There Once was a Man from Malta...

To teach English to students in Malta, a bilingual Mediterranean island, teachers are using one of the oldest and most English poetic forms: the limerick. The British Cultural Association (Malta was at one time a British colony) sponsors a limerick-writing contest for middle school-aged students.

Writing poetry is a good way to for students to continue their language acquisition. It requires students to engage vocabulary, as well as phonology, as the sounds of words are important to the rhyme and rhythm of the limerick. Plus it allows students to be active and creative in their learning!

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080713/education/learning-language-with-limericks