Ninth graders discover a signature feature of Bengali — the definite suffix -টা/-টি (-ta/-ti). Instead of a separate word for “the,” Bengali attaches a suffix right onto the noun: boi (a book) → boi-ta (THE book), meye (a girl) → meye-ti (THE girl). With numbers it works like a counter: ek-ta boi = “one book.”
Students will be able to…
How does Bengali say “the book” by adding to the word itself?
Project this and tap each. Watch how adding -ta/-ti changes a noun.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
How does “book” become “the book” in Bengali?
Students learn.
Students practice.
Students speak.
Students close.
Aligned to the ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (Intermediate-Low).
Compare definite-marking across languages.
Interpretive: read suffixed nouns.
Presentational: build definite forms.
Recognize the -ta / -ti suffix.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students make two definite forms of Bengali nouns with -ta / -ti (e.g. boi-ta, meye-ti). A printable Bengali -ta / -ti sheet is in the World Languages library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.