Recyceln: formal and informal questions, 'du', 'ihr', 'Sie'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create formal and informal questions in the context of helping the environment.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- The consonantal [r] makes a rolling sound at the back of the throat and the vocalic [r] has a gentle ‘ah’ sound.
- A closed question is formed by swapping the position of the verb and subject in a statement. This is called inversion.
- An open question is formed by adding a question word before the verb at the start of a closed question.
- Use 'du' questions for informal singular ‘you’, 'ihr' questions for informal plural ‘you’, and 'Sie' for formal ‘you’.
- Use rising intonation, as well as correct word order, to make it clear that you are asking a question.
Keywords
Du - subject pronoun meaning ‘you’, informal and singular
Ihr - subject pronoun meaning ‘you’, informal and plural
Sie - subject pronoun meaning 'you', formal
Common misconception
When adapting a question to a different form of 'you', just change the pronoun, e.g., from 'du' to 'Sie'.
When adapting a question from 'du' to a different form of you ('ihr' or 'Sie'), it's important to also change the verb form. With strong verbs, this can also involve a stem vowel change e.g., 'isst du?' becomes 'essen Sie?'.
Teacher tip
This lesson could usefully be extended to include a speaking task, with students asking and answering the questions on the environment topic, and using the vocabulary covered in the lesson to enhance their answers.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these verbs is a weak verb (a verb that follows a regular pattern of changes) in German?
Q2.Match each German word to its English meaning.
region / area
football
grey
early
orange
Q3.Match each German word or phrase to its English meaning.
in what / into what
on what / onto what / at what / to what
animal
to remember, remembering
Q4.Put the words below in the correct order to form a sentence in German.
Q5.How do you say 'she is playing' in German?
Q6.Fill in the blank in the following sentence with the correct form of the weak verb 'lernen': 'Er mit dem Internet.'
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which sentence includes the vocalic [r] (a soft ‘ah’ sound)?
Q2.Turn the following statement into a closed question: 'Du recycelst die Flasche.'
Q3.Is the following question open or closed? 'Wozu recycelst du die Dose?'
Q4.Fill in the blank in the following sentence with the correct form of 'you' in German ('du', 'ihr', or 'Sie'): ' recyceln Gemüse in der Fabrik.'
Q5.Which of the below is the correct way to adapt 'Isst du Gemüse?' if you are talking informally to more than one person?
To help you plan your 11 German lesson on: Recyceln: formal and informal questions, 'du', 'ihr', 'Sie', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 German lesson on: Recyceln: formal and informal questions, 'du', 'ihr', 'Sie', 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 4 German lessons from the Communication and the world around us: mein Wohnort unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.