Simple & Effective ESL Writing Activity: Teach List Poems

If you want an ESL creative writing activity that builds confidence, encourages original ideas, and works in almost any classroom setting, then you should teach list poems. This simple poetry format gives students room to experiment while still offering structure. It’s a perfect balance for an ESL writing lesson. Even better, it naturally supports creative ESL prompts, ESL writing practice, and flexible levels of scaffolding for high-beginner to advanced learners.

This article walks you through why list poems work so well, how to teach the activity step by step, and optional extensions for learners who need more challenge or repetition.

Teaching List Poems Works

The list poem is one of the most accessible ESL classroom activities because it lowers the pressure students often feel when asked to “be creative.” Instead of starting from a blank page, students work from a focused topic and generate a list of related ideas. That structure gives hesitant writers a safety net while still inviting imaginative thinking.

List poems also support essential writing skills. Students practice organizing ideas, choosing precise vocabulary, and shaping language into a cohesive piece. This connects directly to academic writing skills such as building explanations, sequencing ideas, and using supporting details. Because the form is free and flexible, it also works beautifully for conditional writing practice, descriptive writing, and voice development.

How to Teach List Poems: Step-by-Step ESL Writing Lesson

Step 1: Introduce the Concept of a List Poem

Begin your lesson with a simple definition: a list poem is a free-form poem built around a single topic. It is made up of a list of ideas, observations, wishes, or images connected to that topic. Explain the four key features:

• One clear topic
• A list of related people, places, things, feelings, or actions
• Logical or expressive organization
• No required rhyme or meter—students can write freely

This explanation helps students see the structure before they attempt to write.

Step 2: Review a Few Engaging Examples

Show several models so students understand the tone and variety possible in list poems. There are a great many examples of List Poems on the net. One of my favorites is by the great writer Shel Silverstein’s, Sick.

• This online pdf has many good examples of list poems.
• Good examples by younger writers can be had here, the Poem Farm.

As students read, ask them:

• What’s the poem’s topic?
• How does the writer organize the list?
• What details make it interesting or funny?

This step builds genre awareness and gives students a model to imitate.

Step 3: Choose a Topic Using Creative ESL Prompts

Offer a variety of topics and let students choose one that feels meaningful. Here are strong prompts for different levels:

• Things I’m afraid of
• Places I’d like to visit
• Food I’d like to eat
• Things I’d like to do
• People I’d like to meet
• Things I’ve learned outside class
• My best excuses
• The best presents I ever received
• Dreams for my future

Choice increases motivation, especially for reluctant writers.

Step 4: Brainstorm and Draft

Give students 5–7 minutes to brainstorm as many ideas as possible. Encourage quantity over perfection. After brainstorming, they choose the best ideas and place them in an order that creates meaning: funny to serious, small to big, past to future, etc.

For beginners, provide sentence starters or scaffolds:

• I want to…
• I dream of…
• I never forget…

For more advanced classes, challenge students to use descriptive details or figurative language.

Step 5: Revise for Flow and Voice

Have students read their draft aloud to hear the rhythm. Even free-form poems benefit from strong pacing and clear imagery. Encourage revisions that:

• Add detail
• Remove repetition
• Improve vocabulary
• Strengthen emotional impact

This step reinforces essential writing-process habits.

Optional Extensions for More ESL Writing Practice

Want to expand the activity? Try one of these:

Extension 1: Add a Twist with Conditional Writing Practice

Ask students to write a list poem using “If…” statements. For example: If I could fly… If I had one more day… If I lived on Mars…

Extension 2: Build a Class Anthology

Compile student poems into a digital booklet. This creates authentic audience motivation.

Extension 3: Perform the Poems

Turn lost poems into a short reading performance. This boosts pronunciation, fluency, and confidence.

Extension 4: Create Illustrated Poems

Students design a simple visual to accompany their poem—perfect for visual learners and multilingual classrooms.

List Poems: A Flexible Activity for Any ESL Classroom

List poems are one of the easiest and most effective ways to encourage creativity while strengthening writing skills. This ESL creative writing activity lets students express themselves, experiment with language, and practice organizing ideas—all within a friendly, low-pressure structure. Whether you need a warm-up, a follow-up lesson, or a ready-to-use activity for mixed-level classes, list poems deliver every time.