1. Presenter: Marco Brazil
Title: Reinventing Traditional Filipino Games For Children’s English Class
Format: Workshop
Abstract:
Children around the world share one common love: Playing games. Games are powerful
instruments for children’s conversation, communication, connection, and interaction. Games
allow children to bond through shared culture and language. This is particularly true in the
Philippines. Traditional Filipino games are an integral part of children’s communication with
their peers, friends, relatives, and many other people in their daily lives. Traditional games
also play an important role at festivals, holidays, and other special occasions, reminding
children of their culture and identity. Traditional games are not just fun; they nourish
children’s hearts and souls. They form an important part of children’s learning experiences and
cultural awareness. Moreover, games can have a positive influence on children’s physical,
mental, emotional, and moral well-being. Traditional Filipino games are easy to play and use
simple objects like sticks, stones, shells, cans, bottle caps, and balls. There is no need for
expensive cards, fancy toys and gadgets, or video game systems. Rather, the focus is on
interaction, communication, and fun. The simplicity of traditional Filipino games makes them
ideal activities for language practice, too. In this presentation we will look at ways to reinvent
traditional Filipino games in order to teach children English and to introduce another culture
to them. The presenter will demonstrate classroom-tested, traditional Filipino games that
Japanese students love to play while learning English. Come ready to play and learn new games
that your students will love, too.
Profile:
Marco holds a Master’s degree in Child Psychology and a degree in Development Communication.
He has been teaching children and training teachers in Japan for over 18 years. He strongly
believes learning and teaching English should be fun and easy for both; non-native learners and
non-native teachers. Theater is a passion and directing plays is what turns him high. Marco, his
wife, his daughter, and his pet dog Pippin, live in Tsukuba City, Japan