Future plans: future tense 'werden' + infinitive vs 'planen' + 'zu' + infinitive
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can form different two-verb structures to discuss future plans, and can broaden my vocabulary by spotting connections between German nouns and verbs.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- In two-verb structures, the 2nd verb is in the infinitive, at the end of the sentence.
- In two-verb structures, most verbs add 'zu' before the infinitive verb.
- A comma separates the verb phrases in two-verb structures, e.g., 'Ich plane, Gemüse zu essen'.
- Future tense sentences with 'werden', like modal sentences, do not require 'zu' before the infinitive.
Keywords
Two-verb structure - a sentence made up of two verb phrases
Zu - preposition meaning 'to', used before the infinitive in most two-verb structures
Werden - auxiliary verb meaning 'to become', used to form the future tense
Stem - part of a verb that appears in all forms; often appears in nouns created from verbs
Common misconception
Always add 'zu' before the infinitive in two-verb structures.
Some verbs, like 'werden' and modal verbs, do not require 'zu' before the infinitive in two-verb structures.
Teacher tip
The first two explanation slides in LC2 lend themselves to a mini-whiteboard writing activity.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word means 'same'?
Q2.Match the German and English.
lawyer
boat
companies
company
island
while
Q3.Match the German and English.
little
full
deep
near
left
right
Q4.Order the words to say: 'The food was too hot.'
Q5.Write in English: 'es gab ein Schloss'.
Q6.Write in German: 'the cold weather'.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which two-verb structure is correct?
Q2.Which sentences require 'zu' and a comma?
Q3.Order the words to say: 'I plan to go to the cinema'.
Q4.Write in German: 'he plans to drink water'.
To help you plan your 8 German lesson on: Future plans: future tense 'werden' + infinitive vs 'planen' + 'zu' + infinitive, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 German lesson on: Future plans: future tense 'werden' + infinitive vs 'planen' + 'zu' + 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 Making plans: present and future tenses unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.