The Internet TESL Journal

A Campus Scavenger Hunt for ESL Students

Linda Hollandsworth
linda [at] coastal.edu
Coastal Carolina University (Conway, South Carolina, USA)

Introduction

One of the favorite activities among the first-year ESL students at Coastal Carolina University is the Campus Scavenger Hunt. This lesson seeks to introduce students to all facets of the college community helping them become familiar with the physical layout of the campus and the many resources available. You may adapt this lesson to use with your students.

• Level
  • First-year college students
• Time
  • Two days
• Materials
  • Notebooks and pens
• Objective
  • The objective of the Campus Scavenger Hunt is to assist first-year students in an orientation of the campus community while helping them become familiar with important available resources and the locations of those resources.
• Procedure
  • The class should be divided into several small groups and should be given at least two days to complete the exercise.
  • The exercise should be completed by the next class period.
  • Students should prepare a two-minute oral presentation on one of the most interesting experiences they had while on the hunt.
  • To make this even more interesting, prizes may be awarded to the group who finds the most items.

The Campus Scavenger Hunt

1. What is the room number for the Student Government Association Office and where is it located? Obtain a signature of a SGA executive officer.

2. What is the room number for the Director of International Programs Office and where is it located? Obtain a signature of the Director or the Administrative Assistant.

3. What is the name of the college student newspaper? Find a copy and bring it with you to class.

4. Where do you go for athletics information? Obtain copies of both men's and women's basketball schedules.

5. Where do you go to get your campus e-mail account? What is the room number and building?

6. Compose a list of five items OTHER than books that can be found in our college library. How did the library get its name?

7. In which residence hall is the Office of Residence Life located? What are the names of the other residence halls?

8. Where do you go if you need counseling? What kinds of counseling will you be able to obtain? Bring a pamphlet from Counseling Services with a counselor's signature to class.

9. Where do you go when you need help with your writing, math, foreign language, or computer skills? Find the name and location of each of these areas and obtain a signature from someone in each of the four centers.

10. Do you know what is available for college alumni? Find the location of the Office of Alumni Affairs and obtain the signature of the person in charge.

11. Do you know where to find the Deans' offices? Find the office location and number of each of the Deans on campus.

12. How do you get involved on campus? Find the name and location of the office that advises student organizations and get a signature from someone in that office.

13. What are the names of the four colleges on our campus?

14. Find the name of the campus mascot and its origin.

15. Where do you go on campus to get career information? Find the name and location of this office and obtain the signature of a career counselor.

16. Do you know any student-athletes? Get a signature from a student-athlete and find out in what sport he/she competes.

17. Do you know that there is important information about the college on the Internet? Locate and print out a copy of the college home page to bring to class.

18. Where do you go for help when you become ill? Find the location of this office and obtain a pamphlet on the services provided to bring to class.

19. What is the deadline for reapplying for financial aid for the upcoming academic year? Find the location of the Office of Financial Aid and ask for this information.

20. Where do you go if there is a problem with your tuition bill or payment? Find the name and location of this office. Obtain a signature from someone who works in this office.

21. Where is your academic advisor located? Find the name and location of this office and obtain a signature from this person.

Follow-Up

Students deliver oral presentations and each group turns in the written assignment. This fun activity is a good way for students to become familiar quickly with the college campus and with resources provided. In addition to orienting students to the campus and its resources, they are able to meet many new people. This is an exercise to which instructors can refer throughout the semester as they attempt to help students thoroughly familiarize themselves with the college.

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The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. VII, No. 7, July 2001
http://iteslj.org/

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http://iteslj.org/Lessons/Hollandsworth-Scavanger.html