Planning a French lesson every week takes time. This Primary 4 French Language first term lesson note gives you ready-made notes for the whole term, covering why French matters, basic greetings, introducing oneself, and taking leave. Each week follows the same clear layout, so you can teach with confidence from the first day.

First Term Scheme of Work

The notes follow the NERDC scheme of work for Primary 4. Here is the full term at a glance:

Weeks 1 to 6

Week	Topic	Content
1	Pourquoi apprendre le français?	Importance of French, French-speaking countries in Africa, basic greetings, introduction to the French alphabet
2	Saluer (Greetings), Part 1	Formal and informal greetings, asking how are you, responses, practice dialogues
3	Saluer (Greetings), Part 2	Saying goodbye, polite expressions, role-play, French greeting customs
4	Se présenter (Introducing Oneself), Part 1	Saying your name, asking someone’s name, stating nationality, personal pronouns
5	Mid-term examination	Assessment of Weeks 1 to 4, oral and written
6	Mid-term break	Holiday and rest

Weeks 7 to 13

Week	Topic	Content
7	Se présenter (Introducing Oneself), Part 2	Stating age, numbers 1 to 20, gender, complete self-introductions
8	Prendre congé (Taking Leave), Part 1	Ways to say goodbye, time-specific farewells, wishing someone well
9	Prendre congé (Taking Leave), Part 2	Expressing gratitude when leaving, combined dialogues, cultural differences
10	Review and Integration: Identity Theme	Review of greetings and introductions, personal identity cards, class presentations, games
11	Revision	Review of greetings, introductions, farewells, numbers 1 to 20 and basic expressions
12	Examination	End of term assessment, oral and written
13	Closing and vacation	Term ends

Free Sample: Weeks 1 and 2

Read the full lesson notes for the first two weeks below. Every other week uses the same layout.

WEEK 1: Pourquoi apprendre le français? (Why Learn French?)

Class: Primary 4   |   Subject: French Language   |   Duration: 40 minutes

Topic: Pourquoi apprendre le français?   |   Sub-topic: Importance of French, French-Speaking Countries, Basic Greetings, French Alphabet

Instructional material

• A world map or map of Africa showing French-speaking countries highlighted in a different colour
• A chart of the French alphabet with approximate pronunciations for each letter
• Pictures or flashcards showing common French words alongside images
• A short French song or rhyme to introduce the language playfully

Learning objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• State at least three reasons why French is important for Nigerian pupils to learn
• Name five French-speaking countries in West Africa
• Say three basic French greetings correctly (Bonjour, Bonsoir, Salut)
• Identify French letters and begin to approximate their pronunciation

Entry behaviour / prior knowledge

Pupils know that different countries speak different languages. They are aware that Nigeria shares borders with Benin and Niger, which are French-speaking countries. They have heard English greetings and understand what a greeting is.

Content

Why Learn French?

French is one of the most widely spoken and influential languages in the world. There are excellent reasons for Nigerian pupils to learn it:

• International language: French is an official language in 29 African countries and is used by major international organisations such as the United Nations, UNESCO, ECOWAS, the African Union, and the International Court of Justice
• Career opportunities: Knowing French opens doors to jobs in diplomacy, trade, aviation, tourism, and work with international organisations. Many scholarships to French-speaking countries are available to French speakers
• Nigerian neighbours: Nigeria shares borders with Benin, Niger, and Cameroon, all French-speaking. French enables trade, travel, and communication with these neighbours

French-Speaking Countries in Africa

Africa has the largest number of French speakers in the world. Key French-speaking countries near Nigeria include:

• West Africa: Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Niger, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania
• Central Africa: Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Chad
• Other regions: Rwanda, Burundi, Madagascar, Djibouti in East Africa; Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria in North Africa

Basic French Greetings

Here are the first three French greetings to learn:

• Bonjour – Good morning or Good day, used from morning until late afternoon
• Bonsoir – Good evening, used from late afternoon onwards
• Salut – Hi or Hello, informal, used with friends and people your own age

Introduction to the French Alphabet

The French alphabet has the same 26 letters as the English alphabet, but several letters are pronounced differently. The letter R in French is pronounced from the back of the throat, and E is often softer. French also uses accent marks on vowels, such as é, è, ê, à, â, and a special mark on the letter C called a cedilla (ç).

• Vowels in French: A (ah), E (uh), I (ee), O (oh), U (oo, with rounded lips)
• Special letters: é (say), è (air), â and à (ah), ç (ss as in “sit”), û (oo)
• Consonants with different sounds: R (guttural, from the throat), H (usually silent), G before E or I sounds like S

Lesson presentation

Introduction (Step 1): The teacher asks which languages Nigeria’s neighbouring countries speak. After discussion, the teacher introduces French as the language of Benin, Niger, and many other African nations, motivating pupils with examples of famous French-speaking Africans.

Explanation (Step 2): The teacher explains three reasons to learn French, points to a map showing French-speaking African countries, and introduces the three basic greetings (Bonjour, Bonsoir, Salut) with their meanings, modelling each pronunciation clearly.

Pupil participation (Step 3): Pupils repeat each greeting after the teacher, individually and as a class. Pupils also locate five French-speaking countries on the map and point them out. The teacher leads the class in a simple French greeting song.

Evaluation and conclusion (Step 4): The teacher asks pupils to identify the correct greeting for different times of day and quizzes them on French-speaking countries. The teacher summarises the lesson and gives the assignment.

Lesson evaluation

1. French is used as an official language by how many African countries ____

a. 5   b. 12   c. 29   d. 54

2. Which of these is a French-speaking country in West Africa ____

a. Ghana   b. Nigeria   c. Sierra Leone   d. Sénégal

3. “Bonjour” in French means ____

a. Good night   b. Goodbye   c. Good morning or Good day   d. Hello (informal)

4. “Bonsoir” is used in French when ____

a. greeting someone in the morning   b. saying goodbye forever   c. greeting someone in the evening   d. asking someone’s name

5. “Salut” in French is ____

a. a formal greeting used with teachers   b. an informal greeting similar to “Hi”   c. a way of saying goodbye forever   d. a question asking how are you

6. French is important for Nigerians to learn because ____

a. French is the official language of Nigeria   b. all Nigerian teachers already speak French   c. Nigeria shares borders with French-speaking countries like Benin and Niger   d. French is easier than all other languages

7. The French alphabet has ____

a. 24 letters   b. 25 letters   c. 28 letters   d. 26 letters

8. The cedilla mark in French is found on the letter ____

a. E   b. A   c. Ç (C)   d. U

Theory

1. Why is French an important language for Nigerian pupils to learn? Give two clear reasons.
2. Name five French-speaking countries in West Africa. Which two of these share a border with Nigeria?

Assignment

• Written: List five French-speaking countries in West Africa and write the name of their capital city beside each one.
• Oral practice: Practise saying Bonjour, Bonsoir, and Salut in front of a mirror. Greet at least one family member using one of these French greetings today.
• Drawing: Draw a simple outline map of West Africa and shade or colour the French-speaking countries you know. Label at least five of them.

WEEK 2: Saluer (Greetings) – Part 1

Class: Primary 4   |   Subject: French Language   |   Duration: 40 minutes

Topic: Saluer – Part 1   |   Sub-topic: Formal and Informal Greetings, How Are You, Responses, Practice Dialogues

Instructional material

• Flashcards showing each greeting with its English meaning on the back
• A chart of formal vs. informal French greetings displayed on the board
• A printed sample dialogue for class reading and role-play
• A clock face or pictures showing different times of day

Learning objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• Use formal French greetings (Bonjour, Bonsoir, Bonne nuit) correctly
• Use informal French greetings (Salut, Coucou) appropriately
• Ask “How are you?” in French formally and informally
• Give correct responses to “How are you?” in French

Entry behaviour / prior knowledge

Pupils learned three basic French greetings (Bonjour, Bonsoir, Salut) in the previous lesson. They can identify French-speaking countries and understand why French is important. They are now ready to learn more complete greeting conversations.

Content

Formal Greetings (Salutations formelles)

Formal greetings are used with adults, teachers, elderly people, and strangers. They show politeness and respect:

• Bonjour – Good morning or Good day, morning through early afternoon
• Bonsoir – Good evening, from late afternoon or evening
• Bonne nuit – Good night, said when someone is going to sleep

Informal Greetings (Salutations informelles)

Informal greetings are used with friends, classmates, and people of the same age:

• Salut – Hi or Hello, casual, used with people you know well
• Coucou – Hey or Yoo-hoo, very informal, mostly used by children and close friends

Asking “How Are You?”

• Comment allez-vous? – How are you? (formal, used with adults, teachers, older people)
• Comment ça va? – How are you? (informal, used with friends and people your age)
• Ça va? – Are you OK? or How’s it going? (very informal, short form)

Responses to “How Are You?”

• Ça va bien (merci) – I am fine (thank you)
• Très bien (merci) – Very well (thank you)
• Comme ci comme ça – So-so, not bad
• Pas très bien – Not very well

Practice Dialogue

Dialogue 1 – Formal (pupil to teacher):

Pupil: Bonjour, Madame.

Teacher: Bonjour. Comment allez-vous?

Pupil: Très bien, merci. Et vous?

Teacher: Ça va bien, merci.

Dialogue 2 – Informal (two friends):

Chidi: Salut, Amina!

Amina: Salut! Comment ça va?

Chidi: Ça va bien, merci. Et toi?

Amina: Comme ci comme ça.

Lesson presentation

Introduction (Step 1): The teacher greets the class formally in French (“Bonjour, tout le monde!”) and informally (“Salut!”), asking pupils if they can tell the difference. This introduces the concept of formal versus informal greetings.

Explanation (Step 2): The teacher explains formal and informal greetings using the chart, models “Comment allez-vous?” and “Comment ça va?” with their responses, and demonstrates the difference using the clock face for morning and evening greetings.

Pupil participation (Step 3): Pupils repeat each greeting and response. In pairs, pupils practise Dialogue 1 (formal) and Dialogue 2 (informal) from the board. Selected pairs perform for the class.

Evaluation and conclusion (Step 4): The teacher shows a picture of different time-of-day scenarios and asks pupils which greeting fits. A fill-in-the-blank oral exercise follows on responses. The teacher summarises and gives the assignment.

Lesson evaluation

1. “Bonjour” is described as a ____ greeting in French

a. very informal, for close friends only   b. formal or neutral daytime greeting   c. used only late at night   d. only used for goodbye

2. “Comment allez-vous?” is used to ____

a. ask someone’s name   b. say goodbye politely   c. ask how are you, formally   d. ask someone’s age

3. “Ça va bien” means ____

a. Au revoir   b. Bonne nuit   c. I am fine   d. Good morning

4. “Très bien” in English means ____

a. So-so   b. Not well at all   c. Goodbye   d. Very well

5. “Bonne nuit” is the correct French greeting when ____

a. meeting someone at midday   b. greeting someone in the evening   c. wishing someone good night before sleep   d. saying hi to a friend informally

6. “Comment ça va?” is ____ compared to “Comment allez-vous?”

a. more formal   b. less formal, informal   c. exactly the same thing   d. only used by adults

7. “Comme ci comme ça” means ____

a. Very well   b. I am unwell   c. So-so   d. Good night

8. “Coucou” is ____

a. a formal greeting used with teachers   b. a farewell expression   c. a very informal greeting like “Hey”   d. used when meeting someone for the first time

Theory

1. Write out the French greetings for Good morning, Good evening, and Good night. State when each one is correctly used.
2. What is the difference between “Comment allez-vous?” and “Comment ça va?” in French? Give one example of when you would use each.

Assignment

• Written: Write the French greeting for morning, evening, and night. Beside each, write one correct response in French.
• Oral/Written: Write a dialogue of four lines between two pupils: one greeting the other and asking how they are, and the other responding.
• Practice: Memorise “Comment allez-vous?” and “Très bien, merci” to say to your French teacher next class.

Weeks 3 to 13 (Locked)

The remaining weeks are in the full lesson note. Each one has objectives, content, the four-step lesson presentation, evaluation questions, theory questions and an assignment.

What You Get

• Thirteen weeks of lesson notes, from why learn French to greetings, introductions and taking leave
• Learning objectives, instructional materials and entry behaviour for every week
• Clear content in simple English that suits Primary 4 pupils
• A four-step lesson presentation: introduction, explanation, pupil participation, evaluation
• Evaluation questions, theory questions and an assignment each week
• An editable Word file, so you can add your school name and change any part

Price and How to Order

The full Primary 4 French Language first term lesson note costs ₦1,000. After payment, we send your file on WhatsApp.

Related Lesson Notes

Teaching other Primary 4 subjects this term? These first term lesson notes follow the same layout:

• Primary 4 Mathematics first term lesson note
• Primary 4 Pre-Vocational Studies first term lesson note
• Primary 4 Islamic Religious Studies first term lesson note
• Primary 4 CRS first term lesson note
• Primary 4 English Language first term lesson note
• Primary 4 Nigerian History first term lesson note
• Primary 4 Basic Digital Literacy second term lesson note

Frequently Asked Questions

Which class and term is this lesson note for?

It is for Primary 4, first term, and it follows the NERDC curriculum.

What format do I receive?

You receive an editable Word file. You can print it or change it to suit your school.

Can I read a sample before I buy?

Yes. Weeks 1 and 2 are free on this page, so you can check the quality first.

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Do you also have exam questions for this subject?

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