Lesson 1: English Alphabet & Pronunciation

Whether you’re just starting to learn English, or aiming to perfect your pronunciation, this lesson will help you. Welcome to our comprehensive English alphabet pronunciation guide. It will aid you in mastering the fundamental sounds of the English language.

⚡ Quick Takeaways

• 26 letters with 44 distinct sounds
• Practice with native speaker audio
• Master pronunciation in 30 minutes
• Interactive exercises included

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1. Understanding the English Alphabet

The English alphabet consists of 26 letters, but creates 44 distinct sounds. Here’s what makes English pronunciation unique:

• Same letters can make different sounds
• Multiple letters can create single sounds
• Some letters are silent in certain words

2. Vowel Sounds (A, E, I, O, U)

Each vowel has multiple pronunciations:

• ‘A’ as in “cat” [æ] vs “father” [ɑː]
• ‘E’ as in “bed” [e] vs “see” [iː]
• ‘I’ as in “sit” [ɪ] vs “like” [aɪ]
• ‘O’ as in “hot” [ɒ] vs “go” [əʊ]
• ‘U’ as in “cup” [ʌ] vs “blue” [uː]

3.

Master these common consonant combinations:

• ‘th’ – voiced [ð] and unvoiced [θ]
• ‘sh’ – [ʃ] as in “ship”
• ‘ch’ – [tʃ] as in “chair”

Practice Exercises 4.

Try these common words that combine multiple sounds:

• “Thank” – combines [θ] and [æ]
• “Share” – combines [ʃ] and [eə]
• “Child” – combines [tʃ] and [aɪ]

5. Quick Tips for Better Pronunciation

• Listen to native speakers regularly
• Record yourself speaking
• Practice in front of a mirror
• Use our AI feedback system

Continue Your Learning

• Advanced English Phonetics →
• Basic English Vocabulary →
• More Pronunciation Exercises →

Additional Resources

• Cambridge Pronunciation Guide
• BBC Learning English

Ready to perfect your pronunciation?Start Practice Exercises

æ (as in “cat”) ə (as in “about”)

Discover each letter’s proper pronunciation through interactive exercises and native speaker sound examples.This exercise is perfect for understanding English pronunciation for beginners.

ə (as in “about”)

i: (as in “see”)