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      Language learning: -re verbs like 'prendre' 3rd person plural

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use verbs like 'prendre' in the 3rd persons to talk about learning a language.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. [r] is pronounced as in 'rue', in the back of your throat to make a raspy sound, which is different to English 'r'.
      2. To make the third person plural of verbs like 'prendre', add the ending -ent to the stem 'prenn' - 'ils/elles prennent'.
      3. 'Prend' is pronounced as in 'enfant', a nasal vowel, whereas 'prennent' is an oral vowel because of the double 'n'.

      Keywords

      • [r] - pronounced as in 'rue'

      • Prennent - part of the verb 'prendre', meaning '(they) take'

      Common misconception

      The 3rd persons singular and plural of 'prendre' sound the same, both end with silent letters.

      The pronunciation of 'prend' and 'prennent' is different. 'Prend' contains [en] like in 'enfant' whereas 'prennent' is an oral vowel.

      Teacher tip

      Don't be afraid to overexaggerate the difference between pronunciation of the different verb forms of 'prendre' and encourage students to do the same in their speaking. Activity C5 could continue if students need more practice, either with physical dice or an online dice generator.

      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

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the French and English.

      Correct Answer:apprendre,to learn, learning

      to learn, learning

      Correct Answer:comprendre,to understand, understanding

      to understand, understanding

      Correct Answer:faire,to do, doing; to make, making

      to do, doing; to make, making

      Correct Answer:habiter,to live, living

      to live, living

      Correct Answer:prendre,to take, taking

      to take, taking

      Correct Answer:voyager,to travel, travelling

      to travel, travelling

      Q2.
      Order the days of the week correctly.

      1 - lundi
      2 - mardi
      3 - mercredi
      4 - jeudi
      5 - vendredi
      6 - samedi
      7 - dimanche

      Q3.
      'J'habite près de la ville'. Choose the correct translation.

      I live in the city.
      I live in the big city.
      Correct answer: I live near the city.
      I live next to the city.
      I live far from the city.

      Q4.
      Order the words to say: 'on Saturdays, I play the guitar'.

      1 - le
      2 - samedi
      3 - je
      4 - joue
      5 - de
      6 - la
      7 - guitare

      Q5.
      Write in English: 'le magasin est loin du parc'.

      Correct Answer: The shop is far from the park.

      Q6.
      Write in French: 'she plays the piano'.

      Correct Answer: Elle joue du piano.

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Which verb forms are pronounced exactly the same?

      prendre
      Correct answer: prend
      Correct answer: prends
      prennent
      prenez

      Q2.
      Which French adverb includes the [r] sound?

      Correct answer: hard
      easily
      badly
      slowly
      better

      Q3.
      Write in French: 'they (m) learn'.

      Correct Answer: Ils apprennent.

      Q4.
      Write in French: 'they (f) understand'.

      Correct Answer: Elles comprennent.

      To help you plan your 8 French lesson on: Language learning: -re verbs like 'prendre' 3rd person plural, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...