‘Poetry celebrates the languaging dimension of being’ : Mark Tredinnick on the value of poetry education

Abstract

Mark Tredinnick is a renowned Australian poet who has also achieved recognition for his nonfiction and teaching. In this interview, he first discusses his origins as a poet before considering poetry’s status within contemporary culture and education. He then assesses how poetry can be promoted more robustly in education, and examines the value of enhancing young people’s engagement with the reading and writing of poems. Tredinnick draws on his experience as an educator to suggest how teachers can be supported to position themselves more effectively when teaching poetry.