E7 M - I can mediate – English 7

aiMOOC

E7 M - I can mediate – English 7

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Einleitung

I can mediate. You do not translate every word. You understand the situation, choose the important information and pass it on in a clear way.

In this aiMOOC you work with short everyday texts, signs, pictures and videos. You often start in English. If you need help, use the hints. German help comes later and stays short.

Mini mission: Two people do not understand the same language well. Your job is to help them communicate.

I-can goals

1. I can mediate: I can pass on the main information from German to English and from English to German.
2. I can adapt: I can choose words that fit the person and situation.
3. I can be polite: I can use polite phrases when I ask, explain or help.
4. I can repair: I can ask for repetition or explain a word in another way.
5. I can use media: I can take useful information from signs, short texts, pictures and videos.

Media starter: What matters?

Look at the sign. Imagine an English-speaking visitor asks: “Where can I get help?”

Try first: Give one useful English sentence.

Hint: You do not need to describe the whole picture.

Possible answer: “You can get help at the tourist information point.”

Feedback: Good mediation gives the person what they need now.

What you already know

You can already use many useful building blocks:

1. Questions: “Could you help me?”, “Where is …?”, “What time does … start?”
2. Modals: can, could, should.
3. Connectors: and, but, because, so.
4. Time phrases: at 4 pm, before 6, after lunch, on Saturday.

Quick check: Can you explain a simple German notice in two or three English sentences? If yes, you are ready.

Notice → understand → try → use

Step 1: Notice the situation

Before you speak or write, ask:

1. Who needs the information?
2. What does this person want to know?
3. Which facts are important?
4. Which details can I leave out?

Example: Your English-speaking exchange partner is looking for assistance at an airport. You do not need to translate every word on every sign. Point out the useful direction and service.

Step 2: Understand the message

Read this German notice:

Heute schließt das Stadtmuseum schon um 16 Uhr. Letzter Einlass ist um 15:30 Uhr. Große Rucksäcke müssen an der Garderobe bleiben.

Your friend Sam asks: “Can we visit the museum at 4 pm?”

Try: Answer in English.

Hint 1: Find the time that matters.

Hint 2: Add one useful extra detail.

Possible answer: “No. The museum closes at 4 pm, and you have to enter by 3:30. Large backpacks stay at the cloakroom.”

German help if needed: Übertrage nur die Informationen, die Sam für den Besuch braucht.

Step 3: Try a short mediation

Situation: Your German friend Mia reads this message from a youth centre:

“The film night starts at 6:30 pm. Please arrive ten minutes early. Snacks are available, but bring your own drink.”

Mia asks: „Wann soll ich da sein und was soll ich mitbringen?“

Your task: Answer Mia in German in one or two sentences.

Check your answer:

1. Did you say when Mia should arrive?
2. Did you mention the drink?
3. Did you avoid unnecessary details?

Listening and viewing

Watch a short scene about asking for directions. Listen for polite phrases and useful information.

Video laden

YouTube

YouTube sammelt möglicherweise persönliche Daten. Datenschutzrichtlinie

Fortfahren Ausblenden

First viewing: What is the main problem?

Second viewing: Note two polite phrases for asking for help.

Mini-transfer: An English-speaking visitor asks you for directions in your town. Use one polite phrase and give only the route information they need.

Feedback: Clear directions are more important than perfect accent.

Viewing strategy

When several people speak, do not try to catch every word.

1. Listen for names, places, times and numbers.
2. Watch gestures and signs.
3. Notice repeated words.
4. If needed, ask: “Could you say that again, please?”

Reading: choose the essentials

Look at this real-world style situation.

Your German-speaking cousin asks: „Wo müssen wir hin?“

You see signs for gates and directions.

Good mediation: Give the destination and direction.

Not useful: Describe the colour, size and design of every sign.

Reading task: restaurant information

Imagine an English menu says:

Veggie burger: $7.50 – fries included. Add a drink for $2. No nuts in the burger, but the kitchen also uses nuts.

Your German friend asks: „Was ist dabei und ist es sicher für eine starke Nussallergie?“

Try: Give the important information in German.

Hint: Food safety information is more important than the price.

Feedback: In mediation, relevance depends on the person and situation.

Vocabulary in context

Useful mediation words and phrases:

1. main point: the most important idea
2. available: something you can get or use
3. included: already part of the offer
4. entrance: the place where you go in
5. admission: permission or price to enter
6. in other words: a phrase for explaining something differently

Use, do not just learn: Choose three phrases and put them into short mediation sentences.

Pronunciation and speaking

Your goal is understandable English, not accent-free English.

Try these chunks with clear stress:

Could you HELP me, please?

The MAIN point is …

You need to be THERE by six.

In other WORDS, …

Speak in short groups of words. Pause between ideas.

Speaking: ask, react, explain

Work with a partner.

Student A gets a short German event notice. Student B is an English-speaking visitor.

Student B asks two questions. Student A mediates the information.

Useful phrases:

1. “The important thing is …”
2. “You need to …”
3. “It starts at …”
4. “That means …”
5. “Sorry, could you repeat the question?”
6. “I’m not sure about that detail, but …”

Direct feedback: Your partner says one thing that was clear and one thing that could be clearer.

Writing: short and useful

Write a short message to an English-speaking exchange student.

German source information:

Treffpunkt: 8:10 Uhr vor der Sporthalle. Busabfahrt: 8:20 Uhr. Bitte Sportkleidung, Trinkflasche und 3 Euro mitbringen. Rückkehr gegen 14:30 Uhr.

Task: Write a structured English message with greeting, key information and a short closing.

Starter:

Hi Alex, here’s the important information for tomorrow. …

Check: Did you include meeting time, departure, things to bring and return time?

Mediation skill: explain, do not copy

Sometimes a word has no simple one-word match.

Example: Schulfest

You can say: “It’s a school event with activities, food and music for students and families.”

You do not need a perfect dictionary translation. You need a useful explanation.

Mini-transfer: Explain one of these in simple English: Wandertag, Klassenfahrt, Pausenhof.

Functional grammar

For mediation, grammar helps you communicate.

Polite request: “Could you tell me …?”

Advice: “You should bring …”

Rule: “You have to leave your bag here.”

Reason: “Take a jacket because it may be cold.”

Result: “The bus is late, so we have more time.”

Keep the sentence structure simple and clear.

M-level focus: Use familiar tenses and structures securely. Passive forms and reported speech are not needed here. The past perfect is not a focus of this course.

Communicate → feedback → improve → use again

Use this fast feedback loop after every mediation:

1. Meaning: Did I pass on the right information?
2. Person: Did I answer this person’s question?
3. Language: Is my message clear and polite?
4. Repair: Can I explain a difficult word another way?
5. Improve: What one thing will I do better next time?

Second media challenge

Watch the library scene. Focus on requests, availability and useful information.

Video laden

YouTube

YouTube sammelt möglicherweise persönliche Daten. Datenschutzrichtlinie

Fortfahren Ausblenden

Task: Imagine your German friend does not understand the English conversation. Explain in German: What does Mary need? What is the problem? What solution is offered?

Hint: Three short points are enough.

Safe and responsible media use

Use fictional names and profiles in class tasks. Do not share private social-media data.

Audio or video recordings are optional and should stay private unless everyone involved has agreed to share them.

Do not upload classmates’ voices, pictures or texts to external AI tools without permission. AI feedback can be useful, but check whether it matches your level and task. Your own text should stay your own work.

Self-check: Can I mediate?

Mark each statement for yourself: Yes / Almost / Not yet.

1. I can find the main information in a short text or video.
2. I can pass on information without translating every word.
3. I can explain a difficult word in another way.
4. I can ask for repetition when I do not understand.
5. I can use polite English.
6. I can write a short mediation message.
7. I can improve my answer after feedback.

Next step: Repeat one task you marked “Almost” or “Not yet” and improve it.

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

What is the main aim of mediation? (To pass on relevant meaning for a person and situation) (!To translate every word exactly) (!To use the longest possible sentences) (!To avoid asking questions)

What should you do first in a mediation task? (Identify the situation and what the person needs) (!Translate all nouns) (!Write a grammar list) (!Change every sentence into the past)

Which phrase is polite when you need repetition? (Could you say that again, please?) (!Say it now) (!You are unclear) (!Repeat)

Which detail is usually most important for a meeting? (The time and place) (!The font of the message) (!The colour of the poster) (!The number of lines)

What can you do if one word is difficult to translate? (Explain the meaning in simple words) (!Stop speaking) (!Invent a new fact) (!Ignore the whole message)

Which sentence gives advice? (You should bring a jacket) (!You brought a jacket yesterday) (!The jacket is blue) (!Jackets are clothes)

What makes a good written mediation? (It is clear, relevant and adapted to the reader) (!It copies every source sentence) (!It adds many new details) (!It uses only difficult vocabulary)

Why can visual information help in a video? (It can give context for what speakers mean) (!It replaces all listening) (!It always gives a full translation) (!It makes every word easier)

What is a useful feedback question? (Did I pass on the right information?) (!Did I use the most difficult grammar?) (!Did I speak without any pause?) (!Did I translate every article?)

What matters more than accent-free English? (Being understandable) (!Speaking very fast) (!Copying one accent perfectly) (!Avoiding all interaction)

Memory

main point	wichtigste Aussage
available	verfügbar
entrance	Eingang
polite request	höfliche Bitte
clarify	etwas verständlicher machen
addressee	Person, für die die Nachricht bestimmt ist

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
notice	understand the situation
select	choose relevant information
mediate	pass on the meaning
feedback	check what was clear
improve	use the feedback next time

Kreuzworträtsel

message	What do you pass on when you mediate?
polite	How should a helpful request sound?
context	What helps you decide which information matters?
clarify	What can you do when an idea is not clear?
audience	Who should your mediation fit?
essentials	What should you choose instead of every detail?

Lückentext

Vervollständige den Text.

In mediation you first understand the . Then you choose the information. You pass on the instead of translating every word. Your message should fit the . If you do not understand, you can ask for . Difficult words can be in simple language. After feedback, you your next attempt.

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

1. Mediation-Satz: Turn a short German school notice into two useful English sentences.
2. Bildimpuls Englisch: Choose one Commons picture from this course and write three English facts that would help a visitor.
3. Höfliche Fragen: Create five polite questions for asking for help in town.
4. Wortschatz erklären: Explain three German school words in simple English without using a dictionary translation.

Standard

1. Rollenspiel Sprachmittlung: In pairs, play a visitor and a mediator. Use a fictional timetable or event notice and include two follow-up questions.
2. E-Mail auf Englisch: Write a short mediation email based on a German trip notice. Keep only relevant information.
3. Hörsehverstehen Englisch: Watch one embedded video again and create a five-line German summary for a friend who needs practical information.
4. Feedback im Englischunterricht: Exchange mediation texts and give one praise point and one concrete improvement point.

Schwer

1. Informationsdesign: Create a bilingual information card for a fictional school event. Do not translate line by line; adapt each language to its readers.
2. Mediationsprojekt: Design a short three-person scene with a German speaker, an English speaker and a mediator. Include a misunderstanding and a repair strategy.
3. Medienvergleich: Compare a sign, a spoken message and a short text. Explain which clues help you find the essentials in each medium.
4. Mini-Präsentation Englisch: Give a one-minute presentation on “How to mediate well” with one example and one strategy for communication problems.

Lernkontrolle

1. Mediation im Alltag: A German event notice contains six details. An English-speaking visitor asks only about time, price and meeting place. Select and mediate only what is relevant, then justify one omitted detail.
2. Adressatenbezug: Mediate the same information once for a classmate and once for an adult visitor. Explain how your wording changes.
3. Kommunikationsproblem: Your partner asks about a word you do not know in English. Show two different repair strategies without using an online translator.
4. Hörsehverstehen und Mediation: After a short video, pass on three practical facts to a German friend and explain which visual clue helped you most.
5. Textverbesserung: Improve a mediation text that is too long, impolite and full of unnecessary details. Mark your three most important changes.
6. Transfer: Create a new everyday situation in which mediation is necessary and explain what information would be relevant for each person.

Lernnachweis

Für einen Lernnachweis zu diesem Thema ist wichtig:

1. Du erkennst die Kommunikationssituation und den Adressaten.
2. Du wählst relevante Informationen aus.
3. Du überträgst Inhalte sinngemäß statt Wort für Wort.
4. Du sprichst oder schreibst klar und höflich.
5. Du nutzt Nachfragen und Umschreibungen bei Schwierigkeiten.
6. Du kannst Informationen aus Texten und Medien nutzen.
7. Du reagierst auf Feedback und verbesserst eine zweite Version.
8. Du gehst verantwortungsvoll mit Aufnahmen, Daten und KI-Hilfen um.

Verknüpfte Lernbereiche

Sprachmittlung Hörverstehen Englisch Leseverstehen Englisch Sprechen Englisch Schreiben Englisch Englischer Wortschatz Aussprache im Englischen Höflichkeit im Englischen Text- und Medienkompetenz Interkulturelle kommunikative Kompetenz

Folgekurs

Weiter mit E7 M - I can communicate in everyday situations – English 7: Dort nutzt Du Mediation zusammen mit Nachfragen, Reaktionen, kurzen Präsentationen und eigenen Texten.