Soft Power - An Economic Strategy

The goal of this worksheet is to enable students to independently identify and critically examine manipulative marketing strategies in retail. Using a specific case study, they will develop the theoretical foundation needed to distinguish between genuine sustainability promises and deliberate consumer deception, so they can make informed, independent consumer decisions in their daily lives.

Content and Methods: The content focuses on the definition and strategic characteristics of greenwashing, its psychological impact, and an analysis of legal consequences. Methodologically, the worksheet combines an image-based case analysis with in-depth journalistic text analysis. A video-based summary of theoretical categories of deception and a practical, criteria-based checklist serve to reinforce knowledge and facilitate active application to students’ own consumer behavior.

Competencies:

Analytical Competence: Students can systematically deconstruct visual design elements, price placements, and advertising messages in digital user interfaces.

Substantive Competence: They understand the definition of the technical term “greenwashing” and can distinguish between vague marketing phrases and verifiable sustainability labels.

Critical thinking skills: Students are able to critically evaluate the discrepancy between corporate sustainability reports and actual environmental impacts.

Reflective thinking skills: They can critically examine their own susceptibility to manipulative sales strategies and identify alternative courses of action.

Target audience and grade level: Intermediate (8th-10th grade)

This worksheet aims to raise students’ awareness of the mechanisms, economic dimensions, and psychological strategies of modern digital marketing in everyday life.

Content and Methods: The material focuses on the economic significance of social media marketing based on statistical data, as well as the analysis of specific digital posts. Methodologically, the worksheet relies on a combination of practical case studies—in which an exemplary social media post is deconstructed both textually and statistically—and theoretical insights into behavioral economic effects. In addition, the material encourages multi-perspective discussion through reflective writing assignments and the comparison of contrasting stakeholder perspectives. Finally, the discussion of complex issues is used to synthesize what has been learned into the formation of independent judgments.

Competencies:

Analytical and Deconstructive Competence: The ability to systematically examine media content and linguistic and statistical devices for their manipulative or promotional effects

Reflective and Critical Thinking Competence: The ability to critically examine one’s own consumer behavior and evaluate economic phenomena from different perspectives

Media and Economic Competence: Understanding of digital market mechanisms, psychological influence strategies such as the authority bias or the bandwagon effect, and their impact on the economy

Target Audience and Level: 9th/10th grade

Objective: This worksheet aims to help learners understand the pros and cons of a particular profession and prepare them for a job interview.

Content and Methods: A text describes the profession, including its advantages and disadvantages. A dialogue scenario for a job interview serves as a basis for learners to practice in a role-play. Detailed role cards provide guidance on emotions and goals. A checklist supports preparation for the job application.

Competencies:

• Vocational knowledge: Understanding the requirements of the profession
• Communication: Preparing for and conducting a job interview
• Self-reflection: Reflecting on one’s own abilities

Target group and level: Spanish learners at A2 level

Objective: This worksheet aims to provide learners with a basic understanding of the Spanish economy and gross domestic product (GDP).

Content and Methods: It covers a country’s economy (sectors, challenges, opportunities) and explains the concept of GDP. Methods include reading comprehension, multiple-choice questions, and describing the economy.

Competencies:

• Reading comprehension
• Understanding of basic economic concepts
• Written expression

Target audience and level: Spanish learners at A2 level

ESD:

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Addressing sustainable economic opportunities for the future
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Promoting innovation in the green economy

Objective: This worksheet aims to encourage students to discuss various topics and to develop their oral communication skills.

Content and Methods: A selected topic is presented, including its characteristics and implications. The methods include reading comprehension exercises, multiple-choice questions, and, in particular, a role-play that encourages oral argumentation. Various perspectives and discussion prompts are included for this purpose.

Competencies:

• Oral communication and argumentation
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Perspective-taking and empathy
• Reading comprehension

Target audience and level: Spanish learners at A2 level

Objective: This worksheet aims to help learners understand political parties and enable them to draft the basic principles of their own political party.

Content and Methods: It covers the history, goals, and values of a political party. The methods include reading comprehension, true/false and multiple-choice questions, as well as a group activity to design their own party.

Competencies:

• Reading comprehension
• Understanding of political parties
• Creativity and planning
• Teamwork

Target audience and level: Spanish learners at A2 level

ESD:

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Promoting social justice and understanding of political processes
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Strengthening civic engagement
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Emphasizing the role of political actors in shaping a more sustainable society

This worksheet aims to provide students with a multifaceted understanding of the historical and emotional complexities of immigration at a border. By combining historical facts with empathetic role-playing, students explore the challenges, legal hurdles, and personal stakes involved in seeking a new life.

Content and methods: The worksheet utilizes a blend of historical reading, audio-based interaction, and creative writing. It provides a text on a country's immigration policies to establish historical context. Methodologically, it shifts from factual comprehension to perspective-taking by prompting students to listen to border official questions, write a reflective essay from the viewpoint of an immigrant, and analyze the internal emotional landscape of those facing interrogation.

Competencies:

• Historical Literacy: Understanding historical immigration laws
• Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Analyzing the emotional burden and fears of immigrants during the entry process
• Listening and Writing Skills: Processing oral questions and articulating detailed personal narratives in an essay format
• Critical Reflection: Evaluating the consequences of refusal and the ethical implications of national allegiance and bias

Target group: Grades 9-12 (High School)

Objective: The worksheet aims to educate learners about the use of artificial intelligence in medical diagnostics. Learners should understand how AI systems support professionals, increase efficiency, and what ethical questions arise regarding responsibility and trust.

Contents and methods: The content includes an introduction to AI-supported imaging based on informational texts, analysis tables on areas of application, a practical case study, and an overview of the pros and cons of opportunities and risks. Methodologically, the content is taught through a combination of technical text work, structured analysis, case studies, and reflective exchange formats such as opinion rounds and evaluation surveys.

Competencies:

• Technical competence: Understanding how AI works in medical imaging and diagnostics.
• Ethical reflection competence: Critical examination of the question of who bears ultimate responsibility for AI-supported wrong decisions.
• Assessment competence: Weighing up the opportunities and challenges of technological innovations.

Target group and level: From grade 10 onwards.

Learners critically examine the economic, social, and environmental consequences of large-scale events using a selected example and weigh up the opportunities and risks.

Contents and methods: 

Based on informational texts about various roles (e.g., city administration, citizens' initiative, environmental officers), learners develop subject-specific arguments. The method includes preparing a structured discussion using tables and concluding with the creation of an informational statement to announce the decision.

Skills:

• Multiperspective analysis of complex economic issues
• Argumentation and judgment skills in socio-political debates
• Transfer of theoretical economic data to municipal decision-making processes
• Cooperation and communication skills within a role simulation

Target group:

Grade 8 and above

Learners critically examine the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the creative industries and develop their own well-founded position on the subject.

Content and methods:

The material provides an introduction to how generative creative content works. In a discussion, students take on different roles (e.g., politicians, tech industry, cultural workers), analyze subject-specific arguments, and compile them in a table. An optional practical task allows them to experiment with AI tools themselves.

Skills:

• Critical examination of technological innovations and their social consequences
• Change of perspective and ability to argue within the framework of a debate
• Media literacy through reflection on copyright, authenticity, and the dangers of manipulation
• Use of digital tools for creative content creation

Target group:

Grade 10 and above