It is supposed to be winter, yet the sun blazes in its full glory, washing everything in golden light and scorching everything in sight.
Every January, students usually think along this line as they step down the tarmac of the airport on their way to Kalikasan’s campus nestled in the foothills of Mt. Talinis.
They have signed up for Winter English Orientation Program, more commonly known among Kalikasan students as the Winter Camp.
Every January since Kalikasan was established in Valencia, the Winter Camp Program has been offered for Korean students who wish to study and improve their English over their winter holidays.
The campers are usually between 11 and 16 years old, and come from various middle schools and high schools in Korea. They are also given the liberty to choose an English nickname for themselves.
Winter Camp usually runs for four weeks, wherein students study English, experience the local culture, and travel to interesting places in the region and the neighboring islands.
This camp is an opportunity for the students to strengthen their English, focusing on the four macro skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing; to experience a “sunny” winter where most days are spent in close proximity with the natural wonders of the tropics; and to create special memories and friendships with both the teachers and other campers.
Since January last year, Kalikasan opened its doors to college students from Jeju National University. These students represent colleges of Humanities, Economics & Commerce, Social Science, Engineering, Education, and Natural Sciences.
Being a more focused-minded group of students, the Jeju campers have more specific goals for their English studies.
Miller, a Political Science major, said she wants to use English better in her social interactions.
Joy, taking up Economics, said she plans to use English for communicating in business.
Other campers said they will use English for research purposes, and for building personal confidence.
As varied as the reasons may be for the Jeju campers, the teachers at Kalikasan work hard to meet each student’s English-language needs; also keeping in mind that the students must develop an appreciation for the culture and the beauty of the region, which will be their home for the next four weeks.
Included in the academic calendar for the camps this year are trips within Negros and to the neighboring islands Siquijor and Apo.
This not only fulfills the goal of the school to promote the wonders of the country, but also to expose the students to a variety of situations that allow them to use the English language in their interactions with locals and other foreigners they meet along the way.
Both camps have activities that will give the students an opportunity to share their time, effort, and resources with members of the local communities in Valencia and Dumaguete. This is in keeping with Kalikasan’s commitment to community outreach programs.
The camps officially started Jan. 3, with the arrival of the Jeju campers. This year’s camps are managed by Virginia Stack, School administrator. The regular Winter Camp is supervised and coordinated by Lailen Flores, while the Jeju Camp has Jhoewelyn David as program coordinator. (Michal Quiocho)
