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We invite all teachers and students of English and CLIL courses in Germany as well as interested courses in the United States. The project is designed for secondary-level learners and their educators who want to explore sustainability topics through English-language instruction.
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The Going Green materials are designed with flexibility in mind. Teachers can adapt the modules to fit their available time — whether as a focused two-week unit, a semester-long theme, or integrated into existing lesson plans. The blended-learning format also allows students to complete portions of the work independently via the Moodle platform.
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Going Green is built for the EFL and CLIL classroom. All materials are in English and target reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Students engage with authentic texts, produce their own content, and collaborate across borders — all while developing language competencies in a meaningful, real-world context.
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Yes — partner participation between German and U.S. schools is highly encouraged. Working as a transatlantic team enriches the intercultural dimension of the project and gives students an authentic reason to communicate in English. Joint teams can collaborate on research, share findings, and submit competition entries together.
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Absolutely. The project is well suited for Content and Language Integrated Learning courses. Sustainability and environmental topics provide rich subject content while the English-language materials support language acquisition — a natural fit for the CLIL approach.
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The core materials are aimed at secondary-level students. Teachers of younger learners are welcome to adapt selected resources, though the full project framework and competition are best suited to intermediate and advanced English learners at the secondary stage.
Still have questions?
For registration inquiries or questions about setting up a personal e-classroom, contact Ms. Katja Krüger at krueger@goinggreen2014.org. You can also explore the Resources section for downloadable materials and further links.
The Going Green project brings together German and American learners in a unique blended-learning environment. Participants explore sustainability and environmental topics through a collaborative online platform, connecting classrooms across the Atlantic. This bilingual experience encourages students to practice English language skills while engaging with real-world issues. The program combines digital coursework with interactive exchanges, allowing learners to share perspectives on green living and environmental responsibility. Teachers benefit from tested materials developed by an international team of practitioners, making it easier to integrate global themes into their existing curriculum. The project fosters cross-cultural understanding and meaningful dialogue between young people from different backgrounds.
At the heart of the program is the Moodle-based learning platform, where students and teachers access course content, discussion forums, and collaborative assignments. This digital classroom environment supports both independent study and group work, enabling participants to connect asynchronously across time zones. The platform hosts a variety of multimedia resources, including videos, readings, and interactive activities designed to deepen understanding of sustainable development. Teachers can track student progress and provide personalized feedback, while learners build digital literacy skills alongside their language and content knowledge. The online space serves as a central hub for the entire project community.
Participating schools are highly encouraged to deepen their partnerships through ongoing exchange and collaboration. Beyond the structured online curriculum, the project creates opportunities for students to engage in meaningful discussions about environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. The program values diverse perspectives, recognizing that German and American learners bring different cultural contexts to conversations about ecological challenges. Teachers play a vital role in facilitating these exchanges, helping students connect classroom learning to broader global issues. The partnership model strengthens international ties and prepares young people for collaborative problem-solving in an interconnected world.
The project's resources include a growing collection of downloadable materials for educators. These practical teaching aids have been tested in classrooms across both countries, ensuring they meet the needs of diverse learning environments. The materials cover a range of topics related to sustainability, offering flexible options for integration into existing lesson plans. Teachers new to the program can find guidance on setting up their virtual classrooms and getting started with the curriculum. The resource library continues to expand as the project evolves, drawing on feedback from participating educators and students. This collaborative approach to material development ensures the content remains relevant and engaging.