Year 5 - French
Hair and eyes: singular and plural adjective agreement
What I and others have: plural 'avoir' and nouns
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils use singular and plural postnominal adjectives and 'avoir' in the contexts of an online exchange, conversations between cousins in France and Haiti, and physical description of hair and eyes. Supporting sounds are Silent Final e and -s liaison.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe people's physical appearance in French (eyes and hair).
Key Notes
- The French [ch] is different to the English 'ch'. The French [ch] sounds like the English 'sh'.
- To refer to a singular noun in French, use the definite article 'the': 'le' (m) or 'la' (f). Before a vowel use 'l''.
- Before a plural noun, use the definite article 'the': 'les'. 'Les' does not change based on the gender of the noun.
- In French, adjectives often go after the noun, e.g. 'le visage rond'.
- Adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they describe (adjective agreement), e.g. 'les cheveux bouclés'.
Vocabulary To Learn
- [ch]: pronounced as in 'chercher'
- definite article: used to identify a specific noun or group of nouns ('the')
- le, la, les, l': French for 'the' (in the masculine, feminine, plural forms, and before a vowel)
- adjective agreement: ending of an adjective matching the noun it describes in gender and number
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Like in English, there is no article when making physical descriptions, e.g. 'I have blond hair'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.
The French [ch] is different to the English 'ch'. The French [ch] sounds like the English 'sh'. To refer to a singular noun in French, use the definite article 'the': 'le' (m) or 'la' (f). Before a vowel use 'l''.
2. Define this key language word and use it in context. '[ch]'
pronounced as in 'chercher'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.
3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.
Mistake: Like in English, there is no article when making physical descriptions, e.g. 'I have blond hair'. Correction: In French, we use definite articles when making physical descriptions, e.g. 'J'ai les cheveux blonds'.
More Lessons In This Unit
- A horrible week! 'Avoir' singular persons and adjectives after the noun Study Guide
- All about me: presenting myself in French Study Guide
- Exchange school in England: 'nous avons' and 'vous avez' Study Guide
- In class: 'il y a' and 'ce sont' Study Guide
- My ideal teacher: singular and plural adjectives Study Guide
- Our own space: 'ils ont', 'elles ont' and adjectives before the noun Study Guide
- To have or to be: 'avoir' and 'être' singular Study Guide
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