Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

L1: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

3 quick questions to activate prior knowledge about perfect and imperfect tense 1. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1. Goal: by the end you can write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion), using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1 is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion). - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).

  1. What is asked? Write
  2. Recall knowledge: PC = avoir + PP; ĂȘtre verbs (movement/reflexives) + AGREED participle; Imparfait: nous-form minus -ons + -ais/-ais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient (ĂȘtre → Ă©t-)
  3. Apply: Model: « Le weekend dernier, je suis allĂ©(e) au cinĂ©ma avec mes amis. Nous avons regardĂ© un film d’action et nous avons mangĂ© des tacos. C’était gĂ©nial, mais c’était trop cher — dix-huit euros ! Quand je lisais le programme, j’ai vu qu’un nouveau film de science-fiction sortait la semaine suivante. »
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: Translate into French: “When I am older, I will travel to France and I will stay with a host family.”

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: « Quand je serai plus ĂągĂ©(e), je voyagerai en France et je resterai dans une famille d’accueil. »
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Two futur simple stems (ser-, -erai) after quand — the structure the mark scheme singles out.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: Translate into French: “When I am older, I will travel to France and I will stay with a host family.”

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using perfect and imperfect tense 1
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does PC = avoir + PP; ĂȘtre verbs (movement/reflexives) + AGREED p work this way?"
A: Analogy: "Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1 in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to future-and-conditional-1 / present-tense-(regular-and-irregular)-1
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on perfect and imperfect tense 1, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Label the Diagram

Unlabelled diagram - write all parts in 1 min

Assessment Criteria

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from last lesson on perfect and imperfect tense 1. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1. Goal: by the end you can write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion), using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1 is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion). - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).

  1. What is asked? Write
  2. Recall knowledge: PC = avoir + PP; ĂȘtre verbs (movement/reflexives) + AGREED participle; Imparfait: nous-form minus -ons + -ais/-ais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient (ĂȘtre → Ă©t-)
  3. Apply: Model: « Le weekend dernier, je suis allĂ©(e) au cinĂ©ma avec mes amis. Nous avons regardĂ© un film d’action et nous avons mangĂ© des tacos. C’était gĂ©nial, mais c’était trop cher — dix-huit euros ! Quand je lisais le programme, j’ai vu qu’un nouveau film de science-fiction sortait la semaine suivante. »
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: Translate into French: “When I am older, I will travel to France and I will stay with a host family.”

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: « Quand je serai plus ĂągĂ©(e), je voyagerai en France et je resterai dans une famille d’accueil. »
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Two futur simple stems (ser-, -erai) after quand — the structure the mark scheme singles out.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: Translate into French: “When I am older, I will travel to France and I will stay with a host family.”

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using perfect and imperfect tense 1
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does PC = avoir + PP; ĂȘtre verbs (movement/reflexives) + AGREED p work this way?"
A: Analogy: "Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1 in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to future-and-conditional-1 / present-tense-(regular-and-irregular)-1
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on perfect and imperfect tense 1, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Label the Diagram

Unlabelled diagram - write all parts in 1 min

Assessment Criteria

Lesson 3: Application: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from last lesson on perfect and imperfect tense 1. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1. Goal: by the end you can write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion), using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1 is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion). - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).

  1. What is asked? Write
  2. Recall knowledge: PC = avoir + PP; ĂȘtre verbs (movement/reflexives) + AGREED participle; Imparfait: nous-form minus -ons + -ais/-ais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient (ĂȘtre → Ă©t-)
  3. Apply: Model: « Le weekend dernier, je suis allĂ©(e) au cinĂ©ma avec mes amis. Nous avons regardĂ© un film d’action et nous avons mangĂ© des tacos. C’était gĂ©nial, mais c’était trop cher — dix-huit euros ! Quand je lisais le programme, j’ai vu qu’un nouveau film de science-fiction sortait la semaine suivante. »
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: Translate into French: “When I am older, I will travel to France and I will stay with a host family.”

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: « Quand je serai plus ĂągĂ©(e), je voyagerai en France et je resterai dans une famille d’accueil. »
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Two futur simple stems (ser-, -erai) after quand — the structure the mark scheme singles out.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: Translate into French: “When I am older, I will travel to France and I will stay with a host family.”

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using perfect and imperfect tense 1
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does PC = avoir + PP; ĂȘtre verbs (movement/reflexives) + AGREED p work this way?"
A: Analogy: "Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1 in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to future-and-conditional-1 / present-tense-(regular-and-irregular)-1
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on perfect and imperfect tense 1, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Exam Question Speed Round

5 quick questions, 1 min each. Mark together.

Assessment Criteria

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from last lesson on perfect and imperfect tense 1. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1. Goal: by the end you can write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion), using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1 is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion). - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).

  1. What is asked? Write
  2. Recall knowledge: PC = avoir + PP; ĂȘtre verbs (movement/reflexives) + AGREED participle; Imparfait: nous-form minus -ons + -ais/-ais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient (ĂȘtre → Ă©t-)
  3. Apply: Model: « Le weekend dernier, je suis allĂ©(e) au cinĂ©ma avec mes amis. Nous avons regardĂ© un film d’action et nous avons mangĂ© des tacos. C’était gĂ©nial, mais c’était trop cher — dix-huit euros ! Quand je lisais le programme, j’ai vu qu’un nouveau film de science-fiction sortait la semaine suivante. »
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: Translate into French: “When I am older, I will travel to France and I will stay with a host family.”

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: « Quand je serai plus ĂągĂ©(e), je voyagerai en France et je resterai dans une famille d’accueil. »
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Two futur simple stems (ser-, -erai) after quand — the structure the mark scheme singles out.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: Translate into French: “When I am older, I will travel to France and I will stay with a host family.”

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using perfect and imperfect tense 1
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does PC = avoir + PP; ĂȘtre verbs (movement/reflexives) + AGREED p work this way?"
A: Analogy: "Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Perfect And Imperfect Tense 1 in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: Write a 90-word paragraph about a past weekend (2 past events, 1 opinion).

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to future-and-conditional-1 / present-tense-(regular-and-irregular)-1
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on perfect and imperfect tense 1, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Exam Question Speed Round

5 quick questions, 1 min each. Mark together.

Assessment Criteria

Common Errors (Mark-Scheme View)

  • Wrong: je ai jouĂ© Correct: j’ai jouĂ© (elision before a vowel)
  • Wrong: elle a allĂ© au cinĂ©ma Correct: elle est allĂ©e (ĂȘtre verb + agreement)
  • Wrong: je n’ai jouĂ© pas Correct: je n’ai pas jouĂ©
  • Wrong: quand j’ai dix-huit ans, je passerai
 Correct: quand j’aurai dix-huit ans
 (future after quand)

🎯 Examiner Insights

  • Timing: allocate 1 minute per mark — a 4-mark question gets 4 minutes.
  • Command words: "Explain" needs "because"; "Describe" needs factual detail; "Evaluate" needs both sides + a conclusion.
  • AO weighting: AO1 (recall) ~40%, AO2 (application) ~40%, AO3 (analysis) ~20% on most papers.
  • Common loss: candidates write correct science but don’t answer the question asked — re-read the stem before writing.

Board Notes & Revision Links

This lesson is examined by: AQA 8652 | Edexcel 1FR0 | Eduqas units | CCEA units. Tier and paper details vary - always check your board's current specification.

Follow-up revision: FR25-tenses-present-perfect-imperfect-and-future on GCSE Revise (notes, flashcards and auto-graded target tests for this exact topic).

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)