KS2 · French · Year 4
Message to a friend: writing words and phrases
What I and others like doing: 2-verb phrases
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/8
Your learning goal
I can write a short letter in French to a friend.
1 of 8
Message to a friend: writing words and phrases: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
Original teaching resources
The original illustrated PowerPoint is available as well as the IllumED text slides. It retains the publisher’s design and credits.
Download original PowerPoint ↓What you’ll learn
I can write a short letter in French to a friend.
Key learning points
- It is important to practise key vocabulary regularly.
- 'Je suis' is from the verb 'être' and means 'I am', e.g. 'je suis Sophie' ('I am Sophie').
- 'J'ai', from the verb 'avoir', means I have: 'j'ai un chat' (I have a cat). Use 'j'ai' for age: 'j'ai six ans' (I am 6).
- When writing a letter, think carefully about formal or informal greetings and sign-offs: 'salut', 'Monsieur', 'Madame'.
Words to know
- je suis
- from the verb être, meaning 'I am'
- j'ai
- from the verb 'avoir', meaning 'I have'; also used with age, e.g. j'ai huit ans - I am eight years old
Common mistakes
Like in English, we use the verb 'I am' ('je suis') with age.
In French, we use the verb 'I have' ('j'ai') with age, e.g. 'j'ai huit ans' - 'I am (have) eight (years)'.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Share the pupils' letters with penpals. It is possible to find a penpal scheme through the British Council. Scan and send the letters and wait for a response!