Kleider machen Leute: definite and indefinite articles, extended speaking
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use definite and indefinite articles when their German usage is different from English to understand a German text and hold a conversation about school uniforms.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Some countries and some abstract nouns use the definite article.
- The indefinite article is not used in German for professions or nationalities.
- Use the indefinite article with professsions if there is an adjective before the noun.
- When describing a photo, use the acronym PALM. It stands for People, Action, Location, Mood. Add your own opinions too.
- In conversation, develop answers by adding opinions and reasons, varying the subject, and adding different time frames.
Keywords
Definite article - the words 'der', 'die', 'das', meaning 'the'
Indefinite article - the words 'ein', 'eine', 'ein', meaning 'a/an'
PALM - an acronym to summarise what to include in a photo description: People, Action, Location, Mood
Common misconception
Definite and indefiniete articles are used the same way in German as in English.
Differences occur with some country names, some abstract nouns and professions: e.g., 'die Schweiz' (Switzerland), 'die Freiheit' (freedom). It's 'Er ist Arzt' (He is a doctor), but an article is needed before the adjective - 'Er ist ein guter Arzt'.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to learn the tables for definite and indefinite article to speed up the recall for articles in different cases. When developing conversations in learning cycle 3, the checklist can be applied a wide range of questions. The questions can be adapted and pupils can develop their own.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these words are verbs?
Q2.Match the German and English.
advantage
airport
dress
comparison
truth
report
Q3.Match the German and English.
to change, changing
to tell, telling
to succeed, succeeding
to solve, solving
to enjoy, enjoying oneself
to trust, trusting
Q4.Order the words to say: 'Did you like fruit when you were young?'
Q5.Write in English: 'Der Kuchen hat gut geschmeckt.'
Q6.Write in German: 'The game lasts one hour.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Kleider machen Leute' is best known as a ...
Q2.Match the German and English.
primary school
grammar school
comprehensive school
to treat, treating
towards (someone)
individual, individually
Q3.Order the sentences according to the acronym PALM.
Q4.'Ich lerne gern Deutsch, denn es macht mir Spaß, aber mein Freund lernt lieber Mathe.'. Which element is not present in this sentence?
Q5.In which of these sentences is an article required?
Q6.Write in German: 'I wear a red hat.'
To help you plan your 10 German lesson on: Kleider machen Leute: definite and indefinite articles, extended speaking, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 German lesson on: Kleider machen Leute: definite and indefinite articles, extended speaking, 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 People and lifestyle: das Schulleben unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.