Beziehungen: reflexive and non-reflexive verbs, reciprocal verbs
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can differentiate between reflexive and non-reflexive uses of verbs and use reflexive and reciprocal verbs to talk about relationships.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Some verbs are reflexive in German but their English translation does not have a reflexive meaning.
- The meaning of a verb can change depending on its reflexive or non-reflexive use.
- Reflexive use means the subject (doer) and object (receiver) of the action are the same.
- With plural verbs, reflexive pronouns can also mean 'each other', if the action is reciprocal.
Keywords
Reflexive - describes an action where the subject and object of the verb are the same
Reciprocal - describes an action that is two-way or mutual
Common misconception
Verbs have the same meaning whether they are used reflexively or non-reflexively.
Some verbs have the same or similar meanings when used reflexively and non-reflexively, e.g. nennen, to call, sich nennen, to call oneself. However, some verbs completely change their meaning e.g. anziehen, to attract, sich anziehen, to get dressed.
Teacher tip
For Task C3, use mini whiteboards (if available) and strict timings, and encourage pupils to share possible answers.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German and English.
separated
divorced
important
similar
foreign, strange
safe, secure
Q2.Match the German and English.
to feel, feeling
to get, receive
to decide, deciding
to interest, interesting
to know, knowing
to name, naming
Q3.Which phrases include a reflexive verb?
Q4.Match the subject pronouns to their reflexive pronouns.
mich
dich
sich
uns
euch
sich
Q5.Fill in the gap to complete the following translation: 'He is .' ('Er interessiert sich für Fußball.')
Q6.Fill in the gap to complete the following translation: 'Er zieht .' ('He gets (himself) dressed'.)
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German and English.
argument
twin
size, height
suggestion
capital city
dad
Q2.Which sentences contain reflexive verbs?
Q3.Match the German and English.
to attract, attracting
to get dressed, getting dressed
to excuse, excusing
to apologise, apologising
to introduce, introducing
to imagine, imagining
Q4.Which translation of the following sentence is correct? 'Wir fragen uns, wer er ist.'
Q5.Which of these sentences could be reciprocal in meaning?
Q6.Translate the following sentence into German: 'They apologise (to each other).'
To help you plan your 10 German lesson on: Beziehungen: reflexive and non-reflexive verbs, reciprocal verbs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 German lesson on: Beziehungen: reflexive and non-reflexive verbs, reciprocal 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 My personal world: Beziehungen und Feste unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.