Analysing the Business Environment

Teaching team: Simon Devos

University and degree programme: TH Wildau, Wildau Foundation Year study preparatory programme

Course: Grundlagen der Wirtschaft (‘Basics of Business Administration’)

Timing: 2*90 Minutes

CLIL pilot type: light

CLIL assignments: to draft a PESTEL analysis for a start-up company in the Berlin-Brandenburg area

Language: German

Introduction of the CLIL implementation with 10 CLIL parameters

• Sequence:

1. Introduction to PESTEL Analysis: Presentation of the didactic concept / steps to follow and the importance of the PESTEL analysis.
2. Working in International Teams: Students were divided into groups with mixed linguistic backgrounds.
3. Developing a PESTEL Analysis for a Start-up: Applying the acquired knowledge to a real business scenario step by step.
4. Presentation of Results: Presentation and discussion of the analyses in the plenary session.

• Concept and Task > Language:

Subject concept: Development of a PESTEL analysis for a start-up

Linguistic challenge: Using technical vocabulary to describe macroeconomic factors

Connection between content and language: Students had to analyze and present economic framework conditions in a foreign language.

• Guided multimedia input:

Case studies from the real business world

visualisation of the different elements of a PESTEL analysis

• Key language:
  Business and economic terminology (e.g., “regulatory environment,” “economic stability”)

Structures for analytical comparisons (e.g., “Compared to…”, “A key influencing factor is…”)

Phrases for presentations and discussions (e.g., “Our analysis shows that…”, “We recommend…”)

• Instructions:
  Clearly structured instructions in German

Step-by-step explanations with examples

Clear expectations and assessment criteria

• Interactions:
  Group work in international teams

Peer feedback and discussions

Exchange with lecturers and other teams

• Thinking:
  Critical reflection on economic relationships

Application of knowledge to real business scenarios

Comparison of different macroeconomic conditions

Problem-solving strategies in a foreign language

• Supported output:
  Joint creation of a PESTEL analysis report

Group presentations with visual representations

Digital documentation and peer reviews

Reflection reports on the challenges and successes of the task

• Feedback:
  Methods: peer and lecturer feedback

Results: Students reported that working in groups helped them overcome language barriers. At the same time, the complexity of economic analysis was perceived as challenging. Most students found the clear structuring of tasks helpful.

• Team teaching:

The language lecturer of the course ’Business German’ supported the linguistic implementation of the analysis.

The subject lecturer guided the content analysis and provided professional feedback.

Close coordination between lecturers to integrate language and content.

• Further development ideas:

Development of a multilingual glossary for PESTEL analysis

Greater use of AI-supported tools for language support

Expansion of practical relevance through corporate collaborations

Joint sessions with the language teacher

Download the file here: Economic Fundamentals course: Pestel analysis