Analysing 'Search for My Tongue'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse the imagery in 'Search for My Tongue' and link this with the theme of pride.
Key learning points
- 'Search for My Tongue' shows the importance of language in shaping our identity.
- Initially, Bhatt fears she has lost her mother tongue, Gujarati, after immigrating to America.
- Bhatt then finds her mother tongue again, writing the second stanza in Gujarati.
- Bhatt ends the poem showing great pride in her ability to still speak her mother tongue.
- Bhatt uses plant imagery in the poem to reflect the power of one's native language.
Keywords
Belonging - feeling happy or comfortable as part of a group
Immigrant - a person who has come to a different country to live there permanently
Pride - a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction because of something you have achieved, possess or are part of
Common misconception
Students may misconceive what the phrase "my tongue" means initially.
Explain the figurative language involved in the phrase "my tongue" and the link to language.
Teacher tip
If any of your students are multi-lingual, encourage them to talk about their personal connections to the poem when reading it.
Equipment
You will need a copy of 'Search for My Tongue' by Sujata Bhatt for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is imagery?
Q2.What does to 'rot' mean?
Q3.The phrase 'mother tongue' refers to ...
Q4.What connects all of the following words: 'bud', 'grow', 'blossom', 'root'?
Q5.Which word means 'speaking more than one language'?
Q6.What does 'immigration' mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is interesting about the second stanza in 'Search for My Tongue'?
Q2.What does the image of the mother tongue rotting in 'Search for My Tongue' suggest?
Q3.What imagery is used throughout 'Search for My Tongue'?
Q4.What feeling is present in the first stanza of 'Search for My Tongue'?
Q5.How does Bhatt show pride in her identity and heritage in 'Search for My Tongue'?
Q6.The image of the mother tongue blossoming in 'Search for My Tongue' could reflect ...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Analysing 'Search for My Tongue', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Analysing 'Search for My Tongue', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the Poetry about place and home unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.