Learning Scenario

Ost/West Beziehungen nach der Wende
German 3-5

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In these activities students in a level 3/4/5 German class will work individually, in groups and in pairs to integrate make connections and to summarize information in an Ost/West Unit.

This learning scenario follows the presentation of basic information on East/West relations before and leading up to the fall of the Wall (Hintergrund), and texts, videos, cartoons and music which introduce East/West relations and conflicts since the fall of the Wall.

These activities are best accomplished after the Identity Journal activity has been accomplished.

Vorbereitung: With the class review and list issues, conflicts, characterizatons, etc. which you have brought up during the unit.

Assignment #1: Summarizing the East/West positions

Individually and then in-groups, students are to create either a stereotypical East German profile or a stereotypical West German profile. This is easily done if students have already been keeping track of East and West positions and characteristics in a journal. These profiles could combine characteristics from many different points of view, as long as they belong to East or West characters. Profiles can include: opinions, positions, hopes, needs, wants, politics, statistics, etc.

Assignment #2: Reactions to the opposite group

After each group has solidified their group picture, they are to summarize the problems they have with the other group and Unification.  Why do they find the other group so hard to get along with? What makes them so different?  What makes them anxious?  This should be done in a list format where each number is an opinion and/or conflict and is expressed in sentence format.

Groups exchange their lists and respond to the stereotypes. Example: East Germans don’t want to work for a better lifestyle. Response: We are willing to work but need to learn how to work in this system. Or we can’t work, you took away all of our jobs.  This can be done in several ways: a class discussion, a written response, etc.

Follow up oral activities

1.3/2.1 Introduce your journal identity to the class, include all relevant personal information and your views on unification.

1.1 Hold a debate between the two sides. Could also be done from two political points of view: Capitalism and Socialism.

1.2 Write and produce a dialog where an "Ossi" and "Wessi" discuss their situations and ask each other questions.

1.3 Prepare to defend your position orally. Have a class debate or a talk show with several different points of view.
 

Follow up group or individual written activities
(Reminder!  The journal provides a means of meeting Standard 2.1)

1.3/2.1 Write a personal ad (using your journal identity). Give pertinent information about yourself and describe the type of person you want to meet.

1.3/3.1 Create a cartoon of your own dealing with an East/West theme or historical event.

1.2/1.3/4.2 E-mail an East or West German, save and print your conversations. Write a short report comparing their view of Unification with your view prior to this unit.

1.3/3.1 Collect more information on one of the topics discussed under East/West history and relations. Use at least one source in German, more if you are in German 5. Write a short report on this topic. Give an oral or written report with visual aids.

1.3/4.2 Using the Internet, research, compare and contrast a city in West Germany and a city in East Germany. Create an information booklet for the Chamber of Commerce highlighting and comparing the two cities.

1.3/4.2 Read "Globus-Blätter" on comparisions between the East and West. Give a report on your findings. Include new vocabulary and an analysis of the material.

1.3/3.1 Write an advertisement for television or newspaper selling an item from the West to someone in the East, or selling a former product from the East to someone in the West or East.

Hold a mediation conference between groups of East and West Germans. You can do this in groups of three (East, West and a mediator) or as a class with a group of East Germans, a group of West Germans and two mediators.

1.  Each side gives their viewpoint.  In good mediation style, the mediators repeat the basic information which they have heard, leaving out personal implications, etc.

2.  The next step is have each side clarify what they want.

• What does each side want?

 
• What are they willing to give up / i.e., do to make it work?

 
• What is most important to each side? Is there some common ground to be found here?

 
• How much can the mediator help the groups classify the problems, stresses, etc. which help to create misunderstandings, etc.? (What is it about the system that leads to disunity rather than unity?)

 
• What can the two groups agree on?

A natural extension of this unit and this format is the discussion of "Fremde" and "Deutsche." The same format could be used, but you would add the element of "Foreigner" to the debate and mediation activites.

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