The following series of pronunciation exercises combines words beginning with the same diphthong sound followed by similar diphthong sounds. Voiced and voiceless consonants are paired (b - voiced / p - voiceless, d - voiced / t - voiceless, etc.) to help students compare and contrast similar consonant formation.
- Repeat each line slowly, listen for the minor differences between the vowel and consonant sounds.
- Repeat each line three times. Each time repeat more quickly trying to keep the sounds distinct.
- Find a partner and listen to each other repeat the lines.
- Try to invent sentences using each sound at least once. For example: The bear went into the bar and had a beer. - Don't worry too much about the sentence making much sense!
Note: The following diphthongs are pronounced differently in British and American English. British English drops the 'r' sound and pronounces a slight 'uh' - 'hair' becomes 'hehuh'. In American English the 'r' is strongly pronounced - 'hair' becomes 'hehrrr'.
| 'ieh(r)' as in 'near' | 'ehi(r)' as in 'hair' |
| beer | bear |
| peer | pear |
| dear | dare |
| tear (drop of water) | tear (rip) |
| gear | garish |
| clear | Claire |
| seer | snare |
| sheer | share |
| jeer | Jerry |
| cheer | chair |
| here | hair |
Vowel Sounds
'eh' - as in 'let', 'ih' - as in 'hit', 'ee' - as in 'see', and 'ae'- as in 'cat'
'long ah' - as in 'car', 'short ah' - as in 'got'
'long uh' - as in 'put', 'short uh' - as in 'up', 'oo' - as in 'through'
Diphthong Sounds
'ay' - as in 'day', 'ai' - as in 'sky'
'ou' - as in 'home', 'ow' - as in 'mouse', 'oi' - as in 'boy'
'ieh(r)' - as in 'near', 'ehi(r)' - as in 'hair'
