Goal: B2 to C1 (11th to 13th grade language program) students learn about the European Union and what it means for them. Warm up game: how many countries are in the EU? How many can you name? What benefits do you have as an EU citizen?
Resources:
- Fabulous EU guide for teens on the EU: https://europa.eu/learning-corner/eu-me_en I like to focus on the European citizen’s initiative. There are also lots of great debates that can be done in the classroom where students are divided into country groups. What European school system would you create? When should school start? What subjects should be mandatory? What age should kids start school? End school?
- European Citizens’ Initiative / Nikolas Clean Air lesson : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZW1MLajwUE
watch the Vimeo videos below, which give the example of Nikolas, who wants clean air for all of us in the EU. Nikolas wants to put climate change on the agenda. He wants a new directive for higher taxes on CO2-emmissions. He contacts the European Commission via their website. In this way, he hopes that the commission will listen to his advice for a new treaty on reducing CO2-emmissions!
Do you also want to decrease CO2 emissions? Do you agree with Nikolas’ plan? Are you worried about increased taxes on CO2 emissions and unemployment? Do you think we can help the environment and employment at the same time?
Be prepared to debate for or against Nikolas’ clean air proposal. You will be asked to talk about why you agree or disagree with Nikolas. **You will be given a mark (grade)!**
Vocabulary: initiative, directive, CO2 emissions, unemployment