How to play ONZE to learn your numbers

LUDIQUE 

Do you know this word?

It’s French for fun and effective learning. Yup, all that in one little word! 

Learning in a fun way is entertaining at least, and effective at best, especially when you can recall words on the spot in spontaneous conversations. 

Many of us struggle when it comes to learning our French numbers for some reason.

Learning numbers in French is easy if you just pack them into your memory, but long term spontaneous recall can be a drag to manage.  

When we see a number in fugues, we say it in our head in ENGLISH first!

You see, our brain changes in adolescence as it concentrates lesson on language learning and more on reproductive survival of the species. 

However, it means that as adults we are going to struggle that bit more to keep our language learning effective, especially numbers.

Hop into this mini video lesson to see an easy little game you can play to hep you learn your numbers in a fun way - teach your children, teach your friends and enjoy your numbers! 

Make you learning LUDIQUE! - FUN!

Discover:

• How to play ONZE to learn your numbers

• How to adapt the game to learn bigger numbers

• How you can learn these numbers easily out of the game context

How to play ONZE to learn your numbers

Learning French numbers can be daunting. However, if you do it with this game, it will be definitively easier.

May I introduce you to the game ONZE (eleven)? You can play with one person or a group.

I invite you to learn your numbers first because it gets fast and the faster you are, the more chances you have to win.

What you need to play the game ONZE.

To help you, you can write the numbers down at first. Later you can change them. I will give you some ideas in the last part of this mini-lesson. Start small then make it more challenging and fun!

Here are the French numbers you want to start with:

• 1 un

• 2 deux

• 3 trois

• 4 quatre

• 5 cinq

• 6 six

• 7 sept

• 8 huit

• 9 neuf

• 10 dix
• 11 onze.

As a reminder, you don’t really say the numbers as they are written. Please check the video to listen to the proper pronunciation please.

How do you play the game?

Firstly, you decide who starts and you need to ask:

• Tu commences ou je commence ? >>> Are you starting or shall I start? 

If you wish to start, simply answer: “Je commence”.

The aim of the game is to count up to 11 but without saying the last one or you lose!

You can say one number or two, or three. Of course, they should be the right ones, the one(s) following the previous number.

In other words, numbers must be consecutive. 

So, if you start, you can say

1 un

or 

1 un, 2 deux

or

1 un, 2 deux, 3 trois

My advice for you: never hesitate or you lose because the next jumper can jump in!

That’s why if you know your numbers perfectly and play quickly, you will have more opportunities to win the game.

Once, you said the first number(s), the next player continues the sequence where you left off. The player as well can decide if he or she wants one, two or three numbers in a row.

It’s always the same pattern. You win if you say the right number(s) and don’t have to say the number onze (eleven).

How to win the game.

While playing, you force the next player (or someone further in front) to say the “losing” number which is onze.

As soon as the person says onze, you can say: 

• J’ai gagné ! >>> I’ve won!

or

• Tu as perdu ! >>> You’ve lost!

How to adapt the game to learn bigger numbers

The game is called onze but it doesn’t mean to have to stop at 11. Now, you want to increase the challenge and go to 110 (cent dix).

Change the numbers for tens:

• 10 dix

• 20 vingt

• 30 trente

• 40 quarante

• 50 cinquante

• 60 soixante

• 70 soixante-dix

• 80 quatre-vingts

• 90 quatre-vingt dix

• 100 cent

• 110 cent dix

Here’s another variation for you. Change the numbers for fives:

• 10 dix

• 15 quinze

• 25 vingt-cinq

• 35 trente-cinq

• 45 quarante-cinq

• 55 cinquante-cinq

• 65 soixante-cinq

• 75 soixante-quinze

• 85 quatre-vingt cinq

• 95 quatre-vingt quinze

• 105 cent cinq

Learn your numbers with the game onze.

Did you like this way of learning the numbers? Be creative and invent all the variations you want. You will learn your French numbers in no time.

If you like this kind of activity where you do something while learning, I have these for you:

Learn vocabulary  in a game

Set the table with me  (Listening practice)

The juicy truth about fruit and their plant names

How did you or do you learn your numbers in French? I am sure other students like you would love to hear your ideas.