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New
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Year 3

What is it? C'est and liaison

Learning outcomes

I can use c'est to identify things when I speak and write.

I know to pronounce the 't' in 'c'est' when it comes before 'un' and 'une'.

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New
New
Year 3

What is it? C'est and liaison

Learning outcomes

I can use c'est to identify things when I speak and write.

I know to pronounce the 't' in 'c'est' when it comes before 'un' and 'une'.

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Lesson details

Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

Key learning points

  1. C'est means 'it is' or it's and usually has a silent-final consonant.
  2. C'est can be used with any singular noun and its indefinite article to state what something is.
  3. When c'est is followed by 'un' or 'une' the 't' is pronounced; this is an example of liaison.

Keywords

  • C'est - two words 'ce, c' and 'est' meaning 'it is' or 'it's' in French

  • Liaison - pronouncing a usually silent final consonant because a word starting with a vowel follows

Common misconception

The 't' in c'est is always a silent-final consonant.

The 't' in c'est is pronounced if it is followed by a word beginning with a vowel like 'un' or 'une'.

It is good to underline the importance of correct pronunciation in this lesson. Children like the challenge of 'sounding French' and applying the rule of 'liaison' helps them to do this. For additional challenge in Task B2 teachers may suggest pupils turn away and write the meanings.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
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Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following letters is a vowel?
c
d
t
Correct answer: u
z
Q2.
A silent final consonant (SFC) is a silent letter at the of a word.
Correct Answer: end, END
Q3.
What is different about French nouns compared to English nouns? Choose two answers.
Correct answer: They are masculine or feminine.
They are boys or girls.
They are men or women.
Correct answer: They have grammatical gender.
Q4.
Say the words 'un' and 'une' aloud. What do 'un' and 'une' mean in English?
the
Correct answer: a/an
some
Q5.
Match the French to the English.
Correct Answer:une peluche,a cuddly toy
tick

a cuddly toy

Correct Answer:un jeu,a game
tick

a game

Correct Answer:un stylo,a pen
tick

a pen

Correct Answer:un ballon,a ball
tick

a ball

Correct Answer:un cahier,an exercise book
tick

an exercise book

Correct Answer:un sac,a bag
tick

a bag

Q6.
Answer this question: C'est une orange ?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Oui, c'est une orange.
Correct answer: Non, c'est une bouteille.
Oui, c'est une bouteille.

5 Questions

Q1.
What does 'c'est' mean in English?
is
Correct answer: it's
Correct answer: it is
Q2.
Match the French to the English.
Correct Answer:C'est un cahier.,It's an exercise book.
tick

It's an exercise book.

Correct Answer:C'est lundi.,It's Monday.
tick

It's Monday.

Correct Answer:C'est grand.,It's tall.
tick

It's tall.

Correct Answer:C'est une bouteille.,It's a bottle.
tick

It's a bottle.

Correct Answer:C'est un sac.,It's a bag.
tick

It's a bag.

Correct Answer:C'est un stylo.,It's a pen.
tick

It's a pen.

Q3.
When do you pronounce the 't' in 'c'est'?
Correct answer: When it is followed by a word starting with a vowel.
Never, it is a silent final consonant.
When it is followed by a word starting with a consonant.
Q4.
In which of the following sentences would you pronounce the 't' in 'c'est'?
C'est triste.
Correct answer: C'est un cahier.
Correct answer: C'est une bouteille.
C'est grand.
Correct answer: C'est un univers.
Q5.
Pronouncing a usually silent final consonant when a word starting with a vowel follows is called:
reading aloud
connection
Correct answer: liaison

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