This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow French scheme of work. It explores how the sound s is made in French and how different letters or accents can change its spelling. Pupils learn that, just as in English, the letter c can take a soft s sound when followed by e or i, as in cinéma or centimètre. The video also introduces the cedilla, a small mark under the letter c that changes it from a hard k sound to a soft s when followed by a or o, as in ça va. Pupils are reminded that when s comes at the end of a word, it is often silent, a common feature of French pronunciation.

Through examples such as Francois, comme ci, comme ça, and merci, pupils practise hearing and producing the sound. Mouth mechanics encourage them to make the hissing s like a snake while remembering not to pronounce it at the tail end of a word. Listening tasks help pupils identify the sound in sentences and reinforce the rule about silent final consonants. By the end, pupils understand that although the s sound is simple to pronounce, French spelling rules and accents make it important to look carefully at how it is written.

French, Lower key stage 2, Year 3, Unit 1: French greetings with puppets, Lesson 1: French greetings