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Famous German speakers: present tense weak verbs, singular persons
I can understand and summarise short texts in the present tense about German-speaking public figures.
Lesson 1 of 2
New
New
- Year 7
Famous German speakers: present tense weak verbs, singular persons
I can understand and summarise short texts in the present tense about German-speaking public figures.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- German only has one present tense.
- Weak verbs use a regular pattern of verb endings in the present tense.
- Singular present tense weak verb endings are 1st person '-e', 2nd person '-st' and 3rd person '-t'.
- 'Werden' is a frequently used irregular verb meaning 'to become, becoming'.
Keywords
Werden - to become, becoming
Present tense - describes what is happening now or habitual events in the present, e.g., 'I do', 'I am doing'
Weak verb - a verb that follows a regular pattern of changes
Common misconception
You translate the English present continuous with a form of 'sein', e.g., 'Ich bin machen ...'.
There is only one present tense in German. 'Ich mache' means 'I do' and 'I am doing'.
Use Tasks B2a-2g as running dictation texts that are placed around the classroom. Students work in pairs to collect information and relay it in German back to their partner.
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.Put the numbers in order, from 0-6.
Put the numbers in order, from 0-6.
Q2.Which of these words are infinitives?
Which of these words are infinitives?
sieben
zehn
Q3.Match the subject pronoun to its present tense verb ending.
Match the subject pronoun to its present tense verb ending.
Q4.Fill in the gap to complete the following sentence: 'Ich Mathematik.' (I learn maths.)
Fill in the gap to complete the following sentence: 'Ich Mathematik.' (I learn maths.)
Q5.Which of the verbs below could be in the 3rd person singular present tense?
Which of the verbs below could be in the 3rd person singular present tense?
hast
spielst
Q6.Translate the following sentence into German: 'I am living with friends.'
Translate the following sentence into German: 'I am living with friends.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which English translations are correct for 'Ich mache'?
Which English translations are correct for 'Ich mache'?
You do
He does
She is doing
Q2.Match the German words below to the correct English translations.
Match the German words below to the correct English translations.
Q3.What of these words best describes the role of Angela Merkel?
What of these words best describes the role of Angela Merkel?
Mathematikerin
Lehrerin
Musikerin
Q4.Complete the following sentence using the correct form of 'werden': 'Es jetzt dunkel.'
Complete the following sentence using the correct form of 'werden': 'Es jetzt dunkel.'
Q5.Change the following statement to the 3rd person singular (feminine): 'Ich bin Sängerin.'
Change the following statement to the 3rd person singular (feminine): 'Ich bin Sängerin.'
Q6.Change the following statement to the 3rd person singular (masculine): 'Ich spiele Klavier.'
Change the following statement to the 3rd person singular (masculine): 'Ich spiele Klavier.'
