New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

J'ai mal ... : irregular verbs in the present tense

I can understand descriptions of how others are feeling and describe physical problems in a role-play.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

J'ai mal ... : irregular verbs in the present tense

I can understand descriptions of how others are feeling and describe physical problems in a role-play.

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Lesson details

Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

Key learning points

  1. The verbs voir (to see), boire (to drink), croire (to believe) and faire (to do, make) are irregular in the present.
  2. The subject pronouns 'il' and 'elle' can be used for things as well as people, and can be translated as 'it' .
  3. The subject pronoun 'on' can be translated as 'we', 'you', 'one' or can refer to people in general.
  4. 'avoir mal' is followed by the preposition 'à' and a body part.

Keywords

  • Role-play - a task with a situation and prompts to ask and answer questions, simulating a conversation

Common misconception

The expression 'j'ai mal' only means 'I have a pain'.

The French expression 'avoir mal' covers a number of symptoms which might be variously translated into English as an ache, a pain and sore or hurting body parts. Students should think about what sounds most natural when translating into English.


To help you plan your year 11 French lesson on: J'ai mal ... : irregular verbs in the present tense, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Tasks C1 and C2 have two versions. Option 1 is a higher role-play. Option 2 is a foundation role-play. Option 1 is included in the video.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Mini whiteboards and pens are useful, if available.

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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match up the subject pronouns with the correct part of 'avoir' (to have)
Correct Answer:j',ai

ai

Correct Answer:tu,as

as

Correct Answer:il / elle / on,a

a

Correct Answer:nous,avons

avons

Correct Answer:vous,avez

avez

Correct Answer:ils / elles,ont

ont

Q2.
Match up the correct word for this / these with the nouns
Correct Answer:ce,fruit

fruit

Correct Answer:cet,oncle

oncle

Correct Answer:cette,tante

tante

Correct Answer:ces,enfants

enfants

Q3.
Match up the French and the English
Correct Answer:étroit,narrow

narrow

Correct Answer:tomber,to fall, falling

to fall, falling

Correct Answer:dangereux,dangerous

dangerous

Correct Answer:il a plu,it rained

it rained

Correct Answer:il s'est plaint,he complained

he complained

Correct Answer:il a élu,he elected

he elected

Q4.
Choose the correct meaning of 'Je fais'.
I drink
I see
I believe
Correct answer: I do, I make
Q5.
Fill in the missing verb: 'Je ' is 'I believe'
Correct Answer: crois
Q6.
Fill in the missing form of the verb 'voir': 'Nous ' is 'We see'.
Correct Answer: voyons

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
The expression 'avoir mal' can be translated into English as an ache, a pain and sore or hurting body parts. The phrase 'J'ai mal à la gorge' is best translated as 'I have a '.
Correct Answer: sore throat
Q2.
When doing the role play in the exam which of the following is a correct piece of advice?
Prepare detailed answers.
Prepare long answers.
Correct answer: Prepare answers with a verb.
Q3.
Match up the subject pronouns with the correct form of the verb 'boire' (to drink).
Correct Answer:je,bois

bois

Correct Answer:tu,bois

bois

Correct Answer:il/elle/on,boit

boit

Correct Answer:nous,buvons

buvons

Correct Answer:vous,buvez

buvez

Correct Answer:ils/elles,boivent

boivent

Q4.
Which one of the following is not a possible translation of the subject pronoun 'il'?
he
Correct answer: she
it

Additional material

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