Historical figures: 'avoir' and 'être' imperfect
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the imperfect tense in the singular forms to describe historical figures from the past.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- [eu] is pronounced as in 'deux' and open [eu/œu] is pronounced as in 'cœur'.
- When [eu/œu] is followed by a pronounced consonant, it is an open sound.
- The imperfect tense is used to talk about things that used to happen regularly in the past.
- To form it, take the 'nous' form of the present tense, remove -ons, add -ais (1st/2nd persons) or -ait (3rd persons).
- Use 'être' in the imperfect tense with an adjective to mean 'was'. The stem for 'être' in the imperfect tense is -ét.
Keywords
Imperfect tense - tense used to describe how things were or used to be in the past, or to say what was happening
Être - 'to be, being'
Common misconception
To form the imperfect tense with all verbs, take the 'nous' form of the present tense, remove -ons and add the appropriate endings.
The verb 'être' is an exception to the rule. Use the stem -ét before adding the endings.
Teacher tip
The famous perople in the lesson could easily be changed to fit the interests of students in your class.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word 'monsieur' mean?
Q2.Match the French and English.
Q3.Match the French and English.
Q4.Order the words to say: 'close the door, please'.
Q5.Write in English: 'les vagues sont grandes'.
Q6.Write in French: 'the children are ill'.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.In which words is [eu/œu] an open sound?
Q2.Which verb is irregular in the imperfect tense?
Q3.Order the words to say: 'you used to have dogs and he used to have cats'.
Q4.Write in French: 'I used to be thin'.
To help you plan your 9 French lesson on: Historical figures: 'avoir' and 'être' imperfect, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 French lesson on: Historical figures: 'avoir' and 'être' imperfect, 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 Ongoing past events: imperfect tense unit, dive into the full secondary French curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.