Some experiences in establishing, organizing and maintaining effectively the English club at Tinh Gia 3 High Schools

1. INTRODUCTION 
1.1. The reason of selecting the topic 
Today we are witnessing the interaction and interdependence among nations in the world of information, science, technology, education and culture. In this context, English acts as an important communication tool for the country's economic, scientific and technological development and regional integration, as well as for intercultural exchanges countries in the region and in the world.
Nowadays, Tinh Gia where my school is clocated has The Nghi Son Economic Zone. The Nghi Son Economic Zone was established in 2006 over almost 18,612 hectares in 12 communes in Tinh Gia District, Thanh Hoa Province. The zone was designed for different industries with priority given to heavy industry. Eight years plus after it began operation, the Nghi Son Economic Zone has attracted 94 investment projects totaling US$16.8 billion in registered capital, including 15 ongoing foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a combined capital of almost US$10 billion. The economic zone boasts many large-scale projects including the 5.8 million tonnes per year Cong Thanh cement plant; the one million tonnes of steel billet per year Nghi Son steel plant; Nghi Son 1 Thermoelectric Plant, Nghi Son 2 Thermoelectric Plant and some other power projects with a total capacity of 2,400MW; and the US$9 billion Nghi Son refinery project. It means that knowing English in here is very important for the people who want to get good jobs because there are many foreign companies. This is the reason why we had intention of establishing an English club with the purpose of helping our students use English masterly and develop their language skills. 
The ability to communicate in English is one of the basic skills that need to be established for the young generation in Vietnam. Therefore, English language teaching and learning in general, junior high school in particular, should focus on developing communication skills in English for students. Teaching and learning English at the high level, helps students expand their vision, enrich their life experiences.
Thus, to help students develop their ability to communicate, we need to train our students to be brave and self-confident in learning English; At the same time, we have to provide life skills for them as well as create good conditions for them to develop comprehensively. They need more opportunities, more time, and need to have an environment to practice English, to meet with teachers and friends more. It is the interaction with friends that will give them the confidence, encouragement in communication and these opportunities that can only be activities outside class time!
However, throughout the extracurricular activities of the team, I have discovered that many students are able to communicate in English. They can give presentations, rhetoric, exchange, Q & A, introduce themselves in English in a natural way. They want to develop their abilities, but they have little chance to show their strengths. Then why we don’t try to give them more opportunities to develop, to multiply the typical passion for learning English as well as attract many prospective students with the ability to communicate English well. 
From the experience above, I think I have to find ways to organize and maintain effectively the English Club at my school and fortunately, this year, Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemicals LLC supported us to establish an English Club in October 2017.
Through the operation of the English club at the school in one year, I have learned some experiences as well as have many concerns and thoughts in trying to find better, practical and more effective solutions to maintain and promote the effectiveness of the English club, and how to improve students' listening and speaking skills, facilitating the teaching and learning of English in the school. The above reasons have inspired me to conduct my initiative with the title “ Some experiences in establishing, organizing and maintaining effectively the English club at Tinh Gia 3 High Schools.”
1.2. Objectives.
1.2.1. Objectives of research 
1.2.1.1. For the students
- Recognize the important of English and the benefits that they can get when joining the club.
- Provide members with an overview of how to establish, organize and maintain the English club.
- Know how to improve their communication skills.
1.2.1.2. For the teachers
- Know how to establish, organize and maintain effectively the English club.
- Know how to stimulate students to improve their communication skills when joining the club,
1.2.2. Research tasks 
Find out the reason why most English club at Tinh Gia 3 high school work ineffectively.
- Apply my research to establish, organize and maintain the clubs , then compare, contrast the implementation of the topic. 
- Evaluate and conclude the effectiveness of topic.
1.3. Scope of research
I mainly focus on:
- It is about effective methods to establish, organize and maintain effectively the English club.
1.2.4. Research methodology 
I write this topic based on:
- The method of studying theory.
- The method of investigating.
- Applying the topic to establish, organize and maintain the clubs at Tinh Gia 3 high school. 
- Comparison, collation and summary of the result, effect of the topic.
2. PROBLEM SOLVING
2.1. Rationale and reality
2.1.1. Rationale :
2.1.1.1 The development of the idea of setting up the English Club: 
History has shown and proven to us that human beings have been known to organize community activities in groups, according to their tribes, for a long time. That has brought about many effects and promotion until today. On the mass media or through local reality, nowhere do we see the appearance of clubs such as club farmer, gardeners club, club youth, women, clubs who do not have a third child ... etc. This means that the form of club activities has long been and has many practical effects in human life and development.
 In some schools there are organized clubs such as the lovers of mathematics clubs, literary clubs, English clubs, chess clubs .... This club has promoted the learning movement among students.
Through the actual time to attend the music, art is very easy to notice that students are very passionate, interested. Seeing the students drunk singing, drawing I asked myself "Why are students so passionate? Why do students get tired of studying English? Why do not we stimulate the spirit of passion, do not create the pleasure in the study of the students? "
2.1.1.2. Roles of the English club at schools :
Club activities are one of the activities that contribute to innovate teaching methods in schools.
The club is a school-based activity that is organized and managed by teachers, under the direction of the Board of Education, giving students the right to rest and positive education, encouraging students to improve their knowledge, creating an environment for them to develop, moral training, developing life skills. This is an important orientation contributing to the improvement of comprehensive education.
From the above, it is clear that the Club plays an important role in enhancing the effectiveness of comprehensive education in the school.
From the above, I determined that the organization and maintenance of the English Club's performance is one of the key tasks of the school year, as well as a practical activity for students to practice. The ability to communicate in English, fun, healthy entertainment, moral training, life skills development, helping to develop the whole.
2.1.2. Reality : Current situation of English speaking ability of students in the course teaching
 Innovating teaching methods in English in junior high school is the development of communication skills for students, especially the method of teaching Listening, Speaking skills. Optimal method helps students practice these skills. However, due to objective and subjective conditions, my students are limited in English speaking classes.
They are shy, not aggressive, afraid of wrong, passive in the practice. Probably because the time is not enough to help them have opportunity to practice, the results of these classes often do not meet the expectations. Even the good students are also very reluctant as well as lack of confidence. Although they have real talent, passive environment is hard to excite the interest of the students. Therefore, their passion is not satisfied, their strengths have little chance to show.
When surveying, surveying the psychology of 40 students in grade 11 years when learning the Speaking (Speaking), I obtained the results as follows:
Confident
Less confident
Not confident
5 students – 12.5 %
15 students – 37.5%
20 students – 50 %
From the above results, when learning to practice, most students are timid, lacking in confidence, resulting in unsatisfactory results. Their ability to communicate is difficult to develop well.
2.2. Measure implementation
2.2.1. Organizations. 
- In order to form an English club in the school, the first thing is to have the direction, the support of the leaderships and the school board combining with the determination of teachers in the team subject.
- The leader must develop the organizational structure and activities then submit it to the school leaders for consideration, supplement and approval.
 - Within the subject group, there must be agreement on the assignment and the program of action.
2.2.1.1 The organizational structure includes:
- Head of the club: Deputy principal.
- Vice chairman of the club: in charge of professional field is the professional team leader.
- Vice President in charge of entertainment or one of the teacher from the subject group.
- 03 leaders representing blocks 10,11,12.
2.2.1.2 Tasks:
- Head of the club: Giving general direction and management, working with two deputy heads to develop the program of activities, suggest ideas, seek the guidance of the superior leaders.
- Vice President responsible for professional: regularly monitor the situation or the actual needs of students in the school in the subject of English, from which elaborate each specific program, with the topics closing to the main lessons in the textbooks to enhance learning efficiency, stimulate the learning spirit of the students. Collaborate with other members of the board to develop club activities, assign assignments, and help team leaders work in teams; mainly run and manage the club meetings.
- Vice President in charge of the arts: The teacher in charge of this task is responsible for the training of performances such as singing, dancing, drama for students. Collaborate with other members in the development of the program. Head of decoration, music for the event or warm-up activities of the meetings. Support the Vice chairman of the club in running and managing as well as teaching lessons in the meetings.
- Group leaders: manage, monitor, assign, and assist the team members during their activities. Represent the members of the team to make suggestions, reflect the needs ... for responsible teachers in the club.
 - Membership: The members of the club must comply with the assignment and direction of the team leaders and responsible teachers in the club. Ensure proper implementation of club schedules and activities. Must have membership card, membership fee.
2.2.2. Program of activities:
- The program of the club must be in line with the students' ability in each class, the focus of the speech activities must be close to the surrounding life, must be realistic and stick to the main curriculum. 
- The program for the whole year organizers must develop and submit to the guidance of leaders and administrators from the beginning of the year. 
- The club has 8 meetings and 3 big events in each year. Each meeting has its own topic. The organizer must make plans before 5 days to prepare for the events well. 
- The program of the club must have a combination of professional training and other activities and entertainment games. The program must really appeal to students.
- The program of activities must constantly change, improve or renew activities to constantly improve the efficiency of the club.
- In the club activities, the organizers must pay attention to the form of decoration and the music and instruments for each program.
2.2.2.1 Topics
An English Learning Club is a terrific way to improve your spoken English skills. English Learning Clubs have the added benefits of being a great way to make new friends, learn about topics you might not have been aware of, and even hone your debating skills. It’s not necessary to devote the entirety of your club meetings to debate, but it can be a stimulating and though-provoking way to spend two and half hours or so each month.
Here are some suggested topics:
Appearance and Character
Mid-Autumn festival
Likes and dislikes
Halloween
My day
People
Rooms inside the house
Christmas and New Year
Furniture
It ‘s play time
Things to do
 Music
 Sport 
 Weather 
 Clothes
 Getting around.
 Eating out
 At the farm
 At the zoo
 Vacation
 Technology
 Hobbies 
Food and drinks
 Environment 
 Education 
To run a club smoothly, from the beginning, we had to make a general plan to choose specific topics for each meeting , and here is our meeting plan that we carried last year.
English Club – Meeting Plan
Session
Activities
Notes
Session 1
Topic: All About Me 
-To help students practice introducing themselves to others 
-Help students speak about themselves and others (hobbies, habits, dreams, ect.)
Session 2
Topic: Feeling & Emotions
-To provide students with vocabulary about weather Feelings and Emotions
-To help students Talking about Feelings and Emotions
Session 3
Topic: Weather 
-To provide students with vocabulary about weather
-To help students speak about different types of weather
Session 4 
Topic: Food, Drinks & Eating Out
-To provide students with vocabulary of food 
-To help students talk about what they eat 
-To help students practice dialogues when they eating out
Session 5
Topic: Clothes & Shopping for Clothes 
-To provide students with vocabulary of clothes
-To help students talk about what they are wearing
-To help students practice conversation when shopping clothes 
Session 6
Topic: Asking For & Giving Direction 
-To provide students with vocabulary using for asking and giving directions 
-To help students practice and talk about asking and giving direction 
Session 7
Topic: Holidays, Festivals and Celebrations 
-To provide students with vocabulary of typical holidays and festivals in Vietnam and elsewhere 
- To help students practice and talk about holidays and festivals
- To help students talk about celebrations of some holidays and festivals (Halloween, X-mas, New-year, etc.)
Session 8
Topic: Learning About Life Around The World 
-To provide opportunity for students to learn about life and other cultures in the world 
- To help students talk about life and other cultures in the world 
- To help students to prepare for Interschool-English Gala Event 
 2.2.2.2 Lesson plan
Before having a meeting, the fist things we had to do was making a lesson plan. All those who are in the teaching line will vouch for the importance of a lesson plan.
A lesson plan is a concise and organized structure which provides answers to important questions about how a teacher can maintain a standard pattern of teaching.
Lesson planning provides a step-by-step guide to teachers to delve deep into what he/she is teaching, how the teaching should progress, and the contents of the lecture and eventually whether the students understand what is being taught.
Alongside planning for these criteria which are crucial for a comprehensive learning, a lesson plan benefits teachers in more ways than you can imagine.
And these are some examples of our lesson plans.
SESSION 1: ALL ABOUT ME
Activity
Procedure
Notes 
Warm up: 
CATCH - NAME – (20 mins)
Students stand in a circle, pass a ball around and say their names (Slow pace then increases the pace) so that everyone getting to know each other.
Ball holder say one name that he/she know their name then toss the ball to that person/or throw the ball in the middle of the circle. The student whose name is called have to try to catch the ball and the ball catcher will jump to stand in the circle and say 
“Hello, my name is/or I am .. 
Nice to meet you” (ball catcher can say something about themselves), 
All reply “Nice, to meet you too”.
Activity ends when all have introduced their names to the club.
MATERIAL: A ball 
Getting to know one another 
Set comfortable zone
Activity 1
Introduction about the theme & some expected outcome (2mins)
LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MYSELF (30mins)
Make 3 - 4 groups of 5 to 6 (depends on the number of students)
Give each student a paper with blank information to be filled in individually (guidance to be provided as worksheet 1 attached). fill their information and 
Practice within group: Students take turn introduce themselves in the group
Each group choose one 1 introduction that impress them most then share with other group.
Finally, all attach their introduction on the board. Or, group leader will collect all for later use or decoration about the club members when they have their own Buletin Board.
MATERIAL: Handout “All about me”
Practice using mind-map
Practice introducing oneself to another 
Learn more about each other and increase understanding among students 
Tea Break
10 mins
Activity 2
FIND FRIENDS WHO (25 mins)
The students must find someone who can say “yes” to the questions on a questionnaire. When they find someone who says “yes”, they should have that person write their name on the list (next to the statement). 
Reform 3-4 groups with students have at least 6 “Yes” of the same question.
Example: 6 students say “Yes” for the questions about: Ice Cream, Football, English, Use Facebook, have a Cat, Have a computer, etc.
Each group with similarities share in group different reasons why they like or dislike the same things. Then share with other groups. 
MATERIAL: List of statements can be used to ask students. Open-questions can be used for Yes – No questions 
Find shared interests and hobbies to establish bond among students 
Activity 3
Bingo Games (25’)
Sing the song 
Guide to play the game
Facilitate students 
Check result 
Activity 4
My day (20’)
Give example of a daily routine (as Worksheet 3a) 
Deliver Worksheet 3b and guide/facilitate students write their own routine. Noted that students have to write/draw the time for each of activities. It is open for students to decorate their sheets 
Get students present within the groups (as formed by activity 2)
Get 1 or 2 volunteers from each group to present in front of the class (instead of getting the volunteer, facilitator can nominate or do drawing to have representors from each group. In case time allowed, all students are encouraged to present 
MATERIAL: Handouts 3b – if time is limited, this activity is handed as homework 
Widen speaking about oneself (daily routine)
Summarising & Introduction about rules and routines
15 mins
Once every member has known each other well. It’s time for setting rules and routines of the club and vote for agreement. 
Summarise today’s activities and lessons learned
Encourage involment 
Emphasize Organized place and Cleanliness
Ideas about a club’s decorations
Topic for next meetings (X-Mas)
Have all agreed with common rules and routines for better performance and collaboration
SESSION 2: FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS
Activity
Procedure
Notes
Warm-up 
Ball passing (15 ')
- The students stand in circles and pass the ball
- The first player to hold the ball, say his name and something that he likes. Then pass the ball to the next person and give the offer to that person
"Say your name and favori