Seien Sie sicher online! Using 'Sie' in statements, questions and the imperative
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the pronoun 'Sie' to make statements, ask questions or give instructions and advice, in the context of life online.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Use 'Sie' for formal 'you' in statements, questions and the imperative.
- To ask a closed question swap the position of 'Sie' and the verb. For open questions, add a question word at the start.
- To form the formal imperative, swap the position of 'Sie' and the verb. 'Sein' is irregular: 'Seien Sie!'.
- Intonation can help to make it clear whether you are asking a question, making a statement or giving an instruction.
- The imperative can be softened by adding 'bitte', 'mal', 'doch' or 'schon'. These help us to recognise instructions.
Keywords
Sie - subject pronoun meaning 'you', formal
Imperative - a mood used to give instructions or advice
Intonation - the rise and fall of the voice when speaking
Common misconception
You always leave out the subject pronoun when using the imperative.
The 'du' and 'ihr' forms of the imperative omit the subject pronoun, but the 'Sie' form retains it.
Teacher tip
The formation of the imperative is Higher-only grammar. It might be helpful for students to practise translating statements, questions and imperatives using the vocabulary from Learning Cycle 1 on mini whiteboards, before tackling the B2 speaking task.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word means 'whole, entire'?
Q2.Match the German and English.
to let, allow
to tolerate, stand
to search for, look for
to fobid, prohibit
to wait, waiting
to pay, paying
Q3.Match the German and English.
border, boundary, limit
worry
freedom
competition
nose
mouth
Q4.Order the words to say: 'She found the atmosphere very boring.'
Q5.Write in English: 'Die Daten sind nicht privat.'
Q6.Write in German: 'I do not need any help.'
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.The rise and fall of the voice when speaking is called .
Q2.Words such as 'mal', 'doch' and 'schon' are ...
Q3.Which imperative is correct?
Q4.Order the words to form an open question.
Q5.You are talking to your teacher. Write in German: 'Be strict!'
To help you plan your 11 German lesson on: Seien Sie sicher online! Using 'Sie' in statements, questions and the imperative, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 German lesson on: Seien Sie sicher online! Using 'Sie' in statements, questions and the imperative, 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 Media and technology: Die weite Welt unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.