LanguagesMa vie, ma famille25 min★★ difficulty

Je me présente

Almost every French conversation starts the same way: your name, your age, where you live. Get these five sentences automatic and you can start any conversation without panicking.

Part of your national curriculum

Writing: Write short texts using simple sentences, in preparation for extended and independent writing

Lesson overview

What you'll learn in this lesson

Write short texts using simple sentences, in preparation for extended and independent writing

Key learning points

• The five opening sentences
• Numbers you need for age
• Joining sentences up

This lesson at a glance

25 minutes
20 parts to scroll through
4 quick checks
Marked quiz at the end
Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses

Words to know

simplesentencespreparationextendedindependent

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Part 1 of 20 · Discover5%

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Part 1 of 20

Visual introduction

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Je me présente

Almost every French conversation starts the same way: your name, your age, where you live. Get these five sentences automatic and you can start any conversation without panicking.

In a nutshell

Write short texts using simple sentences, in preparation for extended and independent writing

Learning cycle

Part 2 of 20

Learning cycle 1 of 2

Part 1 · The five opening sentences

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

Explore the idea

Part 3 of 20

Learn

The five opening sentences

Je m'appelle Savannah — my name is Savannah. J'ai treize ans — I am thirteen (French uses avoir, to have, for age, never être). J'habite à Manchester — I live in Manchester. Je suis anglaise — I am English (add the -e for a girl). J'ai un chat qui s'appelle Luna — I have a cat called Luna.

Reset break

Part 4 of 20

Pause

That's sitting 1 of 5 done

Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.

Stop here for now

Explore the idea

Part 5 of 20

Learn

Numbers you need for age

onze (11), douze (12), treize (13), quatorze (14), quinze (15), seize (16). After sixteen the pattern changes: dix-sept (17), dix-huit (18), dix-neuf (19). Say them out loud in order until the jump at seventeen stops surprising you.

Quick check

Part 6 of 20

Quick check

How do you say 'I am thirteen' in French?

Give me a hint

Quick check

Part 7 of 20

Quick check

What does 'J'habite à Manchester' mean?

Give me a hint

Reset break

Part 8 of 20

Pause

That's sitting 2 of 5 done

Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.

Stop here for now

Learning cycle

Part 9 of 20

Learning cycle 2 of 2

Part 2 · Joining sentences up

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

Explore the idea

Part 10 of 20

Learn

Joining sentences up

Five short sentences sound like a list. Join them with et (and), mais (but) and aussi (also): 'J'habite à Manchester avec ma mère et j'ai un chat aussi.' One joining word turns two facts into one sentence, and that is what moves writing up a level.

Quick check

Part 11 of 20

Quick check

Which word joins two ideas that contrast?

Give me a hint

Reset break

Part 12 of 20

Pause

That's sitting 3 of 5 done

Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.

Stop here for now

Quick check

Part 13 of 20

Quick check

Which number is 'quinze'?

Give me a hint

Explore the idea

Part 14 of 20

Worked example

Model paragraph

Salut ! Je m'appelle Savannah et j'ai treize ans. J'habite à Manchester, dans le nord de l'Angleterre. J'ai un chat qui s'appelle Luna et j'adore les animaux. Notice: five facts, three sentences, two joining words. That is the shape to copy with your own details.

Challenge round

Part 15 of 20

Game · Sort it

Which of these are true?

Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.

True

Not true

Reset break

Part 16 of 20

Pause

That's sitting 4 of 5 done

Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.

Stop here for now

Challenge round

Part 17 of 20

Game · Fill the gaps

Finish the sentences

Choose the word that belongs in each gap.

Five short ____ sound like a list.

Challenge round

Part 18 of 20

Game · Recall cards

Which is a correct simple sentence about age?

Card 1 of 4

Mastery quiz

Part 19 of 20

Marked quiz

End of lesson quiz: Je me présente

4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.

1. Which is a correct simple sentence about age?
2. Which sentence means 'I eat an apple'?
3. What links two ideas in 'J'aime le sport et j'aime la musique'?
4. 'Il joue au foot' means...

Lesson round-up

Part 20 of 20

Lesson round-up

Ready when you are

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Luna: 0 out of 4 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?

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Part 1 of 20 · Watch & discover

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Write short texts using simple sentences, in preparation for extended and independent writing