Birkenstock's move to become a public company has made some people ask questions. They wonder if the company can keep doing well and if this change will be good or bad for the brand. The company plans to keep 80% of the shares, which shows they believe in their future success. But, the shares started selling at a lower price than expected, which shows some people are worried about the company's future. Some customers are also worried that this change might make the brand less special.
Even though there are worries about Birkenstock becoming a public company, it has done a good job of making people want their sandals. They have done this through partnerships with fashion designers and new designs. The company has changed from a family business to a modern company that has to think about its investors. Even though this change might make some investors careful, loyal customers believe that people will still like Birkenstock as long as the sandals stay comfortable and supportive.
Original news source: Birkenstock: Once-uncool sandal maker now worth billions (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and summarize the main points in their own words. They can then share their summaries with the class and discuss any differences or similarities.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come to the board and choose a vocabulary word from the article. They must then draw a picture to represent the word, while their team tries to guess what it is. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Students will individually read the article and think about the following question: "Do you think Birkenstock becoming a public company will be good or bad for the brand?" They will then pair up with a partner and discuss their thoughts. Finally, they will share their opinions with the class.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will have 5 minutes to create a summary of the article. They can use keywords or phrases to represent the main points. After the time is up, each group will present their summary to the class in 1 minute or less.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In pairs, students will discuss the pros and cons of Birkenstock becoming a public company. They can take turns sharing their ideas and try to come up with at least three points for each side. After the discussion, they can share their thoughts with the class.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
It means that people can buy shares in the company and become part owners.
Some people are worried because they think the company might care more about making money than making good sandals.
By working with fashion designers and famous people, more people have heard about Birkenstock and want to buy their sandals.
They are worried that the company might not focus on making high-quality sandals anymore.
Birkenstock plans to keep 80% of the shares.
Some people are worried because the shares started selling at a lower price than expected, which shows that some people are unsure about the company's future success.
As a modern company, Birkenstock has to think about its investors and make sure they are happy.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The German company Birkenstock, which makes sandals, has become a public company. This can buy shares in the company. Even though some people were worried about the company's future, Birkenstock has become very popular. This is because of partnerships with fashion designers and famous people their sandals. But, some customers are worried that this might the care more about money and less about the quality of their sandals. Birkenstock's move to become a public company has made some people ask questions. They wonder if the company can keep doing well and if this change will be good or bad for the brand. The company plans to keep 80% of the shares, which shows they believe in their future . But, the shares started selling at a lower price than expected, which shows some people are worried about the company's future. Some customers are also worried that this change might make the brand less . Even though there are worries about Birkenstock becoming a public company, it has done a good job of making people want their . They have this through partnerships with fashion designers and new designs. The company has from a family business to a modern company that has to think about its investors. Even though this change might make some investors careful, loyal believe that people will still like Birkenstock as long as the sandals stay comfortable and supportive.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is a public company?
2. How would you feel if you could buy shares in a company?
3. Do you like Birkenstock sandals? Why or why not?
4. What do you think might happen if a company cares more about money than the quality of their products?
5. How do you think partnerships with fashion designers and famous people can make a brand more popular?
6. Do you think becoming a public company will be good or bad for Birkenstock? Why?
7. Why do you think some people are worried about the company's future?
8. How do you think the company feels about their future success if they plan to keep 80% of the shares?
9. Why do you think some customers are worried that the brand might become less special?
10. How do you think a company can make people want their products?
11. What do you think might happen when a family business becomes a modern company?
12. Why do you think loyal customers believe that people will still like Birkenstock as long as the sandals stay comfortable and supportive?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
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.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!
