Was darf man ab wann? 'Dürfen' vs 'können', wh- questions and modal verbs
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use 'können' and 'dürfen' to describe what people are able to do and what people are allowed to do.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- 'Dürfen' refers to permission required from another person to do something.
- 'Können' refers to the ability to do something or the possibiity of doing something.
- Open questions use a question word before the verb, followed by the subject.
- In open questions using a modal verb, the 2nd verb in the infinitive is at the end of the sentence.
Keywords
Modal verbs - verbs of necessity, possibility, permission, ability, expectation or obligation used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive
Dürfen - modal verb meaning 'to be allowed to', 'may'
Können - modal verb meaning 'to be able to', 'can'
Wh-question words - question words that mostly begin 'wh-' in English, such as 'where'; in German they are 'Fragewörter'
Common misconception
'Können' and 'dürfen' both translate as 'can' in English.
'Können' and 'dürfen' are often used incorrectly in both German and English. 'Dürfen' refers to permission - 'may I/am I allowed to?'. 'Können' refers to the ability to do something - 'can I/am I able to?', whether or not permission is given.
Teacher tip
As a follow-up to Learning Cycle 3, pupils could work on a speaking activity to ask and answer their questions about what young people can and are allowed to do in Germany.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German and English.
to think, thinking of
to believe, believing in
to think, thinking of (someone) as
to take part, taking part in
to be correct, being correct
to step, stepping on
Q2.Sort the words below into the correct order: 'Ich __________ die __________ nicht benutzen, denn ich sitze im __________. __________ ich bitte den __________ zum Aufzug haben?'
Q3.Match the modal verbs to their English meanings.
to be allowed to, may
to be able to, can
to like
to want to
be supposed to, should
to have to, must
Q4.Sort the words below into the correct order: Modal verbs are usually used with a second __________ in the __________ form, which comes at the __________ of the sentence.
Q5.Match the question words in German and English.
which
where
why
how
who
when
Q6.Which of these questions are not grammatically correct?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German and English.
understanding
to protect, protecting
law
from, as of
at what age?
from what age?
Q2.What does the word 'darf' mean in the following sentence? 'Unter 16 Jahren darf man öffentlich keine Alkohol trinken.'
Q3.Match the following age restrictions to the relevant activities.
darf man nicht alleine in die Disco gehen
darf man nicht mehr als 2 Stunden pro Tag 'leichte Arbeit' machen
darf man alleine bis 24 Uhr in die Disco gehen
die Altersgrenzen für verschiedene Filme im Kino
Q4.To form wh- questions with modal verbs, start with the __________ word, then the __________, then the __________. The 2nd __________ verb comes at the __________ of the __________.
Q5.What is the German law called that protects children and young people in all public places and events?
Q6.Here are some statements regarding young people working in Germany. Which statement is false?
To help you plan your 10 German lesson on: Was darf man ab wann? 'Dürfen' vs 'können', wh- questions and modal verbs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 German lesson on: Was darf man ab wann? 'Dürfen' vs 'können', wh- questions and modal verbs, 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 Studying and my future: Aufwachsen, Altersgrenzen und Zukunftspläne unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.