Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Words From Other Countries: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Words From Other Countries is a free printable English worksheet for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children stamp each word with the country it came from, choosing between Italy, France and Japan. Then they use two of the words in a sentence of their own. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
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 your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children start with six words and three country stamps: Italy, France and Japan. They match each word to the country it came from and write the country in the table. Then they choose two of the words and write one sentence using both. A checklist helps them check their work: a capital letter at the start, a full stop at the end, and two of the words used. There are cards to cut out, a table to fill in and lines for writing.
- Italy
- France
- Japan
- Word
- Country it came from
- My sentence starts with a capital letter.
- My sentence ends with a full stop.
- My sentence uses two of the words.
Why look at where words come from?
English has always borrowed words. When people travel, trade, cook, play and share ideas, words move with them. Over time a borrowed word becomes part of everyday English, and many people use it without knowing it began somewhere else. Italy, France and Japan are three countries whose languages have given English words, so they make a good place to start looking.
Knowing that words have a history helps children become curious about language. It can help with spelling too, because a borrowed word may follow patterns that look different from ordinary English words. Talking about where a word came from also gives children a reason to use it carefully and remember it. Writing it in a sentence shows whether they understand what it means.
Fun facts about borrowed words
- English has borrowed words from many other languages, and it still does.
- People in France speak French, people in Italy speak Italian and people in Japan speak Japanese.
- Words often travel when people trade, travel and share food, music and ideas.
- Once people use a borrowed word in everyday English, it is a real English word.
- The study of where words come from is called etymology.
Skills and curriculum link
- Word origins
- Sorting and matching
- Writing a sentence
- Using new vocabulary
- Checking your own work
Ideas to help children work out where a word came from
- Say it aloudRead each word slowly and listen to its sounds. Ask whether it sounds like the way the other languages on the sheet are spoken.
- Think about the meaningAsk what the word means and where you might hear it. Words often travel along with things, such as food, clothes, sport or music.
- Use the stampsPoint to the three country stamps and talk about each one. Ask your child which word they feel surest about and start there.
- Check, then writeOnce a country is in the table, read the word again. Make sure you understand its meaning before using it in a sentence.
Key words
- OriginWhere something began. A word's origin is the place or language it first came from.
- BorrowTo take a word from one language and use it in another.
- LanguageThe words people use to speak and write, such as English or French.
- CountryA land with its own name, borders and people, such as Italy.
- Capital letterThe big letter that starts a sentence or a name.
- Full stopThe dot that ends a sentence.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the six words aloud together. Say the names of the three countries too.
- Your child writes the country for each word in the table. Talk about each choice as you go.
- Your child picks two words and writes one sentence. They tick the checklist when it has a capital letter, a full stop and two of the words.
- Check with page 2. Come back another day and look for borrowed words in books and signs.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say the three countries aloud and point to the country stamps. Work through one word together first. Ask what the word means before choosing a country. Do the words your child feels sure about first, then return to the harder ones.
To stretch confident children
Find two more English words that came from another language. Ask an adult to help check where they came from. Then write a sentence that uses both of your new words and read it to someone at home.
Make it a game
Take turns to act out one of the six words without speaking. The others guess the word, then name the country it came from. Score a point for each right answer. Swap who acts after every turn.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child writes a sentence that uses only one of the words.
Try thisRead the checklist together. Ask them to underline both words in their sentence before they tick that box.
Watch forThe sentence has no capital letter or no full stop.
Try thisPoint to the first and last letter. Ask your child to read it aloud and show where the sentence begins and ends.
Watch forA child guesses the country only from the spelling.
Try thisTalk about the meaning and sound as well. Use the stamps to compare, and say it is fine to check with an adult.
Talk about it
- Which word did you find easiest to place, and why?
- Which word did you like saying aloud most?
- Why do you think words move from one country to another?
- Can you think of a word you use that might come from somewhere else?
- How did you decide which two words to use in your sentence?
- What would you tell a friend who has never heard of these words?
Take it off the page
Word detective
Look at food packets, signs and books at home. Spot any words that look or sound as if they came from another language. Ask an adult to help check.
Country poster
Draw a simple poster for each of the three countries. Add the words from the sheet that came from each one.
Sentence swap
Write a sentence on a strip of paper using two of the words. Swap with someone at home and check each other's capital letters and full stops.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first word, then let them lead. Ask them why they chose each country. Praise their thinking, not only the right answers. Short bursts work better than a long session.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or homework. It links to vocabulary, sentence punctuation and writing at Key Stage 2. Page 2 has support, stretch and answers for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Pair it with a book, a trip to the shops or a family meal where borrowed words come up. Print a second copy for brothers and sisters, or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in learning
Before this sheet, children learn to spell and read new words, and to write sentences with capital letters and full stops. They also notice that some words are made of smaller parts.
After it, children can look at word families, prefixes and suffixes, and use a dictionary to find out where a word comes from. They can also use new vocabulary in longer pieces of writing.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Words From Other Countries for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. Older children can use it as a quick review, and younger children can try it with an adult beside them.
- What will children practise?
They practise word origins, sorting and matching, and writing a sentence. They discuss where words come from and how English borrows words, then use new words accurately in writing.
- How do I use it?
Read the six words aloud together. Children write each country in the table, then write and check their own sentence. Work through it together the first time and talk about each choice.
- What if it feels too hard?
Say the three countries aloud and point to the country stamps. Work through one word together first. Ask what the word means, then try the others. Stopping and returning another day is fine.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, and it needs only paper and a pencil.
- Is it suitable for teachers to use 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, stretch and answers.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can colour the cards or stamps if they like, but it is not needed for the activity.
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.