Birkenstock's move to be a public company has made some people wonder if it can keep doing well. The company still owns 80% of itself, which shows it believes it will keep doing well. But, the price of its shares went down when they started being sold, which shows some people are worried. Some customers are scared that the company might not care as much about making good sandals now. But, many people think Birkenstock will stay popular if it keeps making comfortable, supportive sandals.
Original news source: Birkenstock: Once-uncool sandal maker now worth billions (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Write key words or phrases from the article on individual index cards. Divide the class into teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a card without looking at it. They must then act out or mime the word or phrase on the card, while their team members guess what it is. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Each pair will read the article together and then write a summary of the main points in their own words. After a few minutes, have pairs share their summaries with the rest of the class. Encourage discussion and clarification of any misunderstandings.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write the following question on the board: "Do you think Birkenstock will continue to be popular now that it is a public company?" Have students stand on one side of the room if they think yes, and on the other side if they think no. Allow students to explain their reasoning to the class, and encourage respectful discussion and debate.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write key vocabulary words from the article on individual index cards. Divide the class into teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a card without looking at it. They must then draw a picture on the board to represent the word, while their team members guess what it is. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will brainstorm a list of pros and cons of Birkenstock becoming a public company. After a few minutes, have groups share their lists with the rest of the class. Encourage discussion and debate about the different points raised.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Birkenstock makes sandals.
Yes, Birkenstock is now a public company.
Birkenstock worked with fashion designers and famous people to make their sandals more liked.
More people wanted to buy Birkenstock sandals after they were in a Barbie movie because they saw them in the movie and liked them.
Some people are worried that being a public company might make Birkenstock care more about money and less about making good sandals.
Yes, Birkenstock still owns 80% of the company.
Some customers worry that the company might not care as much about making good sandals now that it is a public company.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The German company Birkenstock, which makes , is now a public company worth $8.6 billion. Even though some people thought it wouldn't do well, the company has very popular and cool. They worked with fashion designers and famous people to make their sandals more liked. After their sandals were in a Barbie movie, more people wanted to buy them. But, some people that being a company might make Birkenstock care more about money and less about making good sandals. Birkenstock's move to be a public company has some people wonder if it can doing well. The company still owns 80% of itself, which shows it believes it will keep doing well. But, the price of its shares went down when they started being , which shows some people are worried. Some customers are scared that the might not care as much about making good sandals now. But, many people think Birkenstock will stay popular if it keeps making comfortable, supportive sandals.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is Birkenstock?
2. How would you feel if you saw someone wearing Birkenstock sandals?
3. Do you like wearing sandals? Why or why not?
4. What do you think it means for a company to be "popular and cool"?
5. How do you think working with fashion designers and famous people helped Birkenstock?
6. Do you think being in a Barbie movie would make you want to buy something? Why or why not?
7. What do you think it means for a company to care more about money and less about making good sandals?
8. How do you think being a public company might affect Birkenstock?
9. Do you think Birkenstock will continue to do well? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the price of Birkenstock's shares going down might affect the company?
11. Why do you think some customers are scared that Birkenstock might not care as much about making good sandals now?
12. What do you think makes sandals comfortable and supportive?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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