My project is already well under way and concerns the teaching and learning of literature, with a special focus on poetry.  Over the past three years I have tried to motivate my learners, who study English as a second language, to read and appreciate literature in English.  I believe I have made great strides with a particular group who have not only begun to read and interpret poetry but to write it as well.

Co-editor Denise Newfield and I have just published an interim collection of their poems which is to be launched at the Wits Writing Centre on 23 June 2005 and we are hoping to publish an anthology commecially.  The launch at Wits aims to showcase the learners poetry and invitations will be sent to the student-poets, principal, educators and parents at the school and neighbouring schools, along with members of the academic community and educationalists, especially those with an interest in creative writing and poetry.

I would like the student-poets to be present at the launch, and to perform and recite their poems to this audience as I believe this will be a growing and beneficial experience for them in a number of ways: It will be a celebration and validation of the work they have undertaken over the past three years.  Presentation and performance of their work before this audience will be a highly developmental experience for them.  It will introduce them to Wits campus and the possibilities of a university education as I will organise a short tour of Wits before the launch).

They are all from disadvantaged backgrounds, but their work suggests that some of them have the potential to become leaders and writers in South Africa.

Languages Learning Area (LLC2).

A selection of students from Grades 9-12 with a special interest and achievement in the writing of poetry. Many important principles of the RNCS are covered by my poetry project, namely, democratic citizenship, redress and equity. It takes into account both local and indigenous knowledges and knowledge of the global arena, as well as multilingualism. (Students wrote in their mother tongue first, and their English poems contain other languages as well). It aims to promote innovative thinking as a necessary skill for entrepreneurship, as well as effective communication and team work. It has tried to develop learners who are confident and independent, compassionate towards other, and who themselves have aspirations and ambitions. It follows the principle of bathopele - of people first, through consultation, negotiation and democreatic procedure.