Wake Up with the Average German
- Nov 24, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: May 12
ESL Lesson Plan Wake Up with the Average German takes students inside the morning routine of the average German — and the results are surprisingly fascinating. Based on a fun and fact-packed YouTube video, learners explore real statistics about German sleep, breakfast, hygiene, clothing, and social habits while picking up practical everyday vocabulary. The lesson combines prediction tasks, video watching, data reading, grammar work on present simple and present continuous, and a personalised writing task.
📄B1 ⏱️60 min 📁17 slides
Skills and outcomes:
Describing morning habits using the Present Simple and Present Continuous.
Discussing cultural differences between German habits and students’ own routines.
Vocabulary
routine
snooze button
price-performance ratio
convenience
aesthetic
average
pragmatic
soft-boiled
Lesson plan
1. Warm-up
Students answer introductory questions about their wake-up time, morning habits, and what they know about Germany (page 2).Pairs discuss similarities and differences between their countries and Germany.
2. Lead-in: German Habits
Show the images: carbonated water, recycling, Lüften (fresh-air habit), bread lovers, quiet Sundays (page 3).Students discuss which of these habits exist in their home country.
3. Vocabulary Introduction
Present the target vocabulary (page 4).Students match definitions, take notes, and create short example sentences.
4. Meet Michael
Students look at pictures of Michael Müller and predict his morning routine (page 5).Brief discussion: What do you expect from a “typical” German morning?
5. Video: Wake Up with the Average German
Students watch the 4:03 DW Euromaxx video (page 6).They listen for target vocabulary and note key habits.
6. Reading: German Morning Data
Students read the info on pages 7–9:
Sleep habits (cold rooms, no snooze button, naps)
Breakfast habits (46% prefer soft-boiled eggs)
Hygiene habits (47% shower in the morning)
Clothing preferences (comfort, convenience, price-performance ratio)Pairs discuss which statistics surprise them most.
7. True or False
Students read five statements (page 10).They mark them true or false and correct the false ones using evidence from the video.
8. Comprehension Questions
Students answer questions about wake-up times, breakfast items, unusual shower habits, clothing preferences, and neighbour interactions (pages 11–12).Pairs compare answers and justify their ideas.
9. Grammar: Present Habits
Students review Present Simple vs Present Continuous for habits (page 13).Focus on:
permanent habits
temporary habits
annoying habits with alwaysReal-life examples from the video are included.
10. Grammar Practice
Students complete eight sentences using the correct verb forms (page 14).Check in pairs, then as a class.
11. Writing Task: Compare Cultures
Students write a short paragraph comparing German morning habits with those in their country (page 15).Encourages cross-cultural thinking and accurate grammar use.
12. Extension: Watch More
Optional follow-up using the recommended videos on page 16:
At work with the Average German
What Germans do for Fun?
The Average German Sunday