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      In class activities: -er infinitive verbs

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can understand -er verbs for activities in the classroom.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. The sound-symbol correspondence [é] and [er] sounds like the 'é' and 'er' in 'répéter', to repeat, repeating.
      2. The infinitive form of a verb gives its general meaning, e.g. to listen, listening.
      3. French infinitives often end in -er, e.g., écouter.
      4. When the infinitive starts the sentence, it is translated -ing, e.g., listening.

      Keywords

      • [é] [er] - pronounced [é/er] as in 'répéter'.

      • Infinitive - form of the verb giving its general meaning

      Common misconception

      [er] in French sounds the same as in English; as in the word 'colder', for example.

      [é] and [er] have the same sound in French.

      Teacher tip

      Playing a previously learnt song at the beginning of the lesson is a great way to help pupils settle swiftly into a language lesson, encourage participation and motivation by joining in straight from the start and tuning in to the sounds of the new language.

      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.
      Which words are verbs?

      Correct answer: suis
      ce
      jour
      Correct answer: lire
      Correct answer: être

      Q2.
      The question 'tu as une règle ?' needs to be said with raised intonation.

      Correct answer: Yes
      No

      Q3.
      Complete the sequence: six, huit, dix, ...

      Correct Answer: douze, 12, DOUZE

      Q4.
      Match the French and English meanings.

      Correct Answer:un crayon,a pencil
      Correct Answer:une gomme,a rubber
      Correct Answer:un livre,a book

      Q5.
      Match the French and English meanings.

      Correct Answer:bonjour,hello
      Correct Answer:tous les jours,every day
      Correct Answer:un jour,a day

      Q6.
      What does this sentence mean? 'Tu as un crayon, une gomme, un livre et une règle'.

      I have a pencil, a rubber, a book and a ruler.
      You have a rubber, a pencil, a book and a ruler.
      You have a rubber, a book, a ruler and a pencil.
      I have a pencil, a ruler, a book and a rubber.
      Correct answer: You have a pencil, a rubber, a book and a ruler.

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      True or False? 'Chanter' means both 'to sing' and 'singing'.

      False
      Correct answer: True

      Q2.
      'Utiliser' means 'to use'. What can it also mean?

      Correct Answer: using, Using, USING

      Q3.
      Match the French and English verbs.

      Correct Answer:écouter,to listen, listening
      Correct Answer:parler,to speak, speaking
      Correct Answer:avoir,to have, having
      Correct Answer:répéter,to repeat, repeating
      Correct Answer:écrire,to write, writing
      Correct Answer:utiliser,to use, using

      Q4.
      True or False? The infinitive 'étudier' has two syllables with the same sound.

      Correct answer: True
      False

      Q5.
      Which words are infinitives?

      Correct answer: est
      Correct answer: être
      dimanche
      Correct answer: parler

      To help you plan your 3 French lesson on: In class activities: -er infinitive verbs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...