Then and now: the comparative
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare the present with the past using comparatives.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Care is needed with [ich] and [isch] when listening and speaking.
- Comparative statements are created by adding -er to most adjectives, e.g., 'lustiger' + 'als'.
- Some adjectives need an additional change to make the comparative, e.g., 'lang' becomes 'länger'.
- 'Gut' works like English: its comparative is 'besser', like 'good' becomes 'better' in English.
- 'Mehr' is an adverb that can be used by itself as a comparative.
Keywords
Adjective - word that gives information about a noun
Adverb - word that describes a verb or an adjective
Comparative - form of adjective or adverb used to compare people, things or ideas
Common misconception
Like in English, a word for 'more' is needed in German when making comparisons like 'more difficult' or 'more interesting'.
German adjectives form comparatives by adding -er; there is no need to include 'more', e.g., more interesting > 'interessanter'; more difficult >'schwieriger'. English does this with 1- and some 2-syllable adjectives, e.g., 'small' > 'smaller'.
Teacher tip
Task C3 is a speaking task and, although quite straightforward, it is recommended that teachers model how to complete the task, so students are clear on what to do. The task is also adaptable, so each of the four slides can be used multiple times with students swapping roles to maximise practice.
Equipment
A mini whiteboard and pen, together with pen and paper for making notes, would be useful, if available.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each German word to its correct English meaning.
Q2.Which of the following sentences uses the accusative case?
Q3.Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence in German using the accusative.
Q4.Fill in the missing word in the following sentence to say 'back then': ' war es wirklich kalt.'
Q5.What is the grammatical gender of 'Brunnen'? E.g., 'Sie hatte einen tiefen Brunnen.'
Q6.How do you say 'there was' in German?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the German word to its correct English meaning.
Q2.Which of the below is the correct way to say 'more interesting than' in German?
Q3.How do you say 'funnier' in German? 'Funny' is 'lustig'.
Q4.Put the words in the correct order to say: 'Back then it was more exciting than today.'
Q5.How do you say 'longer' in German?
To help you plan your 8 German lesson on: Then and now: the comparative, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 German lesson on: Then and now: the comparative, 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 Then and now: imperfect tense and comparatives unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.