Golden Rule vs. Platinum Rule – Which One Makes Schools Safer?

Podcast Worksheet: Golden Rule vs. Platinum Rule – Which One Makes Schools Safer?

I. Glossary

Enhance your B1-B2 vocabulary with these 20 key terms from the podcast.

1. Articulate (verb): To express an idea or feeling fluently and coherently.

   • Example 1: The student was able to articulate her opinion clearly during the debate.

   • Example 2: Both Jesus and the Buddha articulated the Golden Rule through their teachings.

2. Harmonious (adjective): Forming a pleasing or consistent whole; free from conflict.

   • Example 1: The team worked in a harmonious way to finish the project.

   • Example 2: The podcast discusses how different religious views can be harmonious.

3. Ignorant (adjective): Lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated.

   • Example 1: He was ignorant of the fact that his joke hurt her feelings.

   • Example 2: We shouldn't be ignorant about the different needs of our classmates.

4. Sting (noun): A small but sharp pain, either physical or emotional.

   • Example 1: There was a hidden sting in his "harmless" comment.

   • Example 2: She felt the sting of rejection when they didn't invite her.

5. Vital (adjective): Absolutely necessary; essential.

   • Example 1: It is vital to listen to others if we want to understand them.

   • Example 2: The podcast asks a vital question about school safety.

6. Shortcut (noun): A quicker way of doing something than the usual way.

   • Example 1: Using a moral shortcut can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.

   • Example 2: This app is a great shortcut for learning new vocabulary.

7. Assume (verb): To suppose that something is the case, without proof.

   • Example 1: Don't assume that everyone likes the same music as you.

   • Example 2: The Golden Rule assumes that others want what you want.

8. Tease (verb): To laugh at and make fun of someone in a playful or unkind way.

   • Example 1: It’s not funny to tease someone about their accent.

   • Example 2: Some kids tease others because they want attention.

9. Thrive (verb): To grow, develop, or be successful.

   • Example 1: Extroverts often thrive in loud, social environments.

   • Example 2: Children thrive when they feel safe and respected at school.

10. Exclusion (noun): The process or state of excluding or being excluded from a group.

    • Example 1: Social exclusion can be just as painful as physical bullying.

    • Example 2: The student felt the sting of exclusion during the lunch break.

11. Perspective (noun): A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

    • Example 1: Try to see the situation from your friend's perspective.

    • Example 2: The Platinum Rule is based on understanding different perspectives.

12. Embarrassed (adjective): Feeling self-conscious, ashamed, or awkward.

    • Example 1: I would feel embarrassed if I had to speak in front of a thousand people.

    • Example 2: She looked embarrassed when the teacher praised her publicly.

13. Boundaries (noun): A limit of what is personal or acceptable behavior.

    • Example 1: We must respect people's personal boundaries.

    • Example 2: Setting boundaries is a key part of healthy relationships.

14. Compassion (noun): Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

    • Example 1: Showing compassion to a lonely classmate can make a big difference.

    • Example 2: UNESCO champions compassion as a core competency for students.

15. Harassment (noun): Aggressive pressure or intimidation.

    • Example 1: The school has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.

    • Example 2: Empathy helps in reducing bullying and harassment in classrooms.

16. Resilient (adjective): Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.

    • Example 1: Learning empathy helps students become more resilient.

    • Example 2: He is a resilient person who never gives up after a failure.

17. Nuance (noun): A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

    • Example 1: There is a lot of nuance in the debate between the two rules.

    • Example 2: To get a B2 grade, you need to show nuance in your essay.

18. Perpetrator (noun): A person who carries out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act.

    • Example 1: The perpetrator of the bullying was suspended from school.

    • Example 2: Studies show that bullying perpetrators often lack empathy.

19. Accommodate (verb): To fit in with the wishes or needs of someone.

    • Example 1: We should try to accommodate different learning styles in the class.

    • Example 2: You shouldn't accommodate a preference if it is harmful.

20. Thesis (noun): A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved.

    • Example 1: Your essay needs a clear thesis statement in the introduction.

    • Example 2: The speaker suggested a thesis about the effectiveness of the Platinum Rule.

II. Fill-in-the-Gap

Fill in the gaps with the correct words from the podcast transcript.

1. Both Jesus and the Buddha ___________ the Golden Rule through distinct lenses.

2. The student remained entirely ___________ of the sting hidden behind his humor.

3. The classmate staring at her desk felt like she wanted to ___________.

4. The Golden Rule is a great moral ___________, but it has problems.

5. Real empathy means seeing the situation from the other person's ___________.

6. One of the core competencies listed by UNESCO is the ability to display ___________.

7. Promoting empathy helps build a more ___________ generation.

8. The OECD found that bullying ___________ show lower empathy.

9. The Platinum Rule isn't a free pass; it is empathy plus ___________.

10. The Golden Rule is a good moral ___________ point for any student.

III. Podcast Transcript

Read the transcript below. The new vocabulary words are highlighted in bold.

Speaker 1: Get ready to supercharge your language skills... We're diving deep into whether the Golden Rule is still king, or if treating others as they want is the smarter, modern approach.

Speaker 2: Both Jesus and the Buddha articulated the Golden Rule through distinct yet harmonious lenses... picture a typical third-period classroom. A student leans back, grinning, and shouts, "Hey, say it again with your accent!" He believes he is being charming... remaining entirely ignorant of the sting hidden behind his harmless humor.

Speaker 1: But the classmate he's teasing... She's staring at her desk, cheeks burning, wishing she could disappear.

Speaker 2: This leaves us with a vital question. Is treating others as you want to be treated truly the smartest rule? There's a second rule... the Platinum Rule.

Speaker 1: UNESCO and the OECD have data suggesting it might actually make classrooms safer... The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. It's a great moral shortcut. The problem? It assumes everybody else wants exactly what you want.

Speaker 2: Enter the Platinum Rule. Treat others the way they would like to be treated. Back in 1979, Milton J. Bennett wrote about overcoming the Golden Rule. His argument? The Golden Rule assumes similarity. Real empathy means actually seeing the situation from the other person's perspective.

Speaker 1: Let’s make this concrete... Some students light up with public praise, others want to disappear. Introverts are counting the minutes during group work. And the big one: jokes. What one student calls friendly teasing, another experiences as exclusion.

Speaker 2: Which is exactly why the Platinum Rule asks you to pause and notice.

Speaker 1: Matura vocabulary drop: Kind, fair, respect, bullying, feelings, safe.

Speaker 2: Exam-ready phrases: "From my point of view." "I would feel embarrassed if..." "We should respect people’s boundaries."

Speaker 1: Does this make schools safer? UNESCO’s SEL framework lists the ability to display empathy and compassion for others. This reduces bullying and harassment.

Speaker 2: One in three learners is bullied monthly. Esther Cuich-Laroche says promoting empathy helps build a more resilient generation.

Speaker 1: The OECD’s 2024 report found that perpetrators show lower empathy. But here is the nuance: SEL alone is not enough. It must be combined with clear rules and leadership.

Speaker 2: There’s also an ethical limit. You don’t accommodate any preference without question. If someone wants to cheat or be cruel, you don't do it. The Platinum Rule is empathy plus boundaries.

Speaker 1: Safe schools need both rules, plus adult action. That’s your essay thesis right there.

IV. True, False, or Not Stated

Decide if the following statements are True (T), False (F), or Not Stated (NS).

1. The Golden Rule and the Platinum Rule are exactly the same thing. [ ]

2. Milton J. Bennett wrote his essay on the Golden Rule in the 21st century. [ ]

3. One in three students worldwide experiences bullying every month. [ ]

4. The Platinum Rule means you should always do whatever another person asks you to do. [ ]

5. The OECD suggests that empathy alone is enough to stop bullying in schools. [ ]

6. Extroverts always prefer working alone in a quiet space. [ ]

7. The podcast host, Janos Blasauer, is an English teacher in Hungary. [ ]

8. According to UNESCO, empathy can help reduce cyberbullying. [ ]

9. The "accent" joke mentioned at the beginning was intended to be malicious. [ ]

10. The Platinum Rule was first introduced by the Buddha. [ ]

V. Synonym Matching

Match the words from the text (1-10) with their synonyms (A-J).

1. Vital ____ | A. To suppose

2. Assume ____ | B. Crucial

3. Perspective ____ | C. Intimidation

4. Resilient ____ | D. Point of view

5. Harassment ____ | E. Tough/Strong

6. Articulate ____ | F. To help/fit in

7. Accommodate ____ | G. Small difference

8. Nuance ____ | H. To voice/express

9. Tease ____ | I. Leaving someone out

10. Exclusion ____ | J. Mock

VI. Critical Thinking and Discussion

1. Why might the Golden Rule be "dangerous" in a diverse classroom?

2. Can you think of a time when someone treated you how they wanted to be treated, but it wasn't what you wanted?

3. How do you find the "boundaries" mentioned in the podcast when trying to be empathetic?

4. Do you think "kindness with a spine" is a good description of the Platinum Rule? Why?

5. Why is adult action and school structure necessary alongside empathy?

6. How does the "accent" example show the difference between intent and impact?

7. In your opinion, which rule is easier to follow in daily life?

8. How can social and emotional learning (SEL) help you in your future career?

9. Why do you think bullying perpetrators often show lower empathy?

10. How can we encourage the Platinum Rule without making students feel uncomfortable?

VII. Essay Question

Topic: "The Golden Rule is a good moral starting point, but the Platinum Rule is more effective for modern, safe schools."

Task: Write an essay of 180-220 words expressing your opinion on this statement. Prompts:

• Compare the two rules.

• Give an example of a school situation where the rules might lead to different results.

• Discuss the role of boundaries and school rules.