Translating into English
Translating from French into English means finding natural English, not clunky word-for-word phrasing.
Part of your national curriculum
- Writing: Translate short written text from the foreign language into English, conveying meaning accurately
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Translate short written text from the foreign language into English, conveying meaning accurately
Key learning points
- • Idioms need natural English
- • False friends
- • Keeping the right tense
This lesson at a glance
- 25 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
Translating into English
Translating from French into English means finding natural English, not clunky word-for-word phrasing.
In a nutshell
Translate short written text from the foreign language into English, conveying meaning accurately
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Idioms need natural English
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Idioms need natural English
'Il fait froid' translates literally as 'it makes cold', but the natural English is 'it is cold'. A good translation captures meaning, not just individual words.
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
False friends
'Actuellement' does not mean 'actually' — it means 'currently/at present'. Watching for these false friends prevents embarrassing translation mistakes in exams and real conversation.
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 · Keeping the right tense
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Keeping the right tense
'J'avais faim' should be translated as 'I was hungry' (imperfect tense), not 'I have hunger' or 'I am hungry', to convey the original past meaning accurately.
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.
'Il fait froid' translates literally as 'it makes cold', but the natural ____ is 'it is cold'.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Translate into English: 'Soupe de légumes maison.'
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Translating into English
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Translate into English: 'Soupe de légumes maison.'
2. The natural translation of 'il fait froid' is...
3. 'Actuellement' actually means...
4. 'J'avais faim' should be translated as...
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Points this lesson
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Best run
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
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Translate short written text from the foreign language into English, conveying meaning accurately