This lesson uses a very simple poem to convey the feelings of the Caribbean immigrants who arrived in Britain in the 1940s and 50s.

A British Jamaican man using his phone on the streets of London

The first wave of immigrants started with the arrival of a troop ship from Jamaica called the ‘Empire Windrush’. The people who came to Britain from the West Indies came to be known as the ‘Windrush’ generation. Students will interact with a poem and write a stanza. There are suggestions for a multi-lesson project that includes discussing the problems faced by immigrants, writing a letter home and researching into one country.

Topic:

Immigration, difficulties faced by immigrants coming to the UK

Learning outcomes:

All learners will:

  • practise speaking skills in a discussion
  • listen to a poem, and review related vocabulary
  • write a version of a poem in English

Some learners will:

  • write an informal letter
  • read short texts and practise paraphrasing

Age and level:

13-17 years old and adult (B2)

Time:

90 minutes (There are expansion activities to make this into a multi-lesson project)

Materials:

  • Lesson plan
  • The Windrush generation student worksheets
  • Presentation
Downloads
Lesson plan215.21 KB
Poem124.78 KB
Worksheet 1164.73 KB
Language Level

Comments

Submitted by mamez on Thu, 04/26/2018 - 04:50

I would like to know if Clare Lavery is the author of the poem as well as of the lesson, and what the title of the poem is. Thanks in advance.

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Thu, 04/26/2018 - 13:41

In reply to by mamez

HI Mamez, Yes, I believe that Clare Lavery also wrote the poem for this lesson on the Windrush Generation. Thanks, Cath TE Team

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