Benfield School in Newcastle has been exploring different themes for their poems, from Spring, to homeland, relationships and even an original piece about a paper plane. Their poems and drawings were submitted as part of the Mother Tongue Other Tongue children’s writing project.
Thank you to teacher Irina Guy and to the young people who shared their poems and drawings in their home languages: Ruofan (Mandarin), Lorena (Portuguese), Suika (Japanese), Geranaz (Persian/Farsi), Asser (Arabic) and Testimony (Esan and English). You can read their poems below.
North East schools can encourage children aged 7-18 to write something in their home language (Mother Tongue) or a new piece in language they are learning (Other Tongue). Mother Tongue Other Tongue is open for submissions until 22nd March. This activity enables children to share their language and cultures within schools, as well as selected pieces being part of a regional digital anthology at the end of the Festival. International Newcastle is hosting the Festival for the fourth year.
- Find out more about Mother Tongue Other Tongue and get involved here
- Click here to find out what else is available for schools to participate in during the Festival in March 2024.
