Notre planète est en crise : infinitives as nouns, 'en train de' and 'venir de'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what is in the process of happening and what has just happened in the context of the environment.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- To talk about something that is 'in the process of' happening, we can use 'être en train de' + infinitive.
- The phrase 'être en train de' is usually translated using the -ing form of the verb in English.
- To talk about something that has just happened, we can use 'venir de' + infinitive.
- The English past participle translates the French infinitive when using 'venir de' + infinitive.
Keywords
Periphrastic phrase - a single idea expressed by several words, often including two verbs, e.g., 'is going to go'
Past participle - verb form that forms the perfect tense, together with the auxiliary verb
Common misconception
When using 'venir de' (to have just), the next word needs to be a past participle, like in English.
In French, 'venir de' is like every other French verb followed by 'de'. It is always followed by a second verb in the infinitive.
Teacher tip
All practice tasks in Cycle B have 2 versions, Option 1 and Option 2. Option 1 is aimed at Higher and Option 2 is aimed at Foundation. Only the Option 1 tasks feature in the video.
Equipment
Mini whiteboard and pen.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these verbs are infinitives?
Q2.Which of these verbs are past participles?
Q3.Match the French words below to the correct English translations.
rubbish
warming
earth
flood
battle, fight, struggle
to increase, increasing
Q4.Fill in the gap to complete the following sentence: 'Il ne faut pas jeter les par terre.' (You mustn't throw rubbish on the ground.)
Q5.Which of the below is the correct verb phrase to start the following sentence? '__________ ma décision.' (I regretted my decision.)
Q6.Sort the words below into the correct order to translate the following sentence into French: 'I avoid using too much water.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the French words below to the correct English meanings.
to threaten to
to increase
to be in the process, middle of
to have just
abroad, foreigner, stranger
Q2.Fill in the gap to complete the following sentence: 'Je ne reste pas en France. Je préfère aller à .' (I don't stay in France. I prefer to go abroad.)
Q3.Match each subject to the correct verb form.
viens de
vient de
venons de
venez de
viennent de
Q4.Which of these statements is true?
Q5.Which French verb do you need to know very well in the present tense when saying what you are in the process of doing?
Q6.What word is missing in the following sentence? 'Nous venons de le dîner.' (We have just eaten dinner.)
To help you plan your 10 French lesson on: Notre planète est en crise : infinitives as nouns, 'en train de' and 'venir de', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 French lesson on: Notre planète est en crise : infinitives as nouns, 'en train de' and 'venir de', 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 4 French lessons from the Communication and the world around us: mon nouveau pays unit, dive into the full secondary French curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.