What you can and can't do: 'pouvoir' and 'savoir' singular persons
Learning outcomes
I can use the modal verbs 'pouvoir' and 'savoir' in the singular persons to say what summer activities I can do.
I can recognise, write and pronounce [ien].
What you can and can't do: 'pouvoir' and 'savoir' singular persons
Learning outcomes
I can use the modal verbs 'pouvoir' and 'savoir' in the singular persons to say what summer activities I can do.
I can recognise, write and pronounce [ien].
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- [ien] sounds like 'bien'
- Use 'pouvoir' to talk about ability or permission; use 'savoir' to talk about skills or things you have learned to do.
- 'Pouvoir' changes to 'peux' in the first and second persons singular and 'peut' in the 3rd person singular.
- 'Savoir' changes to 'sais' in the first and second persons singular and 'sait' in the 3rd person singular.
- If modal verbs are followed by another verb it must be in the infinitive form.
Keywords
[ien] - pronounced as in 'bien'
Modal verbs - verb of necessity or possibility used with a 2nd verb in infinitive e.g., must, can, want
Pouvoir - modal verb meaning 'to be able to, can'
Savoir - modal verb meaning 'to know how to, can'
Common misconception
There is one verb for 'can' in French like in English.
The verb for 'can' changes depending on whether you need specific skills/knowledge to be able to do it. If not, use 'pouvoir', if it does, use 'savoir'.
To help you plan your year 7 french lesson on: What you can and can't do: 'pouvoir' and 'savoir' singular persons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 french lesson on: What you can and can't do: 'pouvoir' and 'savoir' singular persons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 french lessons from the Summer activities: modal verbs in two-verb structures unit, dive into the full secondary french curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
in front (of)
in(side)
behind
on (top of)
under
at, to with cities, places
Exit quiz
6 Questions
to help, helping
to look for, looking for
to share, sharing
to leave, leaving
to be able to
to know how to