Bullshit Jobs
This C1 lesson is built around David Graeber’s theory of bullshit jobs and asks students to think hard about why so many people feel their work does nothing useful. Students explore five job categories from Graeber’s book and practice vocabulary tied to workplace dysfunction and social critique. The lesson includes a video, matching tasks, error correction, and two extended speaking activities.
Lesson overview
- Discuss different definitions of pointless work and share personal connections
- Learn ten vocabulary words connected to workplace dysfunction and systemic waste
- Sort real-world jobs into Graeber’s five bullshit job categories with explanation
- Debate the value of specific jobs in a Job Defense Court trial
Student's Version (Light/Dark)
Teacher's Version (Answer Keys)
Printable Classroom Version (A4)
| Level | Vocabulary | Video Length | Lesson Time |
| C1 / Advanced | 10 words | 2:51 min | 60-80 min |
Vocabulary
- anthropological
- pernicious
- justify
- obliged
- goon
- duct taper
- glitch
- legacy code
- bribe
- ponder on
Contents
- Lead-in
- Vocabulary preview
- Definitions
- Video
- Matching
- Quote
- Questions
- Practice
- Sorting
- Speaking
- Job defense court
Start the lesson with the lead-in activity. Students pick one of three definitions of a bullshit job and explain why they agree or disagree. Give them two minutes to read the options quietly, then move into pair discussion before opening it up to the class. You’ll quickly see how your C1 students feel about work.
The vocabulary section has ten words, including “pernicious,” “goon,” “duct taper,” and “legacy code.” Ask students to check which ones they already know and explain each one. Then go through the definitions together. Don’t rush this. Several terms, especially “duct taper” and “box ticker,” only click after the video, so a light preview is enough here.
The TikTok video covers Graeber’s five bullshit job categories: flunky, goon, duct taper, box ticker, and taskmaster. Play it once and ask students to note examples for each category as they watch. Afterward, they write their own examples before the matching activity. Run through the answers as a class. Students often disagree about which category a job belongs in, and that debate is worth holding.
The error correction exercise works well when energy dips. Students spot mistakes in ten sentences, each one misusing a vocabulary word. Let them work alone first, then compare in pairs.
Save the two speaking tasks for the final stretch. In “Day in the Life,” students walk the class through a full workday in a bullshit job, from their commute mindset to how they feel by 5pm. In “Job Defense Court,” one student defends a job while two others prosecute it, with the class acting as jury. Both activities need firm time limits. Close the court activity with a jury vote and a one-sentence verdict from each juror.
