Thoughts and opinions: opinion verbs with 'dass', word order
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use opinion verbs with the conjunction 'dass' and correct word order to say what I think on several everyday topics.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Use the verbs 'denken' (to think), 'glauben' (to believe), and 'meinen' (to have the opinion) to say what you think.
- In German, there is always a comma after an opinion verb; e.g., 'Ich denke, Sport ist lustig.'.
- Generally, the conjunction 'dass' (that) is used after opinion verbs; e.g., 'Ich denke, dass ...'.
- The conjunction 'dass' is followed by word order 3 (WO3), where the verb goes to the end of the sentence or clause.
Keywords
Opinion verb - verb commonly used to express thoughts, beliefs, or feelings, e.g., 'denken', 'glauben', 'meinen'
Dass - conjunction 'that', often used after an opinion verb and followed by word order 3 (WO3)
Word order 3 (WO3) - after certain conjunctions, e.g., 'dass', the verb is sent to the end of the sentence or clause
Common misconception
After an opinion verb (e.g., 'denken') and the conjunction 'dass', we use normal subject-verb word order.
To say 'I think that ...' in German, we use the conjunction 'dass', which triggers word order 3 (WO3); e.g., 'Ich denke, dass Rapmusik toll ist.'.
Teacher tip
This lesson will substantially expand pupils' communicative range and progress can be consolidated using register routines to elicit pupils' thoughts and opinions on a wide range of topics.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German words below to the correct English meanings.
face
hair
mouth
Q2.Match the German words to their English meanings.
castle
broad, wide
slow
to spend, spending (time)
round
as
Q3.Which of the following verbs is typically used with an indirect object (i.e., in the dative case)?
Q4.Match each article and adjective pair to the correct noun.
Jugendclub
Aktivität
Hobby
Q5.Match the German verbs to the correct English meanings.
to lack, to be missing
to please, be pleasing
to belong, belonging
to like, liking
to think, thinking
to believe, believing
Q6.Order the words below to make a correct German sentence.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match each German word to its English meaning.
opinion
castle
to be missing
pupil
telephone
Q2.Put the words below in the correct order to form a grammatically-correct sentence in German.
Q3.Match each opinion phrase in German to its English meaning.
I think that ...
I believe that ...
I am of the opinion that ...
Q4.Which sentence uses the wrong word order after 'dass'?
To help you plan your 8 German lesson on: Thoughts and opinions: opinion verbs with 'dass', word order, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 German lesson on: Thoughts and opinions: opinion verbs with 'dass', word order, 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 German lessons from the Family and friends: verbs with indirect objects unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.