Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of the activity:
- Have you ever had a rivalry with someone, maybe a sibling or a friend, that drove you to be more competitive or innovative?
- How do you think the relationship between two brothers who start a business together can impact the success or failure of the company?
- Can you think of any examples where a company’s values or actions have been influenced by the political or social climate of the time?
- How do you think the story of two brothers who started rival shoe companies might relate to your own experiences or interests?
- What do you know about the sports industry, and how do you think it has evolved over time?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Take a look at the featured image and answer the following questions:
- What do you see in the image?
- What do you think this activity will be about based on this image?
- Do you think the image is related to the story of the two brothers who started rival shoe companies? Why or why not?
Introduction:
Read the introduction to the activity and get a sense of what the story is about. Pay attention to the key points, such as the background of the Dassler brothers, the founding of Adidas and Puma, and the historical context in which they operated.
Video Engagement:
Watch the video associated with the activity, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpNJcAEI-Ts. Pause the video at the following points and discuss the questions:
- Pause at 2:00 minutes: What do you think motivated the Dassler brothers to start their own business? How do you think their relationship as brothers impacted their decision-making?
- Pause at 5:00 minutes: How do you think the Nazi regime’s promotion of sports and physical fitness affected the demand for sport shoes? What role do you think the Dassler brothers played in this context?
- Pause at 10:00 minutes: What do you think led to the split between the Dassler brothers and the formation of two separate companies, Adidas and Puma? How do you think this affected the town and the people involved?
For more information about the activity, visit the original post at https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/the-nazi-brothers-who-started-rival-shoe-companies-2/.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus:
Review the key vocabulary and grammar focus sections to improve your understanding of the language used in the activity. Pay attention to the definitions, example usage, and grammar explanations.
Complete the vocabulary quiz and grammar quiz to test your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Sibling Rivalry | A competitive relationship between siblings, often driven by feelings of jealousy or resentment. | The Dassler brothers’ relationship was marked by intense sibling rivalry, which ultimately led to the formation of two separate companies, Adidas and Puma. |
| Nazi Regime | The government of Germany under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945, characterized by authoritarianism, racism, and aggression. | The Dassler brothers profited from the Nazi regime, which promoted sports and physical fitness, creating a huge demand for sport shoes. |
| Aryan Supremacy | The belief that the Aryan race is superior to all others, often used to justify discrimination and persecution. | Jesse Owens’ victory in the 1936 Olympics contradicted Hitler’s Aryan supremacy propaganda, promoting the Dassler brothers’ company and challenging the Nazi ideology. |
| World War II | A global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world’s nations and resulting in massive human suffering and economic destruction. | The outbreak of World War II worsened the tensions between the Dassler brothers, leading to the eventual split of their company into Adidas and Puma. |
| Global Expansion | The process of a company growing and establishing itself in new markets and regions around the world. | Adidas and Puma aggressively expanded globally, selling shoes and other products abroad, and competing to become the dominant sports brand. |
| Reconciliation | The process of resolving conflicts and improving relationships between individuals, groups, or organizations. | The feud between Adidas and Puma ended with a friendly football match in 2009, marking a reconciliation between the two companies and their founders’ families. |
| Innovation | The process of introducing new or improved products, services, or processes to improve performance, efficiency, or customer satisfaction. | Adidas focused on creating innovative products and partnering with star athletes, helping the brand recover and reclaim its status as a leading sports brand. |
| Perseverance | The ability to persist in the face of challenges, obstacles, or setbacks, and to continue working towards a goal or objective. | The story of Adidas and Puma serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, as both companies were able to recover from bankruptcy and reclaim their status as leading sports brands. |
| Commitment to Excellence | A dedication to achieving high standards of quality, performance, or service, and a willingness to continuously improve and strive for excellence. | The legacy of Adidas and Puma is one of innovation, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, as both companies continue to compete and strive for excellence in the sports industry. |