I find this programme was successful because it was facilitate
by experienced English teachers who has been doing it for the past several years. These
teachers certainly know what they are dealing with and know the flow of the programme
really well. Moreover the school’s compound is big and consist of several rooms and
blocks that really suit the programme. Teachers in charge of these rooms also gave good
cooperation by giving permission to use the rooms and things in it. I also find that the
activities designed are also one of the strengths of the programme. Pupils seems to enjoy
themselves even though they were a bit tired due to the running and rushing from one
place to another.
But I also found some weaknesses especially in term of time constraints. Some
activities were done in a rush due to limited time. The programme also done during
school hours and it is a little disturbing for other students who are studying in their
classroom. Lots of the participants posses limited vocabulary and low command of
English. This make it hard for certain group to complete task given. The budget allocated
for the programme also a bit tight, thus this resulting in limited prizes given to the pupils.
Judging by how hard each group works to complete each task, I think more prizes should
be given to appreciate their hard work.

Suggestion and recommendations

Even though I consider this program is a success but I do have few things in mind
which I thought can be use to improve it. Firstly, the time of the programme which was
done during school hours is really not suitable. Teacher should rethink of doing it during
holidays or weekend so it will not disrupt other pupils lesson. At the same time,
participants will feel more rilex as they have the school all by themselves.
Secondly, teachers can add few more interesting activities that will challenge not
only their English skills but also their physical. So, they will exercise their mind and
body at the same time.
 I also think that more prizes should be given to the groups and not only the first
three placing. If possible, all groups should be awarded with something as they did a
good job in completing all task given.
Conclusions

As a whole I think EIC program has been done successfully by the English Panel
of SK Serendah. But there is still room for improvement which I am sure the panel
already points out during their post mortem session. Congratulation to the panels because
through this program they have achieve their objectives to help pupils find English is fun.