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French Phonics Collection�

SSC [eu]

Artwork by: Chloé Motard

Date updated: 31/08/2022

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SSC [eu]

phonétique

Introduction

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eu

deux

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [eu] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”deux” on its own, say it, students repeat it, so that they have the opportunity to focus all of their attention on the connection between the written word and its sound.

3. A possible gesture for this would be to hold up two fingers (N.B. palm of the hand facing the class!).�4. Roll back the animations and work through 1-3 again, but this time, dropping your voice completely to listen carefully to the students saying the [eu] sound, pronouncing ”deux” and, if using, doing the gesture.

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French):

deux [41].

Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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eu

deux

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eu

deux

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eu

deux

jeudi

feu

un peu

[a little]

lieu

[place]

jeu

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:

1. Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [eu] and then the source word again ‘deux’ (with gesture, if using).�2. Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

�The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �deux {41]; jeudi[1112]; lieu [117] feu [786]; un peu [138/91]; jeu [291].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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eu

deux

jeudi

feu

un peu

lieu

jeu

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eu

deux

jeudi

feu

un peu

lieu

jeu

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Phonétique

écouter

Tally how many times you hear [eu]		Phrases

1

2

3

Nombreux animaux vivent à la ferme.

Ceux qui font la queue sont heureux.

Il veut être courageux, mais c’est douteux.

I

III

IIII

A lot of animals live at the farm.

Those who queue are happy.

He wants to be brave, but it’s doubtful.

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Phonétique

parler

mieux

milieu

peut-être

creux

eux

bleu

vieux

neutre

dieu

SFC

nerveux

[blue]

[hollow]

[them]

[neutral]

[old]

[maybe]

[nervous]

[better]

[middle]

[god]

secondes

30

0

DÉBUT

Timing: 3 minutes for 3 slides

Aim: To correctly pronounce unknown words containing [eu] in decreasing amounts of time, helping automisation of SSC production. The words chosen otherwise contain sounds that are equivalent (or very similar) to English SSCs, as well as known SSCs, so that students can focus fully on the [eu] (allowances are made for English pronunciation of [r], which is covered in year 8).

Procedure:

Students pair up, and take turns trying to say all the words in 30 seconds (run the timer twice).
Ask students which words also contain the other SSC introduced this week [i].
Click on the words to hear them pronounced by a native speaker. Students repeat.
Move on to the next slide.

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �bleu [1216], creux [3508], eux [161], neutre [2785], vieux [671], peut-être [190], nerveux [3735], mieux [217], milieu [479], dieu [2262]

Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French:], Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Phonétique

parler

mieux

milieu

peut-être

creux

eux

bleu

vieux

neutre

dieu

SFC

nerveux

[blue]

[hollow]

[them]

[neutral]

[old]

[maybe]

[nervous]

[better]

[middle]

[god]

secondes

20

0

DÉBUT

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Phonétique

parler

mieux

milieu

peut-être

creux

eux

bleu

vieux

neutre

dieu

SFC

nerveux

[blue]

[hollow]

[them]

[neutral]

[old]

[maybe]

[nervous]

[better]

[middle]

[god]

secondes

10

0

DÉBUT

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SSC [eu]

phonétique

Consolidation [1]

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eu

deux

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [eu] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”deux” on its own, say it, students repeat it, so that they have the opportunity to focus all of their attention on the connection between the written word and its sound.

3. A possible gesture for this would be to hold up two fingers (N.B. palm of the hand facing the class!).�4. Roll back the animations and work through 1-3 again, but this time, dropping your voice completely to listen carefully to the students saying the [eu] sound, pronouncing ”deux” and, if using, doing the gesture.

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French):

deux [41].

Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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eu

deux

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eu

deux

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eu

deux

jeudi

feu

un peu

[a little]

lieu

[place]

jeu

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:

1. Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [eu] and then the source word again ‘deux’ (with gesture, if using).�2. Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

�The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �deux {41]; jeudi[1112]; lieu [117] feu [786]; un peu [138/91]; jeu [291].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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eu

deux

jeudi

feu

un peu

lieu

jeu

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eu

deux

jeudi

feu

un peu

lieu

jeu

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Phonétique

	urgent
	malheureux
	merveilleux
	respectueux
	heureux

respectful

	nerveux
	certain
	peureux
	rigoureux
	surprise

thorough, strict

a

b

c

d

e

f

nervous

certain

fearful

surprise

urgent

g

h

i

j

unhappy

marvellous

happy

écouter

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Phonétique

lire / parler

30

secondes

0

DÉBUT

Europe

sérieux

affreux

feutre

euro

vieux

pneu

fameux

mieux

[old]

[Euro]

[famous]

[awful]

[serious]

[better]

[tyre]

[Europe]

[felt tip]

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Phonétique

lire / parler

30

secondes

0

DÉBUT

Europe

sérieux

affreux

feutre

euro

vieux

pneu

fameux

mieux

[old]

[Euro]

[famous]

[awful]

[serious]

[better]

[tyre]

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Phonétique

Words containing
[eu]	[u]	[è/ê]	[au]
a. neutre (neutral)	b. chute (a fall)	e. mère (mother)	c. chaud (hot)
d. eux (them)	g. mur (wall)	i. suprême (supreme)	f. daube (stew)
j. ceux (those)	k. zut ! (darn !)	l. scène (stage)	h. pause (pause)

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

j

k

l

écouter

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Phonétique

bleu

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

yeux

mieux

eux

dangereux

nombreux

peux

euh !

courageux

Lisez en français !

parler

Timing: 4 minutes

Aim: Oral production of SSC [eu].

NB: Pupils have learnt the SSC [SFC] (silent final consonant) – here they get a reminder of the silent –X at the end of words.

Procedure:

1. The teacher should read out the title, so that students both hear and read the word ‘lisez’.

2. Explain (or elicit) that ‘lisez’ means ‘you - plural - read’ from the verb ‘lire – to read’.

3. Ask them to notice the ending of the verb – it’s the ‘-ez’ ending. Why might that be? (They have practised ‘ez’ verb inflections already so this is a recap).

4. Partner A reads out words 1-5 in French and Partner B says the English back. Partner A agrees or disagrees.

5. Swap roles - partner B reads words 6-9.

6. Students should then choose any of the words at random to read out, their partner saying the number of the word and then giving the English - this should be out of order, so they cannot just rely on the order here.

7. They should do six words each, alternating: A says French, B gives the number and then the English. B says French, A gives the number and then the English.

8. No timer this time. Some of these will be unfamiliar words and pupils will need to slow down to decode them more carefully.

9. Click on the words to hear their pronunciation.

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �bleu [1216]; euh [889]; peux [pouvoir - 20] mieux [217]; eux [161]; yeux [œil-474]; dangereux [713]; nombreux [366]; courageux [2198]

Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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SSC [eu]

phonétique

Consolidation [2]

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Closed and open [eu/œu]

You have already met an [eu] sound in Year 7:

écouter

peu

[few]

peur

[fear]

This is a closed vowel.

When you say this sound, your tongue is near the top of your mouth.

This is an open vowel.

When you say this sound, your tongue is near the bottom of your mouth.

The long vowel sounds like the ‘ur’ in the English ‘hurt.’

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eu

deux

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [eu] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”deux” on its own, say it, students repeat it, so that they have the opportunity to focus all of their attention on the connection between the written word and its sound.

3. A possible gesture for this would be to hold up two fingers (N.B. palm of the hand facing the class!).�4. Roll back the animations and work through 1-3 again, but this time, dropping your voice completely to listen carefully to the students saying the [eu] sound, pronouncing ”deux” and, if using, doing the gesture.

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French):

deux [41].

Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

28 of 43

eu

deux

jeudi

feu

un peu

[a little]

lieu

[place]

jeu

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:

1. Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [eu] and then the source word again ‘deux’ (with gesture, if using).�2. Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

�The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �deux {41]; jeudi[1112]; lieu [117] feu [786]; un peu [138/91]; jeu [291].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Closed or open [eu/œu]?

	open	closed
bleu [blue]
deux
bœuf
ordinateur

écouter / écrire

1

2

	open	closed
vœux [wishes]
rumeur [rumour]
adieu [farewell]
meuble [furniture]

5

3

7

8

What do you notice about the spelling of the words containing open [eu/œu] compared to those containing closed [eu/œu]?

If the vowel is followed by a pronounced consonant (not an SFC), it is open.

4

6

Timing: 6 minutes

Aim: aural recognition of open and closed [eu/œu]. Raising awareness of spelling rules governing the pronoun.

Procedure:

1. Click on numbers to hear words. Student decide if [eu/œu] is open or closed.

2. Click to reveal answers.

3. Click again to reveal the question about spelling. Students consider in pairs. They might say things like ‘the words are longer’ or ‘the sound is in the middle of the word’. Encourage students to look at the letters they see after the SSC.

4. Click to reveal the answers and again to reveal the rule.

5. Students try to say the words.

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �bleu [1216], deux [41], bœuf [3914], ordinateur [2201], déjeuner [2724], vœu [2103], rumeur [2164], peuple [378], adieu [3968], meuble [3876], feu [786],

Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Open or closed [eu/œ]?

			open	closed
	fleur
	queue
	cheveu	[hair]
j	courageux	[brave]
	beurre
	nœud	[knot]
	œuvre	[work, piece]
	milieu	[environment]

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

lire / parler

8

Remember!

What kind of sound follows an open vowel?

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SSC [eu]

phonétique

Consolidation [3]

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eu

deux

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [eu] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”deux” on its own, say it, students repeat it, so that they have the opportunity to focus all of their attention on the connection between the written word and its sound.

3. A possible gesture for this would be to hold up two fingers (N.B. palm of the hand facing the class!).�4. Roll back the animations and work through 1-3 again, but this time, dropping your voice completely to listen carefully to the students saying the [eu] sound, pronouncing ”deux” and, if using, doing the gesture.

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French):

deux [41].

Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

33 of 43

eu

deux

jeudi

feu

un peu

[a little]

lieu

[place]

jeu

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:

1. Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [eu] and then the source word again ‘deux’ (with gesture, if using).�2. Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

�The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �deux {41]; jeudi[1112]; lieu [117] feu [786]; un peu [138/91]; jeu [291].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Phonétique

écouter

en français	en anglais	open [eu/œu]	[eu]
la peur	fear
adieu	goodbye
l’œuvre	work of art
le pneu	tyre
l’œuf	egg
les yeux	eyes
creux	hollow
la fleur	flower

__

___

__

Écoute les mots et choisis la bonne SSC.

6

5

4

3

2

1

7

8

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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Phonétique

parler

	open [eu/œu]	[eu]
Léa dit adieu à son vieux grand-père à deux heures.	1	3
Antoine choisit une seule fleur bleue à neuf heures.	4	1
Le chef travailleur donne un copieux déjeuner à la neuvième personne dans la queue.	2	3
Le jeune pêcheur va au fleuve parce qu’il veut prendre plusieurs poissons.	4	1

Partners say alternate sentences while the other counts the SSCs they hear.

A

B

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: Oral production of sentences containing SSCs open [eu]/[œu] and [eu].

Procedure:

1. Student B turns away from the board.

2. Click to reveal partner A’s first sentence.

3. Partner A reads the sentence aloud while student B counts the total number of open [eu]/[œu] and [eu] they hear.

4. Click to reveal answer.

5. Student A then turns away from the board.

6. Repeat steps 2-4.

7. Repeat for the second pair of sentences.

8. The next slide contains English translations of the sentences with the SSC highlighted in different colours.

Word frequency of unknown words used (1 is the most frequent word in French): �adieu [3968]; fleur [2305]; neuvième [>5000]; queue [3255]; pêcheur [2759]; fleuve [2893]; poisson [1616]

Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Phonétique

parler

	open [eu/œu]	[eu]
Léa dit adieu à son vieux grand-père à deux heures. (Léa says goodbye to her old grandad at two o’clock.)	1	3
Antoine choisit une seule fleur bleue à neuf heures. (Antoine choses a single blue flower at nine o’clock.)	4	1
Le chef travailleur donne un copieux déjeuner à la neuvième personne dans la queue. (The hard-working chef gives a generous lunch to the ninth person in the queue.)	2	3
Le jeune pêcheur va au fleuve parce qu’il veut prendre plusieurs poissons. (The young fisherman goes to the river because he wants to take several fish.)	4	1

A

B

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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SSC [eu]

phonétique

Consolidation [4]

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

38 of 43

eu

deux

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [eu] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”deux” on its own, say it, students repeat it, so that they have the opportunity to focus all of their attention on the connection between the written word and its sound.

3. A possible gesture for this would be to hold up two fingers (N.B. palm of the hand facing the class!).�4. Roll back the animations and work through 1-3 again, but this time, dropping your voice completely to listen carefully to the students saying the [eu] sound, pronouncing ”deux” and, if using, doing the gesture.

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French):

deux [41].

Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

39 of 43

eu

deux

jeudi

feu

un peu

[a little]

lieu

[place]

jeu

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To consolidate SSC [eu]

Procedure:

1. Consolidate and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [eu] and then the source word again ‘deux’ (with gesture, if using).�2. Then present and elicit the pronunciation of the five cluster words.

�The cluster words have been chosen for their high-frequency, from a range of word classes, with the SSC (where possible) positioned within a variety of syllables within the words (e.g. initial, 2^nd, final etc.). Additionally, we have tried to use words that build cumulatively on previously taught SSCs (see the Phonics Teaching Sequence document) and do not include new SSCs. Where new SSCs are used, they are often consonants which have a similar symbol-sound correspondence in English.�

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �deux {41]; jeudi[1112]; lieu [117] feu [786]; un peu [138/91]; jeu [291].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Les équipes de mots

écouter / écrire

Organise les mots en équipes : open eu/œu vs closed eu/œu.

open eu/oeu

closed eu/oeu

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1. mieux

2. peuple (people)

3. heure

4. nombreux (plentiful)

5. deuxième

6. dangereux

7. sérieux (serious)

8. euro

9. veuf (widower)

10. beurre (butter)

9

10

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Virelangues 1/3

lire / parler

Il y a de nombreux docteurs dangereux au milieu du lac.

(There are many dangerous doctors in the middle of the lake.)

a

b

c

Timing: 3 minutes for 3 slides

Aim: To practise pronunciation of open and closed SSC eu/oeu.

Procedure:

1. Students to say tongue twisters as quickly as possible with accurate pronunciation of SSCs.

2. Click buttons to hear slow, medium and fast pronunciation by native speaker.

Transcript:

1. Il y a de nombreux docteurs dangereux au milieu du lac.

2. Je ne veux pas pleurer, il est mieux d'être heureux que d'être sérieux.

3. L’entrepreneur est courageux, il fais la preuve de sa valeur chaque heure.

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �nombreux [366], docteur [2176], milieu [479], pleurer [2253], sérieux [412], entrepreneur [2377], courageux [2198], preuve [653], valeur [453]

Source: Lonsdale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Virelangues 2/3

lire / parler

Je ne veux pas pleurer, il est mieux d'être heureux que d'être sérieux.

(I don’t want to cry, it is better to be

happy than to be serious.)

a

b

c

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Virelangues 3/3

lire / parler

L’entrepreneur est courageux,

il fait la preuve de sa valeur chaque heure.

(The entrepreneur is brave, he proves his worth every hour.)

a

b

c