New
New
Childhood: then and now: key - RE and -IR verbs in the imperfect tense
Learning outcomes
I can describe things now compared to how they used to be in childhood.
I can distinguish between [ou] and [u].
Lesson 3 of 8
New
New
- Year 9
Childhood: then and now: key - RE and -IR verbs in the imperfect tense
Learning outcomes
I can describe things now compared to how they used to be in childhood.
I can distinguish between [ou] and [u].
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- [ou] is pronounced as in 'nous'.
- [u] is pronounced as in 'tu'.
- Use 'un an' to count years + 'une année' to describe events or duration within a year.
- Use 'ans' with 'avoir' to describe age e.g. 'J'ai douze ans' and 'Quel âge as-tu ?' to ask someone's age.
- To form the imperfect tense (all verb groups), take the nous form of the present tense, remove –ons, add -ais or -ait.
Keywords
Imperfect tense - tense used to describe how things were or used to be in the past
Common misconception
The imperfect tense formation is different for ir/re verbs.
The imperfect tense is formed exactly the same way as with -er verbs. Take the present tense nous form, remove -ons and add the imperfect endings.
During the vocabulary focus in the 2nd learning cycle, teachers may want to remind pupils about their personal word repertoire, and encourage them to add any words that are important to them to the place set aside for this.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match these words to do with religion.
Match these words to do with religion.
Q2.Match the nous form of these verbs.
Match the nous form of these verbs.
Q3.Put the words in order to make the question, 'how old are you?'
Put the words in order to make the question, 'how old are you?'
Q4.What is the French word for 'non-religiousness'?
What is the French word for 'non-religiousness'?
quotidien
religion
liberté
église
Q5.How do you say 'free' (as in free/available to do something) in English?
How do you say 'free' (as in free/available to do something) in English?
Q6.Which of the following means 'every year'?
Which of the following means 'every year'?
tous les jours
tous les mois
tous les weekends
tous les jeudis
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Forming the imperfect tense. Put the stages in the correct order.
Forming the imperfect tense. Put the stages in the correct order.
Q2.Which of the following means 'she used to believe'?
Which of the following means 'she used to believe'?
elle écrivait
elle prenait
elle appartenait
elle donnait
Q3.Which are the correct translations of 'Je partais'?
Which are the correct translations of 'Je partais'?
I left
I leave
I am leaving
Q4.Put the words in the correct order to explain what the people were doing yesterday. Start with 'je'
Put the words in the correct order to explain what the people were doing yesterday. Start with 'je'
Q5.__________ appartenais à un club de danse mais __________ n’aimait pas danser. Chose the correct option to fill in the blanks.
__________ appartenais à un club de danse mais __________ n’aimait pas danser. Chose the correct option to fill in the blanks.
Je / il
Elle / je
Je / je
J' / tu
Q6.J'ai passé deux en France. Add the missing word.
J'ai passé deux en France. Add the missing word.
