Listen Mr Oxford Don - John Agard - Worksheet for Comprehension and Analysis

This three-page worksheet helps students comprehend and analyse John Agard’s poem Listen Mr Oxford Don. After an info-box on Standard and non-Standard English, students begin by working through some of the unfamiliar language and grammar of the poem, followed by questions on what this language reveals about the speaker. Further questions focus on the speaker’s attitude to the English language, as well as how they may be seen by others. Students also complete a table discussing key language techniques and consider the effect of Agard’s delivery of the poem and its musical qualities. Finally, and extended writing task is included for students to further their discussion of the poem.

The file is included in both Word and pdf formats for flexibility and compatibility.

A performed version of this poem is required to accompany this worksheet, such as can be easily found on YouTube.