Chapter DiaLog - Climate Change Controversies

In 18 teaching modules on controversial issues of climate change, learners are gradually introduced to written argumentation in German as a first, second, and foreign language. Content-wise, the questions are based on students’ everyday lives and are intended to encourage them to reflect on their own habits. Within the framework of an incremental and detailed didactical concept, learners acquire tools helping them to discuss these questions both orally and in writing and to make their voices heard through well-founded arguments and an appropriate use of language. In order to take into account the different linguistic abilities of learners of German as a first, second, or foreign language, the material contains a variety of linguistic relief and differentiation options for the classroom.

The topics are:

• Fast Fashion: Should we all give up fast fashion?
• Lab-grown meat: Should we be eating lab-grown meat in the future?
• Insect burgers: Should we be eating insect burgers in the future?
• Streaming: Should the amount of data be limited in the future?
• Short-haul flights: Should short-haul flights within Europe be banned?
• Green tourism: Should we only travel in an environmentally friendly way?
• Disposable bags: Should single-use bags be banned in Europe?
• Public transport: Should public transport be free everywhere for everyone? 
• Electric cars: Should only electric cars be allowed?

In addition to extensive teacher and student materials, there are great extra resources for each module: in-depth dictionaries, further information & links, role cards, PowerPoint presentations and a radio intro.

You can also find additional material on other topics in the downloads: information sheet "Leading a good discussion", language workshop PLUS "More complex expressions for arguing", questionnaire "Attitudes towards climate protection" and warm-up exercises for the role play.

For more information, see also the homepage of the Didactic Center for German as a Second Language and Language Education of the University of Graz.