Part of learning vocabulary involves learning the sound of a word, but learners of English are often confused by English spelling and are not sure how words sound.

We have chosen some common sound/spelling combinations to help you.

We give the phonemic symbol, the letters which can make that sound, and some common examples.

You can also hear the words then pause the video to practise saying them.

Finally, we suggest that you create your own groups using words that are important for you.

Here is the third and final set of vowel sounds.

Sound	Spelling	Examples
/eɪ/	a	take late shave make
	ai	wait train straight
	ay	play say stay
	ey	they grey obey
	ei	eight weight
	ea	break
/əʊ/	o	home phone open
	ow	show throw own
	oa	coat road coast
	ol	cold told
	ou	mould
/ɜ:/	ir	bird third shirt
	or	work world word
	ur	burn turn
	ear	learn earn

Watch the video and practise saying the words.

See Sound and spelling – Vowels 1

And Sound and spelling – Vowels 2

By Louise and Barney

 

If you have any questions about this, leave a comment below.

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