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content did not satisfy both the learners and teachers. The content of the textbooks should satisfy

both the learners and the teachers in the first place.

4.3.14 Confusion in the use of old and modern English words in the poems
The use of the language can be confusing for the learners. Particularly when it comes to the

usage of old and modern words in poems. Figure 14 depicts the reaction of the respondents to the
question of whether there is a confusion between the usage of old and modern words in poems.

Figure 14 Confusion in the use of old and modern English words in the poems

The use of old words in poems has confirmed a challenge as it confused the learners. The majority

of the respondents (88.2%) indicated that there was confusion caused by the use of old words in
teaching poetry. Only 11.8% indicated that there was no confusion caused by old words. This

indicated that there was a need for the materials to be revised from the usage of old words to the

usage of modern words. This was because learners were mostly exposed to modern words and
therefore they found it difficult to understand old terms. Tevdovska (2016) supported this response

in the literature review who stated that the abundance of literary and historical references found in
the works of great poets, limit understanding greatly for both native and non-native speakers. This

concludes that the use of old words should be changed to modern words to fit the new generation.

Therefore, education stakeholders should consider this.

4.3.15 Need for extra lessons on poetry

Teachers are usually going the extra mile to offer extra classes to the learners where there was a
need. Figure 15 shows the reaction of student teachers to whether there was a need for extra

classes in poetry.

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