Speech work: Contrasting Vowel /e/ and /3:/ - JSS1 English Language Lesson Note

Speech Work: Contrasting Vowel Sounds /e/ and /3:/

Vowel Sounds

Today, we're learning about two vowel sounds: /e/ and /3:/.

• Making the /e/ sound:
  • Raise the front of your tongue slightly off the mouth floor.
  • Push your tongue a little forward.
  • The tip of your tongue touches your lower teeth.

Practice pronouncing /e/ with these words (underline shows the /e/ sound):

• He said "let us go home"

My elder brother is the new treasurer

Lanre met his friend at the railway station

Making the /3:/ sound:

• Raise the middle of your tongue, but not as high as for /i/ (short "ee").
• Your mouth doesn't open as wide for /3:/ compared to /e/.
• The /3:/ sound is longer than /e/.

Here's a tip: Try saying "bird" (/bɜ:d/) for the /3:/ sound. Notice how your mouth stays a bit more open compared to "bed" (/bed/).