Poetry by the Season: ESL Lesson Ideas

Written by: Sonal Panse • Edited by: Tricia Goss
Updated Dec 12, 2011 • Related Guides: English Language Learners | English Language | Poetry

Ideas for teaching seasonal poetry in ESL classes. It is usually easier of English language learners to understand and appreciate English poetry on the seasons, and this can facilitate the language learning process.

Reading seasonal poetry in ESL classes is an excellent way of acquainting students with the marvelous literary treasures of the English language. Seasons and their changing aspects are universal and so too are the poetic themes used in seasonal poetry. Being already familiar with these can facilitate the students' learning process.

Coleridge referred to poetry as “the best words in the best form.” These are not only strung together differently than prose, they present a clear or abstract expression of a concept, situation or emotion in a musical or rhythmic way. Poetry evokes different responses in different readers and teaching it without ruining or sentimentalizing the intimacy of this response requires skill and sensitivity.

Each poem must be considered on an individual basis and taught on its own merits. There isn't any set way of teaching poetry. However, it is important to keep in mind that the main aim of teaching poetry is not so much about enhancing vocabulary or learning about figures of speech, but about developing aesthetic and intuitive skills and fostering imaginative and intellectual growth.

Ideas for Teaching Seasonal Poetry in ESL Classes

Select your season. Select a related poem you like, or ask students to research and come up with poems they like. It is important to select poems everyone can like and relate to as it is difficult to be enthusiastic about poems you don't like.
Build up a proper introduction for the poem. For example, if it's a winter poem, talk about that season.
Give a brief outline of the poem. Don't overexplain.
Read the poem in a clear way so everyone follows you.
Ask the students to read the poem themselves, silently first and then aloud. Reciting the poem out loud ensures they get the pronunciation, intonation and phrasing correct. Instead of straight-forward recital, try singing or reading in different voice tones or even acting out the poem.
Discuss what the poem is about and have the students give their input. Do they like the poem? Do they feel the poet has been successful in expressing his central idea? What are the words and imagery the poet has used to convey his/her ideas? How has he/she used sentence structure and figures of speech?
Read other poems on the same season and compare differences and similarities.
Take students to poetry readings if possible.
Students can have a go at composing poems of their own. To help them, brainstorm words, phrases and descriptions related to a particular season, write these on a chart and put the chart up so everyone can refer to it.