GCSE-readySounds and spellings for read aloud and dictation
In the Speaking read aloud task and the Listening dictation you must link French sounds to spellings. These are the patterns on the specification.
Vowel sounds
| Spelling | Example | Sound tip |
|---|---|---|
| ou | vous | like 'oo' |
| u | tu | say 'ee' with rounded lips |
| é, -er, -ez | été, parler, avez | all the same 'ay' sound |
| è, ê, ai | collège, être, faire | open 'e', as in 'bed' |
| au, eau, ô | autre, eau, tôt | 'oh' |
| oi, oy | moi, moyen | 'wa' |
| eu, œu | peu, leur, sœur | lips rounded |
Nasal vowels and consonants
| Spelling | Example |
|---|---|
| an, en, am, em | dans, entendre, jambe, temps |
| on, om | mon, combien |
| in, ain, aim, im | fin, pain, faim, important |
| un | un |
| -ien | bien |
| ch | cher (like English 'sh') |
| ç, c before e / i | reçu, cette (soft 's') |
| qu | qui ('k') |
| gn | gagner ('ny') |
| -ill-, -ille | billet, famille ('y') |
| ail, aill | travail, travailler |
| th | théâtre ('t') |
| h | hôtel (silent) |
| -tion | pollution ('sion') |
| s between vowels | faisons ('z') |
Silent letters and liaison
Liaison: a silent final consonant is sounded before a vowel: vous_avez (z), deux_heures (z), on_a (n), on peut_aller (t).
Dictation tip: listen for the subject, then write the verb ending that matches it, even if you cannot hear it.
In the dictation you hear: "Ils parlent avec leurs copains." What must you write that you cannot hear?
- ils + verb: the -ent ending is silent
- leurs is plural (several friends): silent -s before a consonant
- copains is plural: silent -s
Answer: The -ent of parlent, and the plural -s on leurs and copains. (Before a vowel, as in leurs_amis, the s of leurs is sounded as z.)
ou / u, é = er = ez, è = ê = ai, au = eau = ô, oi = 'wa'. Nasals: an / en, on, in / ain, un. ch = 'sh', gn = 'ny', -ille = 'y', th = 't', h silent, s between vowels = 'z'. Final consonants silent; liaison before a vowel.
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2 more questions
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Which word has the same vowel sound as "chaud"?
- bout
- bu
- beau
- banc
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Answer: beau
Au, eau and ô sound 'oh'.
Which spellings make the same nasal sound in "vin", "pain" and "faim"?
- é, -er, -ez
- eu, œu, e
- in, ain, aim
- au, eau, ô
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Answer: in, ain, aim
In, ain and aim sound the same.
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Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.