E7 G - Reuse, repair, recycle
Einleitung
Mini-Beschreibung: Understand simple English tips about reusing, repairing and recycling. Then give a few ideas of your own.

Look first. What do you know? Say one word or one short sentence in English.
Model: I know this symbol. It means recycle.
First watch: Listen and look. Do not stop the video. Try to hear these three words: reduce – reuse – recycle.
Help if needed: reduce = weniger verbrauchen, reuse = wiederverwenden, recycle = recyceln.
I can ...
- I can understand short tips about waste.
- I can say what I can reuse, repair or recycle.
- I can give two or three simple ideas.
- I can use short chunks such as I can ..., We can ..., Use ... again. and Don't throw it away.
Before you start
Look around you for ten seconds. Think of one object.
Try: My object is a ...
Then choose one idea:
- I can use it again.
- I can repair it.
- I can recycle it.
No full German translation is needed. Use the picture, the example and the word bank first.
Notice: reuse, repair, recycle

Reuse means: use something again.
Example: I reuse this bag.

Repair means: fix something that is broken.
Example: The toy is broken. We can repair it.

Recycle means: put a material into the right recycling system.
Example: This bottle is empty. I can recycle it.
Remember:
- reuse → use again
- repair → fix
- recycle → put the material into a recycling system
Vocabulary in context
| English | Easy context | German help |
|---|---|---|
| reuse | Reuse the bag. | wiederverwenden |
| repair | Repair the bike. | reparieren |
| recycle | Recycle the bottle. | recyceln |
| waste | This is waste. | Abfall |
| broken | My lamp is broken. | kaputt |
| bottle | This bottle is empty. | Flasche |
| bin | Use the right bin. | Behälter / Tonne |
| fix | Can we fix it? | reparieren |
Word chunks: use it again – fix it – recycle it – don't throw it away – the right bin
Picture check

Say one sentence.
Model: I can recycle a bottle here.
Hint: Start with I can ...
Listening and viewing
First listen: only three words
Listen once. Tick in your head when you hear:
- reduce
- reuse
- recycle
Do not translate every word.
Second listen: one idea
Listen again. Complete one sentence:
I can recycle ...
Hint: You may use paper, plastic, glass or a bottle.
After listening: short support
Use this short support text after your first listening attempt:
Use less. Use things again. Put paper, glass and plastic in the right place.
German help only if needed: less = weniger; right place = richtiger Ort.
Viewing challenge
Watch only a short part first.
Answer in easy English:
- I see ...
- I hear ...
- One good idea is ...
You do not need every word.
Reading

Read this short text.
A small green club
Mia and Ben are in a school green club. Mia has an old water bottle. She cleans it and uses it again. Ben has a broken bike light. He does not throw it away. He asks for help and repairs it. At school, they put paper into the right bin. On Friday, they have one new idea: Use things longer.
Reading check
Answer with short phrases.
- What does Mia reuse?
- What is broken?
- What does Ben do?
- What do they recycle at school?
- What is their Friday idea?
Help: Go back to the text. Find the same key word.
A real-world idea: Repair Café

A Repair Café is a place where people meet and try to repair broken things together. People can bring objects such as small appliances, clothes or toys. Helpers share tools and repair skills.
Easy English: Bring it. Check it. Try to fix it. Use it again.
Safety: Do not repair electrical devices on your own. Ask an adult or a trained person.
Pronunciation
Say the words slowly, then at normal speed.
- reuse → stress the second part: re-USE
- repair → stress the second part: re-PAIR
- recycle → stress the second part: re-CY-cle
- broken → two clear parts: bro-ken
Try: I can reuse it. – We can repair it. – Please recycle it.
Your goal is clear communication. You do not need a perfect accent.
Speaking
Mini-dialogue
A: My bottle is empty.
B: Reuse it or recycle it.
A: Good idea.
Now change one word: bottle → bag → toy → box.
Speaking frame
Use the frame:
My ______ is ______. I can ______ it.
Word bank: bag – bottle – toy – box – broken – old – empty – reuse – repair – recycle
Example: My bag is old. I can reuse it.
Optional recording
You may record two sentences for yourself or for your teacher only if this is allowed in your class.
Privacy: Recording is optional. Keep it private. Do not upload it to public social media. Do not send private recordings to external AI tools without clear permission.
Writing
Write three connected sentences.
Writing frame:
At home, I have a ______.
I can ______ it.
This is a good idea because ______.
Word bank: reuse – repair – recycle – old – broken – useful – less waste
Model: At home, I have an old bag. I can reuse it. This is a good idea because it makes less waste.
Quick feedback
Check your text:
- Did you write three sentences?
- Did you use reuse, repair or recycle?
- Can another person understand your idea?
- Can you improve one word or one sentence?
AI can give suggestions, but check the language level and meaning yourself. Keep your own text. Do not replace your work with an AI text.
Mediation mini-task
A German sign says: „Bitte Mehrwegflaschen benutzen.“
Tell an English-speaking visitor the main idea.
Try first: Please use ... bottles.
Hint: reusable = wiederverwendbar
Possible answer: Please use reusable bottles.
Functional grammar
can + verb
Use can + basic verb for an idea or possibility.
I can reuse the bag.
We can repair the toy.
You can recycle the bottle.
After can, use the basic verb: can reuse, not can reuses.
Simple tips: imperative
Use the verb first for a short tip.
Reuse the bag.
Repair the toy.
Recycle the bottle.
For a negative tip:
Don't throw it away.
Mini-rule: Short tip = verb first.
Try it: three objects
Look at three things in your school bag or classroom. Do not throw anything away for this task.
For each object, choose one action:
- reuse
- repair
- recycle
Say three short sentences.
Model: I can reuse my folder.
Mini-transfer

A broken phone, cable or small electronic device is not normal household waste. Ask an adult or use the correct local collection system.
Your task: Choose one safe object, for example a bag, bottle, box or piece of paper. Say what you can do with it.
Sentence starter: Instead of throwing it away, I can ...
Self-check: Can do
Choose: yes – almost – not yet.
| I can ... | yes / almost / not yet |
|---|---|
| understand reuse, repair, recycle | |
| understand one short recycling tip | |
| say one idea with I can ... | |
| write three simple sentences | |
| improve one sentence after feedback |
If you choose almost or not yet, go back to the picture, word bank and model sentence. Then try again.
Follow-up course
Next step: E7 G - Sustainable choices
Use the same pattern again: notice → understand → try → use → communicate → feedback → improve → use again.
Interaktive Aufgaben
Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen
What does reuse mean? (Use something again) (!Throw something away) (!Buy two new things) (!Break something)
What can you do with a broken toy? (Repair it) (!Eat it) (!Print it) (!Freeze it)
Which word means recyceln? (recycle) (!repair) (!broken) (!waste)
Which sentence uses can correctly? (I can reuse the bag) (!I can reuses the bag) (!I can reused the bag) (!I can to reuse the bag)
Which is a short tip? (Reuse the bottle) (!The bottle reuse) (!Bottle the reuse) (!Reusable is bottle)
What is a bin? (A container for waste or recycling) (!A bicycle) (!A repair tool) (!A drink)
What does broken mean? (Not working or damaged) (!New) (!Clean) (!Empty)
Which sentence is a good recycling idea? (Put paper in the right bin) (!Throw paper on the floor) (!Break the paper bin) (!Buy new paper every minute)
Which sentence gives a negative tip? (Don't throw it away) (!Throw it away yesterday) (!It is throw away) (!Can throwing away)
What can you say about an old reusable bag? (I can use it again) (!I can eat it) (!I can drive it) (!I can swim it)
Memory
| reuse | use again |
| repair | fix |
| recycle | use the recycling system |
| broken | not working |
| waste | things we throw away |
| bin | container |
Drag and Drop
| Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu. | Thema |
|---|---|
| Reuse a bag | use again |
| Repair a toy | fix something |
| Recycle paper | right recycling system |
| Broken lamp | not working |
| Right bin | correct container |
...
Kreuzworträtsel
| reuse | Which word means use again? |
| repair | Which word means fix something? |
| bottle | What can be empty and reused? |
| paper | What school material can often be recycled? |
| broken | Which word means not working? |
| waste | What do we call things we throw away? |
LearningApps
Lückentext
Offene Aufgaben
Leicht
- Reuse-Idee: Find one safe object at home or at school that you can reuse. Draw it and write: I can reuse ...
- Repair-Wortschatz: Choose a broken everyday object that is safe to talk about. Write three words you need to describe it.
- Recycling-Satz: Take one clean recyclable object and write one sentence with I can recycle ...
- Bildbeschreibung Englisch: Look at one image in this aiMOOC and write two short English sentences about what you see.
Standard
- Green Tip Card: Create a small tip card with three English tips: one for reuse, one for repair and one for recycling.
- Mini-Dialog Nachhaltigkeit: Write and perform a four-line dialogue using My ... is ..., I can ... and Good idea.
- Mülltrennung beobachten: Observe the labelled bins in your school. Write three simple English sentences about what goes where. Do not photograph people or private information.
- Writing Frame Umwelt: Use the writing frame from this course and write four connected sentences about one object you want to use longer.
Schwer
- Repair-Café Interview: Prepare five easy English questions for an adult who knows about repairing. You may conduct the interview only with permission. Summarise two answers in simple English.
- Mini-Erklärvideo Englisch: Plan a 30–45 second private video with three tips. Recording is optional. Do not upload it without permission.
- Mediation Recycling: Find a short German recycling notice in your school or town and explain its main message in two or three easy English sentences.
- Reuse Repair Recycle Projekt: Choose three everyday objects and decide whether reuse, repair or recycling is the best next step. Explain each choice with one simple reason.


Lernkontrolle
- Transfer Reuse: A student wants to throw away a strong shopping bag after one use. Give two simple English suggestions and explain which word from this course fits best.
- Transfer Repair: A desk lamp is broken. Explain in English what the student should do safely. Include the words repair and adult.
- Transfer Recycle: You have paper, an empty bottle and a broken cable. Explain which items can go into normal recycling and which item needs special local collection.
- Sprachtransfer can: Rewrite these ideas as three sentences with can: use the box again, fix the toy, recycle the paper.
- Kommunikation verbessern: Improve this unclear sentence: Bag old. recycle maybe. Write one clear sentence and explain why your new version is easier to understand.
- Entscheiden und begründen: Choose one object from your daily life. Decide: reuse, repair or recycle. Give two connected English sentences with a reason.
Lernnachweis
For a successful learning record, you should be able to:
- understand the key words reuse, repair, recycle, waste, broken.
- understand the main idea of a short video or tip without translating every word.
- use I can ... and We can ... with a basic verb.
- give a short tip such as Reuse it. or Don't throw it away.
- write three or four connected sentences with a writing frame.
- explain one German recycling message in simple English.
- use feedback to improve one sentence.
- work safely and protect privacy when using recordings or digital tools.
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