Improve your lifestyle: modal verbs 'müssen', 'dürfen', 'wollen' + infinitive
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can recognise how modal verbs are used to express what people want, must or can do, in positive and negative statements.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- [ü] is pronounced long as in 'Tür' or short as in 'fünf'.
- Modal verbs express ideas of necessity or possibility (must, can, want).
- Modal verbs are used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, which goes to the end of the sentence (two-verb rule).
- Modal verbs include ‘müssen’ - to have to, must; ‘dürfen’ - to be allowed to, may; ‘wollen’ - to want to.
- Put 'nicht' before an infinitive ('Ich muss nicht singen') but forms of 'kein' before nouns ('Er will kein Buch lesen').
Keywords
[ü] - pronounced long as in 'Tür' or short as in 'fünf'
Modal verb - expresses ideas of necessity or possibility (must, can, want, allowed); used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive
Two-verb rule - position of the 2nd verb at the end of two-verb sentences, e.g., 'Ich will jetzt Obst essen.'
Nicht - 'not'
Keinen, keine, kein - 'not a'
Common misconception
The infinitive follows the conjugated verb, as in the English 'I can play'.
In German, the infinitive is placed at the end of a sentence when used with a modal verb, as in 'Ich kann spielen.'.
Teacher tip
Ask students to write their responses on mini whiteboards for the picture reveal check activities.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.German vowels are short when ...
Q2.Match the German and English.
computer game
colour
trousers
ticket
place
piece
Q3.Match the German and English.
to get, getting
to take, taking
to talk, talking
to see, seeing
to wear, carry
to forget, forgetting
Q4.Sort the words below into the correct order to form the following sentence: 'He speaks about his new band.'
Q5.Translate the following sentence into English: 'Mein Lieblingstier ist ein Hund.'
Q6.Translate the following sentence into German: 'Her parents listen to music.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these words have a long [ü] sound?
Q2.Match the German and English.
healthy
happy
ill, sick
quiet, calm
sad
Q3.Sort the words below into the correct order to form the following sentence: 'You can read a book.'
Q4.'Ich muss nicht schwimmen.'. Choose the correct translation.
Q5.Translate the following sentence into German: 'He is not allowed to cook.'
Q6.Translate the following sentence into German: 'I don't want a biscuit.'
To help you plan your 7 German lesson on: Improve your lifestyle: modal verbs 'müssen', 'dürfen', 'wollen' + infinitive, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 German lesson on: Improve your lifestyle: modal verbs 'müssen', 'dürfen', 'wollen' + infinitive, 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 Improve your lifestyle: modal verbs 'müssen', 'dürfen', 'wollen' unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.