Teaching for raising awareness for social issues: The Stop Bullying Project

by Hara Papadokostaki

DoS Kyttea Education Centres, BA in English Language Literature University Of Athens, TESOL at the Institute of Education, University of London

The Stop Bullying project, gold award winner at the 2021 ELT Excellence Awards, was designed and implemented at Kyttea Education Centres, a foreign language centre in Nafpaktos, Western Greece. Through the project our students had the opportunity to explore various aspects of bullying, to question their own beliefs, to set anti-bullying goals, to cooperate and present their ideas using the foreign language, but also poetry, art, roleplay, drama, dance and song.

Why do we need to teach for awareness for social issues?

Learners discover and construct meaning from information and experience based on their unique perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. To paraphrase the well-known saying, language learning does not occur in a social vacuum. As language teachers in the 21st century, we need to enable students to effectively acquire a foreign language while empowering them with the knowledge, skills, and commitment required to become socially responsible global citizens. That means that our students need to become aware of social problems, their causes and possible solutions. They need to develop the skills that will help them address those problems, such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. We also need to foster positive attitudes, such as empathy, respect for diversity, a commitment to justice, respect for the environment. Finally, we need to empower students to take action in the local and global community to address social issues.

How can it help our students learn English?

Educators have long known that students learn quicker and retain more information when the subject matter pertains to them personally and when they do it, it sticks with them even more. The best way for someone to learn a foreign language is to use it to play, sing, communicate, research topics of interest and express themselves. Engaging students in a project of raising awareness for a social issue provides invaluable opportunities for experiential learning and authentic language use. 

How can I teach awareness for social issues?

• Choose an issue you or your students feel strongly about.

We chose to raise awareness for bullying, prompted by a PALSO painting and poetry competition on the topic. But it was also a topic that we felt very strongly about. Anyone working with children knows that school bullying is unfortunately still a very common phenomenon despite all the efforts to eradicate it by educational authorities, schools and educators around the world.

• Get your colleagues involved.

At Kyttea Education Centres we´re very fortunate, as we have been working together with a group of like-minded professionals for a few years now. Organising such a project takes a lot of time and effort as well as lengthy staff meetings where creative ideas and practical issues are discussed.

• Think about dissemination.

Dissemination is essential for several reasons. First, it is essential in order to have a larger social impact. This way, you can hope to raise aware more people and not only the students of your class/school. It is also important to give students the opportunity to present their work, whether you decide to do it live, or you publish it on the class/school blog. Finally, dissemination is vital as it gives you the opportunity to showcase your school’s work. What better way to show parents and/or prospective clients the quality education you are offering? We decided to present our work at an event where we invited students’ parents, friends and the wider community at the end of the school year.

• Spark students’ interest and generate discussion.

Various means were used to spark students’ interest and initiate a discussion on the topic of bullying, depending on age and language level. We used videos, songs, even ready-made lesson plans available online.Students were encouraged to talk about what they saw, read or listened to, how they felt, if they had ever witnessed anything similar and what people could do when faced with situations like that.

• Give students the opportunity to explore the topic further and develop their language skills

In order to facilitate deeper exploration of the topic and support language development, teachers designed a range of interactive activities. These included engaging games, thought-provoking worksheets, informative surveys, and reflective questionnaires. Through these activities, students were able to gain a deeper understanding of the issue of bullying, explore their own thoughts and feelings on the subject, and develop their language skills and vocabulary. Additionally, roleplay activities allowed students to practice their language skills in a practical and engaging way while exploring different perspectives and responses to bullying scenarios.

• Help students to plan, coordinate, carry out and present their projects

Each class chose a project that best suited their interests and talents, all with the goal of raising awareness about the issue of bullying. Teachers played an important role in guiding students throughout the project, helping them plan, coordinate, and present their work. The projects varied greatly and showcased the creativity of the students, including songs, PowerPoint presentations, posters, videos, dance performances, and poems, all conveying a powerful message against bullying. The variety of mediums allowed students to express themselves in unique ways and engage with the issue of bullying in a way that resonated with them.

The result: a rich and meaningful learning experience

Engaging students in a project like The Stop Bullying Project offers a multitude of benefits, including the opportunity for experiential learning and authentic language use. By actively participating in such initiatives, students can gain a deeper understanding of important social issues and develop the skills necessary to become socially responsible global citizens. Moreover, language teachers who facilitate these projects can make a significant positive impact on their students and the wider community, helping to raise awareness and promote positive change. Overall, projects like The Stop Bullying Project represent a powerful tool for promoting meaningful learning experiences while contributing to a better world.