Where people go: 'zu' vs 'nach', present tense (future meaning)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I understand the different uses of 'nach' and 'zu' meaning 'to' and can use them to say where people are going.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- 'Der Bodensee' (Lake Constance) is a lake that borders Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
- 'Nach' means 'to' with place names, continents and most countries, and is never followed by a definite article ('the').
- 'Zu' means 'to' when used with places with articles, e.g., 'Ich gehe zu dem Park.'. The article is in the dative case.
- Use 'zu' with people, professions and events, e.g., 'Ich gehe zu dem Lehrer.'.
- 'Zu' and 'dem' can be shortened to 'zum'. 'Zu' and 'der' can be shortened to 'zur'.
Keywords
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
Zum - word created when 'zu' is combined with the dative definite article 'dem' (m, nt)
Zur - word created when 'zu' is combined with the dative definite article 'der' (f)
Common misconception
'Zu' always means 'to'.
'Zu' can also mean 'too', 'closed', 'off' and 'shut'! Context is important when translating into English.
Teacher tip
Reinforce 'fahren' meaning 'to go' with transport, so that students' use of language when talking about travelling to countries is accurate. Give students their own dice to give them more independence and room for creativity in Task B2.
Equipment
Six-sided dice (optional)
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these words means 'you' in general?
Q2.Match the German and English.
healthy
happy
ill, sick
calm, quiet
sad
Q3.Match the German and English.
evening
afternoon
weekend
meat
vegetables
homework
Q4.Sort the words below into the correct order to form the following sentence: 'Do you have enough money for a ticket?'
Q5.Translate the following sentence into English: 'Wir gehen in den Wasserpark.'
Q6.Translate the following sentence into German: 'I read with friends.'
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.In English, 'der Bodensee' is called .
Q2.Which of these is not a meaning of the word 'zu'?
Q3.'Ich fahre __________ Deutschland'. Choose the correct missing word.
Q4.'Ich gehe Naturwissenschaftsmuseum.'. Write the correct missing word.
Q5.Translate the following sentence into German: 'I go to the art gallery.'
To help you plan your 7 German lesson on: Where people go: 'zu' vs 'nach', present tense (future meaning), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 German lesson on: Where people go: 'zu' vs 'nach', present tense (future meaning), 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 Plans and places: future vs present meaning for present tense unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.