Today we are looking at B2 C1 C2 English Vocabulary: Bias. Bias is a word that often causes lots of confusion. Let’s take a look at it’s meaning and uses.

Bias

• If someone is bias, they support or oppose a particular person or thing in an unfair way.
  • It is quite common for people to be biased towards people they feel are similar to them.
  • Judges are not allowed to be biased. They must always be neutral.

Bias towards or against someone or something

• If someone is biased towards, it means that they favor a certain person or group over another one.
• In the example below, note that bias is the reason behind why someone may make a sexist decision.
  • It was quite normal in the past for businesses to hire men over women due to bias. They felt more comfortable working with people who were like them. Today, people are confronting these biases and hiring the person that is best for the position.
• In the following example, bias against a certain group of people or person means that you hold negative feelings about them.
  • If I walk into a room and there is a group of men and a group of women, I naturally go towards the women as I am biased against men.
  • It is clear that the hiring process is showing a bias against latinos applicants.

Bias vs Racism

• Bias shows a preference for or against someone.
• Racism has a number of meaning and cannot be simplified in just one sentence. Having said that, it is usually based on the idea that one group is more intelligent or superior to another culture. Hatred but also unjust policies and treatment are often defined as racist.
• It is important to note that many biases if not checked may lead to racism, sexism, homophobia and forms of hatred.

Most people are not aware of their biases, but all of us have them. It is important for everyone to know what their biases are and why they may be favoring one person or group of people over another. Once you know what they are, you can start the work of breaking them down in order to treat everyone in a just way.

There are many websites that can help you address unconscious biases in the workplace, in schools and in your everyday life.

English Vocabulary

Know that you have seen B2 C1 C2 English Vocabulary: Bias, check out our other Vocab Rehab posts.
Vocab Rehab: Lend Borrow
Vocab Rehab: Work, job, career

Cursos de inglés

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Comercio de Álava tenemos clases de inglés para todos los niveles. Hay cursos de preparación para exámenes, para negocios y para los que simplemente quieren mejorar su inglés. ¡Empieza hoy a mejorar tu inglés!

En este post, explicamos la diferencia entre lend y borrow.

Lend

• Dar algo a alguien, esperando que lo devuelva / To give something to someone, expecting them to give it back
• Cuando tienes algo, lo prestas. / When you have something, you lend it.

Borrow

• Obtener o recibir algo con la intención de devolverlo. / To get or receive something with the intention of giving it back.
• Cuando recibes o consigues algo, lo tomas prestado. / When you get or receive something, you borrow it.

Ya que has visto La diferencia entre lend y borrow, ver otros posts de vocabulario:
Vocab Rehab: work, job, career
Vocab Rehab: responsible accountable

Cursos de inglés

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B2 C1 C2 English Vocabulary: Job Work Career shows us the differences between when to use Job vs Work vs Career. Even some of my advanced students still mix us the difference between job and work, so let’s take a look.

Job

• Job is a countable noun.
• This means that we can have one job, two jobs, three jobs, etc.
• Click here to learn more about countable nouns
• We can also say:
  • This is my first job.
  • I was a cook at my last job.
• Job refers to a specific employment or role at work: a teacher, a specialist, a doctor, etc.
  • I love my job. I’ve been working as a teacher for over 25 years now.
  • I start a new job on Monday and I am a bit nervous.

Work

• The word work is uncountable and can be used either as a verb or a noun.

Work – noun

• Click here to learn more about uncountable nouns
• This means we cannot use words like one, two, three, first, last, etc. with work.
• We CAN say: How much work do you have left?
• I have a lot of work today.
• refers to a specific task that we do, usually this task earns us money, but not always.
  • I have to do some work around the house (cutting the grass, cleaning the kitchen).
  • I need to finish my work before 3pm because I my daughter has a basketball game I want to see.

Work – verb

• The word work functions as a regular verb.
  • I have worked here for over 5 years now.
  • She’s working the night shift tonight.

Career

• Career is a false friend for Spanish speakers. It does NOT refer to what you are studying.
• It is a job or series of jobs in a specific field of work.
• Career is a countable noun. People can have several careers in one lifetime.
  • Before he started working as a chef, he had a career in banking.
  • She has had a long and prosperous career in engineering.

Now that you have reviewed B2 C1 C2 English Vocabulary: Job Work Career, take a look at our other Vocab Rehab posts:
Vocab Rehab: Accountable Responsible
Vocab Rehab: Leverage

English Classes

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Comercio de Álava tenemos cursos de inglés para todos los niveles. Haz click aquí para ver más sobre nuestros cursos.

This week we explore the differences between Responsibility and Accountability in this post, Vocabulario en inglés: Responsible Accountable. This is especially difficult for Spanish speakers, since both words translate to responsabilidad. In the photo above, the sentence you can hide from responsibility but you can’t hide from accountability highlights the differences between these two words. You may be able to be irresponsible but someone will always hold you accountable. Continue reading to learn more.

Responsible and responsibility

• The person who has to complete a step in a process
• Someone assigned to work on a particular task.
• This can be more than one individual
  • I am the one responsible for contacting our international clients.
  • Our team is responsible for all Latin American communication.
• To have control and authority over someone/something and the duty to take care of it or them
  • She is responsible for the latest project and will also report to the one accountable.
• Something that is your duty.
  • It’s our responsibility to finish the project on time.
• Blame for something that has happened.
  • He is personally responsible for causing so much chaos in the office.
  • You need to accept responsibility for your actions.
• Good judgement
  • Both of my cousins have very responsible positions in the company.
  • Being a parent carries a lot of responsibility.

Accountable and Accountability

• The one ensuring that the step in the process is completely correctly and liable if anything goes wrong.
• Only one person is accountable
  • In the end, I am the accountable one if anything goes south.
  • Maria is responsible for reporting everything to Julie. Julie is accountable for everything being completed in the way the CEO outlined.
• Responsible for what you do and having to give an explanation for it.
  • He will be held accountable for stealing from the company.
  • The government is accountable for the strife felt by the general population.

Now that you have read Vocabulario en inglés: Responsible Accountable, take a look at our Vocab Rehabs:
Vocab Rehab: Leverage
Vocab Rehab: Empowerment

Clases de inglés

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Comercio de Álava, tenemos varios cursos de inglés para todos los niveles y necesidades. Haz click aquí para inscribirse en un curso.