The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) played host to a book-based treasure hunt to mark World Book Night, run by The Reading Agency which is an event aimed at inspiring people from all backgrounds to read more.
The Centenary Learning Centre at the college’s Tottenham Centre invited students from ESOL courses and Literacy and Numeracy courses to take part in a literary treasure hunt on 23 and 24 April. The event was organised and run by Pavla Jonasova from the ESOL Department, Nicky Evans and CONEL’s library team as part of the Reading Ahead Scheme, which encourages people to build confidence in their reading skills. The treasure hunt proved very popular, with over 275 students from both ESOL and Literacy and Numeracy courses taking part.
During the event, students followed a trail of puzzles, with each one leading them to a classic book or well-known author. The activities enabled them to develop problem-solving skills, work collaboratively and develop their knowledge of a range of literary titles and writers. Pavla, Nicky and the library team supported and encouraged students as they completed the challenges. Once the students had successfully completed all of the puzzles, they were able to claim their treasure, a free book from World Book Night’s Quick Read collection.
The treasure hunt reinforced the importance of both Literacy and Mathematics and offered a great introduction to the college’s library service, encouraging students to use the facilities as they develop their own reading practice.
Kamila Buhajczuk, ESOL Curriculum Manager, said: “The treasure hunt was a fantastic event that our students thoroughly enjoyed. It provided great enrichment and an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills and collaborative work. Students were very happy to receive a book as a reward for their efforts. The event was very well organised and fun for all involved.”
Sibel Tancuay, ESOL Lecturer, said: “The treasure hunt organised was an absolute joy for the learners. The thrill of finding clues encouraged learners to participate in the journey. The clues were cleverly crafted requiring several different abilities and skills. The hunt tested different techniques and gave an opportunity for the learners to become friends with other groups. The experience was a celebration of literature, a test of wit and a chance to embark on a new adventure.”
Marie Scarlett Davis, Literacy Lecturer, said: “The Treasure Hunt was well organized and engaging. It was creative and well-crafted, bringing together maths, English, problem-solving and team-building skills for all levels. My students enjoyed the experience and had fun. They took part with great enthusiasm and are looking forward to the next one!”