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 big bat bet he could beat the others. - Don't worry too much about the sentence making much sense!
| ih - pronounced 'ih' as in 'hit' | ee - pronounced 'ee' as in 'see' | eh - pronounced 'eh' as in 'let' | ae - pronounced 'ae' as in 'cat' |
| big | beat | bet | bat |
| pig | peep | pet | pat |
| did | deal | death | dad |
| tip | teeth | tell | tap |
| gill | gee! | get | gap |
| kill | keep | kept | cat |
| sip | see | set | sat |
| zip | zeal | zeppelin | zap |
| ship | sheet | shelf | shaft |
| gin | jeep | jell | jack |
| chip | cheek | chess | chat |
| hit | heat | help | hat |
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'
