Expressing and developing ideas
A basic opinion is easy; a developed one — with reasons and examples — shows real progress in French.
Part of your national curriculum
- Speaking: Express and develop ideas clearly and with increasing accuracy, both orally and in writing
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Express and develop ideas clearly and with increasing accuracy, both orally and in writing
Key learning points
- • State an opinion
- • Give a reason
- • Add a contrast
This lesson at a glance
- 28 minutes
- 16 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 16
Visual introductionPicture this
Expressing and developing ideas
A basic opinion is easy; a developed one — with reasons and examples — shows real progress in French.
In a nutshell
Express and develop ideas clearly and with increasing accuracy, both orally and in writing
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 16
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · State an opinion
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 16
Learn
State an opinion
Start simply: 'Je pense que les réseaux sociaux sont utiles' (I think social media is useful). This gives a clear, direct opinion using 'je pense que' plus an adjective.
Reset break
Part 4 of 16
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 16
Learn
Give a reason
Extend the idea with 'parce que' (because): 'Je pense que les réseaux sociaux sont utiles parce qu'on peut rester en contact avec des amis' (...because you can stay in touch with friends).
Quick check
Part 6 of 16
Quick check
Part 7 of 16
Reset break
Part 8 of 16
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 16
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Add a contrast
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 16
Learn
Add a contrast
Use 'mais' (but) or 'cependant' (however) to show balance: 'Mais il y a aussi des dangers' (But there are also dangers). This kind of structured, developed answer scores far better than a single sentence.
Quick check
Part 11 of 16
Reset break
Part 12 of 16
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 16
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 16
Game · Recall cards
Which answer develops an idea rather than just stating it?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 15 of 16
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Expressing and developing ideas
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which answer develops an idea rather than just stating it?
2. Which word introduces a reason in French?
3. 'Cependant' is closest in meaning to...
4. What does adding 'parce que' to an opinion sentence achieve?
Lesson round-up
Part 16 of 16
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
Not sat
Games
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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 LunaPart 1 of 16 · Watch & discover
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Express and develop ideas clearly and with increasing accuracy, both orally and in writing