English Language (ESOL) Pronunciation – Poetic Vocabulary

Learning English as a Second Language (ESOL) requires patience, so bear this in mind. Storytelling, Poetry and other creative activities can help to make the journey of learning English more enjoyable. Study Coach is here to help you with your learning, in this short blog you will find both audio and text to help you extend your vocabulary. 

Storytelling

Study Coach is in the business of storytelling and education, supporting learners with academic and general education. English as a Second Language learners will find a range of stories at Study Coach UK on YouTube; the stories are available day and night, waiting for learners to enjoy. 

English as a Second Language (ESOL) 

In due course short stories and extracts of stories will be incorporated into Study Coach’s blogs to help ESOL learners extend their vocabulary and improve pronunciation skills. 

Audio Clip

Morel Benard is the lead at Study Coach, listen to Morel reading the poem ‘Children’s Hour’, the poem is written by Elizabeth Browning 

Reading & English Language

• Through listening and reading the poem below, you will gradually be able to add to your present vocabulary. Study Coach suggest that when listening to the audio and reading it is a good idea to have a pen/pencil and paper at hand, in order to jot down unfamiliar words.  
• Listening to the audio could help the ESOL learner with improving articulation skills. Listen to the poem and re-listen or pause the audio and try to say the word(s) pronounced. 
• Audio can also help learners with listening skills, after listening to parts of the poem learners can test themselves to see if they can remember what was said and test their understanding. 

“The Children’s Hour” 

Between the dark and the daylight,
__When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day’s occupations,
__That is known as the Children’s Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
__The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
__And voices soft and sweet.

From my study I see in the lamplight,
__Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
__And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper, and then a silence:
__Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
__To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
__A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
__They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
__O’er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
__They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
__Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
__In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
__Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old moustache as I am
__Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
__And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
__In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
__Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
__And moulder in dust away!