Sounds, Greetings, Formality

Grade Level

Grade 4 (9-10 years old)
Ontario Curriculum Reference: FSL (Core French), Overall Expectations & Specific Expectations

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Duration

45 minutes
Class Size: 30 students

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Curriculum Alignment

Ontario Curriculum: French as a Second Language, Core French - Grade 4

• Overall Expectations:

  • Oral Communication:
    • Communicate in French for a variety of purposes and in a variety of social contexts (e.g., greeting others, asking about well-being).
  • Phonological Awareness:
    • Identify sounds and letters that represent sounds in French.

• Specific Expectations:

  • Recognize and reproduce sounds and letters of the French alphabet.
  • Use appropriate greetings and ask simple questions such as “Comment ça va?”
  • Distinguish between formal and informal speech patterns in greetings.
  • Interact orally with peers using simple sentences and questions.

Reference for expectations:
Ministry of Education, 2019, Ontario Curriculum, French as a Second Language: Core French, Grades 4–8.

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Learning Goals

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify and pronounce letters and associated sounds of the French alphabet.
• Formally and informally greet others in French and ask how they are doing.
• Differentiate between when to use formal vs informal greetings.
• Participate in simple partner conversations using polite expressions.

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Success Criteria

• Correctly pronounce the French alphabet letters covered in the student book pages.
• Use appropriate greetings (formal and informal) in partner interactions.
• Complete Partner Speaking Survey demonstrating understanding of greetings and formal/informal speech.
• Reflect understanding through Exit Ticket answers.

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Materials

• Student text pages 6, 9-10
• Speaking Survey (page 16) handout
• Exit Ticket (page 18) handout
• Alphabet flashcards with letter and corresponding picture/sound
• Whiteboard and markers
• Audio clips of letter sounds (optional technology integration)

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Lesson Outline

1. Warm-Up & Set Context (5 minutes)

• Greet whole class with both formal and informal French greetings:
  • Formal: Bonjour, comment allez-vous?
  • Informal: Salut, ça va?
• Ask: “When do we use ‘Bonjour’ versus ‘Salut’? Discuss briefly. Introduce idea of formality in language.
• State objectives/outcomes for the lesson on board.

2. Introduction to Sounds & Letters (10 minutes)

• Using alphabet flashcards, present letters A, B, C, and so on—focus particularly on those students will see on pages 6 and 9-10.
• Play audio clips of letter sounds or pronounce them clearly several times.
• Ask class to repeat sounds chorally and individually to check pronunciation.
• Highlight letters with sounds that differ from English (e.g., “J”, “G”, “R”).
• Reference pages 6 and 9 from text: students follow and complete the exercises, practicing the letter-sound correspondence.

3. Greetings & Formality Practice (10 minutes)

• Model and practice conversations using formal and informal greetings:
  • Formal:
    • “Bonjour, comment allez-vous?”
    • “Très bien, merci. Et vous?”
  • Informal:
    • “Salut, ça va?”
    • “Oui, ça va bien, merci.”
• Discuss when to use formal vs informal speech (with adults, strangers, vs friends, family).
• Use a T-chart on the board with “Formal” on one side and “Informal” on the other, listing key phrases.

4. Partner Speaking Survey (page 16) Activity (15 minutes)

• Pair students (random or strategic pairing balanced by proficiency).
• Instructions: Using the prompts in the Speaking Survey, partners take turns asking and answering greeting questions, noting their partner’s responses.
• Teacher circulates to listen, support pronunciation, and assess participation and accuracy.
• Encourage polite conversation and correct use of formal/informal forms.
• Encourage students to try new vocabulary and natural intonation.

5. Review & Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

• Collect Student Books and distribute the Exit Ticket on page 18 (a short written/oral reflection):
  • Examples: Write or say one formal and one informal greeting.
  • Identify the French sounds of 3 letters practiced today.
• Collect responses as formative assessment.

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Assessment & Evaluation

• Formative:
  • Observations during pronunciation drills and partner activity.
  • Responses on Speaking Survey—use a simple checklist to track correct use of greetings and formality.
• Summative/Formal:
  • Exit Ticket answers evaluated with a rubric focusing on correct sounds, words, and formality understanding.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide visual and auditory support: flashcards with images; audio pronunciation.
• For students needing extra support: pair them with stronger peers; use guided prompts for the speaking survey.
• For advanced students: encourage them to add simple related questions or expanded responses in French.
• Use physical movement: Have students stand/sit based on whether they hear formal or informal phrases for engagement.

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Extensions & Home Connections

• Suggest students practise greetings with a family member at home.
• Optional: Students create a mini-alphabet poster with drawings and French letter sounds and bring it into class for a show-and-tell.

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Teacher Reflection

• Were students able to differentiate formal and informal greetings confidently?
• Did the phonological activities improve pronunciation?
• How effective was the Partner Speaking Survey as a formative assessment?
• What adjustments should be made for next time to support all learners?

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This lesson directly supports language skills within the Ontario FSL curriculum while building oral communication, phonological awareness, and social language skills vital for young learners. The balance of receptive and productive language ensures active engagement and personalized learning opportunities.