Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

Spelling words with the suffix -al

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can spell words using the suffix -al and write them in sentences.

Key learning points

  1. The suffix -al often turns nouns into adjectives.
  2. When the root word ends in a consonant, just add the suffix.
  3. When the root word ends in ‘e’, remove the ‘e’ and add the suffix.
  4. How to spell the curriculum words: disappear, perhaps and experience.

Keywords

  • Noun - a naming word for people, places or things

  • Adjective - describes a noun

  • Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes

  • Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning

Common misconception

Pupils mix up the double letters in 'disappear'.

Remind pupils that 'disappear' is made of the prefix dis- and appear. That way, you know there will only be a single 's'.

Teacher tip

Play match the definition to the word for words ending in -al, to help pupils secure the meaning of words explored in the lesson.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Select all the words containing the suffix -al.

Correct answer: national
walk
Correct answer: personal
calling
castle

Q2.
Match each word to the representation of the 'l' sound it contains.

Correct Answer:lion,l

l

Correct Answer:well,ll

ll

Correct Answer:apple,le

le

Correct Answer:hotel,el

el

Correct Answer:nostril,il

il

Correct Answer:animal,al

al

Q3.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Use a capitle letter at the start of a sentence.'

capitel
Correct answer: capital
capitle

Q4.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'I like the natchrul beauty of the countryside.'

natureal
Correct answer: natural
natchrul
natchural

Q5.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Is it posibul to swap seats with you?'

posible
possibal
possibel
Correct answer: possible

Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'This question is very dificlt.'

Correct Answer: difficult

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the word class. The suffixes will help you!

Correct Answer:natural,adjective

adjective

Correct Answer:education,noun

noun

Correct Answer:flatten,verb

verb

Q2.
What is the root word of 'seasonal'?

son
al
sea
Correct answer: season

Q3.
Which of these root words will 'remove ‘e’, then add the suffix, when -al is added?

Correct answer: culture
profession
Correct answer: arrive
nation
Correct answer: globe

Q4.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'She plays for the nashnul football team.'

Correct Answer: national

Q5.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Going to the museum is an excellent culchurul experience.'

Correct Answer: cultural

Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Every time I turnaround, my pen seems to dissapeer!'

Correct Answer: disappear

To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Spelling words with the suffix -al, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...