Using Interrogative Words in French

Grade 8 · French

Semester 1 | Period 2 | Week 9

Download the Lessonotes Mobile Liberia app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.

Subject: French

Semester: 1

Period: 2

Week: 9


School Name: ___________________________
Teacher’s Name: _________________________
Subject: French
Grade Level: Grade 8
Date: Week 9
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 9, Period 2
Topic: Using Interrogative Words in French
Sub-topic: Forming Questions with Qui, Que, Quel, Quelle

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Recognize and use different French interrogative words: Qui, Que/Qu’, Quel, Quelle.
  2. Form questions using interrogative words in inverted and standard forms.
  3. Apply interrogative sentences in dialogues and written letters.
  4. Ask and answer questions about identity, activities, dates, and events.
  5. Integrate interrogative sentences naturally in short conversations.

 

Previous Knowledge

Students already know:

  • Inverted interrogative sentences (Week 8).
  • Greetings, introductions, and personal information (Weeks 1–4).
  • Present tense conjugation of basic verbs (s’appeler, être, avoir, jouer, faire).

 

Instructional Materials

  • Textbook: French for Beginners, Grade 8
  • Flashcards with question words and sample questions
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Students’ notebooks and writing materials

 

Lesson Development – ABC Model

A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)

Time: 5–10 minutes
Activity:

  • Teacher writes on board:
    • “Vous êtes élève.” → asks: “Qui êtes-vous ?”
    • “Vous faites du sport.” → asks: “Que faites-vous ?”
  • Pupils attempt to form questions orally.
    Learners’ Role: Respond orally and recall previously learned inversion structure.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

  1. Introduction to Interrogative Words

Teacher explains the role of interrogatives in asking questions.

  • Qui → Who (used for people, as subject or object).
    • Qui est ton ami ? (Who is your friend?)
    • Qui cherche le cahier ? (Who is looking for the notebook?)
  • Que / Qu’ → What (used mainly before verbs).
    • Que fais-tu ? (What are you doing?)
    • Qu’aimes-tu ? (What do you like?)
  • Quel (m.s.) / Quelle (f.s.) → Which / What (used with a noun, must agree in gender and number).
    • Quel jour sommes-nous ? (What day is it?)
    • Quelle est la date ? (What is the date?)
    • Quels livres lis-tu ? (Which books are you reading?)
    • Quelles chansons écoutes-tu ? (Which songs are you listening to?)

 

  1. Forming Questions in Context
  • Using inversion (formal French):
    • Vous êtes médecin.Êtes-vous médecin ?
    • Il joue au football.Que joue-t-il ?
  • Using interrogatives with articles and nouns:
    • Quel livre lis-tu ? (Which book are you reading?)
    • Quelle musique écoutes-tu ? (What music are you listening to?)
    • Quels amis invites-tu ? (Which friends are you inviting?)

 

  1. Written Practice

Pupils practice transforming statements:

  • Tu vas au marché.Où vas-tu ?
  • Elle est étudiante.Qui est-elle ?
  • Ils lisent un roman.Que lisent-ils ?
  • Nous avons une leçon de français.Quelle leçon avons-nous ?
  • Vous aimez le sport.Quel sport aimez-vous ?
  1. Oral Practice
  • Pair Activity – Question & Answer
    • Identity → Qui est ton professeur ? (Who is your teacher?)
    • Activities → Que fais-tu après l’école ? (What do you do after school?)
    • Date → Quelle est la date aujourd’hui ? (What is today’s date?)
    • Day → Quel jour sommes-nous ? (What day is it?)

Learners respond with full sentences:

  • Mon professeur est M. Kaba.
  • Après l’école, je joue au football.
  • Aujourd’hui, c’est le 3 septembre.
  • Nous sommes mardi.

 

  1. Dialogues and Letters

Teacher-Modeled Dialogue

  • A: Qui est à l’appareil ?
  • B: C’est Fatou.
  • A: Que fais-tu maintenant ?
  • B: Je lis un livre.

Example in a Friendly Letter

Cher ami, 

Qui est avec toi aujourd’hui ? 

Que fais-tu ce week-end ? 

Quelle est la date de ton anniversaire ? 

A bientôt, 

Ton ami, Joseph 

 

Learners’ Activities (Expanded & Practical)

  1. Drill Practice – Repeat model questions after the teacher (choral + individual).
  2. Pair Work – Pupils form at least 6 questions using different interrogatives.
  3. Group Work – Groups of 3–4 write a short dialogue or letter using at least 3–4 interrogative sentences.
  4. Written Task – Convert 5 statements into questions using Qui, Que, Quel, Quelle.
  5. Oral Presentation – Volunteers perform dialogues or read their letters to the class.

 

Assessment Checks

Oral (Immediate Response)
Teacher provides statements; pupils transform them into questions.

  • Vous jouez au tennis.Que faites-vous ?
  • Il est ton professeur.Qui est ton professeur ?

Written (Quiz Style)
Fill in the blanks with the correct interrogative:

  1. _____ est à l’école ? (Qui / Que)
  2. _____ lis-tu ? (Quel / Qui)
  3. _____ est ton professeur préféré ? (Quel / Quelle)
  4. _____ fais-tu après l’école ? (Que / Qui)
  5. _____ est la date aujourd’hui ? (Quel / Quelle)

Peer Review

  • Pupils swap notebooks to check:
    • Correct interrogative word choice
    • Agreement of quel / quelle with nouns
    • Proper sentence punctuation

 

✅ Homework Suggestion:
Write 8 questions using Qui, Que, Quel, Quelle. At least:

  • 2 about people,
  • 2 about activities,
  • 2 about dates/days,
  • 2 about objects.

 

 

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)

Time: 5–10 minutes

  • Recap interrogative words and examples.
  • Quick oral drill: Teacher gives a statement, pupils convert into questions.
  • Exit task: Pupils write one question each using Qui, Que, Quel, or Quelle about a classmate’s activity or day.

 

Assignment (Homework)

  1. Write 5 questions using different interrogative words about family, school, or hobbies.
  2. Prepare 3 oral questions to ask a partner about activities or dates.
  3. Integrate at least 2 interrogative words into a friendly letter for next class.

 

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies

  • Struggling learners: Use sentence starters, visual prompts, and pair practice.
  • Advanced learners: Create longer dialogues or letters incorporating multiple interrogatives.
  • Students with disabilities: Extra time, peer support, and guided worksheets.

 

Teacher’s Reflection

  • What worked well? ___________________________
  • What needs improvement? ____________________
  • Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low