aiMOOC

E10 M - Volunteering – Opportunities and challenges

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E10 M - Volunteering – Opportunities and challenges

Look first – speak first: What can you see? What are the people doing? Who may benefit? What could be difficult? Talk for 30–45 seconds. Do not translate every word into German.

Viewing focus: Watch the UN Volunteers video once for the main idea. Then watch again and note two possible benefits and one responsibility.

Einleitung

Volunteering means giving time and effort freely to support other people, a community, an organisation, animals or the environment. It can happen locally, online or internationally. Good volunteering is not only about “helping”. It also includes reliability, respect, safety, clear roles and realistic expectations.

In this aiMOOC you compare different forms of volunteering and discuss benefits, responsibilities and challenges. Real media examples come from checked sources such as UN Volunteers, UNICEF and Wikimedia Commons. All learner profiles, applications, CVs and personal cases in the tasks are fictional.

Language mode: English first → understand → respond → analyse → communicate → feedback → revise → transfer. German is used only when it has a clear purpose, for example in mediation.

I can …

Skill	I can …
Listening / Viewing	understand the main points and relevant details in authentic material about volunteering.
Reading	compare volunteer opportunities and identify benefits, duties and possible problems.
Speaking	discuss options, react spontaneously, disagree politely and negotiate a compromise.
Writing	write a clear email, short application, CV section, report or opinion text.
Mediation	pass on the relevant information for a specific person and purpose without translating word for word.
Language	use useful vocabulary, modal verbs, conditionals and linking words to express duties, advice and consequences.

Vorwissen aktivieren

Volunteering brainstorm: Write six words you already connect with volunteering.
Quick ranking: Choose the two areas that interest you most: people, animals, environment, sport, culture, online support.
Experience check: In pairs, answer: “Have you ever helped in a club, event, school project or neighbourhood activity?” You may also use a fictional example.
Question first: Create one question you want this course to answer.

Understand: What counts as volunteering?

Volunteering can be regular or one-off, practical or digital, local or international. The role should match the volunteer’s skills, age, time and level of responsibility.

Form	Example	Possible benefit	Typical responsibility	Possible challenge
Community volunteering	helping at a local event or food project	direct contact with people	being reliable and respectful	fixed times and emotional situations
Environmental volunteering	clean-up or tree-planting project	visible local impact	following safety rules	weather, physical work, transport
Animal welfare	supporting an animal shelter	learning practical routines	hygiene and safe handling	noise, allergies, emotional stress
Sports / culture	helping at a youth tournament or festival	teamwork and event skills	punctuality and clear communication	busy situations and long shifts
Online volunteering	translating, designing or moderating for a non-profit	flexible location	data protection and deadlines	less face-to-face contact
International volunteering	joining a supervised long-term programme	intercultural learning	preparation, safeguarding and local cooperation	costs, power imbalances, unrealistic expectations

Think: Which responsibilities can you see or imagine in this project? Which ones cannot be seen in a photo?

Benefits, responsibilities and challenges

A volunteer may gain experience, confidence, contacts and useful skills. A community or organisation may gain time, ideas and additional support. These are possible benefits, not automatic results.

Volunteers also have responsibilities. They should arrive when agreed, follow instructions, respect privacy, stay within their role, report problems and ask for help when a task is unsafe or unclear. Work with children or vulnerable people may require special safeguarding rules and trained supervision.

Challenges can include time pressure, travel costs, unclear tasks, emotional stress, unequal access to opportunities or a mismatch between skills and duties. Volunteering should not be used as a simple replacement for work that requires paid professional staff.

Critical viewing: A photo shows one moment. It does not prove that a project is effective, ethical or well organised. Ask: Who organised it? What did local people ask for? What training was needed? What happened after the event?

Listening and Viewing

Viewing 1: UN Youth Volunteers

First viewing – gist

What is the main purpose of the video?
Who is speaking?
Is the focus mainly on tasks, personal experience or both?

Second viewing – detail

Note one task or field of work.
Note one skill or attitude that seems important.
Write one question you would ask the speakers.

After viewing Compare your notes with a partner. If your answers differ, replay only the relevant section.

Viewing 2: A day in the life of a UN Volunteer

This UNICEF-linked video shows a real volunteer context. Watch for purpose, responsibilities and working conditions, not for every unknown word.

Before: Predict three things a volunteer may do in a normal working day.
During: Tick your predictions and add two new details.
After: Explain whether this example is similar to or different from local youth volunteering.

Listening strategy

Use three passes if necessary:

Gist: Who? Where? What is the main point?
Detail: Which facts answer the task?
Critical listening: Is the speaker describing a fact, an opinion, a benefit or a difficulty?

Natural speech may include unfamiliar accents or fast sections. Your goal is understanding and successful communication, not accent imitation.

Reading

Three fictional profiles

Profile A – Maya, 16

Maya wants to help at a community garden on two Saturday mornings each month. She likes practical work and wants to meet people outside school. The project asks volunteers to wear suitable shoes, use tools only after instructions and inform the team early if they cannot come. Maya likes the clear schedule, but she is worried about bad weather and the 35-minute bus journey.

Profile B – Noah, 15

Noah enjoys graphic design. A fictional youth charity needs someone to create simple social-media graphics for a six-week awareness campaign. Noah can work from home, but he must meet weekly deadlines and may only use photos that the organisation has approved. He sees this as a chance to improve his portfolio. His main challenge is balancing schoolwork and screen time.

Profile C – Leila, 16

Leila is interested in animal welfare. A fictional shelter offers a supervised youth volunteer shift twice a month. Volunteers prepare food, clean equipment and support staff. They do not handle every animal independently. Leila likes the clear responsibilities, but she first needs to check whether her allergy could be a problem.

Reading task

Create a comparison with the categories motivation – benefit – responsibility – challenge – question to ask. Then choose one profile and explain why the role is or is not a good match.

Source awareness: The photo is a historical real-world image. The three profiles above are fictional. Never invent personal facts about people shown in media.

Checked extension reading

For additional practice, use these sources without copying whole texts:

Ask three questions while reading: Who published this? What is the purpose? Which claims can I check?

Context vocabulary

Word / phrase	Simple English meaning	Useful example
volunteer	a person who gives time freely	She volunteers at a community project.
non-profit	an organisation not run mainly to make profit for owners	The centre is a local non-profit.
commitment	a promise to give time and effort	The role needs a six-week commitment.
shift	a planned period of work	My shift starts at ten.
reliable	doing what you agreed to do	Volunteers need to be reliable.
safeguarding	rules and actions that protect people from harm	The project has clear safeguarding rules.
expenses	costs such as travel or food	Ask whether travel expenses are covered.
impact	an effect or result	What impact does the project have?
boundary	a limit to your role or responsibility	Know your role and its boundaries.
apply	formally ask for a role	I would like to apply for the position.
skill set	the skills a person can use	My skill set includes teamwork and design.
responsibility	something you are expected to do properly	Punctuality is an important responsibility.

Pronunciation and intelligibility

Focus on word stress and clear key words.

Word	Helpful focus
volunteer	Stress the final part: vol-un-TEER.
responsibility	Main stress: responsi-BIL-ity.
reliable	Stress the second syllable: re-LI-able.
opportunity	Main stress: oppor-TU-nity.
community	Main stress: com-MU-nity.

Speaking rule: Clear meaning, sensible pausing and understandable key words are more important than sounding like a native speaker.

Respond and analyse

Case check: Is this a good opportunity?

A fictional project advert says:

“Young volunteers wanted! Travel abroad for ten days. No experience needed. You will work directly with children from day one. Pay the full programme fee today. Details about supervision will be given after arrival.”

Discuss:

Which information is missing?
Which questions should a responsible applicant ask?
Which parts may be warning signs?
What would make the project more trustworthy?

Useful questions: Who supervises volunteers? What training is provided? What are the safeguarding rules? Where does the money go? What does the local partner need?

Communicate: Speaking

Volunteer fair role-play

Work in groups of three. Use fictional names only.

Role A – applicant: You have four hours per month, enjoy teamwork and cannot travel far.

Role B – project coordinator: Your community clean-up needs reliable volunteers for two Saturday mornings.

Role C – observer: Listen for clear questions, responses, compromise and follow-up questions.

Your goal is not to “win”. Negotiate a realistic match.

Useful phrases:

Asking: Could you tell me more about …?
Reacting: That sounds possible, but I’m not sure about …
Giving a reason: I’d prefer this role because …
Disagreeing: I see your point, but …
Compromising: What if we …?
Clarifying: Do you mean that …?
Spontaneous response: I hadn’t thought of that. In that case, …

Mini-presentation

Prepare a 90-second talk: “One volunteering opportunity – benefits, responsibilities and challenges.”

Use keywords, not a full script. Include one visual only if it helps the audience understand.

Writing

Formal email: asking before you apply

Use this structure:

Part	Example language
Subject	Question about youth volunteering
Opening	Dear Ms Green,
Purpose	I am writing to ask for more information about …
Relevant detail	I am 16 and I am interested in …
Questions	Could you tell me …? I would also like to know whether …
Closing	Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Task: Write 120–160 words to a fictional organisation. Ask about tasks, time, supervision and possible expenses.

Application and CV

Use fictional data only.

CV section – example

Heading	Fictional content
Name	Alex Miller
Profile	Reliable Year 10 student interested in community projects and event support
Skills	teamwork, basic office software, organising school events
Experience	helped at a fictional school charity event; welcomed visitors and prepared materials
Languages	German, English

Application focus: Match your skills to the role. Do not claim experience you do not have.

Opinion / article

Prompt: “Every teenager should do some volunteering before leaving school.” Discuss.

Plan:

introduce the issue,
explain at least two possible benefits,
discuss at least two challenges or limits,
give your own reasoned view,
finish with a realistic conclusion.

Useful linkers: firstly, in addition, however, although, because, therefore, on the other hand, in my view.

Mediation

A fictional German youth centre posts this information:

“Für den Aktionstag im Stadtpark werden Jugendliche ab 15 Jahren gesucht. Die Helfenden sammeln Müll, sortieren Material und informieren Besucherinnen und Besucher. Der Einsatz dauert von 9 bis 13 Uhr. Handschuhe werden gestellt. Feste Schuhe und wetterfeste Kleidung müssen selbst mitgebracht werden. Eine Einweisung findet zu Beginn statt. Fahrtkosten werden nicht erstattet.”

Situation: Your English-speaking exchange partner Jamie is 16 and asks whether this activity could suit them.

Write a short message in English. Include only information that is relevant to Jamie. Do not translate sentence by sentence.

Mediation check:

Who is the reader?
What does the reader need?
Which details can be left out?
Which German terms need explanation rather than literal translation?

Functional grammar

Duties, advice and consequences

Function	Structure	Example
strong rule	must / must not	Volunteers must follow safety instructions.
external requirement	have to	You have to attend the introduction.
advice	should / should not	You should ask about supervision.
possibility	can / could	Online volunteering can be flexible.
consequence	if + present, will	If you miss a shift, the team will need a replacement.
contrast	although / however	Although the role is flexible, deadlines still matter.

Micro-task: Improve this sentence: “Volunteering is good. It is difficult.”

Possible revision: “Volunteering can be rewarding; however, it also requires time and responsibility.”

Help, feedback and revision

Self-help before asking

Re-read the task and underline the purpose.
Check whether you need a fact, opinion, comparison or recommendation.
Use context before opening a dictionary.
For speaking, prepare keywords instead of complete sentences.
For writing, revise content first and language second.

Peer feedback

Use two strengths + one next step.

Content: Is the answer relevant and supported?

Communication: Is the message easy to follow?

Language: Are key words, linkers and verb forms understandable?

Interaction: Does the speaker react to the other person?

Error analysis

Correct and explain the problem:

I am interesting in volunteering. → I am interested in volunteering.
I must to arrive at nine. → I must arrive at nine.
If I will have time, I will help. → If I have time, I will help.
I want help animals. → I want to help animals.
The informations are useful. → The information is useful.

Then choose one personal error pattern to watch for in your next task.

Privacy and responsible digital work

Use fictional profiles, CVs, applications and contact details in this course.
Audio or video recordings are voluntary and should stay private or within the agreed school system.
Do not upload classmates’ work, voices, faces or personal data without permission.
Do not send personal data to external AI tools.
If an AI tool is explicitly approved for a class activity, keep your own original draft, check every factual claim and source, and revise the language yourself.
Never present AI output as a checked source simply because it sounds confident.

Transfer

Design a realistic volunteer role for your town or school. State the purpose, target group, tasks, time, required skills, supervision, safety rules and one possible challenge. Then exchange your idea with another group and improve it after feedback.

Can-do check

I can …	Not yet	With some help	Yes
understand the main message of a volunteering video	□	□	□
compare different volunteer roles	□	□	□
explain benefits, responsibilities and challenges	□	□	□
ask useful follow-up questions	□	□	□
negotiate a compromise in English	□	□	□
write a formal enquiry or short application	□	□	□
mediate relevant information for a specific person	□	□	□
revise my work after feedback	□	□	□

Prüfungsbezug Baden-Württemberg

Stand der Prüfung: 02.10.2026. Der gemeinsame Bildungsplan Sekundarstufe I für Englisch als erste Fremdsprache nennt in Klasse 10 auf allen Niveaus ausdrücklich die Rolle des Individuums in der Gemeinschaft mit Beispielen wie charities/Ehrenamt, volunteering, gap year, peer pressure. Auf M-Niveau werden unter anderem das Mitgestalten von Gesprächen, das Aushandeln von Kompromissen, formelle Korrespondenz, das Darstellen von Vor- und Nachteilen sowie adressatenbezogene Sprachmittlung verlangt.

Offizieller Bildungsplan Englisch Sekundarstufe I

Wenn Du am M-Niveau die Realschulabschlussprüfung ablegst, ist für 2027 die schriftliche Prüfung in Englisch als Pflichtfremdsprache am 3. Mai 2027 vorgesehen. Die Kommunikationsprüfung soll vom 22. Februar bis 2. März 2027 stattfinden. Nach den zentralen Prüfungsmaßstäben 2026/2027 umfasst sie verpflichtend ungefähr 15 Minuten pro Person mit etwa gleich langen Teilen zu monologischem Sprechen, dialogischem Sprechen und Sprachmittlung; für diese Teile ist keine Vorbereitungszeit vorgesehen. Prüfe vor Deiner eigenen Prüfung immer erneut die aktuell veröffentlichten Vorgaben Deiner Schule und des Kultusministeriums.

Offizielle Prüfungsseite Prüfungstermine 2027

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

Which statement best describes responsible volunteering? (It combines support with reliability, respect and clear responsibilities.) (!It means doing any unpaid task without rules.) (!It always requires travel to another country.) (!It replaces professional work whenever possible.)

What is a typical responsibility of a volunteer? (Following agreed safety and privacy rules.) (!Choosing all tasks without supervision.) (!Sharing personal information about people they support.) (!Ignoring a shift when school becomes busy.)

Which question is most useful before joining a project? (Who will supervise me and what training is provided?) (!How can I avoid all rules?) (!Can I post photos of everyone online?) (!Will I be allowed to change the project goals?)

Which sentence gives advice correctly? (You should ask about the project’s safeguarding rules.) (!You should to ask about the project’s safeguarding rules.) (!You should asking about the project’s safeguarding rules.) (!You should asked about the project’s safeguarding rules.)

Which sentence uses a first conditional correctly? (If I have enough time, I will take the Saturday shift.) (!If I will have enough time, I take the Saturday shift.) (!If I had enough time, I will take the Saturday shift.) (!If I have enough time, I would took the Saturday shift.)

What is the main aim of mediation? (To pass on relevant meaning for a specific person and purpose.) (!To translate every word in the same order.) (!To add information that is not in the source.) (!To replace difficult facts with personal opinions.)

Which is a possible challenge of online volunteering? (Balancing deadlines, schoolwork and screen time.) (!It never involves responsibilities.) (!It always pays travel expenses.) (!It requires physical travel every day.)

Which phrase is suitable for polite disagreement? (I see your point, but I have a different concern.) (!You are completely wrong, so stop talking.) (!That is stupid.) (!I refuse to listen.)

What should a short volunteer application do? (Match relevant skills and experience to the role.) (!Invent experience to sound more impressive.) (!Include private data about classmates.) (!Copy a general text without referring to the role.)

Which is the best critical question about a volunteering photo? (What information about organisation, training and impact is missing?) (!Does every volunteer project look exactly like this?) (!Does the photo prove that the project is successful?) (!Can I identify every person in the picture?)

Memory

commitment	a promise to give time and effort
safeguarding	rules that protect people from harm
expenses	costs connected with an activity
reliable	doing what you agreed to do
shift	a planned period of work
mediation	passing on relevant meaning for a purpose
boundary	a limit to a role or responsibility
impact	an effect or result

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
Community volunteering	local events and neighbourhood support
Environmental volunteering	clean-ups and nature projects
Online volunteering	digital tasks with deadlines and data protection
Animal welfare	supervised support with hygiene and safety rules
Mediation	relevant information for a specific reader or listener

Kreuzworträtsel

commitment	What word means a promise to give time and effort?
safeguarding	What term describes rules that protect people from harm?
reliable	Which adjective describes a person who does what they agreed to do?
impact	What word means an effect or result?
mediation	What skill means passing on relevant meaning for a specific purpose?
boundaries	What word describes the limits of a role or responsibility?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Volunteering usually means giving time and effort

to support others or a cause.

A good volunteer should be

when they agree to a shift.

Rules that protect people from harm are often called

rules.

Before joining a project, you should ask about training and

.

A formal message can begin with the phrase “I am writing to

about”.

In a discussion, the linker

can introduce a contrasting point.

Mediation means passing on the

information for a particular purpose.

After feedback, you should

your work instead of simply submitting the first draft.

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Volunteer word map: Create a one-page visual with at least twelve useful English words from this course and connect related ideas.
Photo talk: Choose one Wikimedia Commons image from this page and prepare a 60-second description plus two critical questions.
Question card: Write eight questions a teenager should ask before joining a volunteer project.
Mini email: Write a 100-word fictional enquiry about a local volunteering opportunity.

Standard

Volunteer role comparison: Compare three fictional opportunities in a table and recommend a suitable one for a fictional student with clear reasons.
Speaking negotiation: In pairs, negotiate which of two projects your fictional class could support. Record only if everyone agrees; otherwise perform live.
Application pack: Create a fictional CV section and a 140-word application for one role. Keep all names and details fictional.
Mediation challenge: Find a short German-language volunteering notice approved by your teacher and mediate only the relevant information for a fictional English-speaking visitor.

Schwer

Ethical volunteering analysis: Create criteria for a responsible volunteer project and apply them to two checked public examples.
Source comparison: Compare how two organisations present the benefits of volunteering. Separate factual information, promotional language and your own evaluation.
Volunteer fair presentation: Design a three-minute presentation for a fictional project, answer spontaneous questions and revise it after peer feedback.
School transfer project: Develop a realistic volunteering idea for your school including purpose, target group, tasks, supervision, privacy, safeguarding, time plan and evaluation.

Lernkontrolle

Role fit: A fictional student has little free time, enjoys design and cannot travel regularly. Explain which type of volunteering could fit and which responsibilities would still remain.
Critical project check: Analyse a fictional advert that promises “life-changing impact” but gives no information about supervision. Write five questions that would help you judge the offer.
Discussion transfer: Respond to the statement “Volunteering should always be unpaid.” Give arguments on both sides and a reasoned conclusion.
Communication repair: During a role-play your partner does not understand “safeguarding”. Explain the idea in simpler English without switching immediately to German.
Mediation decision: From a German information sheet with ten details, select only the information an English-speaking 16-year-old needs before joining a two-hour local event and justify two details you leave out.
Revision task: Take a first draft of a fictional volunteer email, improve content, organisation and language, and mark three changes that make the message more effective.

Lernnachweis

Für einen Lernnachweis zu diesem Thema ist wichtig:

eine verständliche, weitgehend selbstständige Kommunikation auf B1-orientiertem M-Niveau,
das Erfassen von Hauptaussagen und relevanten Details in authentischem Hör-/Hörsehmaterial,
ein begründeter Vergleich verschiedener volunteering opportunities,
die Unterscheidung von benefits, responsibilities und challenges,
aktives Reagieren, Nachfragen, Diskutieren und Aushandeln eines Kompromisses,
eine passende formelle oder informelle Textsorte mit nachvollziehbarer Struktur,
adressaten- und zweckgerechte Sprachmittlung statt Wort-für-Wort-Übersetzung,
sinnvoll eingesetzter Kontextwortschatz und funktionale Grammatik,
Quellenbewusstsein und kritische Prüfung von Aussagen,
sichtbare Überarbeitung nach Feedback,
ein respektvoller Umgang mit Daten, Bildern und freiwilligen Aufnahmen.

OERs zum Thema

Weitere frei zugängliche bzw. offizielle Quellen für die Vertiefung:

Folgekurs

Weiter geht es mit einem Kurs, der die Berufswelt stärker fokussiert: E10 M - Applications, CVs and job interviews.

Vorher solltest Du drei Dinge sicher können: eine passende formelle E-Mail schreiben, spontan auf Rückfragen reagieren und relevante Informationen für eine bestimmte Person vermitteln.

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