The objectives of the study were: (1) To study the objectives of teaching English language in India in a historical perspective. (2) To analyze the significance and place of poetry in English Language Teaching (ELT) with special reference to higher secondary classes in English medium schools of Gujarat State. (3) To survey the interests, views and attitudes of the higher secondary students regarding teaching-learning process of English poetry. (4) To survey the practices and methods of teaching poetry in the higher secondary classes. (5) To study the methods and techniques of teaching English poetry in the light of the recent trends and innovations. (6) To prepare a set of techniques to teach English poetry in the higher  secondary classes in English medium schools in Gujarat. (7) To work out a suitable experimental design and try out the new techniques in the higher secondary classes of English medium schools in Gujarat.

The sample consisted of randomly selected 120 students studying in standard XI (Science stream) in English medium schools in Baroda.

Three groups were constructed for the study. Three teachers were selected and oriented in order to conduct the experiment. After the pilot study, three techniques were selected for the experiment. Three sets of three poems were selected. Three techniques were evolved and the rotation method was used.

The findings of the study were: (1) Technique A, namely, exploring the poem with the help of given questions appear to be effective with the poems of set I in group A. It is seen that the mean achievement of Technique A is much higher than those of Techniques B and Technique C. (2) All the three techniques are equally effective with group B. (3) Observation regarding three teachers involved in conducting the experiment (master’s degree in English) masters’ degree in Education with 12-25 years of experience) were enjoyed the technique and in favor of these. (4) Observations regarding students interest in poetry did not differ much from one another. (5) On the whole, the poetry lessons conducted for the experimental study provided a novel experience for the students and evoked a mixed reaction among them.