By Dr. Grace Jacott, Coordinator – ICCTL & Ms. Simone Augustus, Corporate Communications Officer
The University of the Southern Caribbean’s (USC) International Center for Corporate Training and Languages (ICCTL) recently concluded a successful two-week vacation camp aimed at enhancing English language skills for over eighty participants from French Guiana. From May 6-17, 2024, children, parents, and educators from Ecole Adventiste and La Perseverance schools participated in the immersive program designed to improve English proficiency and explore Trinidad’s vibrant culture.
Dr. Grace Jacott, Coordinator of ICCTL, spearheaded the initiative, which sought to provide an engaging and comprehensive English-learning experience. Recognizing the basic introduction to English in the French Guianese elementary curriculum, ICCTL invited the Seventh-day Adventist elementary schools to Trinidad for a full immersion experience.
The camp had three primary goals:
- To immerse native French speakers in an English-rich environment.
- To introduce USC’s various ESL offerings and undergraduate programs.
- To provide cultural exposure and tourism experiences in Trinidad.
English Immersion Strategies & Learning Initiatives
To achieve the first objective, ICCTL created an environment saturated with English language activities. Each day started with the Lord’s Prayer in English, followed by YouTube sing-alongs of familiar Bible choruses. Closed-captioning and action verb demonstrations enhanced word identification and comprehension.
Innovative strategies, such as placing appealing posters in play areas, encouraged children to read while playing. The application of the VARK learning model (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic) ensured comprehensive engagement. This included singing along to YouTube videos to learn grammar, active modeling of concepts in the classroom, and writing activities using USC-provided textbooks.
Adults in the group also participated in active learning. In one notable session, Mrs. Bengochea led participants in a creative exercise where they designed and described their own costumes, applying new vocabulary about clothing. All participants received academic information packages, including details on USC’s ESL programs and a French/English ESL video for further dissemination.
The camp also featured field trips guided by native English speakers, allowing participants to explore Trinidad’s Eastern, Southern, and Western regions. Highlights included the Caroni Bird Sanctuary and the La Brea Pitch Lake, both of which were described as “awesome” by the visitors.
Commitment to Excellence
USC’s core pillars, Spiritual Ethos and Academic Excellence, were integral to the camp’s structure. Daily devotional programs supported the spiritual development of participants. Separate classes for adults and children, facilitated by USC faculty and regular ESL tutors respectively, underscored the commitment to academic excellence through varied pedagogical approaches catering to all learning styles.
The camp also aimed to bolster ICCTL’s strategic goals, including increased marketing of its regular ESL programs. Participants returned to French Guiana with ESL advertisements for widespread dissemination. The short language courses offered by ICCTL have proven to be lucrative, contributing to the center’s financial sustainability.
The two-week camp not only enhanced the English proficiency of its participants but also fostered cultural exchange and strengthened educational ties between Trinidad and French Guiana. The positive feedback and successful outcomes of the program highlight USC’s dedication to providing impactful language education and immersive cultural experiences.
