Analysing 'Search for My Tongue'
I can analyse the imagery in 'Search for My Tongue' and link this with the theme of pride.
Analysing 'Search for My Tongue'
I can analyse the imagery in 'Search for My Tongue' and link this with the theme of pride.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 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.
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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.
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