Plans for this weekend: present tense (future meaning), 'nach' vs 'zu' (dative)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the present tense plus a future time phrase to discuss plans for the weekend, and can correctly use 'nach' or 'zu' to say where I plan to go.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- At the start or in the middle of German words, [d] sounds like English 'd'. At the end, it sounds like 't'.
- Use time phrases, e.g., 'am Montag', with the present tense to refer to future plans.
- Emphasis on whatever is first in the sentence. You can use inversion (word order 2) to create this emphasis.
- 'Nach' means 'to' with place names, continents and most countries. 'Zu' means 'to' when used with places with articles.
- Use zu with people, professions and events, e.g., 'Ich gehe zu Oma.'.
Keywords
[d] - pronounced as in 'und', 'Kinder'
Time phrase - word or multi-word phrase that describes when something happens, e.g., 'am Montag'
Nach - word meaning 'to', used with place names, continents and most countries, never followed by the definite article
Zu - word meaning 'to', used with places that need articles and with people, professions and events, followed by the dative case
Common misconception
You can only begin an inversion sentence (word order two) with a time phrase, nothing else.
The emphasis is on whatever comes first in the sentence when using inversion (word order 2). It is acceptable to put the object of the sentence before the verb. For example, 'Den Kaffee trinken wir heute'.
Teacher tip
Complete a class survey as a follow-up speaking activity using students' work from Task C1.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German and English.
to want, wanting
I must, have to
something
to me
please
but
Q2.Which question word best fills the gap in the following sentence? '__________ kommst du nach Hause?'
Q3.Which words are conjunctions?
Q4.Translate into English: 'Mit wem spielst du?'
Q5.Which letter(s) is missing from the end of these three words? 'un_', 'Kin_', 'Han_'
Q6.Put the words in the statement below into word order two, beginning with the time phrase.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the following sentence: 'At the start or in the middle of words, [d] sounds like __________.'
Q2.Match the German and English.
in the mornings
in the afternoons
on Fridays
on Thursday
in the evening
tomorrow
Q3.Which statements refer to future plans?
Q4.Which sentences use inversion/ word order two?
Q5.Order the sentence to place emphasis on the object.
Q6.Complete the gap in the following sentence with 'nach' or 'zu': 'Wir fahren am Freitag Schottland.'
To help you plan your 8 German lesson on: Plans for this weekend: present tense (future meaning), 'nach' vs 'zu' (dative), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 German lesson on: Plans for this weekend: present tense (future meaning), 'nach' vs 'zu' (dative), 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.