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
- 17 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 17
Visual introductionPicture this
The sound system and phonics
French spelling follows reliable phonic rules — once you know them, you can pronounce words you have never seen before.
In a nutshell
Use and understand the sound system of the language, applying phonic knowledge to new words
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Silent endings
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
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.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 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.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
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).
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 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.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
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.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
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.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 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.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
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 14 of 17
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.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
The circumflex in 'forêt' often marks...
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: The sound system and phonics
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. The circumflex in 'forêt' often marks...
2. Which final consonants are usually pronounced in French?
3. How does 'ch' usually sound in French?
4. What sound does 'gn' make, as in 'montagne'?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Use and understand the sound system of the language, applying phonic knowledge to new words