My first poem for English learners was a serenade to say good-bye at the end of a happy semester. I felt chagrin that my advanced international students humbly would say again and again, “Oh teacher, my English is terrible. When will it be better?” I know this humility and yearning touch the hearts and ears of many teachers. Some students speak three or four languages, well or at least in a very functional fluency. Wanting them to have more confidence, respect and affirmation, I wrote and shared my first poem, My English is Beautiful.
Life unfolds in mysterious ways. From one poem to many, I now have published two poetry books, given workshops, launched a website and a YouTube Channel. Every time students respond with tears and smiles to My English is Beautiful, they touch my heart again and again. They learn more anew about voice in writing. They ask how I can understand their point of view. We begin over again and again to reflect on the power of empathy and how stories and poems helps us understand each other.
What could a teacher do with this poem? Well, it’s fun to have your students shout it out to the rooftops, to each other. Have them add gestures as they declare, “Sometimes some words are missing, so my stories are not tall!”
Explore metaphor with them, asking why their English is shy….how can that be so? How is shy different as a metaphor and an adjective? Metaphor and imagery intertwine in our minds and our students benefit from learning about them. Listen to your students express themselves on a hard day in class when the words won’t come, saying with a knowing smile, “Oh sorry, today my English is shy!”
Affirmation and body language are powerful tools to enhance learning. I usually find at least one student who creates affirmations for themselves in classrooms. This student becomes a teacher. We can create an affirmation for our class and share it regularly. By adding a power stance, hands on hips and holding the pose we affirm ourselves as speakers whose English is beautiful. We also affirm each other and confidence grows.
Gratitude flourishes as we share our thoughts, “Sometimes I need some help from you, so thank you one and all.”
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