Review

Abstract

One of my hobbyhorses in teaching English poetry in a career in Australian universities— although my experience is probably typical of teachers in other countries as well—has been the generally poor and possibly deteriorating quality of verse speaking among students. I have always enjoyed reading poetry aloud myself and foolishly hoped that students of English literature would feel the same, but few of my students have shown much aptitude for it and, for a surprisingly large group, including many who would become high-school teachers of English poetry, it appeared to be a frightening and humiliating experience.