Swamp Gift

they say he lives

in the low water

where cypress knees rise like knuckles

air full of moss and rain

nobody remembers when he first showed up

some call him a hermit

or don’t even mention him

just part of the place

like the dark water or birds

he never takes things

just leaves them

a sack of sand on a front porch

a jar of prune pits by a back door

a single smooth rock on a windowsill

children grow up knowing

to wake early and check the steps

like it’s the weather

some say he’s a ghost

or a lunatic

most don’t say anything

I finally see him once

walking out of the swamp barefoot

moving slowly and sure

like someone who belongs

his eyes catch mine

steady as still water

he hands me a small tin box

turns without a word

disappears into the trees

I hold it like it might explain everything

open it, look inside

a bent nail, a handful of mulch
two mismatched buttons

and no explanation at all

Rain at Tipperary Station

I left the city before dawn,

bags light but exhausted

a sheep grazes by the fence

no timetable posted

the train comes once a week

or maybe not at all

I approach the small brick building

stone platform damp with moss

Tipperary sign flaking green paint

rails dark with rain

cupping my hands

to breathe warmth

into the cold iron smell

a single gull drifts over the hill

and disappears into fog

in my coat pocket

a ring of keys I forgot to return

the station clock still ticks

but no one waits

only a paper cup rolling

end to end along the platform

rain my only company

Obedience

I found myself sitting still

the litter box in the corner

hours gone before I noticed

the sour aroma rising

I had not moved to clean it

the cat began to watch me

a calm stare unblinking

as if he understood the change

his eyes fixed steady on mine

quietly saying obey me

soon I was skipping work

to refill his dish with chicken

ordering catnip in bulk

canceling dates and dinners

for extra hours of petting

my mother wrinkled her nose

father scowled at the box

he said this is no joke

toxoplasma gondii lives in there

it gets inside and bends the will

he spoke of rodents drawn to cats

of lives cut short in teeth and claws

I only stroked the warm fur

calm as a priest at prayer

my father said one day you will not know

where the parasite ends and you begin

I shouted for them to leave

kicked the door shut

their footsteps fading on the stairs

perhaps it is my own desire

to serve this harmless pet

or perhaps it is a parasite

humming in my head

telling me I am happiest this way

Baskin Cooper is a poet and visual artist based in Chatham County, North Carolina. A PhD in psychology who lived in Cork, Ireland, he explores folklore, lyricism, and personal history through multiple art forms. His work has appeared in Ink & Oak, Verse-Virtual, O2 Haiku, and ONE ART, with new work forthcoming in The Khaotic Good and The Woodside Review.

Interactive Methods for Increasing Preschool Children’s Interest in Learning the German Language

Abstract

The article analyzes the role and significance of interactive methods in developing preschool children’s interest in learning the German language. The effectiveness of methods such as games, songs, drawings, multimedia tools, and interactive activities in early language learning is scientifically substantiated. In addition, the paper outlines ways to develop children’s communicative skills through the use of modern educational technologies.

Keywords: German language, preschool education, interactive method, motivation, game technology, early language learning.

INTRODUCTION

In today’s era of globalization, teaching foreign languages from an early age has become one of the strategic priorities of every national education system. Learning foreign languages, particularly German, at an early stage develops children’s intellectual potential, broadens their worldview, and nurtures respect for the culture of other nations. The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Preschool and School Education” and the “New Uzbekistan – Development Strategy 2030” set forth the task of gradually introducing foreign language teaching into the preschool education system.

Language learning at an early age is considered a natural process. Between the ages of 3 and 6, a child’s speech apparatus, auditory perception, phonemic hearing, and communicative ability are actively developing. During this period, a child can easily acquire not only their native language but also foreign languages. Therefore, to enhance the effectiveness of teaching German in preschool institutions, educators are required to make wide use of interactive methods.

Interactive methods ensure that children actively participate in the learning process, think independently, and enjoy the process of learning. Such an approach strengthens intrinsic motivation, sparks interest in language learning, and develops communication skills.

Therefore, this article explores interactive methods for increasing preschool children’s interest in learning German, their theoretical foundations, and practical application possibilities.

MAIN PART

1. Theoretical foundations of early foreign language learning

Language is one of the most important indicators of human thinking, and learning it at an early age lays the foundation not only for linguistic but also for cognitive development. Psychologists such as L. S. Vygotsky, J. Piaget, and E. Lenneberg have scientifically proven that children’s ability to acquire languages is most active between the ages of 2 and 6. During this stage, children tend to learn through play, songs, movement, and visualization.

Hence, teachers should organize the educational process considering children’s psycholinguistic characteristics. The most effective approach combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods.

The German language, with its pronunciation system and phonetic richness, helps develop children’s articulation and sound culture. For example, pronouncing sounds like “ch”, “sch”, “ei”, “eu” in words helps improve speech development, positively influencing their pronunciation in their native language as well.

2. The content and types of interactive methods

Interactive methods are approaches in which learners actively participate, express their thoughts, and gain experience. In preschool education, the following interactive methods are considered the most effective:

1. Game-based technologies.

Play is the most natural and effective tool for language learning. Through games like “Find the Color,” “Choose the Animal,” or “What is this?”, children reinforce new words and learn to use them in context. For example, short expressions such as Was ist das? – Das ist ein Ball are easy to remember.

2. Teaching through songs and poems. German children’s songs (such as Alle meine Entchen, Guten Morgen!, Zehn kleine Fische) make lessons lively, improve pronunciation, and help develop a sense of rhythm. Repetition in songs aids vocabulary retention.

3. Role play.

Through situational activities such as “At the Store,” “At Home,” or “In the Garden,” children practice real communication scenarios. This method fosters confidence and active participation.

4. Using multimedia and interactive resources.

Modern technologies such as Wordwall, Kahoot, and LearningApps generate great interest among children. With visuals, sounds, videos, and animations, children learn through seeing, hearing, and movement simultaneously.

5. Creating a “language environment.”

Displaying German words, colorful posters, and organizing a “language corner” in the classroom allows children to experience the foreign language naturally.

6. Interactive lessons involving parents.

Activities like “Family Day” or “Language Game Day” engage parents alongside their children. This fosters a positive emotional atmosphere and strengthens children’s motivation.

3. The importance of play and emotional atmosphere

Emotional atmosphere plays a crucial role in language learning. Psychological studies show that when children experience joy, surprise, and excitement, they retain information more effectively. Therefore, using games, humor, and colorful visual materials in German lessons is essential.

For example, during “Let’s Sing Together” activities, children not only hear the words but also accompany them with gestures, which develops their motor skills.

Moreover, a teacher’s positive energy and encouraging words (“Sehr gut!” “Prima!” “Super!”) boost children’s self-confidence. Thus, the teacher not only teaches the language but also nurtures self-esteem and positive emotional development.

4. Practical experiences and observations

Observations conducted in several public and private preschools in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Namangan regions have shown that lessons using interactive methods engage children 30–40% more actively and double their vocabulary acquisition rate.

For instance, during the “Language and Culture Week”, children easily learned expressions such as “Ich bin Anna,” “Ich habe eine Katze.” Through drawing, singing, and role-playing, they actively participated in communication.

Additionally, classrooms with a “Picture Vocabulary Wall” (Bildwörterwand) helped children memorize words more effectively by seeing them daily. Such visual methods strengthen visual memory.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, increasing preschool children’s interest in learning German requires using interactive methods that suit their age, psychological, and linguistic characteristics. Lessons that integrate play, music, movement, and emotional engagement encourage active learning.

The most effective approaches in teaching German include:

1. Organizing lessons through play and ensuring children’s active participation.

2. Using songs, pictures, and multimedia to make lessons engaging.

3. Creating a “language environment” and involving parents in the learning process.

4. Applying an individual approach and motivation system for each child.

The application of interactive methods enables children to enjoy learning foreign languages, express their thoughts, retain new knowledge, and develop independent learning skills.

Thus, teaching German at an early age through interactive methods is a key factor in improving the quality of preschool education, developing children’s communicative competence, and preparing them for successful future language learning.

REFERENCES

1. Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press.

2. Piaget, J. (1962). Play, Dreams and Imitation in Childhood. W. W. Norton & Company.

3. Lenneberg, E. H. (1967). Biological Foundations of Language. Wiley.

4. Cameron, L. (2001). Teaching Languages to Young Learners. Cambridge University Press.

5. Brewster, J., Ellis, G., & Girard, D. (2002). The Primary English Teacher’s Guide. Pearson Education.

6. Pinter, A. (2017). Teaching Young Language Learners. Oxford University Press.

7. Harmer, J. (2015). The Practice of English Language Teaching (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

8. Wright, A., Betteridge, D., & Buckby, M. (2006). Games for Language Learning (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

9. Rixon, S. (2013). British Council Survey of Policy and Practice in Primary English Language Teaching Worldwide. British Council.

10. Ellis, R., & Shintani, N. (2014). Exploring Language Pedagogy through Second Language Acquisition Research. Routledge.

Nilufar Mo‘ydinova was born in Qo‘shtepa district, Fergana region, Republic of Uzbekistan. A graduate of the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, she works as a manager at “Fair Print” Typography Service. Her articles have appeared in Bekajon, Kenya Times, The Diaspora Times Global, and Synchaos. Member of the International Writers’ Association of Argentina (Grupo de Trabajo de Escritores Internacionales – Argentina), holder of international certificates, Global Ambassador for Peace, and participant in international anthologies and conferences.

The Eternal Eyes of Lord

2022

The Essence of Prayer

Part I

What should I do

           (Now)

Lock it up in me

Or scatter it around the meadow?

A crow can touch it-

The wheels can break it-

The sun can burn it-

Ughgh!

Sometimes, it is foam like-

Fire-

Water-

Sand-

What is it?

It is the spirit. It is the same spirit that withdraws the spirit of “What if.”

It is the same spirit that embraces the spirit of uncertainty.

It is the same spirit that dances with the tunes of by-gone days.

Same, same, same- Everywhere

Like some god-sent sailors

Finding nothing except

Their fragmented, repented souls

Rippling images on mirror-

Water as mirror.

Like the atheists overlooking

The signs given to them by Jesus, the Lord

And celebrating life

With no peaceful prayer;

It fails to follow  the patterns

Of light projected onto

The ship, water

From the lighthouse-

Lighthouse as God’s hands.

Who is it?

It is the humans,

The souls-

Who gather rage, hatred, and lie

Like a heap of garbage

Turning

(Unconsciously)

Into the bad- mouth, foul- scented beings.

It is the humans, the same humans-

Who look at the time

The same cruel time-

The same forgiving time-

The same loving time-

Holding its soul

Within its palms

With youth and

With mercy-

Some gibberish words come out from

Mumbling lips, crooked bodies,

Beating heart-

Those same words create the echo

Of some meanings-

Thus, a prayer is born.

All the lost souls

Like soldiers, sailors, farmers

Look at the sky

Only to listen to those same sound-

Sound of their echoing souls

Sound of prayer

And they find

Themselves in the land

Of songs.

Songs of destinies-

Songs of dawns-

Songs of divinities-

The same song that is written as the lines of fate

Is becoming the prayer-song

For the scribblers

Named as unseen forces-

The Goddesses and the Gods.

08.01.2025 

Part II

Once, I crossed a lake-

Beside it, I saw a

Chain of   grotesque,      Gloomy Faces;

Multitudes of pain Run through      

Swollen Limbs,

I shed off tears

And it was vanished into oblivion.

Part III

O my Muhammad, O my Lord Jesus, 

Fill my heart with spiritual Thirst.

O my Virgin Mary, O my Grace,

Shower thy Blessings and Revive these Damned cells.

2019

Fear

Some words in my throat

That I want to swallow

Want to vomit

Keep stagnant

I do not know

The reason.

My current state is dwindling like waves

Waves of sea

Sea of uncertainty and fear

Navigating life between dilemma and faith.

Sometimes,

In life

You feel you have to be saved by Jesus

And

In these cases,

You can only be saved by God, the Almighty.

You know you fear a lot;

You know you cannot handle pressure

As it fractures your bones

And makes your soft soul bruised;

Bloody, wounded

You have become

It is just fear- 

Alas! Everyone wants to be saved.

To Sylvia Plath: A prose poem 

Today, I owe you a great treat,

It is not a sonnet, 

Not a parody evoking laughter,

Not an epic 

Demonstrating your journey from body to spirit,

Or spirit to body,

Not an ode to unveil your woes.

It is a chamber of secrets, a drawer of emotions;

People rush to the pornographic clips to derive pleasure,

I rush towards you,

 And find a piece of solace

In you.

The name that moves its wings around my neck

Coming back from dead past,

Is none other than Plath.

Today, I owe you something

To your butchered soul,

To your ruined peace,

I will offer you green ashes, red debris

Made out of women bodies

Those bodies faced electrocution, marital rape, sharp attacks, agonized anguish,

Bagful of dirt under their dripping Eyes, quarrel for Vegetables

And utensils

And unkind dowry, child birth, menopause, loneliness and death;

You wrote for them, for me, 

And for those unnamed Plath(s),

Caged in their rooms

kept hidden under their door-carpets, sealed in the bell jars,

Jars of bad mouth

And sold to the markets.

Your words carry voices

A sound of determinism as well as of instability

 Paradoxical antithesis, surreal aroma

Of your poem 

Painted my race’s trauma,

You never held pen between your fingers,

The pen became the weapon,

And continued your writing therapy,

 It reminds me of 

Lowell and Anne Sexton.

Today, I owe you a gift, a magical pot

That will remove the blemish, blemish between you and

Ted’s Bond,

The bond between Hughes and Hawks,

All I remember is

The way you suffered

The way you ended the life.

I am haunted by the passing sadness,

From staring at the starry sky

To the empty playgrounds-

From the lonely crow

To all the insects slightly emitting out 

A mellow sound,

I notice all, 

I kept a brush in my pocket ,

The words that I chew are the Words that 

I owe you, my Plath.

I remember

How vulnerable your Soul was

At the time of separation,

How brutal that man was!

How you craved for love 

And feared for losing your cherry lips and hairs 

And beauteous colours and gloss.

Smokes curling up from the oven 

While cooking up a bowl 

Of noodles,

I think of your burning head,

I am sitting on my room along with your poems

To know your body and soul.

2019

My country

You are my wealth, my dearest and unique,
And always because of you my speech is art.
Don’t let your peace be broken and bleak,
I will not let your candle in my heart depart.

Your presence means that my existence is true,
I have no happiness and joy apart from you
My nation, in my heart, pride I knew,   
For you are the light that illuminates my way anew.

Abdusaidova Jasmina Quvondiqovna
A student of class 8-“D” at School No. 22, Gallaorol district, Jizzakh region.
Born on July 20, 2011.
I am interested in artistic skills such as drawing and writing poetry.

Elevation is more than just a word. It embodies the essence of growth, progress, and the continuous journey toward excellence. Whether in personal life, technology, art, or society, the desire to rise above, to reach new heights, is a defining feature of human experience. This article explores the many dimensions of elevation, illustrating how striving for higher standards shapes individuals and the world around them.

Personal Elevation

At its core, elevation begins within the individual. Personal growth is the foundation of every achievement. It involves learning from experiences, overcoming challenges, and continually refining one’s skills and mindset. Discipline, persistence, and a commitment to self-improvement are key drivers of this ascent.

Consider the lives of pioneers, inventors, and visionaries. They demonstrate that personal elevation is rarely instantaneous; it is the result of consistent effort and resilience. By embracing failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback, individuals unlock their potential and elevate themselves beyond limitations.

Technological Elevation

Elevation is not limited to personal development; it extends into the realm of innovation. Technology exemplifies humanity’s desire to transcend boundaries. From supercars that combine speed with engineering precision to airplanes that shrink the vastness of the world, technology lifts human capability to unprecedented levels.

Artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and space exploration are prime examples of how human ingenuity transforms obstacles into opportunities. Elevation in technology reflects a broader principle: the pursuit of perfection and the drive to enhance life through invention.

Cultural and Artistic Elevation

Art and culture provide another dimension of elevation. Music, literature, painting, and architecture inspire and challenge the mind, fostering creativity and introspection. They encourage us to see the world from new perspectives and appreciate beauty in complexity.

Through engagement with art, individuals elevate their consciousness. The refinement of taste and critical thinking enriches the human experience, demonstrating that elevation is not only about material achievement but also about the depth of understanding and emotional resonance.

Societal Elevation

Communities and societies also experience elevation. Education, scientific discovery, and cooperative efforts enable societies to progress and innovate. Cultural exchange and collaboration foster collective growth, raising standards and unlocking new possibilities.

Societal elevation emphasizes that individual advancement and community progress are interconnected. A society that values knowledge, innovation, and compassion cultivates an environment where its members can rise together, achieving heights that would be impossible alone.

Challenges on the Path to Elevation

The journey toward elevation is rarely smooth. Obstacles, setbacks, and uncertainties test determination and resilience. Fear of failure, self-doubt, and external pressures can hinder progress. However, these challenges also serve as catalysts for growth.

Overcoming adversity strengthens character and clarifies purpose. True elevation comes not from avoiding difficulties but from confronting them and continuing upward with resolve and vision.

Conclusion

Elevation represents the human pursuit of excellence, growth, and transformation. It spans personal development, technological innovation, artistic expression, and societal progress. It challenges us to rise, refine, and evolve.

By embracing elevation, we commit to a journey without a final destination—one where each step upward reveals new horizons and possibilities. The pursuit of elevation inspires, motivates, and reminds us that there is always a higher plane to reach, a higher self to become, and a higher world to create.

Author: My name is Saparov Akbar, and I was born on February 24, 2005, in Jizzakh district, Jizzakh region, Uzbekistan.

After finishing school, I chose to continue my path at Samarkand’s Economic and Service University (SamISI), where I am now a second-year student majoring in Tourism and Hospitality. Along the way, I’ve gained valuable volunteering experience at the airport, which gave me a chance to see the real world of service, communication, and leadership.

I always try to push myself beyond one field. I’ve earned certificates in Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere Pro, and I also have achievements in sports, having taken part in regional and republic competitions.

But my real passions run deeper. I am in love with music — every genre has a place in my heart, but melancholic hip-hop, rock, and rage are where I feel the strongest connection. I’m also fascinated by technology, whether it’s computers, laptops, or smartphones, I love exploring their models and characteristics. Languages are another side of me: besides my native Uzbek, I am fluent in English and Russian, and I’m working toward learning Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and other popular languages.

Another passion of mine is cars — I even lead a channel dedicated to them, because for me, the automotive world is more than just machines, it’s pure inspiration.

Still, beyond all of this, my biggest dream is to find myself — in religion, in humanity, in life — and to be worthy of being called a real human being. More than anything, I want to make my parents proud. And through it all, the person who inspires me the most is my mother — her love, trust, and care are the light that guides me every single day.

Timothee Bordenave – Paris, France.

India – Haryana State University – Dr. Dalip Khetarpal

THE ELECTRICITY FAIRY

Dear friends, let’s begin by presenting these ideas, which may seem to have come to you relatively randomly, because they reflect what I’ve published online over the months…

The first concepts I’m going to develop relate to electricity, and I’ll list them here one after the other.

First of all, a note about electrical insulation in the transmission of electricity from one point to another. Yes, because while this energy can very easily be transported by cable, an electric wire, a metal wire that carries the precious electricity through its conductive properties, we have never yet, for technical reasons related to the difficulty of insulating the current, succeeded in distributing it otherwise than by using an overhead network of suspended electrical wires.

However, this is very expensive to maintain, it’s dangerous and fragile, and it also costs a lot in terms of energy loss because air is not a good insulator. Therefore, this system, which is still poor and unsightly for the natural environment of the facilities, is ultimately only a last resort, which satisfies no one.

My proposal is to use ceramic insulation to design tubes of what is called “technical ceramic” in chemistry, surrounded, for example, by rubber, an elastic material that is very resistant to temperature variations, to bury electrical cables rather than suspending them.

“Technical ceramic electrical insulation” is becoming increasingly cheaper to produce, thanks to advances in our chemistry. It is a material that is already well known today for other uses.

The rubber-like material surrounding the tube will be easy for experts to define, produce, and install, and this solution for burying wired cables, long sought after by everyone in the sector, would thus be within our reach.

I had this idea as a child, observing the insulating properties of ceramic and reflecting that its production costs would soon, and increasingly, decrease. Today, burying electrical installations thus insulated would undoubtedly cost much less than maintaining our suspended cables.

And the electricity fairy certainly still has much to offer us; we still have so much to discover! One of my development ideas, which I will present to you now, relates to this again: the photovoltaic-powered lamp.

Wouldn’t it be possible for us to design a lamp that, connected to a rechargeable battery and a photovoltaic cell capable of transforming its light into electricity, would be virtually perpetual?

You probably understand well that with a dedicated photovoltaic cell, which would serve as its main power supply in a short circuit, such a lamp would provide light almost in perpetuity.

And the answer to the question of whether it would be possible with our current technology to design and then manufacture such a tool is simply: yes!

It would even be very easy for us, apparently, since most modern photovoltaic cells react to the electric light emitted by a light bulb.

The battery that would serve as the lamp’s switch and for the eventual replacement of the cell could be recharged through the same circuit, making the device particularly durable.

It’s a brilliant idea, isn’t it? I urge my contemporaries to implement it.

One last remark concerning electricity, which I can make here, would be to consider increasing the radiation of light bulbs by covering them with mirrors.

This is what we do for flashlights and headlights.

I therefore urge you to consider that it would be very easy to design “nightlights” that, by simply covering them with one or more light-emitting diodes, would provide satisfactory supplemental lighting equal to or better than that of a current, bare light bulb, for example, with a single diode.

One or two diodes, powered by small batteries, for example, or by the mains, would then undoubtedly demonstrate great longevity and cost their users almost nothing in terms of energy consumption or maintenance.

This idea, which I myself have already seen developed at the artisanal level, would make it possible to provide electric lighting to populations that are either disadvantaged or deprived of access to distribution networks.

It would undoubtedly also prove very practical for anyone who needs outdoor lighting, and I’m thinking here in particular of the military, who would see the advantages of a mirror-clad LED lamp in terms of portability and ease of powering or repair.

Mirror-clad light sources have been used since ancient times. It was already mentioned at the legendary lighthouse of Alexandria.

As for LED bulbs, they are booming today, becoming increasingly cheaper and more efficient!

(…)

A text by Timothee Bordenave in Paris, France.

Autumn 2025. For Dr. Khetarpal at the Afflatus Creations Peer Review, in India.

this is for all of you
I mistook your hazy smiles for friendship.

how was I supposed to know you just wanted to run? I thought you were a mind-reader,
a savior,
a person who understood the deadly-slow inside-out gnawing
my heart’s being subjected to-

but now I realize
you’re just a breath, a moment, a memory I’ll touch on when I’m lonely
you were there once, twice, a flash, a fleeting breath, a whisper in the dark

but now you’re gone like the sun at night and I should’ve known
we’re all alone again