Good Learning Co.
SavannahYear 8
← Languages
LanguagesGrammar and vocabulary tools22 min★★ difficulty

The sound system and phonics

French spelling follows reliable phonic rules — once you know them, you can pronounce words you have never seen before.

Part of your national curriculum
  • Grammar and vocabulary: Use and understand the sound system of the language, applying phonic knowledge to new words

Lesson overview

What you'll learn in this lesson

Use and understand the sound system of the language, applying phonic knowledge to new words

Key learning points

  • • Silent endings
  • • 'ch', 'qu' and 'gn'
  • • Applying phonics to unfamiliar words

This lesson at a glance

  • 22 minutes
  • 14 parts to scroll through
  • 3 quick checks
  • Marked quiz at the end
  • Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses

Words to know

systemlanguageapplyingphonicknowledge

Scroll down — the lesson carries on below

Part 1 of 14 · Discover7%
1

Watch & discover

Part 1 of 14

Watch first

The sound system and phonics

An English teaching video on this topic from MFL SEELY. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.

In a nutshell

Use and understand the sound system of the language, applying phonic knowledge to new words

2

Learning cycle

Part 2 of 14

Learning cycle 1 of 2

Part 1 · Silent endings

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

3

Explore the idea

Part 3 of 14

Learn

Silent endings

Most final consonants (except c, r, f, l) are silent: 'petit', 'trop' and 'beaucoup' all drop their final sound. Knowing this rule means you can guess the pronunciation of a brand-new word.

4

Explore the idea

Part 4 of 14

Learn

'ch', 'qu' and 'gn'

'ch' sounds like English 'sh' ('chat' = cat, sounds like 'sha'), 'qu' sounds like 'k' ('qui' = who, sounds like 'kee'), and 'gn' sounds like the 'ny' in 'canyon' ('montagne' = mountain).

5

Quick check

Part 5 of 14

Quick check

Which final consonants are usually pronounced in French?

6

Reset break

Part 6 of 14

Pause

That's sitting 1 of 2 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
7

Quick check

Part 7 of 14

Quick check

How does 'ch' usually sound in French?

8

Learning cycle

Part 8 of 14

Learning cycle 2 of 2

Part 2 · Applying phonics to unfamiliar words

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

9

Explore the idea

Part 9 of 14

Learn

Applying phonics to unfamiliar words

Faced with a new word like 'agneau' (lamb), phonic knowledge tells you the 'gn' makes a 'ny' sound, helping you pronounce it correctly even without ever hearing it before.

10

Quick check

Part 10 of 14

Quick check

What sound does 'gn' make, as in 'montagne'?

11

Challenge round

Part 11 of 14

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

12

Challenge round

Part 12 of 14

Game · Fill the gaps

Finish the sentences

Choose the word that belongs in each gap.

Faced with a new word like 'agneau' (lamb), ____ knowledge tells you the 'gn' makes a 'ny' sound, helping you pronounce it correctly even without ever hearing it before.

13

Mastery quiz

Part 13 of 14

Marked quiz

End of lesson quiz: The sound system and phonics

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

  1. 1. Which final consonants are usually pronounced in French?

  2. 2. How does 'ch' usually sound in French?

  3. 3. What sound does 'gn' make, as in 'montagne'?

14

Lesson round-up

Part 14 of 14

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 Luna

Do 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.

Extract

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

  1. In English, say what the writer does in the morning, at midday and in the evening.
  2. Find the phrases that give an opinion and a reason, and copy them out.
  3. Write 8–10 sentences about your own Saturday, using at least three phrases from the text.

  • Written practice

    Writing

    Write the sentences out in the language, then translate them back into English.

    8–10 sentences

  • Vocabulary page

    Working out

    Copy the new words, cover them, and test yourself. Note the ones you keep missing.

    15 words

Saved as you type.

Part 1 of 14 · Watch & discover

How this is going

  • Not looked at yet

    Use and understand the sound system of the language, applying phonic knowledge to new words

Good Learning Co. — personalised UK curriculum learning, built around what each learner loves.