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      Communications: singular -re verbs like 'entendre'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use verbs like 'entendre' in the present tense singular, including with inversion questions.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. Open [eu/œu] is pronounced as in 'cœur'.
      2. Closed [eu] is pronounced as in 'deux'.
      3. Use the definite article with language nouns except after 'parler'.
      4. Adjectives describing nationalities agree with nouns. Nationalities of people ('un Espagnol') have a capital letter.
      5. Swap the subject-verb order to ask an inversion question; use liaison between the verb and subject if a vowel follows.

      Keywords

      • Open [eu/œu] - sound-symbol correspondence pronounced as in 'cœur'

      • Closed [eu] - sound-symbol correspondence pronounced as in 'deux'

      • Inversion - when the subject pronoun and the verb switch places to form a question

      Common misconception

      To describe a language, where something or someone is from, use exactly the same word in French, as we do in English, e.g. 'I learn Spanish,' 'he is Spanish'.

      When used as a noun for a language, the word needs a definite article. When used as an adjective to describe nationality of a person or thing, the word agrees with the noun it describes. When used for nationality, the word needs a capital letter.

      Teacher tip

      There are many opportunities for reading aloud within the lesson and opportunities to exaggerate pronunciation, especially the liaison with inversion. Task C2 could be differentiated and used as a speaking task to challenge or modelled with the forms of 'à' or 'de', depending on pupil confidence.

      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 is the correct way to form this question using inversion? 'Do you hear the message?'

      Tu entends le message?
      Entends le message tu?
      Correct answer: Entends-tu le message?
      Le message entends-tu?

      Q2.
      What is the French word for 'Spain'?

      Espagnol
      Correct answer: Espagne
      Espagnole
      Message

      Q3.
      Complete the sentence: 'J' _______ une annonce.' (I hear an announcement.)

      dépends
      réponds
      Correct answer: entends

      Q4.
      Put the following words in the correct order to make a sentence: 'The sun is nice'.

      1 - le
      2 - soleil
      3 - est
      4 - beau

      Q5.
      What is the French word for 'Spain'?

      Correct Answer: Espagne

      Q6.
      Complete the sentence: ' __________ une annonce.' (I hear an announcement.)

      Je dépends
      Je réponds
      Correct answer: j'entends
      je parle

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following words contains the open [eu/œu] sound, like in 'cœur'?

      Correct answer: répondeur
      deux
      entendu
      Espagne

      Q2.
      You want to say 'He speaks Spanish.' Which of the following is the correct way to say this?

      Il parle l'espagnol.
      Correct answer: Il parle espagnol.
      Il parle le espagnol.
      Il parle Espagne.

      Q3.
      Which of the following is the correct inversion question for 'Do you hear the announcement?'

      Tu entends l'annonce?
      Entends l'annonce tu?
      Correct answer: Entends-tu l'annonce?
      L'annonce entends-tu?

      Q4.
      What is the correct way to say 'a Spanish woman'?

      un Espagnol
      une Espagnol
      un Espagnole
      Correct answer: une Espagnole

      To help you plan your 8 French lesson on: Communications: singular -re verbs like 'entendre', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...