Everyday activities: verbs with 'à' before the infinitive
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can discuss future activities using a range of two-verb structures.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- [ç/c] is pronounced as in 'ici'
- Some verbs, like 'apprendre', 'aider' and 'commencer', form two-verb structures with 'à' followed by an infinitive.
- Opinion verbs, modal verbs and 'aller' don't require 'a'; they are followed directly by an infinitive.
Keywords
[ç/c] - pronounced as in 'ici'
Infinitive - form of the verb giving its general meaning
Common misconception
All two-verb sentences have à (to) before the infinitive.
Modal verbs, verbs of like/dislike and 'aller' are followed directly by an infinitive to form two-verb structures but some verbs form two-verb structures with 'à' + infinitive; for example, 'aider', 'apprendre' and 'commencer'.
Teacher tip
Phonics and vocabulary can be easily and usefully combined in 'register routines' whereby pupils are given a sound-symbol correspondence, e.g. [ç/c] and have to respond to the register with a French word containing that sound. Stipulating no repeated words keeps pupils listening to others, too.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the infinitives.
to help, helping
to learn, learning
to choose, choosing
to start, starting
to become, becoming
to prefer, preferring
Q2.Which of these verbs are in the infinitive?
Q3.What is the English for 'avenir'?
Q4.What is the French for 'or'?
Q5.Match the parts of the verb 'faire'?
fais
fait
faisons
faites
font
Q6.Translate 'I never do the washing up'.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which of these words are pronounced with a hard 'c'?
Q2.Which of these words are pronounced with a soft 'c'?
Q3.Put the words in order to make a sentence about what you are doing at the weekend.
Q4.Tu maman faire la cuisine ? Complete the question to mean: Do you help mum to do the cooking?
Q5.Which of these verbs do not require a preposition before an infinitive ?
To help you plan your 9 French lesson on: Everyday activities: verbs with 'à' before the infinitive, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 French lesson on: Everyday activities: verbs with 'à' before the infinitive, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 French lessons from the Future and past events: 2-verb structures with prepositions unit, dive into the full secondary French curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.