Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kim Jong Jordan]

Great, my boss just informed me that they want my summer camp to be primarily activity based, contrary to the educationally based theme he's had me going on for the past week and a half. Not a big deal except that there is absolutely no money (budget) for me to purchase any supplies or whathaveyou for these activities. Thus, I need to come up with some fun reading, writing, speaking and listening activities at no cost. I already plan on doing a movie lesson which the kids (high school, all boys) should like but I'm a little stuck on the other areas, namely reading and writing. My students are upper-beginner to lower-intermediate as they will be a mixture of the first and second years. I was just informed of this a few minutes ago so the whole concept is fresh to me as my mind has been geared towards proper lessons which is what they initially wanted me to do. So any and all ideas from anybody who has ever done anything remotely engaging in classes with 20 students please share your coveted and wondrous activity ideas with me as such would be appreciated beyond what could possibly be coveyed over a message board (did I mention that they want me to hand it in on Monday!?). Thanks again in advance!

[iPeed]

Happy Canada Day by the way.
I had to hand mine in yesterday. I think every public school must have gotten the same memo cuz I was told to make mine more activity and less book as well.
I've never taught summer before, but maybe these will get you rolling:
- cooking day (make simple healthy meals that don't actually require heat)
- musical chairs with English questions
- make a newspaper

stuff like that maybe?

[Kim Jong Jordan]

My camp is 4 hours a day for 5 days with high school boys, the musical chairs and cooking activity probably wouldn't fly. So far I'm doin a movie lesson, letter writing, a topical news lesson, some speaking activities and I'm not sure what else. One of the difficulties for me is that I have nothing to work with, no special room to use, zero money or materials, and a co-staff who don't have the foggiest idea of whats going so they offer nothing in regards to what exactly they want me to do. Oh well, I had a busy weekend so I didn't work on it and I'll have to try to hand something in tomorrow.

[laogaiguk]

The cooking is a great idea. Helps with imperatives too. Plus you can eat all their food as the teacher, and give them whatever pickings are left (just kidding).

For highschool boys, some sort of English Dodgeball. You can yell out (or others could) descriptions of people (tall, ...). Now in the end, this has little (though some) educational value, but it is a great way to get them warmed up or use it as a reward. Find a very, very soft ball though. And watch to make sure they don't always call only one kind of person

Movies can be good, but you should also turn them into a reward. Don't start with them right off. Let the students know it is a reward.

[Kim Jong Jordan]

Those sound okay although I don't think I'll have the space for the dodgeball game. I was thinking of doing some creative writing, perhaps a haiku lesson. Teach them the structure, give them a topic (perhaps humourous) have them write one, then read them in class. What do you think?