Discrimination (A2)
CEFR A2 Level
CEFR A2 Level
In basic terms, discrimination happens when people are treated unfairly because of protected traits, like age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, pregnancy, or marriage status. For example, gender discrimination means making negative assumptions about someone because they are a man, woman, or non-binary person. Many countries have equality laws to protect people, like Canada's Human Rights Act or Germany's General Equal Treatment Act.
People can also face discrimination because of their education. This happens when someone is judged or refused job opportunities because they do not have a university degree, or because they went to a public school instead of an expensive private school.
Discrimination is not just bad personal behaviour. It is built into laws, institutions, and everyday systems. These unfair systems give extra power to dominant groups while keeping weaker groups at a disadvantage. By limiting access to good schools, fair jobs, housing, and medical care, systemic discrimination creates lasting inequality.
Pooja's story: Pooja is a talented graphic designer who learned her skills through work experience and online courses instead of a famous university. When she applied for a job at a large company, an automated hiring system rejected her application immediately because she did not have a university degree, even though her work portfolio was stronger than other applicants. Strict education rules can create unfair barriers for skilled workers.
Stefan's story: Stefan is a father who took six months of parental leave to care for his newborn daughter while his partner worked. When he told his employer, colleagues made negative comments, assuming he was not serious about his job. After returning to work, Stefan was passed over for a major project leadership role, which went to a less experienced colleague who had not taken family leave. Traditional gender expectations at work can harm primary caregivers.
Economic inequality: Unfair prejudice causes unequal job markets and housing. Women and immigrant workers often earn less money than men for doing the same work. At the same time, companies reject applications from skilled workers simply because they did not attend famous universities.
Gender expectations: Traditional gender roles limit people at home and work. Women are expected to handle most unpaid care and housework, restricting their career growth. Meanwhile, men and non-binary people face social pressure when taking non-traditional roles, showing how rigid gender expectations harm everyone.
Social division: Ethnic minorities and low-income families often struggle to rent apartments or get bank loans. Media and negative stereotypes make this unfair treatment seem normal, dividing communities and limiting chances for disadvantaged groups.
Historical impacts: Globally, discrimination is connected to history, migration, and business. Historical colonialism created racial hierarchies that still influence public attitudes and global institutions today.
Migrant rights: Economic problems force millions of people to move from poorer countries to richer nations for work. However, immigration laws often label these migrants as "unskilled" or "illegal," leading to legal discrimination, fewer workplace rights, and hostility in new countries.
Combined impacts: Discrimination becomes stronger when a person experiences multiple types of prejudice at the same time. For example, an older immigrant woman or a disabled person from a low-income family faces layered barriers in jobs, housing, and healthcare. Because these identities overlap, individuals face much greater unfairness.