Business German Module 2

Green Business

Developed by Margaret Gonglewski & Anna Helm, GW-CIBER Business Language Program Coordinators, with assistance from GW-CIBER RA Deva Kemmis-Hicks

Topic: Green business with focus on eco-fashion

Level: Advanced Low (ACTFL)

Time Needed: Six 75-minute class periods (will vary based on number and level of students)

Goals: Demonstrate a firm grasp of the cultural significance of ecologically conscious living in Germany; Make the connection between the cultural importance of ecologically conscious living and green business in Germany, specifically in the sector of the eco-fashion (organic, free trade clothing) industry; Identify and analyze the business problems of a small German eco-fashion company; Formulate an action plan to address the problems, through synthesis of information about the company (provided through a business case and accompanying video) and of the newly gained knowledge about ecologically conscious living and the eco-fashion industry in Germany; Present the action plan, supported with secondary sources, at a business meeting; Evaluate all proposed action plans for their practicality, creativity, potential for success; Reflect on your own ecologically conscious actions, and on the learning process during this unit on green business

Download the Green Business Unit Goals and Plan

Module Plan:

Day In-Class Work and Homework Materials Needed

1

  • Intro/Warm-up: Students respond to image
  • Wortfelder/Vokabeln zum Thema
  • Watch and discuss video: Was machst du für die Umwelt?

Homework:

Video response: Was machst du für die Umwelt?Students post their videos online

2
  • View student videos
  • Read and discuss article: Konsum mit gutem Gewissen
  • Begin second article (Kritik an Ökobewegung) and work on comparison of text style (Arbeitsblatt).

Homework:

  • Complete Arbeitsblatt: Arbeit mit den Artikeln
3
  • Introduction to Öko-Mode: Discussion of clothes (where students buy them; their priorities, e.g., price, comfort, style, etc.)
  • Probe background knowledge on eco-fashion.
  • Present quotes from book Saubere Sachen (Brodde, 2009) to inform but also elicit response from students.
  • Show short films related to Öko-Mode

Homework:

  • Read: Bio-Klamotten: Boom der sauberen Sachen
  • Wie umweltbewusst ist Ihre Lieblingsmarke für Kleidung? Recherchieren Sie und posten Sie die Ergebnisse auf Blackboard!
4
  • Pop quiz (vocabulary and articles)
  • Discuss Bio-Klamotten: Boom der sauberen Sachen
  • Read LaissezFair case
  • Video: Fallstudie Bio-Mode (Teil 1)

Homework:

Video: Fallstudie Bio-Mode (Teil 2)

-Identifizieren Sie 3 Gründe für und 3 Gründe gegen das Weitermachen der Firma LaissezFair.

5
  • Business Meeting (1): Two teams debate the question: Soll LaissezFair weitermachen?

Homework:

  • Team-Arbeit: Recherche und Vorbereitung auf die Präsentationen
6
  • Business Meeting (2): Team presentations
  • Group evaluation of action plan proposals

Homework:

  • Record reflections