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      What is it? C'est and liaison

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use c'est to identify things when I speak and write.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. C'est means 'it is' or it's and usually has a silent-final consonant.
      2. C'est can be used with any singular noun and its indefinite article to state what something is.
      3. When c'est is followed by 'un' or 'une' the 't' is pronounced; this is an example of liaison.

      Keywords

      • C'est - two words 'ce, c' and 'est' meaning 'it is' or 'it's' in French

      • Liaison - pronouncing a usually silent final consonant because a word starting with a vowel follows

      Common misconception

      The 't' in c'est is always a silent-final consonant.

      The 't' in c'est is pronounced if it is followed by a word beginning with a vowel like 'un' or 'une'.

      Teacher tip

      It is good to underline the importance of correct pronunciation in this lesson. Children like the challenge of 'sounding French' and applying the rule of 'liaison' helps them to do this. For additional challenge in Task B2 teachers may suggest pupils turn away and write the meanings.

      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 of the following letters is a vowel?

      c
      d
      t
      Correct answer: u
      z

      Q2.
      A silent final consonant (SFC) is a silent letter at the of a word.

      Correct Answer: end, END

      Q3.
      What is different about French nouns compared to English nouns? Choose two answers.

      Correct answer: They are masculine or feminine.
      They are boys or girls.
      They are men or women.
      Correct answer: They have grammatical gender.

      Q4.
      Say the words 'un' and 'une' aloud. What do 'un' and 'une' mean in English?

      the
      Correct answer: a/an
      some

      Q5.
      Match the French to the English.

      Correct Answer:une peluche,a cuddly toy
      Correct Answer:un jeu,a game
      Correct Answer:un stylo,a pen
      Correct Answer:un ballon,a ball
      Correct Answer:un cahier,an exercise book
      Correct Answer:un sac,a bag

      Q6.
      Answer this question: C'est une orange ?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: Oui, c'est une orange.
      Correct answer: Non, c'est une bouteille.
      Oui, c'est une bouteille.

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      What does 'c'est' mean in English?

      is
      Correct answer: it's
      Correct answer: it is

      Q2.
      Match the French to the English.

      Correct Answer:C'est un cahier.,It's an exercise book.
      Correct Answer:C'est lundi.,It's Monday.
      Correct Answer:C'est grand.,It's tall.
      Correct Answer:C'est une bouteille.,It's a bottle.
      Correct Answer:C'est un sac.,It's a bag.
      Correct Answer:C'est un stylo.,It's a pen.

      Q3.
      When do you pronounce the 't' in 'c'est'?

      Correct answer: When it is followed by a word starting with a vowel.
      Never, it is a silent final consonant.
      When it is followed by a word starting with a consonant.

      Q4.
      In which of the following sentences would you pronounce the 't' in 'c'est'?

      C'est triste.
      Correct answer: C'est un cahier.
      Correct answer: C'est une bouteille.
      C'est grand.
      Correct answer: C'est un univers.

      Q5.
      Pronouncing a usually silent final consonant when a word starting with a vowel follows is called:

      reading aloud
      connection
      Correct answer: liaison

      To help you plan your 3 French lesson on: What is it? C'est and liaison, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...