ELL PhD Candidate Ow Yeong Wai Kit shares insights on poetry and personal journey on CNA938 Radio

Ow Yeong Wai Kit, a PhD candidate at NIE’s English Language and Literature Department, was invited as a guest on CNA938's "A Letter to Myself" programme, during which he discussed his research on poetry memorisation and shared reflections on his poetic journey through grief, grace, and gratitude.

In this 30-minute radio segment, Wai Kit engaged in an in-depth conversation with host Joel Chua about his longstanding relationship with poetry, which began in his early years under the influence of his educator parents. The discussion explored how this foundation led to his own journey as an educator—one marked by significant milestones such as receiving the 2019 Outstanding Youth in Education Award and organising Singapore's inaugural National Poetry Recitation Competition in 2023.

During the interview, Wai Kit shared his perspective on how poetry can serve as a medium for personal expression and growth, emphasising that “every individual has a powerful poem within them”. He also discussed selections from his favourite works, including Wendell Berry's “The Peace of Wild Things”, while connecting these discussions to his current doctoral research on the impact of poetry memorisation on literature education.

The programme, which invites guests to reflect on life lessons through the format of a letter to their younger selves, provided a platform for Wai Kit to discuss how poetry can resonate with and inspire others, bridging his academic research with personal experiences.

Click here to listen to the chat.