German across three time frames
Strong communication moves confidently between what happens, what happened and what will happen.
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Use present, past and future time frames
Key learning points
- • Present and perfect past
- • Future meaning
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 10 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 10
Watch first
German across three time frames
An English teaching video on this topic from Learn German with Anja. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.
In a nutshell
Use present, past and future time frames
Explore the idea
Part 2 of 10
Learn
Present and perfect past
Ich spiele describes now or habit. The conversational past often uses haben plus a past participle: Ich habe gespielt.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 10
Learn
Future meaning
German often uses the present with a future time phrase: Morgen spiele ich. You can also use werden plus an infinitive for an explicit future.
Quick check
Part 4 of 10
Quick check
What does 'Ich habe gespielt' mean?
Quick check
Part 5 of 10
Quick check
How can German show future meaning simply?
Quick check
Part 6 of 10
Quick check
Which word means tomorrow?
Challenge round
Part 7 of 10
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
Challenge round
Part 8 of 10
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
German often uses the ____ with a future time phrase: Morgen spiele ich.
You can also use werden plus an infinitive for an explicit ____.
Mastery quiz
Part 9 of 10
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: German across three time frames
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What does 'Ich habe gespielt' mean?
2. How can German show future meaning simply?
3. Which word means tomorrow?
Lesson round-up
Part 10 of 10
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
Not sat
Games
Not played
Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaDo the work
Your written work for this lesson
This is the part you'd do in your book at school. Pick the pieces below, write here or on paper, and photograph anything you draw or work out.
Une journée à Lyon
Samedi matin, je me lève à sept heures et demie. Je prends le petit déjeuner avec ma sœur — du pain, du beurre et un chocolat chaud. Ensuite, nous prenons le bus jusqu'au centre-ville.
J'aime beaucoup Lyon parce qu'il y a un grand marché près du fleuve. Ma sœur préfère les magasins, mais moi, je préfère le marché : c'est moins cher et c'est plus intéressant. À midi, nous mangeons un sandwich au parc.
L'après-midi, il commence à pleuvoir, alors nous rentrons à la maison en tram. Le soir, je fais mes devoirs et je regarde un film avec mes parents.
Original text written for Good Learning Co.
Reading questions
- In English, say what the writer does in the morning, at midday and in the evening.
- Find the phrases that give an opinion and a reason, and copy them out.
- Write 8–10 sentences about your own Saturday, using at least three phrases from the text.
Written practice
WritingWrite the sentences out in the language, then translate them back into English.
8–10 sentences
Vocabulary page
Working outCopy the new words, cover them, and test yourself. Note the ones you keep missing.
15 words
Saved as you type.
Part 1 of 10 · Watch & discover