Bullying

photo of a bullied women with a kick me sign on her back
Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on September 28, 2022 and last updated on July 25, 2023

The topic of Bullying is of utmost significance for English learners as it addresses a pressing social issue while fostering language growth. Exploring this subject acquaints learners with essential vocabulary related to bullying, its causes and its impact.

Engaging in discussions about prevention strategies, empathy and intervention techniques nurtures conversational fluency and critical thinking skills. Embracing the topic of Bullying empowers English learners to understand and communicate about this important societal concern, promoting a compassionate and inclusive language environment.

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

About Bullying

Bullying is a serious problem that affects children and adults in everyday life. It can cause depression, anxiety and even lead to suicide. Bullying is not only the act of humiliating someone or making them feel small, it can also be when one person takes advantage of another person’s kindness or generosity by taking what does not belong to them.

Bullying is an issue that needs to be taken more seriously because it affects so many people across the globe every single day. It is important that anyone who has been affected by bullying knows that there are people who will listen to them and help them get through this difficult time in their life.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • bully (verb)
  • susceptible (adjective)
  • consequence (noun)
  • clamp down on (phrasal verb)
  • stamp out (phrasal verb)
  • humiliate (verb)
  • target (verb)
  • look out for something (phrasal verb)
  • skills (noun)

Conversation Questions

My Image
  • Why do you think some some people are more likely to be bullied than others?
  • Were you ever bullied at school?
  • Have you ever bullied anyone?
  • Why do you think someone becomes a bully?
  • What do you think children can do to stop themselves from being bullied at school?
  • What do you think schools should do to prevent bullying?
  • What do you think parents can do to prevent bullying?
  • How common do you think bullying is at schools in your country?
  • Do you think bullying in the workplace is a real problem?
  • Do you know anyone who has ever been bullied at work?
  • What would you do if you were being bullied at work?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.