Poetry is emotional, personal, creative, and communicative. It is also a powerful vehicle for internalizing new words and expressions in a foreign language. As Robert Frost wrote, "Poetry is what gets lost in translation." Even novice-level language learners can create interesting and meaningful poems. Here's how:
Hello and Goodbye Poems
Create at least five corresponding sets of Hello/Goodbye phrases, such as Hello September/Goodbye freedom, Hello chocolate/Goodbye diet, Hello baby/Goodbye sleep, Hello butterfly/Goodbye caterpillar, Hello dreams/Goodbye reality.
Name Acrostic
Write your first name, and then a descriptive adjective that starts with each letter of the name. More advanced speakers can use an entire phrase beginning with the letter. An acrostic for the name Ben might look like this: Bright / Energetic / Night-Owl.
Bio-Poems
Fill in the suggested information for each line.
- Line 1: First name
- Line 2: 4 adjectives that describe you
- Line 3: Who is (+ noun)
- Line 4: Who loves (+ 3 nouns or verbs)
- Line 5: Who wants to visit (+ place)
- Line 6: Who is scared of (+ 3 things)
- Line 7: Who is . . . years old
- Line 8: Who lives in . . .
- Line 9: Last name
Word Picture
Use words to draw pictures. This works well for body parts, rooms of the house, nature scenes, foods--any concrete thematic set of nouns. First, draw a picture lightly in pencil, and then write words over and over on top of the lines. For example, when drawing a face, the mouth could be made up of the words mouthmouthmouth in the shape of a smile, and nosenosenose in the shape of a nose, etc. To make this really impressive, write very small letters in different colored thin line markers and erase the original pencil lines when you are done. Word pictures are also a fun way to reinforce spelling.
Shape Poem
This is a more advanced version of the word picture. Instead of single words, write descriptive verses, similes, or metaphors in the shape of the object you are writing about.
Cinquains
These five-line poems are great for beginners. Use them to write about places, animals, or people.
- Line 1: Noun
- Line 2: Two adjectives that describe the noun
- Line 3: Three actions (verbs) associated with the noun
- Line 4: Short phrase or simile describing your feelings about the noun
- Line 5: Repeat the noun
Found Poetry
Cut out interesting words and phrases from native language magazines and newspapers. Play with the clippings, choosing the ones that appeal to you. Arrange the words into free verse.
Found Poetry can also be created with Magnetic Poetry. Magnetic Poetry kits include 300-500 magnetized word tiles that allow users to manipulate and rearrange interesting words into memorable poems. The kits are available in English, French, Italian, German, Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch, Yiddish, and American Sign Language. Kids' Kits, available in Spanish and French, include over 200 tiles with English on one side of each tile, and Spanish or French on the other side.
Share Your Poems
Show off your literary achievements by illustrating and collecting your poems in a scrapbook. A coffee shop poetry reading with fellow language learners is a fun, special way to celebrate your poems.
Get lost in translation . . . write a foreign language poem.
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