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Year 10 - English

Understanding ideas of humanity and oppression in Zephaniah's 'We Refugees'

'Belonging'

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupis explore 12 of the 15 poems from the 'Belonging' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons on each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. Pupils study the poems in a thematically linked order so they can complete comparative and thematic lessons at key points in the unit.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how Zephaniah presents the struggle of refugees in his poem.

Key Notes

  • Zephaniah's poem focuses on the struggle of refugees and how badly they are treated by many in society.
  • Zephaniah uses the pronoun 'we' in the title to remind readers that anyone could become a refugee in their life.
  • Zephaniah is a strong advocate for human rights.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • refugee: a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
  • displacement: the action of moving something from its place or position.
  • persecution: hostility and ill-treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
  • oppression: prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority.
  • universal: relating to or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group; applicable to all cases.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That an economic migrant and a refugee are the same thing.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Zephaniah's poem focuses on the struggle of refugees and how badly they are treated by many in society. Zephaniah uses the pronoun 'we' in the title to remind readers that anyone could become a refugee in their life.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'refugee'

a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That an economic migrant and a refugee are the same thing. Correction: A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution or natural disaster.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 English guide library.