E7 E - Consumption and the environment – A mini discussion

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E7 E - Consumption and the environment – A mini discussion

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Einleitung

Mini goal: Discuss in short, clear and well-reasoned contributions how our consumption can affect the environment. You will notice examples, understand short media, try useful phrases, discuss, get feedback, improve and use the language again.

Media start – Look, notice, think.

1. Consumption: What might someone have bought before this plastic bag became waste?
2. Environment: What could happen to the bag next?
3. Discussion: Say one sentence: I think consumption and the environment are connected because ...

Help if needed: consumption = Konsum; waste = Abfall; to reuse = wiederverwenden; to avoid = vermeiden.

I can ...

1. I can understand the main idea of short texts and videos about sustainable consumption.
2. I can give an opinion and add a simple reason or example.
3. I can react to another person's idea politely.
4. I can suggest one realistic change and explain why it may help.

What do you already know?

Answer in English first. Short answers are fine.

1. What do you buy regularly?
2. Which things do you reuse?
3. Where do you see waste in everyday life?

Quick language support: I often buy ... / I reuse ... / One problem is ...

Notice and understand

Viewing 1: Plastic and the ocean

Video laden

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Fortfahren Ausblenden

First watch: Watch for the main message. Do not stop the video.

Second watch: Use English subtitles if you need them. Note three words you understand.

Try:

1. Complete: Plastic can become a problem when ...
2. Give one solution from the video in your own words.
3. Which idea seems realistic for your everyday life?

Direct feedback: A strong answer names a clear problem, gives one possible action and uses because, so or but.

Reading: Three everyday choices

Ava – clothes: Ava likes new styles, but she does not want to buy something every week. She swaps clothes with friends and keeps favourite items longer.

Noah – food: Noah sometimes buys too much food. He now checks the fridge before shopping and takes leftovers for lunch.

Mia – packaging: Mia often carries a reusable bottle and bag. She still buys packaged products when there is no practical alternative.

Datei:Überfüllter Altkleider-Container in Bonn.jpg

Fehler beim Erstellen des Vorschaubildes:

Datei:HK Plastic materials Reusable shopping bags.JPG

Think and compare: Which choice could reduce waste? Which choice might be difficult in real life? Give one reason.

Help if needed: swap = tauschen; leftovers = Essensreste; packaging = Verpackung; practical = praktisch.

Vocabulary in context

1. waste: material or food that is thrown away.
2. reuse: use something again instead of throwing it away.
3. packaging: material around a product.
4. fast fashion: cheap, quickly changing clothing sold in large amounts.
5. choice: a decision between different options.
6. impact: an effect on people or the environment.

Try: Choose four words and make one short mini-argument with them.

Pronunciation: Be easy to understand

Say these phrases slowly first, then at natural speed:

1. In my opinion ...
2. I agree because ...
3. I see your point, but ...
4. A better choice could be ...

Focus on clear word stress and pauses. Understandability is more important than accent.

Try and use

Viewing 2: Food waste

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Fortfahren Ausblenden

Datei:Treasure trove of wasted food.JPG

Before watching: Predict two reasons why food waste can affect the environment.

While watching: Listen for food waste, climate and change.

After watching: Write one sentence with because and one with so.

Direct feedback: Check: Did you explain a connection, not only name a problem?

Viewing 3: Clothes and consumption

Video laden

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Fortfahren Ausblenden

Watch a short part first. What is the speaker's main point? Then watch again and collect one argument you agree with and one question you still have.

Perspective switch: Imagine you are a teenager who likes fashion, a shop owner or an environmental group. Give one sentence from that perspective.

Functional grammar for discussion

Use grammar to make your ideas clearer:

1. because gives a reason: I reuse my bottle because it creates less waste.
2. so shows a result: The shirt still fits, so I keep it.
3. but / however show contrast: Second-hand clothes can be cheaper, but I may not find my size.
4. should / could make suggestions: Shops could use less packaging.

E-look ahead – optional: You may meet the past perfect when two past moments are compared: Before we changed our habits, we had bought more packaged snacks. It is not a main target here.

Mini discussion

Work in pairs or groups of three.

Question: Can small consumer choices really help the environment?

Aim for 4–6 short contributions per person. You can:

1. give your opinion;
2. add a reason or example;
3. agree or disagree politely;
4. ask a follow-up question;
5. change or improve your idea after feedback.

Useful phrases: I think ... because ... / For example ... / I agree with that point. / I'm not sure. What about ...? / That makes sense, but ...

Less support: Try to speak without reading full sentences.

More support if needed: Build your turn from three parts: opinion → reason → example.

Feedback and improve

Give one partner two short comments:

1. Clear: I understood your main point.
2. Next step: Add a reason / example / reaction.

Now repeat one contribution in a better version.

Rule for recordings: Recording is voluntary and private. Do not upload recordings without clear permission. Do not send classmates' voices or texts to external AI services.

Communicate

Short presentation

Prepare a 45–60 second talk: One consumption habit I would keep, change or question.

Include:

1. the habit;
2. one environmental connection;
3. one advantage or difficulty;
4. one realistic suggestion.

You may use one picture as support.

Datei:Plastics for Recycling.jpg

Writing: A short post

Write 70–90 words for a fictional school forum:

Prompt: One small change in consumption can make a difference. Do you agree?

Use at least two linking words and one example. Do not use real private social-media profiles or personal data.

AI note: If you use AI feedback, check whether the language fits your E7-E level. Keep your own ideas and do not let AI replace your text.

Mediation – optional

Your German-speaking classmate asks what the discussion was about. Explain the main ideas in simple German in 3–4 sentences. Do not translate every sentence. Keep the key message and one example.

Mini transfer

Look at this comparison graphic. Do not decide from the picture alone. Ask: What is being compared? What might be missing? How often would a bag need to be reused?

Datei:Grocery bag comparisons for greenhouse gas emissions, OWID.svg

Transfer task: Your family needs a bag for shopping. Give two questions you would ask before calling one option “better for the environment”.

Self-check

Mark each statement: Yes / Almost / Not yet.

1. I can give an opinion and a reason.
2. I can use because, so, but or however to connect ideas.
3. I can react to another person's idea.
4. I can understand the main message of a short environmental video.
5. I can improve one contribution after feedback.

Use again: Repeat the mini discussion with a new topic: food, clothes, electronics or packaging.

Follow-up course: E7 E - Sustainable choices – From opinion to action

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

Which sentence gives an opinion and a reason? (I think reusing a bottle helps because it can reduce waste.) (!A bottle is on the table.) (!I bought a bottle yesterday.) (!Where is the bottle?)

Which word best introduces a result? (so) (!because) (!although) (!question)

What does reuse mean? (Use something again.) (!Buy something new every day.) (!Throw something away immediately.) (!Hide something at home.)

Which reply politely disagrees? (I see your point, but I think there is another problem.) (!You are wrong.) (!That is stupid.) (!Stop talking.)

Which action can reduce food waste at home? (Check what food you already have before shopping.) (!Buy more than you need.) (!Throw away leftovers immediately.) (!Ignore food in the fridge.)

What is packaging? (Material around a product.) (!A type of weather.) (!A school subject.) (!A transport ticket.)

Which sentence makes a suggestion? (Shops could use less packaging.) (!Shops used packaging yesterday.) (!Packaging is a noun.) (!Where is the shop?)

What is a useful first goal when watching a short video? (Understand the main message.) (!Understand every single word.) (!Translate every sentence into German.) (!Write down every sound.)

What makes a mini discussion contribution stronger? (A reason or example that supports the idea.) (!A longer sentence with no clear point.) (!Speaking as fast as possible.) (!Repeating the same words.)

What should you do after useful feedback? (Improve one part and try again.) (!Delete all your ideas.) (!Change to a completely unrelated topic.) (!Stop speaking.)

Memory

reuse	use again
waste	things that are thrown away
packaging	material around a product
impact	effect
leftovers	food that remains after a meal
fast fashion	cheap clothing made and changed quickly

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
opinion	I think small choices can help.
reason	because less waste may be produced.
example	For example, I use the same bottle every day.
contrast	But not every alternative is easy.
suggestion	Shops could offer less packaging.

Kreuzworträtsel

reuse	What verb means to use something again?
waste	What word means material that is thrown away?
impact	What word means an effect on something?
choice	What word means a decision between options?
climate	What word describes long-term weather patterns?
fashion	What word is connected with styles of clothing?

Lückentext

Vervollständige den Text.

In a discussion, you can give an and support it with a reason. The word introduces a reason, while can show a result. If you want to react politely, you can say I see your point, but .... Reusing a product means using it . Food that remains after a meal can be called . A realistic suggestion can use the modal verb .

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

1. Picture talk: Choose one course image and describe three things you notice in English.
2. Vocabulary card: Create a mini card with six useful words from the course and one example sentence for each.
3. Opinion line: Finish the sentence Small choices matter because ... with two different reasons.
4. Waste diary: Observe one day of packaging or food waste at home and write five neutral notes. Do not include private data.

Standard

1. Mini interview: Ask a classmate three questions about reusing, repairing or buying less. Summarise the answers in English.
2. Poster: Design a small English poster with one realistic school idea for reducing waste.
3. Comparison: Compare two everyday choices and explain one advantage and one difficulty of each.
4. Audio reflection: Record a private 45-second opinion if you want to. Listen once and improve one unclear sentence.

Schwer

1. Perspective switch: Write three short statements from the viewpoints of a teenager, a shop owner and an environmental group.
2. Mini debate: Discuss whether schools should try to reduce single-use packaging. Give reasons on both sides before your own conclusion.
3. Media check: Choose one environmental claim from a video and check it with a reliable source. Explain what you found.
4. Action plan: Create a one-week class idea that reduces waste without blaming individuals. Define one realistic goal and how you would review it.

Lernkontrolle

1. Argument chain: Explain how one buying decision can lead to an environmental effect. Use at least three connected steps.
2. Evaluate a suggestion: A school wants to replace all single-use items immediately. Name one possible benefit, one difficulty and one question that should be checked first.
3. Perspective change: Explain why the same product can look different to a consumer, a shop and an environmental group.
4. Media transfer: Use one course image to create a new discussion question and justify why it matters.
5. Improve language: Rewrite a weak statement such as Plastic is bad into a clearer mini-argument with a reason and an example.
6. Reflection: Describe one point where feedback changed or sharpened your argument.

Lernnachweis

For a successful learning record, show that you can:

1. understand the main ideas of short texts or videos about consumption and the environment;
2. use topic vocabulary in context;
3. give an opinion with reasons and examples;
4. react politely to another idea;
5. use simple linking words and suggestions accurately enough to be understood;
6. improve one spoken or written contribution after feedback;
7. transfer the discussion to a new everyday example.

No external uploads are required for the learning record.

Verknüpfte Lernbereiche

E7 E - Consumption and the environment – A mini discussion Englisch Speaking Listening Reading Writing Mediation Argumentation Konsum Umwelt Nachhaltiger Konsum