Dzifa

I am Dzifa, an award-winning and widely published poet, playwright, journalist and educator with years of experience in many aspects of teaching English language and Literature to students at all levels and from all backgrounds. I am also a creative writing teacher who teaches poetry, prose and drama. I’m an expert in teaching Shakespeare, specialising in demystifying the language making it less impenetrable to the ordinary reader. 



Since 2002 I’ve designed, devised and facilitated creative and education initiatives utilising poetry and other literary arts in schools, universities and community settings. Mentoring adults in higher education and within the creative industries, and working with children in primary and secondary schools, I teach a wide range of lectures, seminars, workshops, masterclasses, after-school sessions, one-to-one lessons and bespoke long-term projects spanning poetry, storytelling, creative writing, performance, theatre, songwriting, reportage, arts journalism, travel writing, academic skills, fiction, creative non-fiction and criticism. As such, I understand both the creative process and the rigours of academic and professional writing.

I’ve worked with many under-represented groups including refugees, women, Global Majority people, SEND and ESOL learners and collaborated with scientists, graffiti artists, filmmakers, musicians, composers and sculptors to deliver workshops. National and international clients have included: Curtis Brown Creative, The Royal Geographical Society, English PEN, University of the Arts, Orleans House Gallery, Southbank Centre, the British Library, University of London, local councils all over the country and the National Youth Theatre.

I also work as a freelance writer/editor and regularly contribute book, theatre and music reviews, interviews and features to the arts pages of the Financial Times, the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Times Literary Supplement and other publications. I have made hundreds of visits to schools and literature festivals to run workshops and give talks. In addition, I have worked as a poetry and criticism mentor, reader/editor at The Literary Consultancy, a guest lecturer at several universities and a judge for several literary prizes. 



I have a Masters degree in Text & Performance from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Birkbeck, University of London.