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Virtual Exchange Materials
 GAVE

We provide materials for each phase of your virtual exchange to help you guide your students through this unique cross-cultural experience. GAVE (German American Virtual Exchange) is available in German (Language Track) and English (Culture Track). Each track consists of materials for students (interactive Pdfs) and handouts for teachers. 

Graphic with icons for textfiles, audio, videoGraphic: Goethe-Institut

Preparation materials for teachers

Here you will find all of the resources you need to plan and organize your virtual exchange (in English and German):

  • The GAVE Blueprint – a guide to planning your virtual exchange
  • Student Bio Form – a form to collect information to help with partnering students
  • Online Tools – a list of optional programs and platforms to use in your exchange

Preparation phase materials(ZIP, 5 MB)


Preparation materials for students

GAve journal

GAVE Journal

Students may use the GAVE Journal prompts to get to know their exchange partner informally outside of the regular GAVE activities.

GAVE Journal English version(PDF, 6 MB)

GAVE Journal German version(PDF, 6 MB)

 

GAVE intercultural training

Intercultural communication training

Students will learn the basics of intercultural communication and what to consider before beginning the exchange with the partner school.

GAVE Intercultural Training(PDF, 2 MB)

 

GAVE Exchange topics

A GAVE can be completed in German and English in the Language Track, or in English only in the Cultural Track.

The GAVE program is divided into topics that all follow the same framework, or ‘Fahrplan.’ Each student-centered topic includes introductory Get-to-Know-You tasks and more in-depth Exchange tasks, where your students will have fun while learning about the German language and culture as they interact with their German counterparts.

GAVE Exchange topics Language Track

German language level: A1-A2 / English language level: B1-B2

youth sitting together with laptops © Colourbox

Social Media

Students will explore social media's influence on their lives and consider what it means to have an online presence in this digitally connected world.

Introductory tasks(ZIP, 1 MB)

Exchange tasks(ZIP, 1 MB)


 

Junge Frau mit Kopfhoerern © Getty Images

Everyday life

Students will learn about what everyday life looks like in Germany vs. the U.S.

Introductory tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

Exchange tasks(ZIP, 6 MB)

 

Bullying © Colourbox

Bullying

Students will learn more about their similarities and differences as they become advocates for one another.

Introductory tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

Exchange tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

 

Kinder pflanzen © Getty Images

Shopping / Sustainable living

Students will reflect on the environmental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as their own personal carbon footprint.

Introductory tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

Exchange tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

 

Haende Flaggen © Colourbox

Diversity


Students will reflect on their awareness of themselves and the diversity in their classroom and beyond.

Introductory tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

Exchange tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

Sport an der Schule © Colourbox

Sports

Students will discuss the role that sport plays in their own lives, in their school, and in the society at large.

Introductory tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

Exchange tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

 

Woman with sign © Colourbox

Capitalism / Socialism

Students will learn more about capitalism and socialism as they relate to the former East Germany,​ the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States.

Introductory tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

Exchange tasks(ZIP, 2 MB)

Teens eat © Colourbox

Food

Students will learn about food preferences and consumption habits of the partner culture and will test their skills in a cooking challenge.

Introductory tasks(ZIP, 1 MB)

Exchange tasks(ZIP, 1 MB)

 

Women listen to music © Colourbox

Music

Students will learn what is topping the charts in the U.S. and Germany, share their favorite music, and work together to write their own songs.

Introductory tasks(ZIP, 1 MB)

Exchange tasks(ZIP, 1 MB)

 

GAVE Exchange Topics Cultural Track

All materials are in English. English language level: A1-B2
 

Transatlantic Politics @GAPP

Transatlantic Politics

In the election super year 2024, we invite students on both sides of the Atlantic to explore the political systems of Germany and the United States with our new GAVE package “Transatlantic Politics.” Both the US and Germany are federal democratic republics with bicameral legislatures, but their systems operate in unique ways. How so? Who can propose new legislation? Which branch of government votes on new laws? What are the electoral systems for the German Bundestag and the United States House of Representatives like? How do the written constitutions—the German Basic Law and the United States Constitution—that grant fundamental rights compare? Where do they differ? 

Finally, we invite students to explore legal issues in their community and to imagine that they have been ‘hired’ by a local travel agency to create a brochure for their state/Bundesland, highlighting its unique attractions and encouraging visitors to explore its charm.

All exchange materials are in English. English language level: A1-B2.

Introductory tasks A1-A2(ZIP, 728 KB)

Exchange tasks A1-A2(ZIP, 573 KB)

Introductory tasks B1-B2(ZIP, 772 KB)

Exchange Tasks B1-B2(ZIP, 555 KB)


Junge Frau mit Kopfhoerern © Getty Images

Everyday life

Students will learn about what everyday life looks like in Germany vs. the U.S.  

Introductory tasks A1-A2(ZIP, 2 MB)

Exchange tasks A1-A2(ZIP, 3 MB)

Introductory tasks B1-B2(ZIP, 837 KB)

Exchange tasks B1-B2(ZIP, 3 MB)

 

Kinder pflanzen © Getty Images

Shopping / Sustainable living

Students will reflect on the environmental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as their own personal carbon footprint.  

Introductory tasks A1-A2(ZIP, 1 MB)

Exchange tasks A1-A2(ZIP, 1 MB)

Introductory tasks B1-B2(ZIP, 906 KB)

Exchange tasks B1-B2(ZIP, 1 MB)

 

Special Topic: Pitch your green idea - an entrepeneurship game

Interested in a German American Virtual Exchange with a twist?

GAVE Planspiel Image ©GAPP

Immerse your students in an exciting business game, in English with German components. In teams with your partner class, students will develop their own sustainable business concept and exchange ideas with other teams. To learn more, see the preview below. Interested? Indicate this on your registration form for the GAVE program!

Pitch your green idea: game demo(PDF, 13 MB)

The Planspiel Workshop Module

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Conclusion and Reflection


Reflection Materials

The culmination of the exchange experience involves reflecting on the program and meeting with your exchange partners as a group to present your projects. Here are the materials you and your students need to reflect on your German-American Virtual Exchange.

Reflection Phase(ZIP, 949 KB)

Documentation

After completion of your exchange, please fill out the GAVE Documentation and Certificates Request Form to provide GAPP with details of your completed exchange send it along with 2-3 exceptional examples of student work to gapp@goethe.de.

GAVE Documentation form(PDF, 174 KB)

Survey

Teachers and students on both sides of the exchange are asked to fill out a short survey to help us improve GAVE.

Contact

German American Partnership Program
c/o Goethe-Institut New York
30 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003, USA
Tel.: +1 212 439 8700
Fax: +1 212 439 8705
gapp@goethe.de

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