Luka Lesson

The corridors of Utahloy International School Guangzhou (UISG) recently resonated with a new kind of rhythm—the powerful, unfiltered pulse of student voice, awakened by the transformative visit of renowned Australian-Greek spoken word poet Luka Lesson. Over two dynamic days, Lesson moved beyond the role of guest speaker to become a more of a mentor, working intimately with students across a spectrum of language proficiencies and leaving an indelible mark on the school’s literary culture.

For Grade 11 Language and Literature students, currently immersed in a detailed unit analysing Lesson’s politically charged and culturally rich catalogue, his presence was a unique academic opportunity. The transition from page to person brought their studies vibrantly to life. Engaging directly with the artist behind poems like “May Your Pen Grace The Page” allowed for deep, critical discourse, transforming textual analysis into a living conversation about craft, intention, and the power of words to challenge and change.

Yet Lesson’s impact reached far beyond a single grade level. Through a series of voluntary, opt-in workshops, he created an inclusive sanctuary for expression. Students from various language backgrounds—from native speakers to those still gaining fluency in English—found common ground in the universal language of personal storytelling. Lesson’s workshops provided the framework and safety for students to explore writing prompts that touched on heritage, identity, and personal history. Students were empowered to use their full linguistic repertoires, blending English with their mother tongues, weaving their unique cultural tapestries into their poetry.

The culmination of the visit was a palpable shift in atmosphere. A respectful audience in initial sessions evolved into a brave community of creators, eager to share freshly minted verses. The effect was particularly evident in the courageous voices that emerged students who discovered that poetry could be a vessel for parts of themselves they rarely share in an academic setting.

As the final workshop concluded, it was clear this was more than a cultural enrichment event. Luka Lesson’s residency served as a masterclass in authentic self-expression, demonstrating that everyone has a story worth hearing. He equipped students not just with poetic techniques, but with the conviction to use them.

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Luka Lesson

近日，广州誉德莱外籍人员子女学校的走廊回荡起一种崭新的韵律——那是学生思想有力而真挚的脉动，因澳大利亚籍希腊裔口语诗（Spoken Word Poet）表演艺术家Luka Lesson的到访而被唤醒。在充满活力的两天里，Lesson超越了客座讲者的角色，更像一位引路人。他与不同语言能力的学生深入互动，为校园文学文化刻下了深刻的印记。

对目前正沉浸于研习Lesson作品的十一年级语言与文学学生而言，这是一次难得的学习契机。他们深入分析的单元聚焦于诗人充满政治张力与文化厚度的诗作，而Lesson亲临课堂，使文字从书页跃入现实。通过直接对话“May Your Pen Grace The Page”等诗作的创作者，学生们得以展开深刻批判性讨论，将文本分析升华为关于创作技艺、诗歌意图以及语言力量的鲜活对话。

Lesson的影响远不止于一个年级。通过一系列自愿参与的工作坊，他打造了一个包容多元的表达空间。不同语言背景的学生——从母语者到仍在提升英语流利度的学习者——都在个人叙事的通用语言中找到共鸣。Lesson的工作坊为学生提供了探索创作的框架与安全感，引导他们书写关于传承、身份与个人历史的主题。学生们被鼓励运用全部的语言储备，将英语与母语交织，把独特的文化脉络编入诗行。

访问的高潮体现在校园氛围的微妙转变。最初谨慎聆听的观众，逐渐成长为勇敢的创作共同体，迫不及待地分享刚刚诞生的诗作。这种变化在一些勇敢的声音中尤为明显：学生们发现，诗歌可以成为承载那些鲜少在学术场合展露的真实自我的容器。

随着最后一场工作坊落幕，这场活动已远超寻常的文化体验。Luka Lesson的驻校之行堪称一场关于真实表达的导师课，他向学生证明：每个人都有值得被听见的故事。他赋予学生的不仅是诗歌技巧，更是运用这些技巧表达自我的信念。

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