Sunday September 16, 2012

Are you game for English?

AN English centre in Gua Musang, Kelantan was recently transformed into a “play-house” where students and volunteer trainers switched into game-mode to encourage students to speak English.

Board games and fun-filled activities were introduced in the four-day programme titled “Learning English with games”, organised by KJ Generation Resources (KJGR) and Legacy Builders Association of Malaysia.

KJGR principal and co-director Josephine Kumar said that the creative method of teaching English was conducted by eight volunteer trainers from Serdang, Selangor.

Play time: Kids enjoying an indoor game activity while conversing in English.

“They used different games to intermingle with the students and in a way encouraged them to communicate in English,” said Josephine.

Games such as Twister, UNO Stacko, Pictionary, hangman, puzzle searching and “Simon says” were used.

Team leader Rena Esmeralda Mano, 25, said that the event aimed to engage participants in English conversations without feeling pressurised to learn the globally spoken language.

“We were surprised to see some students who were shy and timid at the beginning of the session, becoming responsive and interactive during the programme,” said Rena, who works as a client relationship consultant.

Another trainer, Mervin Raymond, 22, said that besides interacting with the students through games, the team also taught them manners, toilet etiquette and motivated them using video-clips.

The programme saw the participation of about 60 students between the ages of four to 18.