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Teachers cyber-bullied by students and parents (27th April, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Children as young as seven are posting abusive and damaging comments about their teachers on social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, according to new research. Even worse, some of the children's parents are adding their comments to what constitutes a serious escalation in the cyber-bullying of educators. The British teaching union NASUWT conducted a survey of more than 7,500 teachers. It found that almost half of teachers had reported abuse to the school, police or the website on which the insults were posted. Other figures show that more than 20 per cent of teachers felt they had been cyber-bullied in the past year. Three per cent of the comments were from under-elevens.

The survey revealed that 64% of the comments were made by pupils, 27% by parents, and the rest a mix of both. Many of the comments related to teachers’ appearance, competence, and sexuality. Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: "It is clear that steps need to be taken to protect teachers from the abuse of social media by pupils and parents." She added: "Teachers are often devastated by the vile nature of the abuse they are suffering. Some have lost their confidence to teach once they see foul and personal remarks made by pupils in their classes and have left the profession." Many teachers are afraid to report the abuse. They think it would lead to more trouble.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10777369/School-pupils-trolling-teachers-with-vile-abuse-on-Facebook-and-Twitter.html
http://news.sky.com/story/1246231/teachers-subjected-to-online-abuse-by-pupils
http://news.tes.co.uk/b/news/2014/04/19/quot-vile-quot-social-media-abuse-from-parents-and-pupils-risking-teachers-39-health.aspx

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. CYBER-BULLYING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about cyber-bullying. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

posting / abusive / research / educators / union / insults / figures / cyber-bullied / revealed / appearance / competence / sexuality / devastated / confidence / profession

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. TEACHING: What can teachers do to improve these situations? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Solutions?	Your experience of this
Disruptive students
Cyber-bullying
Poor student attendance
Class sizes too large
Students with low grades
Too much testing

4. POLICE: Students A strongly believe the police should find anyone who abuses teachers online; Students B strongly believe that's an invasion of privacy. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. TEACHERS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important qualities a teacher should have at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• a sense of humour

• good class management

• knows his/her subject

• talks to all students

• helps students outside class

• energy

• be thick-skinned

• knowledge of teaching technology

6. SOCIAL MEDIA: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the phrase "social media". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Most students posting abuse about teachers are seven years old.	T / F
b.	The cyber-bullying of teachers is getting worse.	T / F
c.	A teaching union surveyed 7,500 teachers about cyber-bullying.	T / F
d.	A fifth of teachers reported being cyber-bullied in the past year.	T / F
e.	Over a quarter of abusive comments came from parents.	T / F
f.	A union leader said sufficient steps had been taken to protect teachers.	T / F
g.	No teachers have quit their job over the cyber-bullying.	T / F
h.	Teachers are showing no fear in reporting the abuse.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	abusive	a.	combination
2.	constitutes	b.	carried out
3.	escalation	c.	statistics
4.	conducted	d.	amounts to
5.	figures	e.	nasty
6.	revealed	f.	insulting
7.	mix	g.	ability
8.	competence	h.	upsurge
9.	vile	i.	result in
10.	lead to	j.	showed

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	posting abusive and	a.	been cyber-bullied
2.	a serious	b.	under-elevens
3.	teaching	c.	to protect teachers
4.	teachers felt they had	d.	damaging comments
5.	3% of the comments were from	e.	nature of the abuse
6.	comments related to	f.	to more trouble
7.	steps need to be taken	g.	escalation
8.	devastated by the vile	h.	confidence to teach
9.	Some have lost their	i.	union
10.	They think it would lead	j.	teachers' appearance

GAP FILL

Children as young as seven are (1) ____________ abusive and damaging comments about their teachers on social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, (2) ____________ to new research. Even worse, some of the children's parents are (3) ____________ their comments to what constitutes a serious (4) ____________ in the cyber-bullying of educators. The British teaching union NASUWT (5) ____________ a survey of more than 7,500 teachers. It found that almost half of teachers had (6) ____________ abuse to the school, police or the website on which the (7) ____________ were posted. Other figures show that more than 20 per cent of teachers (8) ____________ they had been cyber-bullied in the past year. Three per cent of the comments were from under-elevens.

insults
escalation
according
felt
posting
conducted
reported
adding

The survey (9) ____________ that 64% of the comments were made by pupils, 27% by parents, and the rest a (10) ____________ of both. Many of the comments related to teachers' appearance, competence, and (11) ____________. Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: "It is clear that steps need to be taken to protect teachers from the abuse of social (12) ____________ by pupils and parents." She added: "Teachers are often devastated by the (13) ____________ nature of the abuse they are suffering. Some have lost their confidence to teach once they see foul and personal (14) ____________ made by pupils in their classes and have left the (15) ____________." Many teachers are afraid to report the abuse. They think it would (16) ____________ to more trouble.

remarks
media
sexuality
profession
revealed
vile
lead
mix

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Children as young as seven are posting abusive and ______
	a. damaged comments b. damage in comments c. damaging comments d. damages in comments
2)	parents are adding their comments to what constitutes ______
	a. a seriously escalation b. a series escalation c. a serious escalation d. a series us escalation
3)	more than 7,500 teachers. It found that almost half of teachers ______
	a. had report it abuse b. had reported abuse c. had report it as abuse d. had report abuse
4)	Other figures show that more than 20 per cent of teachers felt they had ______
	a. been cyber-bullying b. been cyber-bullies c. been cyber-bully d. been cyber-bullied
5)	Three per cent of the comments were ______
	a. from under-elevens b. from over-elevens c. from about-elevens d. from around-elevens
6)	64% of the comments were made by pupils, 27% by parents, and the ______
	a. lest a mix of both b. rest a mix of all c. lest a nix of both d. rest a mix of both
7)	Many of the comments related to teachers' appearance, ______
	a. competent, and sexuality b. competence, and sexually c. competence, and sexuality d. competent, and sexually
8)	It is clear that steps need to be taken ______
	a. too protective teachers b. to protect teachers c. to protects teachers d. two protect teachers
9)	Teachers are often devastated by the ______ abuse
	a. vile nature of the b. file nature of the c. bile nature of the d. vial nature of the
10)	Some have lost their confidence to teach once they see foul and personal ______ pupils
	a. remakes made by b. remarks made by c. rim marks made by d. rim makes made by

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Children as young as seven (1) ___________________ and damaging comments about their teachers on social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, (2) ___________________ research. Even worse, some of the children's parents are adding their comments to what constitutes (3) ___________________ in the cyber-bullying of educators. The British teaching union NASUWT conducted a survey of more than 7,500 teachers. It found that almost half of teachers (4) ___________________ to the school, police or the website on which the insults were posted. Other (5) ___________________ more than 20 per cent of teachers felt they had been cyber-bullied in the past year. Three per cent of the comments were (6) ___________________.

The survey revealed that 64% of the comments (7) ___________________, 27% by parents, and the rest a mix of both. Many of the comments related to teachers' (8) ___________________, and sexuality. Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: "It is clear that (9) ___________________ to protect teachers from the abuse of social media by pupils and parents." She added: "Teachers are often devastated by (10) ___________________ of the abuse they are suffering. Some have lost their confidence to teach once they see foul and (11) ___________________ made by pupils in their classes and have left the profession." Many teachers are afraid to report the abuse. They think it would (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How old are the youngest children posting on social networks?
2.	What is there a serious escalation in?
3.	What / Who conducted a survey of teachers?
4.	How many teachers had reported abuse?
5.	What proportion of under-eleven-year-olds made comments?
6.	What was the percentage of comments from parents?
7.	Why did a union official say steps needed to be taken?
8.	How do the teachers feel about the vile nature of the abuse?
9.	What have some teachers lost?
10.	Why are many teachers afraid to report abuse?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How old are the youngest children posting on social networks?	6.	What was the percentage of comments from parents?
	a) 7 b) 6 c) 5 d) 4		a) 50% b) 64% c) 38.751% d) 27%
2.	What is there a serious escalation in?	7.	Why did a union official say steps needed to be taken?
	a) teachers joining a union b) teachers quitting their jobs c) cyber-bullying of teachers d) the number of surveys teachers take		a) to educate children b) the elevators had broken c) to protect teachers d) because the Internet is unsafe
3.	What / Who conducted a survey of teachers?	8.	How do the teachers feel about the vile nature of the abuse?
	a) a school b) a social network site c) the British police d) a teaching union		a) demolished b) devastated c) driven d) devalued
4.	How many teachers had reported abuse?	9.	What have some teachers lost?
	a) 7,500 b) almost half c) a quarter of a million d) 20%		a) their job b) their whiteboard eraser c) confidence d) Internet connection
5.	What proportion of under-eleven-year-olds made comments?	10.	Why are many teachers afraid to report abuse?
	a) 3% b) 24% c) 50% d) 64%		a) it will lead to more comments b) they think there'll be more trouble c) to keep their password safe d) they fear someone will attack them

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Energy

You think energy is the most important thing for a teacher to possess. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): intelligence, a sense of humour or qualifications.

Role B – Intelligence

You think intelligence is the most important thing for a teacher to possess. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): energy, a sense of humour or qualifications.

Role C – A sense of humour

You think a sense of humour is the most important thing for a teacher to possess. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): intelligence, energy or qualifications.

Role D – Qualifications

You think qualifications are the most important thing for a teacher to possess. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): intelligence, a sense of humour or energy.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'cyber' and 'bully'.

cyber

bully

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

seven
new
serious
half
20
under

27
related
clear
nature
left
lead

CYBER-BULLYING SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about cyber-bullying in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

CYBER-BULLYING DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What should the teaching profession do about the cyber-bullying of teachers?
c)	Should students be punished for abusive comments?
d)	How can teachers deal with damaging remarks about them?
e)	Should the police get involved in stopping this abuse?
f)	Should a teacher be able to sue students and parents for comments about them?
g)	What would you do if you found dozens of vile comments about you?
h)	Has social media given people too much power to hurt others?
i)	Are teachers treated well in your country?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the head of the union?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'teacher'?
c)	What three adjectives best describe teachers and why?
d)	Who was your favourite teacher (and why)?
e)	What do you think of cyber-bullying?
f)	What things about teaching do you think are difficult?
g)	What do you think of 7-year-olds posting abusive comments about their teachers?
h)	Do all teachers do a good job?
i)	Should pupils and parents talk to teachers instead of using social media?
j)	Did you ever have any issues with your teachers?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Children as young as seven are posting (1) ____ and damaging comments about their teachers on social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, according (2) ____ new research. Even worse, some of the children's parents are adding their comments to what (3) ____ a serious escalation in the cyber-bullying of educators. The British teaching union NASUWT (4) ____ a survey of more than 7,500 teachers. It found that almost half of teachers had reported abuse to the school, police or the website on which the (5) ____ were posted. Other figures show that more than 20 per cent of teachers felt they had been cyber-bullied in the past year. Three per cent of the comments were from (6) ____-elevens.

The survey revealed that 64% of the comments were made by pupils, 27% by parents, and the rest a (7) ____ of both. Many of the comments related to teachers' appearance, competence, and sexuality. Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: "It is clear that (8) ____ need to be taken to protect teachers from the abuse of social media by pupils and parents." She added: "Teachers are often devastated by the (9) ____ nature of the abuse they are suffering. Some have lost their confidence to teach (10) ____ they see foul and personal remarks made by pupils in their classes and have (11) ____ the profession." Many teachers are afraid to report the abuse. They think it would (12) ____ to more trouble.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	absolving	(b)	adhesive	(c)	abrasive	(d)	abusive
2.	(a)	on	(b)	by	(c)	of	(d)	to
3.	(a)	constricts	(b)	constitutes	(c)	consults	(d)	constants
4.	(a)	marred	(b)	beckoned	(c)	conducted	(d)	tuned
5.	(a)	insets	(b)	inserts	(c)	insults	(d)	insteps
6.	(a)	under	(b)	over	(c)	about	(d)	already
7.	(a)	recipe	(b)	mix	(c)	mingle	(d)	stir
8.	(a)	steps	(b)	stages	(c)	foundations	(d)	stairs
9.	(a)	bile	(b)	vile	(c)	guile	(d)	vial
10.	(a)	upon	(b)	soon	(c)	once	(d)	since
11.	(a)	noticed	(b)	ejected	(c)	left	(d)	jettisoned
12.	(a)	over	(b)	result	(c)	occur	(d)	lead

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	posting eiusbav and damaging comments
2.	odcicrnag to research
3.	a serious tsiacoealn
4.	teaching noinu
5.	conducted a yrusev
6.	the suinlst were posted
Paragraph 2
7.	The survey edeavlre that 64%...
8.	teachers' appearance, eetmocpecn, and sexuality
9.	Teachers are often dtstavadee
10.	the lvei nature of the abuse
11.	fluo and personal remarks
12.	left the rpisosnfeo

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	sexuality. Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: "It is clear that steps need to be taken to protect teachers
( )	by the vile nature of the abuse they are suffering. Some have lost their confidence to teach once they see
( )	survey of more than 7,500 teachers. It found that almost half of teachers had reported
( )	abuse to the school, police or the website on which the insults were posted. Other figures show that more than 20 per cent of teachers
( 1 )	Children as young as seven are posting abusive and damaging comments about their teachers on social
( )	from the abuse of social media by pupils and parents." She added: "Teachers are often devastated
( )	escalation in the cyber-bullying of educators. The British teaching union NASUWT conducted a
( )	of both. Many of the comments related to teachers' appearance, competence, and
( )	networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, according to new research. Even
( )	foul and personal remarks made by pupils in their classes and have left the profession." Many teachers
( )	worse, some of the children's parents are adding their comments to what constitutes a serious
( )	are afraid to report the abuse. They think it would lead to more trouble.
( )	felt they had been cyber-bullied in the past year. Three per cent of the comments were from under-elevens.
( )	The survey revealed that 64% of the comments were made by pupils, 27% by parents, and the rest a mix

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	as seven Children are as posting young abuse.
2.	comments of parents their Some children's adding the are.
3.	educators A serious escalation in the cyber - bullying of.
4.	abuse It found that almost half of teachers had reported.
5.	the comments were from under - elevens 3 % of.
6.	teachers' the appearance comments related Many to of.
7.	is steps be It that to clear need taken.
8.	social from media the abuse Protect of teachers.
9.	the abuse vile nature Devastated of by the.
10.	Some teach to confidence their lost have.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Children as young / old as seven are posting abusive and damaging comments about their teachers on social networking websites such was / as Facebook and Twitter, according by / to new research. Even worse / bad, some of the children's parents are adding their comments to what constitutes a serious elevation / escalation in the cyber-bullying of educators. The British teaching union NASUWT conducted / conduction a survey of more than 7,500 teachers. It found that almost / most half of teachers had reported abuse / abusive to the school, police or the website on which the insults / consults were posted. Other figures show that more than 20 per cent of teachers touched / felt they had been cyber-bullied in the past year. Three per cent of the comments were from under-elevens.

The survey revealed that 64% of the comments were made by pupils, 27% by parents, and the rest a mix / combine of both. Many of the comments related to teachers' appearance, competent / competence, and sexuality. Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: "It is clear / clarity that steps need to be taken to prevent / protect teachers from the abuse of social media by pupils and parenting / parents." She added: "Teachers are often devastated by the vile / file nature of the abuse they are sufferance / suffering. Some have lost their confidence to teach once they see fouled / foul and personal remarks made by pupils in their classes and have left the profession / professional." Many teachers are afraid to report the abuse. They think it would lead to more trouble / troubled.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Ch_ldr_n _s y__ng _s s_v_n _r_ p_st_ng _b_s_v_ _nd d_m_g_ng c_mm_nts _b__t th__r t__ch_rs _n s_c__l n_tw_rk_ng w_bs_t_s s_ch _s F_c_b__k _nd Tw_tt_r, _cc_rd_ng t_ n_w r_s__rch. _v_n w_rs_, s_m_ _f th_ ch_ldr_n's p_r_nts _r_ _dd_ng th__r c_mm_nts t_ wh_t c_nst_t_t_s _ s_r___s _sc_l_t__n _n th_ cyb_r-b_lly_ng _f _d_c_t_rs. Th_ Br_t_sh t__ch_ng _n__n N_S_WT c_nd_ct_d _ s_rv_y _f m_r_ th_n 7,500 t__ch_rs. _t f__nd th_t _lm_st h_lf _f t__ch_rs h_d r_p_rt_d _b_s_ t_ th_ sch__l, p_l_c_ _r th_ w_bs_t_ _n wh_ch th_ _ns_lts w_r_ p_st_d. _th_r f_g_r_s sh_w th_t m_r_ th_n 20 p_r c_nt _f t__ch_rs f_lt th_y h_d b__n cyb_r-b_ll__d _n th_ p_st y__r. Thr__ p_r c_nt _f th_ c_mm_nts w_r_ fr_m _nd_r-_l_v_ns.

Th_ s_rv_y r_v__l_d th_t 64% _f th_ c_mm_nts w_r_ m_d_ by p_p_ls, 27% by p_r_nts, _nd th_ r_st _ m_x _f b_th. M_ny _f th_ c_mm_nts r_l_t_d t_ t__ch_rs' _pp__r_nc_, c_mp_t_nc_, _nd s_x__l_ty. Chr_s K__t_s, N_S_WT g_n_r_l s_cr_t_ry, s__d: "_t _s cl__r th_t st_ps n__d t_ b_ t_k_n t_ pr_t_ct t__ch_rs fr_m th_ _b_s_ _f s_c__l m_d__ by p_p_ls _nd p_r_nts." Sh_ _dd_d: "T__ch_rs _r_ _ft_n d_v_st_t_d by th_ v_l_ n_t_r_ _f th_ _b_s_ th_y _r_ s_ff_r_ng. S_m_ h_v_ l_st th__r c_nf_d_nc_ t_ t__ch _nc_ th_y s__ f__l _nd p_rs_n_l r_m_rks m_d_ by p_p_ls _n th__r cl_ss_s _nd h_v_ l_ft th_ pr_f_ss__n." M_ny t__ch_rs _r_ _fr__d t_ r_p_rt th_ _b_s_. Th_y th_nk _t w__ld l__d t_ m_r_ tr__bl_.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

children as young as seven are posting abusive and damaging comments about their teachers on social networking websites such as facebook and twitter according to new research even worse some of the children's parents are adding their comments to what constitutes a serious escalation in the cyber-bullying of educators the british teaching union nasuwt conducted a survey of more than 7500 teachers it found that almost half of teachers had reported abuse to the school police or the website on which the insults were posted other figures show that more than 20 per cent of teachers felt they had been cyber-bullied in the past year three per cent of the comments were from under-elevens

the survey revealed that 64% of the comments were made by pupils 27% by parents and the rest a mix of both many of the comments related to teachers' appearance competence and sexuality chris keates nasuwt general secretary said "it is clear that steps need to be taken to protect teachers from the abuse of social media by pupils and parents" she added "teachers are often devastated by the vile nature of the abuse they are suffering some have lost their confidence to teach once they see foul and personal remarks made by pupils in their classes and have left the profession" many teachers are afraid to report the abuse they think it would lead to more trouble

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Childrenasyoungassevenarepostingabusiveanddamagingcom
mentsabouttheirteachersonsocialnetworkingwebsitessuchasFa
cebookandTwitter,accordingtonewresearch.Evenworse,someof
thechildren'sparentsareaddingtheircommentstowhatconstitute
saseriousescalationinthecyber-bullyingofeducators.TheB
ritishteachingunionNASUWTconductedasurveyofmorethan7,50
0teachers.Itfoundthatalmosthalfofteachershadreportedabuset
otheschool,policeorthewebsiteonwhichtheinsultswereposted.O
therfiguresshowthatmorethan20percentofteachersfelttheyhad
beencyber-bulliedinthepastyear.Threepercentofthecomment
swerefromunder-elevens.Thesurveyrevealedthat64%oftheco
mmentsweremadebypupils,27%byparents,andtherestamixofb
oth.Manyofthecommentsrelatedtoteachers'appearance,compe
tence,andsexuality.ChrisKeates,NASUWTgeneralsecretary,said
:"Itisclearthatstepsneedtobetakentoprotectteachersfromtheab
useofsocialmediabypupilsandparents."Sheadded:"Teachersare
oftendevastatedbythevilenatureoftheabusetheyaresuffering.S
omehavelosttheirconfidencetoteachoncetheyseefoulandperson
alremarksmadebypupilsintheirclassesandhavelefttheprofessio
n."Manyteachersareafraidtoreporttheabuse.Theythinkitwouldl
eadtomoretrouble.

FREE WRITING

Write about cyber-bullying for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

What are the pros and cons of being a teacher? Would you like to be one? Why?

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about cyber-bullying. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CYBER-BULLYING: Make a poster about the cyber-bullying of teachers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. POLICE SEARCHES: Write a magazine article about whether or not police should have powers to track down pupils and parents who abuse parents online. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an Internet expert. Ask him/her three questions about cyber-bullying. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to stop it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	abusive	a.	insulting
2.	constitutes	b.	amounts to
3.	escalation	c.	upsurge
4.	conducted	d.	carried out
5.	figures	e.	statistics
6.	revealed	f.	showed
7.	mix	g.	combination
8.	competence	h.	ability
9.	vile	i.	nasty
10.	lead to	j.	result in

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	7
2.	The cyber-bullying of teachers
3.	A teaching union (the NASUWT)
4.	Almost half
5.	3%
6.	27%
7.	To protect teachers
8.	Devastated
9.	Confidence to teach
10.	They think it will cause more trouble

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

d

7.

c

8.

b

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Teachers cyber-bullied by students and parents (27th April, 2014)

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