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French Phonics Collection�

SSC [-tion]

Artwork by: Chloé Motard

Date updated: 31/08/22

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SSC [-tion]

phonétique

Introduction

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-tion

Attention!

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [-tion] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”attention” 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 wave one’s hand in front of oneself to indicate not to proceed.�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 [-tion] sound, pronouncing ”attention” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

attention [482].

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

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-tion

Attention!

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-tion

Attention!

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-tion

population

attention!

action

international

situation

solution

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:

1. Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [-tion] and then the source word again ‘attention’ (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): �population [509]; action [355] situation [223]; international [282]; solution [608]; attention [482].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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-tion

attention!

population

action

international

situation

solution

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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-tion

attention!

population

action

international

situation

solution

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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Phonétique

écouter

	[tion]	[on]
natation
façon
exposition
gestion
selon
cotisation

1

2

3

4

5

6

[swimming]

[way]

[show]

[management]

[according to]

[subscription]

_____

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Phonétique

lire / parler

interprétation

30

secondes

0

DÉBUT

orientation

collaboration

conviction

évaluation

occupation

satisfaction

promotion

section

question

option

national

constitutionnel

ambition

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SSC [-tion]

phonétique

Consolidation [1]

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-tion

Attention!

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [-tion] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”attention” 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 wave one’s hand in front of oneself to indicate not to proceed.�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 [-tion] sound, pronouncing ”attention” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

attention [482].

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

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-tion

Attention!

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-tion

Attention!

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-tion

population

attention!

action

international

situation

solution

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:

1. Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [-tion] and then the source word again ‘attention’ (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): �population [509]; action [355] situation [223]; international [282]; solution [608]; attention [482].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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-tion

attention!

population

action

international

situation

solution

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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-tion

attention!

population

action

international

situation

solution

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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Karaoké SSC

parler

Words ending with �[-tion] have similar written forms in English and French. This is because English has borrowed these words from French.

However, the spoken form is different.

station

option

invitation

satisfaction

promotion

transformation

description

destination

imagination

ambition

1

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

Dis le mot français pour chaque numéro. Attention: ce n’est pas le mot anglais !

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Tennis phonétique !

parler 1/8

réaction

nation

introduction

expédition

intention

éducation

portion

fiction

correction

solution

parler

Dis le mot en anglais, après dis le mot en français.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Timing: 5 minutes

Aim: To raise awareness of the difference in pronunciation between English and French cognate words ending in SSC [-tion] (English: [sh] + schwa + > oral vowel + [n] / nasal vowel + [n] vs. French: [s-y]+ [o] + [nasal vowel])

Procedure:

1. Students work in pairs and take turns to pronounce pairs of works.

2. Click to reveal a French word which lands on the English side of the tennis court. Student 1 says the English translation.

3. On a click, the word is ‘passed’ to the French side of the court. Student 1 says the French translation.

4. Check pronunciation by clicking on the loudspeaker icon beside the tennis ball.

5. Click to release a new word for Student 2.

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

réaction [947]
nation [576]
solution [608]
correction [3005]
fiction [2612]
portion [3806]
expédition [3762]
introduction [2917]
éducation [995]
intention [782]�

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

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SSC [-tion]

phonétique

Consolidation [2]

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-tion

Attention!

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [-tion] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”attention” 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 wave one’s hand in front of oneself to indicate not to proceed.�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 [-tion] sound, pronouncing ”attention” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

attention [482].

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

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-tion

population

attention!

action

international

situation

solution

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:

1. Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [-tion] and then the source word again ‘attention’ (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): �population [509]; action [355] situation [223]; international [282]; solution [608]; attention [482].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Au magasin de vêtements

des chaussettes	un blouson	un bracelet
un pardessus	des lunettes de natation	une blouse
un tricot	une ceinture	une jupe plissée
un caleçon	des chaussures	une chemisette
des lunettes de protection	une vareuse	un chemisier

Lisez les listes de mots. Attention aux SCCs en orange !

Ne dites pas l’intrus !

lire / parler

Remember:

[-s-] is hard between two vowels.

[c] is hard before a/o/u.

1

2

3

4

5

Timing: 5 minutes

Aim: Pronunciation of words containing SSCs [-s-], [ss], [ç], soft [c], hard [c] and [-tion]. Raising awareness that [ss], [ç], soft [c] and the [t] in [-tion] sound identical.

Procedure:

1. Students read the sets of words, focusing on the SSCs in bold, and mentally eliminating the word containing an SSC which doesn’t match the others.

2. They take it in turns to read aloud the remaining pair of words.

3. Click to reveal the ‘odd one out’. Students say it aloud.

4. Click on the numbers to hear the full line of words said aloud by a native speaker. Students repeat.

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

protection [953]

Word frequency of unknown words used (1 is the most frequent word in French):

chaussette [>5000], blouson [>5000], jupe [>5000], plissé [>5000], pardessus [>5000], chaussure [3638], tricot [>5000], ceinture [4538], bracelet [>5000], blouse [>5000], caleçon [>5000], chemisette [>5000], lunette [4207], protection [953], vareuse [>5000], chemisier [>5000]

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

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SSC [-tion]

phonétique

Consolidation [3]

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-tion

Attention!

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [-tion] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”attention” 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 wave one’s hand in front of oneself to indicate not to proceed.�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 [-tion] sound, pronouncing ”attention” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

attention [482].

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

26 of 34

-tion

population

attention!

action

international

situation

solution

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:

1. Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [-tion] and then the source word again ‘attention’ (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): �population [509]; action [355] situation [223]; international [282]; solution [608]; attention [482].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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SSC [-tion]

Dis les mots :

info

Revolution [English]

Révolution [français]

English [–tion] sounds like ‘shun’, while French [-tion] sounds like ‘see-on’.

Top tip: French words that end with [–tion] are always feminine.

Do you think the English or the French word came first?

-tion actually comes from Latin! Some -tion words were first adopted by French and then borrowed into English, and others happened the other way around.

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: Cognate patterns: raising awareness of cross-linguistic differences in the English and French pronunciation of words ending in [-tion].

Procedure:

Click to bring up information.
Students pronounce English word.
Click on French word to hear native speaker pronunciation. Students repeat.
Click to bring up pronunciation tip.
Students alternate between saying the English and French words as many times as necessary.
Click to bring up note that all French words ending in –tion are feminine
Click to bring up question – did the English word or the French come first?
Click to reveal answer - -tion words are generally Latin in origin. Some were adopted by French and then borrowed into English and others happened the other way around.

Transcript:

révolution

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �révolution [1617]

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

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Une route compliquée

lire / parler

Practise pronunciation of SSC [-tion]

éducation

national

destruction

déclaration

position

direction

organisation

attention

production

intervention

opposition

motion

institution

association

communication

exceptionnel

constitution

protection

exécution

conviction

Timing: 5 minutes

Aim: To practise the pronunciation of French and English cognate words ending in SSC [-tion].

Procedure:

Students work in pairs to practise pronunciation.
Click to circle the start and finish points.
Student A says the word in English, Student B repeats it in French.
Click to bring up arrow to next word.
Repeat steps 3-4 for 10 words.
Click on words to hear them spoken by a native speaker
Repeat on next slide with students taking opposite roles.

Transcript:

opposition

protection

destruction

intervention

conviction

national

constitution

déclaration

direction

institution

Word frequency of cognates (1 is the most frequent word in French): �route [512], compliqué [3324], éducation [995], national [227], destruction [1921], déclaration [1006], protection [953], exécution [1806], opposition [972], direction [582], exceptionnel [1255], position [383], communication [1036], institution [937], intervention [746], motion [855], organisation [570], attention [482], production [638], conviction [2054]

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

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Une route compliquée

lire / parler

Practise pronunciation of SSC [-tion]

éducation

national

destruction

déclaration

position

direction

organisation

attention

production

intervention

opposition

motion

institution

association

communication

exceptionnel

constitution

protection

exécution

conviction

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-tion = feminine

We know that French words ending in –tion are feminine.

So, adjectives describing words ending in –tion must be in the feminine form.

e.g. la Révolution française

Say the following noun phrases into French:

1. a large population (S)

2. an old nation (A)

3. a new constitution (A)

4. an important execution (-)

5. a good education (G)

6. a bad institution (G)

une grande population

une bonne éducation

une vieille nation

une nouvelle constitution

une exécution importante

une mauvaise institution

parler

BAGS!

Adjectives �referring to these things go before

the noun:

Beauty

Age

Goodness

Size

Timing: 4 minutes

Aim: To practise the pronunciation of French noun phrases containing nous ending in SSC [-tion]; to revise adjectival agreement patterns and positioning.

Procedure:

Click to bring up information.
Remind students of the ‘BAGS’ acronym, and how it relates to word order with adjectives. Note that the ‘BAGS’ adjectives are highlighted in the English phrases so that students don’t have to think about word order and can focus on pronunciation. At higher levels, the teacher may wish to remove these.
Students translate the English noun phrases into French.
Click to bring up answers one by one.
Click on answer text to hear native speaker pronunciation.

Transcript:

une grande population
une vieille nation
une nouvelle constitution
une exécution importante
une bonne éducation
une mauvaise institution

Word frequency of cognates (1 is the most frequent word in French): �éducation [995], exécution [1806], institution [937], constitution [1350], nation [576]

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

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SSC [-tion]

phonétique

Consolidation [4]

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-tion

Attention!

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [-tion] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”attention” 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 wave one’s hand in front of oneself to indicate not to proceed.�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 [-tion] sound, pronouncing ”attention” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

attention [482].

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

33 of 34

-tion

population

attention!

action

international

situation

solution

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce/consolidate SSC [-tion]

Procedure:

1. Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [-tion] and then the source word again ‘attention’ (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): �population [509]; action [355] situation [223]; international [282]; solution [608]; attention [482].�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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SSC décollage*: [on], [ion], [tion] ou [sson] ?

stationnement

aviation

camion

pioncer

jonction

inondation

mousson

réunion

torchon

buisson

frissonner

hérisson

potiron

espion

sonder

sondage

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

12

10

14

15

11

16

s?dage

jonc?

s?der

mou?

torch?

avia?

sta?nement

inonda?

bui?

potir?

cam?

fri?ner

réun?

esp?

héri?

[survey]

[aviation]

[pumpkin]

[monsoon]

[spy]

[bush]

[flood]

[tea towel]

[shiver]

[probe]

[parking]

[hedgehog]

[meeting]

[lorry]

[junction]

[snooze]

p?cer

écouter

*le décollage �= take-off

13

Timing: 6 minutes

Aim: To practise distinguishing between sounds [on], [ion], [tion] and [sson]

Procedure:

Click on the number boxes to hear the full word.
Students must identify which sound they hear. This can be done using mini-whiteboards, either writing the sound or transcribing the full word.
The teacher clicks to reveal the correct spelling, and the aeroplane moves to the next word.

Transcript:

sondage
aviation
potiron
mousson
espion
inondation
sonder
frissonner
torchon
buisson
hérisson
stationnement [audio being re-recorded]
jonction
camion
réunion
pioncer�

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

sondage [2232], potiron [>5000], mousson [>5000], inondation [4677], espion [>5000], torchon [>5000], frissonner [>5000], sonder [4930], buisson [>5000], stationnement [>5000], hérisson [>5000], camion [2542], pioncer [>5000]

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

Word frequency of cognates used (1 is the most frequent word in French): �aviation [4084], jonction [>5000], réunion [971]

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