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French Phonics Collection�

SSC [r]

Artwork by: Chloé Motard

Date updated: 30/08/2022

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SSC [r]

phonétique

Introduction

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r

rue

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To introduce SSC [r]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [r] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”rue” 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 look left and right and mime crossing a road.�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 [r] sound, pronouncing ”rue” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

rue [598]

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

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r

rue

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r

rue

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r

rue

frère

moderne

être

triste

parler

[to be]

[brother]

[modern]

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To introduce SSC [r]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [r] and then the source word again ‘rue’ (with gesture, if using).�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): �rue [598]; frère [1043], triste [1843], moderne [1239], être [5], parler [106]�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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r

frère

moderne

être

triste

parler

rue

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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r

rue

frère

moderne

être

triste

parler

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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[r] en anglais vs français

écouter / parler

A

B

C

D

E

horrible	horrible
university	université
party	partie (part)
orientate	orienter
paragraph	paragraphe
interview	interview

F

[r] is a raspy sound pronounced in the back of the throat.

To pronounce [r], press your tongue towards the place you would pronounce English ‘g’, but don’t close your throat completely.

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 5 minutes

Aim: practising aural recognition and oral production of SSC [r]

Procedure:

Students say the English words, with their hands on their throats, paying particular attention to the pronunciation of [r]. They shouldn’t feel any vibration when pronouncing the [r].
Click on the letters to hear the French word. Pay attention to the pronunciation of the [r]. Before attempting to say the words, students should ‘warm up’ by saying the English letter ‘g’ a few times, feeling the vibration in their throats.
Students repeat the French word as many times as is necessary with their hands on their throats. They should feel a vibration when saying the [r].

Transcript:

horrible
université
partie
orienter
paragraphe
interview

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �horrible [3190], université [1192], partie [118], orienter [2124], paragraphe [2126], interview [3186]

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

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Des virelangues !

écouter / parler

Cinq gros rats grillent dans la grosse graisse grasse

[Five fat rats are roasting in the fatty, greasy fat]

La roue sur la rue roule; la rue sous la roue reste.

[The wheel on the road is rolling; the road under the wheel is resting.]

1

3

2

1

3

2

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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SSC [r]

phonétique

Consolidation [1]

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r

rue

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To consolidate SSC [r]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [r] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”rue” 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 look left and right and mime crossing a road.�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 [r] sound, pronouncing ”rue” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

rue [598]

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

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Phonétique [r]

It is a raspy sound pronounced in the back of the throat. Not like English ‘r’!

There is no equivalent sound in English.

Follow these steps to learn how to pronounce [r]:

1. Open your mouth.

2. Close your throat as if you’re about to gargle and say ‘k’ several times.

3. Start again but don’t close your throat completely.

4. Instead of ‘k’, practise saying “ra-ra-ra”.

parler

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[r] en anglais vs français

écouter / parler

A

B

C

D

E

comparison	comparaison
universe	univers
royal	royal
precaution	précaution
circle	cercle
consider	considère

F

[r] is a raspy sound pronounced in the back of the throat.

To pronounce [r], start as if to pronounce English ‘k’, but don’t close your throat completely.

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

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r

rue

frère

moderne

être

triste

parler

[to be]

[brother]

[modern]

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To consolidate SSC [r]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [r] and then the source word again ‘rue’ (with gesture, if using).�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): �rue [598]; frère [1043], triste [1843], moderne [1239], être [5], parler [106]�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Des virelangues !

lire / parler

Un rare reptile ressemble à son rival rose.

[A rare reptile looks like its pink rival]

a

b

c

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Des virelangues !

lire / parler

Une roche roule avec rage

le long de la rampe rustique.

[A rock rolls with rage

along the rustic ramp]

a

b

c

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Des virelangues !

lire / parler

Un repas de gaufres et de rillettes

est un vrai régal revigorant.

[A meal of waffles and rillettes

is a real invigorating treat]

rillettes = minced pork, a bit like pâté

a

b

c

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Des virelangues !

lire / parler

Un tracteur rouillé ne rajeunit

réellement pas !

[A rusty tractor doesn’t really

get any younger!]

This is a proverb meaning – it will only get worse with time!

a

b

c

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SSC [r]

phonétique

Consolidation [2]

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r

rue

Timing: 1 minute [2 slides]

Aim: To consolidate [delete as appropriate] SSC [r]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [r] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”rue” 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 look left and right and mime crossing a road.�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 [r] sound, pronouncing ”rue” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

rue [598]

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

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r

rue

frère

moderne

être

triste

parler

[to be]

[brother]

[modern]

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Aim: To consolidate SSC [r]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [r] and then the source word again ‘rue’ (with gesture, if using).�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): �rue [598]; frère [1043], triste [1843], moderne [1239], être [5], parler [106]�Source: Londsale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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SSC [r]

phonétique

Consolidation [3]

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r

rue

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To consolidate SSC [r]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [r] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”rue” 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 look left and right and mime crossing a road.�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 [r] sound, pronouncing ”rue” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

rue [598]

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

25 of 32

r

rue

frère

moderne

être

triste

parler

[to be]

[brother]

[modern]

Material licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0�

Rachel Hawkes

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To consolidate SSC [r]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [r] and then the source word again ‘rue’ (with gesture, if using).�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): �rue [598]; frère [1043], triste [1843], moderne [1239], être [5], parler [106]�Source: Lonsdale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Phonétique [r]

Remember that it is a raspy sound pronounced in the back of the throat, and is not like the English ‘r’!

There is no equivalent sound in English.

Follow these steps to revise pronunciation of [r]:

1. Open your mouth.

2. Close your throat as if you’re about to gargle and say ‘k’ several times.

3. Start again but don’t close your throat completely.

4. Instead of ‘k’, practise saying “ra-ra-ra”.

info

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Phonétique: SSC [r]

lire/parler

Catherine

Beatrice

Arthur

Rosalie

Rachid

Laurent

…roule en rond*

dans le vent.

…a nourri un wallaby en Australie.

…est sportif et

très rapide.

…veut être

une vraie actrice.

…fait un dessin

pur sur le mur*.

…va travailler dur

dans l’usine*.

Qui va avec chaque phrase?

Catherine

Arthur

Rosalie

Laurent

Béatrice

Rachid

1

2

3

4

5

6

*usine = factory, rouler en rond = ride in circles, dessin = drawing, pur = pure, mur = wall

Timing: 4 minutes

Aim: Consolidation of SSC [r]

Procedure:

Students read the phrases aloud in pairs and match them to each person.
Click on buttons to play the audio.
Students listen and check their answers.
Click to reveal answers.

Transcript:

Beatrice veut être une vrai actrice.
Catherine va travailler dur dans l’usine.
Laurent roule en rond dans le vent.
Rosalie a nourri un wallaby en Australie.
Rachid est sportif et très rapide.
Arthur fait un dessin pur sur le mur.

Word frequency of cognates used (1 is the most frequent word in French): �wallaby [>5000], solide [1414], pur [1643]

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

Word frequency (1 is the most frequent word in French): �usine [1482], rouler [2599], rond [2268], dessin [2624], mur [1335]

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

28 of 32

r

rue

Timing: 1 minute

Aim: To consolidate SSC [r]

Procedure:�1. Present the letter(s) and say the [r] sound first, on its own. Students repeat it with you.�2. Bring up the word ”rue” 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 look left and right and mime crossing a road.�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 [r] sound, pronouncing ”rue” and, if using, doing the gesture.

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

rue [598]

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

29 of 32

r

rue

frère

moderne

être

triste

parler

[to be]

[brother]

[modern]

Timing: 2 minutes

Aim: To consolidate SSC [r]

Procedure:

Introduce and elicit the pronunciation of the individual SSC [r] and then the source word again ‘rue’ (with gesture, if using).�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): �rue [598]; frère [1043], triste [1843], moderne [1239], être [5], parler [106]�Source: Lonsdale, D., & Le Bras, Y. (2009). A Frequency Dictionary of French: Core vocabulary for learners London: Routledge.

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Des virelangues !

lire / parler

Le poivron rouge donne de la fièvre à la pauvre pieuvre qui dort dans le havre.

[The red pepper gives a fever to the poor octopus that sleeps in the harbour.]

1

2

3

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Des virelangues !

lire / parler

Trois gros rats gris dans trois gros trous ronds rongent trois gros croutons ronds.

[Three big grey rats in three big round holes gnaw on three big round croutons.]

1

2

3

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Des virelangues !

lire / parler

Le cricri de la crique crie son cri cru et critique car il craint que le crocodile ne le croque et ne le craque.

[The cricket in the creek cries its raw and critical cry because it fears that the crocodile will crunch and crack it.]

1

2

3