Lesson Topics: U.S. foreign policy, refugees, humour
Skill Focus: Reading, Speaking, Vocabulary
Approximate Class Time: 1.75 hours
Lesson Plan Download: poems-brian-bilston-upper-intermediate-092025.docx
- Foreword: This lesson presents three poems by contemporary poet Brian Bilston for discussion. The first poem is a critique of U.S. foreign policy, the second is a thought-provoking poem about refugees, and the final is a short but funny poem on losing a dog.
- The lesson starts with a few warm-up questions to segue into Bilston's first poem America is a Gun. Before reading, students list some stereotypes of the countries listed in the poem and match key vocabulary. After reading, students answer comprehension questions and then complete a roleplay about the pros and cons of immigrating to the United States.
- Next, the lesson focuses on Bilston's poem Refugees. As inputs, students can read the poem (provided in the lesson) or watch a YouTube rendition of it (I recommend the latter). This poem is quite thought-provoking. Through its unique delivery (top-to-bottom and then bottom-to-top), it presents readers both anti-refugee and pro-refugee views through the same verse. The poem is followed by comprehension questions and a roleplay on immigration/refugee policy.
- The final poem of the lesson was added for some humour. Frisbee is a short poem that ends with a humorous twist. It is followed by some discussion questions.
- In the next section, students review vocabulary terms from the three poems, matching them to definitions. Next, students form discussion questions using some of the lesson's vocabulary.
- After two famous quotations, the lesson ends with a quick collocation review and then final discussion questions.
- I rarely write lessons on poetry. If you enjoyed the lesson, please leave a comment below!
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2/C1) Lesson on Three Poems by Brian Bilston
In this lesson, you will read and discuss three poems by Brian Bilston, a contemporary British poet who has been nicknamed the “unofficial Poet Laureate of Twitter” and “The Banksy of Poetry.”
Poem #1: Warm-Up Questions
- Do you enjoy poetry? Why or why not?
- Write down one idea that you associate with the following countries:
England - _____________ France - _____________ Greece - _____________
Brazil - _____________ Argentina - _____________ Germany - _____________
Holland - _____________ Australia - _____________ Japan - _____________
Scotland - _____________ the U.S. - _____________
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[Permission to reproduce these three poems was obtained from the poet. Please visit https://brianbilston.com/ to see more poems and his books for sale.]
This lesson plan was created by Matthew Barton of EnglishCurrent.com (copyright). Site members may photocopy and edit the file for their classes. Permission is not given to rebrand the lesson, redistribute it on another platform, or sell it as part of commercial course curriculum. ChatGPT was used to generate answer keys and some famous quotations. For questions, contact the author.
Poem #1 Comprehension Question Answer Key
- …
- To highlight how America is often associated with violence, in contrast to other countries that are linked with food, culture, or traditions.
- Repetition reinforces the central idea and gives the poem a heavy, serious, almost chant-like tone.
- The poet is criticizing America by choosing a negative symbol (a gun), though some may argue it is also a description of how the U.S. is perceived worldwide.
Poem #2 Comprehension Q Answer Key
- Top-to-bottom: compassionate and welcoming; bottom-to-top: hostile and rejecting
- …
- To show how perspective flips meaning and to make readers reflect on bias; it could also reflect how people naturally begin anti-immigrant and through education become more openminded
- Empathy and hope vs. discomfort, anger, or sadness; overall, shock at the contrast
- The soundtrack amplifies the emotional swing, uplifting in one reading, somber in the other
- This is an idiom from playing cards. It describes the circumstances or situation you are given in life, often by chance and not by choice
Poem #3 Comprehension Q Answer Key
- Frisbee was not a toy, but a dog; the poem implies the dog ended up in the sea (possibly drowned or thrown).
- To use misdirection and irony to surprise the reader, forcing them to rethink each line after discovering Frisbee is a dog.
- It could describe either: A toy Frisbee flying above people’s heads (the misleading interpretation), or The dog himself, suggesting he was lifted, thrown, or otherwise airborne.
- …
- …
Vocab review answer key: 1-h, 2-e, 3-c, 4-f, 5-a, 6-g, 7-b, 8-d
Collocations: 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a
In poem “Frisbee”, there is a typo. ” out to see” should be “out to sea”.
Updated. Much appreciated!