The Tempest in context: free livestreamed CPD for English teachers

Get new inspiration, practical tips and resources for teaching The Tempest at Key Stage 4 – 5, with Professor Emma Smith and teacher and author Michael Donkor.

Join them to delve into the thorny role of magic in the play, from theatrical spectacle and romance to colonial power and exploitation of the natural world.

They'll offer close analysis, critical perspectives and contextual insights, drawing on the British Library's Discovering Literature collection.

What to expect?

• Michael Donkor will host the event, and introduce a brand new teacher's resource pack full of fresh ideas for approaching the play using primary sources with students.
• Emma Smith will examine how Prospero's magical 'art' raises questions about theatrical illusion, colonial power and exploitation of the natural world in Shakespeare's day.
• Michael will give a short talk exploring the theatrical magic of the masque scene in Act 4, Scene 1.
• There will be time for the speakers to respond to some of your questions.

Following the event, delegates will receive a digital pack full of expert articles and activities to strengthen students' understanding of The Tempest in its social and cultural context.

If you have any queries, please email discovering.literature@bl.uk

Introducing our speakers

Emma Smith is Professor of Shakespeare Studies at the University of Oxford. She explores the reception of Shakespeare in performance, print and criticism, and her book This Is Shakespeare (2019) was a Sunday Times Best Seller.

Professor Emma Smith has worked with theatre companies including at the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and Donmar Warehouse, and is a regular speaker in schools, literary festivals, theatres, libraries and book groups, as well as universities. She has contributed to radio and TV programmes and written extensively for newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The Telegraph, The Observer and The Guardian.

Michael Donkor studied English at Wadham College, Oxford, and then undertook a Masters in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway and a PGCE at the Institute of Education. He has 15 years of teaching experience, and has worked at a range of institutions including Esher College and St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith.

He is a novelist too: His debut Hold (4th Estate) was published in 2018, he was longlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize, shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and selected by Scottish poet laureate Jackie Kay as one of the ten best writers in the UK. His second novel, Grow Where They Fall, was published by Penguin in 2024. He also reviews books for The Guardian, Independent, Times and TLS.