At the Ser Joven office, on 1 October 2026, we held a second poetry activity as part of the local actions. This time, it was aimed at Spanish learners from the migrant community in our city. The activity brought together participants in person, as well as several people who joined online from different parts of the world. We used poetry and different creative games as a way to practise Spanish and expand vocabulary, while at the same time encouraging participants to use the language more freely, express themselves, and let their creativity flow without the pressure of having to speak or write perfectly. The activity began with the creation of acrostic poems about themselves. Using the letters of their names, participants wrote short poems related to their personality, interests or characteristics, which they then presented to the group. They also took part in a pair-based question-and-answer game, without knowing in advance what their partner would say, which allowed them to practise the language in a fun and funny way. In the final activity, we introduced haiku, a poetic form originating in Japan. Participants learned about its main characteristics and its connection with Spanish poetic forms, such as the seguidilla, as well as some examples of haiku written in Spanish and haiku created by participants at ONCE. They then created their own poems using vocabulary related to the senses. Through the activity, we showed that poetry can be a simple and accessible tool for learning a language and gaining confidence in using it. Participants discovered that, regardless of their level of Spanish, they can create poetry and express themselves in an original way in a language they are learning, and that poetry does not have to be complicated, written only in one’s native language, or seen as an individual activity. It can also become a useful learning tool, a form of personal expression and, at the same time, a creative and artistic experience that can be enjoyed together.

Here are some of the poems written by the participants that tell about nature, emotions, happiness, peace, and everyday moments, inspired by the landscapes of the city: “I’m at home My eyes see the world For happiness, we need peace throughout the world.” “Dry leaves are falling, autumn has arrived, and I feel nostalgic.” “I’m at the beach, I see the dolphins, I hear them talking, I feel happy because I always love watching them.” “I’m at the party, I see lots of fun people, I’m happy and smile(ing)"