The following series of pronunciation exercises combines words beginning with the same consonant sound followed by similar vowel 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 man at the bar bought drinks for all. - Don't worry too much about the sentence making much sense!
| 'long ah' as in 'heart' | 'short ah' as in 'got' |
| bar | bought |
| par | paw |
| dark | dot |
| tar | taught |
| Garth | got |
| carpet | caught |
| sergeant | saw |
| Zagreb | Zola |
| sharp | shawl |
| John | jot |
| charred | chocolate |
| heart | hop |
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'
