| Level: |
Topic: |
Speakers: |
Length: |
| difficult |
bullying |
man – woman |
01:57 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
How common is bullying at school or even at the workplace in your country? In what ways is cyberbullying a serious problem, and how is it different than bullying in the past?
Speak Up, Take a Stand! Instructions for Getting the Conversation Started
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.
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In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
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In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
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For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and self-assess your progress.
- Cyberbullying is just as harmful as face-to-face bullying.
- Parents should monitor their children’s online activity more closely.
- Schools should punish students for cyberbullying, even if it happens outside school.
- People are more likely to say hurtful things online than in person.
- Social media companies should do more to stop cyberbullying.
- Blocking someone online is the best way to stop cyberbullying.
- Cyberbullying is harder to escape than traditional bullying.
- Some people don’t realize they are cyberbullying others.
- Victims of cyberbullying should avoid the internet for a while.
- Education is the most effective way to prevent cyberbullying.
Idioms
“be or feel down” = be or feel sad
“James has been really down lately because he has few close friends at school.”
“pick a fight” = start a fight
“Some of the kids are always trying to pick a fight with our son for unknown reasons.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Post-Listening Exercise
Have you (or someone you know) ever experienced bullying at school or in your neighborhood? If so, explain the situation, how you felt, and how things turned out for you. Have you bullied someone in any big or small way? Why did you do it? What led you to stop at some point (if you did stop)?
Online Investigation
Use the Internet to find information on these questions:
- How is bullying in person different from cyberbullying (for example, you can cyberbullying someone else 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)?
- What are the effects of cyberbullying on people?
- What are the warning signs of cyberbullying?
- What are ways in which people are cyberbullied on the Internet?
- What can people do to protect themselves from cyberbullying?
- Are boys or girls more likely to bully other kids? Explain.
- Are people who are bullied more likely to suffer from depression or die by suicide?