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Course Text 02 (B2) (× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ) - Bullying in Basic Schools

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39 views6 pages

Course Text 02 (B2) (× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ) - Bullying in Basic Schools

Uploaded by

Marah A
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Course Text # 2 Bullying in Schools

Pre-Reading Vocabulary: Learn the definitions of these words.


Locate each word in the text and try to understand its use in
context.

Word in Text Meaning Word in Text Meaning


bullying solution
cyber unaware

extend publicize

anonymity enforce
tolerate interfere
rumors data
traditional institution
capable initiative

Bullying in Schools (934 words)


Physical bullying and cyber-bullying are both serious problems in today's
schools. New initiatives are needed to help both the bullied children and
the bullies themselves.

1 Although it is hard to define bullying, most people agree that it is a


major problem in 21st century schools. Some people look at bullying only as
physical attacks and aggression, while others realize that bullying is also
psychological. Advances in cyber-technology(Q1) have worsened the
problem, not only by extending the reach of bullies, but also by allowing
them anonymity.

2 Everyone agrees that all students deserve to attend school in a safe


environment. As a result, there has been much discussion about physical
aggression, especially in cases involving guns and knives in schools. School
shootings and violence directed at both students and teachers are viewed
by all as tragedies. Like violent acts at school, psychological bullying(Q3) is
in many ways equally bad and heartbreaking. However, the latter is more
common and more tolerated than the former. (Q3)

Technology and Bullying


3 The nature of bullying has changed with the growth of modern
technology. The old methods of bullying have been replaced by more
sophisticated and far-reaching methods, like hurtful posts on social media.
Spreading rumors and name-calling are still the most common bullying
techniques. Nevertheless, with cyber-connections, those same rumors and
hurtful name-calling can now travel instantly around the world. (Q4)

4 Social networks meant to build friendships have become the new


forum for saying negative things about others. Gossip and scandal reach
the wider community and can also be read by future friends, colleagues,
and employers. Like traditional psychological bullying, cyber-bullying can
isolate and seriously hurt a student. However, the impact is both quicker
and more widespread. (Q4)

Effects of Bullying
5 Emotionally, psychological bullying leads to the same results as
physical maltreatment. As with other types of abuse, the psychological
effects are very deep. In bullied students, helplessness and confusion can
lead to depression, anger, and humiliation. Loss of self-esteem can cause
serious emotional damage. The bullied student’s opportunities to learn,
grow, attend school, and socialize are affected by the trauma. Increasing
numbers of bullied students are missing school days, not attending sports
and other after school activities, or even dropping out of school altogether.

6 More and more studies identify bullying as psychologically harmful not


only to the bullied person, but also to the bully him or herself(Q5). Bullies
often find themselves unhappy or depressed as the result of their bad
behavior. They often find themselves stuck in routines, sometimes even
unaware that they are damaging others. Helping to understand the
consequences of their actions is clearly beneficial to everyone involved.

7 Fortunately awareness of the harmful effects of bullying has greatly


increased in recent years. Magazine and newspaper articles and even
television shows have publicized the issue of bullying, including cyber-
bullying. Yet, even with this new and growing knowledge about the dangers
of bullying, both parents and schools seem strangely helpless in preventing
or stopping it indeed, even in reducing it(Q6). Although many schools may
have an anti-bullying policy, they are often incapable of enforcing it.

Dealing with the Phenomenon of Bullying


8 There are a number of reasons why the problem of psychological
bullying is not properly dealt with. One factor is the widespread attitude of
parents who prefer not to interfere(Q7). This prevents parents from getting
involved even when bullies are causing serious damage. As a result,
children are often forced to handle bullying on their own. Another factor is
the behavior of schools, including teachers, administrators, and guidance
counselors(Q7). In an attempt to deal with cyber-bullying, many schools
prohibit students from using cell phones while at school. This is not only
extremely difficult to enforce, but it also does not prevent the cyber-
bullying that happens before and after school. Consequently, parents and
teachers alike feel powerless to prevent teens from texting whatever
messages they want. Adding to the difficulty of preventing bullying is the
fact that school administrators often claim that they have no legal
authority to act against bullying(Q8).

Recommendations
9 Bullying will only stop when entire communities, beginning with
schools and parents work actively to end it. To do this, the first and most
important step is for schools to clearly define the concept of bullying and
include cyber bullying in the definition(Q10). Then, schools need to collect
relevant data about the situation. They should follow what is happening on
social media and create forums to learn about how students and others
feel about it.

10 In addition, schools need to develop an anti-bullying policy so that they


are able to respond to bullying in the best way. This may include the use of
sanctions, such as school suspension, preventing bullies from joining social
clubs, and even expulsion. Perhaps most importantly, schools need to work
with children in classrooms. Students' social education needs to focus on
how to prevent bullying. Special classes need to be formed to let students
talk openly and find solutions to the problem. Finally, schools must create a
place where all students, even bystanders-those that only observe the
event, feel safe about reporting bullying(Q11). Such reports can greatly
help minimize bullying and improve the situation.

Conclusion
11 Schools and other educational institutions can and should be a place of
respect, safety and nurturing. They should not be a place where students
live in fear of bullying in any form. Although it is difficult to put a complete
end to bullying, parents and schools can and should work together to
control and decrease it(Q9,Q12). This is the only way we can make schools
a better place for our children.

Based on 2011 website edarticle.com

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What has recently increased the problem of bullying and made it


worse?

Advances in cyber-technology

2. How is psychological bullying different from physical aggression


according to ¶2?
a. Psychological bullying happens much less often and is less accepted.
b. Psychological bullying occurs more often and is more accepted.
c. Psychological bullying is equally destructive and heartbreaking.
d. Psychological bullying is a tragedy that will not heal easily.

3. What are two examples of bullying that are still happening? (2 words
each)

a. Physical violence

b. Psychological bullying

4. How is bullying today different than in previous years?

In the past, bad things said about someone went around (circle 1)
slowly/quickly and stayed (circle 1) local/global i.e. a (circle 1)
large /small number of people heard about it.

Nowadays, bad things said about someone go around (circle 1)


slowly/quickly and go (circle 1) local/global i.e. a (circle 1) large
/small number of people hear about it.

5. The studies in ¶6 show that bullying does serious damage to both the
Bully (1 word) and to the bullied person/victim (1 or 2 words).

6. What is the contrast expressed in ¶7?

On the one hand, people are (circle 1) less / more aware of the dangers
of bullying. On the other hand, people (circle 1) do / do not feel that
they can do anything to stop bullying.

7. What are two factors that result in nothing being done about bullying?

a. widespread attitude of parents who prefer not to interfere


b. the behavior of schools, including teachers, administrators, and
guidance counselors

8. What excuse do school administrators give for not acting against bullies
(¶8)?

school administrators often claim that they have no legal authority to act
against bullying

9. Who needs to help in order to end bullying?


a. cyberbullies
b. only parents or school administrators
c. entire communities
d. social media forums

10. What is the most significant step in preventing bullying?

the first and most important step is for schools to clearly define the
concept of bullying and include cyber bullying in the definition.

11. How can bystanders help end bullying?


By bringing it to the attention of (circle 1) children / adults.

12. What is the author’s conclusion?


a. There are many of ways to make school a better place for children.
b. It is important to do the impossible job of ending bullying in schools.
c. Schools and parents need to partner in order to end bullying.
d. It is important to ignore bullying in schools so that it will go away.

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