On Fridays I have the privilege of teaching an amazing group of students from Iran, Iraq, Yemen and Sudan.Waking yesterday to bright sunshine and blue skies sparked the slightly crazy, last-minute idea to abandon existing plans (which may make it sound like I'm better prepared for my lessons than is often the case) and head out to the park instead.
The dreary grey outside the window this morning confirms it was a good call. The reactions of my students to being out in such a beautiful space, even more so.
Quite apart from a whole host of new vocabulary and expressions being learned, it generated opportunities for conversation and meaningful cultural exchange. Above all, perhaps, it provided the space and freedom to deepen friendships and to laugh together.
We ended the morning drinking tea while we each wrote "A Poem on a Post-It". This beautifully evocative poem (for which I can only take the credit for the final stanza) was the result.
The title of the poem, said with a smile by one student before she read her post-it poem to her peers, is, to me, an expression of their growing confidence as communicators. They laugh and call me an optimist for saying so, but my students are without doubt poets in their own right. They are able to beautifully express deep meaning in a language not their own.
Listen, and I
will inspire you
As I explore
places,
Confused and
excited
Wondering
about the meaning.
Chase the
signs,
Looking for
answers.
In the lake
there are nice different things
I saw a duck
swim and have two wings
I like the
fountain with ripples for a feature
Near this is
some evergreen and deciduous nature.
Green, brown
mallard.
This fountain
Water ripples around
Inspired
To make life nice
Water
frequency
Harmony
between swans' feathers and water's surface.
Sunshine
reflects
As diamonds on the surface.
A lake as
the kingdom guarded by ducks and seagulls
There are lots of moorhens as the kings with crowns
Settled on the lake like on their
thrones.
We see many types
of birds...
Like us from our different countries.
After a
while, lonely
It's nice to
be in touch with them, so friendly
Try to keep
your happiness
Maybe it
will last
The frost
was cold this morning and my thoughts were too full.
In the
autumn open
I looked at
the wiggle of the water and we paused for glitter gold reflection.
When we
spoke about the word warm,
I felt it.
Life is here
and is going on despite all difficulties.
Ducks are
swimming in their eternal house.
I am
drowning in nature's beauties.
You can
touch the soul of nature
Feel love
and life.
You can feel
life is going on: children, adults, pensioners,
Smile.
Laughter
sparkles in the sunlight
Hidden here
among deep roots
Is the freedom
To breathe.
(Written by Group 5 at Cannon Hill Park, November 2017)
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