On se retrouve : impersonal verbs
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use impersonal verbs to say what is better, what is worth it and what is missing in the context of meeting up with friends.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- t- liaison is common after impersonal verbs il est, il faut so it's important to look out for vowels following these.
- il est + adjective + de + infinitive can be used to express it is difficult/easy/forbidden to + a verb.
- Impersonal verbs il vaut mieux (it's better) and il vaut la peine de (it's worth) are followed by the infinitive.
- Impersonal verb 'il manque' is used with a noun to express that something 'is missing'.
Keywords
Impersonal verb - a verb that doesn't refer to a particular person or thing, and whose subject is most often 'il' (it)
Common misconception
French word order is the same as English to express something being missing.
Take care to model 'il manque' with students. 'Il manque' is followed by a noun and the English translation is inverted. 'Il manque une personne' means 'a person is missing'. 'Il manque' is also used with plural nouns and translates as 'are missing'.
Teacher tip
Play the second group of six audio recordings on the feedback slide for task A1 so that students can hear the full sentence.
Equipment
Mini whiteboards and pens are useful if available.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the English translation of 'il' for an impersonal verb?
Q2.Match the French and English verbs together.
it is / it's
it is / it's necessary
it is / it's (weather)
it is / it's easy
it is / it's difficult
it is / it's forbidden
Q3.Which phrase means - it is snowing?
Q4.Complete the translation: Today it is foggy. 'Aujourd'hui, il y a du .'
Q5.Tick the possible translations of 'il faut'.
Q6.Translate the sentence: it is difficult to do homework.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Tick the possible uses of impersonal verbs.
Q2.Tick the possible instances of t-liaison.
Q3.Complete the translation: it is forbidden to run here. 'Il est de courir ici.'
Q4.What type of word follows the expressions 'il vaut mieux' and 'il vaut la peine de'?
Q5.Translate the sentence: Unfortunately, six books are missing in the classroom.
Q6.Match the vocabulary
the worst (m)
the worst (f)
the worst (pl)
the best (m)
the best (f)
the best (pl)
To help you plan your 10 French lesson on: On se retrouve : impersonal verbs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 French lesson on: On se retrouve : impersonal verbs, 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 People and lifestyle: Mes amis unit, dive into the full secondary French curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.