Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
French School Subjects: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 7
- ForYear 7
- StageKey Stage 3
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
French School Subjects is a free printable French worksheet for Year 7 (ages 11 to 12), in Key Stage 3. Pupils match eight school subjects in French to their English meanings. It needs only a pencil and paper, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help for children who find it hard and a stretch task.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to the pupil and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 is a matching activity. Pupils meet eight French names for school subjects and match each one to its English meaning. They read each French word, say it aloud and decide which meaning fits. Then they make their matches with a pencil. It is short, focused vocabulary practice. The stretch idea on page 2 moves pupils from single words to short opinion sentences using J'aime and Je n'aime pas.
Ways to build on this sheet
Say it, then match it
Read each French word aloud before matching. Pupils repeat it, then decide on the meaning. Hearing and saying a word helps it stay in the memory far better than reading it silently.
Add an opinion
Once the matching is done, pupils say which subjects they like and which they do not. Use J'aime and Je n'aime pas. This turns a list of words into real language.
Use gestures
Act out each subject without speaking. A partner guesses the French word. Movement gives every word a picture in the mind, which helps with recall.
Revisit another day
Cover the English side and try again a few days later. Spaced practice is a gentle way to find out which words have stuck.
Why learn school subject words in French?
School subjects are one of the first topics in many Key Stage 3 French courses. Pupils already know the subjects well, so they can focus on the new French words rather than on the ideas. That makes it a friendly place to build confidence with vocabulary, pronunciation and spelling.
The topic also leads naturally to opinions. Once pupils can name a subject in French, they can say whether they like it. That is a first step towards the Key Stage 3 aim of understanding and responding to simple spoken and written language. A short matching task is a quick way to get the words ready for speaking and writing.
Quick French facts
- French is an official language in many countries, not only France.
- Many English words have French roots, so some French words will look familiar.
- French nouns are masculine or feminine, and small words like le and la show which.
- French uses accents on some letters, such as the é, and they can change how a word sounds.
- Some letters at the end of French words are often not pronounced, so listening matters as well as reading.
Skills and curriculum link
- French vocabulary
- Matching meaning
- Expressing opinions
- Pronunciation
- Reading carefully
Helpful ideas for French vocabulary
- Look for familiar shapesSome French words look like English ones. This can be a useful clue, but pupils should always check that the meaning really fits.
- Notice le and laSmall words before a noun are part of learning it. Learn the word together with le or la, not on its own.
- Listen as well as readFrench spelling and sound do not always match in the way English readers expect. Say each word aloud to build the link.
- Use the easy ones firstMatch the words you are sure of first. This leaves fewer choices for the harder ones and makes good guesses easier.
Key words
- VocabularyThe words you know in a language.
- OpinionWhat you think or feel about something, such as whether you like it.
- Masculine and feminineThe two groups French nouns belong to. They decide whether you use le or la.
- PronunciationHow a word is said aloud.
- CognateA word that looks or sounds similar in two languages and has a similar meaning.
- SentenceA group of words that makes complete sense, such as an opinion.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the pupil. Keep page 2, which has the notes, for the grown up.
- Read each French word aloud and let the pupil repeat it. Say it clearly and slowly.
- Work through the first few matches together. Talk about why each choice fits.
- Let the pupil finish the matching with a pencil, then check against the notes on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say each word with a gesture, such as drawing a pencil in the air for le dessin. Match the words you feel sure about first. Then use what is left to work out the harder ones. Say each word aloud as you go.
To stretch confident children
Write two sentences, one with J'aime and one with Je n'aime pas. Use subjects from the sheet. Then read them aloud to a partner. To go further, add a short reason in English and find out how to say it in French.
Make it a game
Play a quick game. One player calls out a subject in French and the other shouts it in English. Swap roles after each round. Add a point for every correct answer, and try to beat your score next time.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA pupil guesses a meaning only because the French word looks like an English word.
Try thisCheck the clue by saying the word aloud and thinking about the other choices. Some look alike words mean something different, so a look alike is a hint, not proof.
Watch forA pupil forgets a word as soon as the sheet is finished.
Try thisSay each word aloud, act it out and revisit it a few days later. Short, repeated practice helps more than one long go.
Watch forA pupil says the French words as if they were English.
Try thisListen to the word said slowly by an adult. Pupils repeat it a few times. Pay attention to the vowel sounds and to letters at the end that may be silent.
Talk about it
- Which French word on the sheet was easiest to remember, and why?
- Which one did you find hard to say aloud?
- Which subject do you like best, and how could you say that in French?
- Did any French words look like English ones? Did that help?
- How could you remember a tricky word? A picture, a gesture or a rhyme?
- Why might it be useful to know school subject words if you visited a French speaking country?
Take it off the page
Label the classroom
Write French subject names on sticky notes and put them on matching books or objects around the room. Read them aloud each time you pass.
Timetable in French
Draw a simple weekly timetable on paper. Write the subject names in French in the boxes and use it to practise saying them.
Flashcard pairs
Make cards with French on one side and English on the other. Test each other, then shuffle and try again. Add new words each week.
Who it is for
Parents
You do not need to speak French. Read each word aloud as best you can, let your child repeat it and talk through each choice together. Keep it relaxed, praise effort and come back to it another day.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity in a Key Stage 3 French lesson. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 offers support and stretch for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider French plan. It pairs well with a simple timetable, spoken practice and everyday talk. Because it is free to print, you can reuse it for brothers and sisters or for revision.
Where this fits in French learning
Before this sheet, pupils will usually have met greetings, numbers and a few simple phrases. Saying school subject words builds on that early vocabulary and uses the same habit of listening, repeating and matching.
After this sheet, pupils can move on to giving opinions with reasons, writing short sentences and joining ideas together. Later they can talk about their school day, their timetable and their routines, using the vocabulary they have practised here.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is French School Subjects for?
It is written for Year 7 (ages 11 to 12), in Key Stage 3. It also suits confident Year 6 pupils and Year 8 pupils who would like a short revision task on school subject vocabulary.
- What will pupils practise?
They practise French vocabulary for school subjects by matching eight French words to English. They also practise saying the words aloud, and the stretch idea adds opinions using J'aime and Je n'aime pas.
- Do I need to speak French to help?
No. Read each word aloud as best you can and let the pupil repeat it. The notes on page 2 help you check the matches. The aim is to listen, try and talk about each choice together.
- What if it feels too hard?
Slow down and use gestures. Say each word aloud with an action, such as drawing a pencil in the air for le dessin. Match the words you are sure about first, then work out the rest.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it suits quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Do I need colour printing? No, it prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.