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May 14

Int'l Dylan Thomas Day

A celebration of the life and work of the iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. It's a day to explore his powerful words and the lasting impact of his poetry on the English-speaking world.

Portrait of the poet Dylan Thomas

Speaking Discussion

  • Have you ever heard of Dylan Thomas? What do you think of his famous line do not go gentle into that good night?
  • Why do you think poetry is often seen as difficult or boring by many students today?
  • Do you think poets and artists have a responsibility to address political or social issues in their work?
  • How does the sound and rhythm of a poem change its meaning compared to just reading facts?
  • If you had to write a poem about your life right now, what would the first line be?

Activity 1: The Great Debate

Motion: "Traditional poetry is a dead art form and has been completely replaced by modern song lyrics and short viral videos for expressing complex human emotions."

Split the class into two sides. Team A defends the timeless depth of the written word; Team B argues for the evolution of art into modern, digital formats.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "The most powerful word in the English language is definitely..."
  • "If I could meet any famous writer from history, I would ask them..."
  • "I think humans still need stories and art because..."