Famous German speakers: present tense weak verbs, singular persons
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand and summarise short texts in the present tense about German-speaking public figures.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- German only has one present tense.
- Weak verbs use a regular pattern of verb endings in the present tense.
- Singular present tense weak verb endings are 1st person '-e', 2nd person '-st' and 3rd person '-t'.
- 'Werden' is a frequently used irregular verb meaning 'to become, becoming'.
Keywords
Werden - to become, becoming
Present tense - describes what is happening now or habitual events in the present, e.g., 'I do', 'I am doing'
Weak verb - a verb that follows a regular pattern of changes
Common misconception
You translate the English present continuous with a form of 'sein', e.g., 'Ich bin machen ...'.
There is only one present tense in German. 'Ich mache' means 'I do' and 'I am doing'.
Teacher tip
Use Tasks B2a-2g as running dictation texts that are placed around the classroom. Students work in pairs to collect information and relay it in German back to their partner.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the numbers in order, from 0-6.
Q2.Which of these words are infinitives?
Q3.Match the subject pronoun to its present tense verb ending.
-e
-st
-t
Q4.Fill in the gap to complete the following sentence: 'Ich Mathematik.' (I learn maths.)
Q5.Which of the verbs below could be in the 3rd person singular present tense?
Q6.Translate the following sentence into German: 'I am living with friends.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which English translations are correct for 'Ich mache'?
Q2.Match the German words below to the correct English translations.
to lie, lying
to stay, staying
to become, becoming
to need, needing
to believe, believing
to understand, understanding
Q3.What of these words best describes the role of Angela Merkel?
Q4.Complete the following sentence using the correct form of 'werden': 'Es jetzt dunkel.'
Q5.Change the following statement to the 3rd person singular (feminine): 'Ich bin Sängerin.'
Q6.Change the following statement to the 3rd person singular (masculine): 'Ich spiele Klavier.'
To help you plan your 7 German lesson on: Famous German speakers: present tense weak verbs, singular persons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 German lesson on: Famous German speakers: present tense weak verbs, singular persons, 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 Famous lives: present tense (singular) weak verbs unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.