module 4
The vowel /ᴂ/
Introduction
In the previous lesson, you learned about different types of vowels and how important the right vowel length is. This lesson will build further on those ideas by focusing on one last set of vowels that should not be confused. Complete exercise 4.1 to find out which vowels this concerns.
Exercise 4.1
Adapted from: Hermans, (2018)
Do this activity together with a classmate. One of you will start pronouncing the words written below, the other will write down the word he or she has heard. Once all words have been read out and written down, switch roles. Can you trust your own pronunciation? Let’s find out.
1. bad – bed 6. pat – pet
2. sad – said 7. pan – pen
3. bat – bet 8. mat – met
4. shall – shell 9. band – bend
5. dad – dead 10. man – men
After both of you have had a turn in reading and writing, talk to each other about what the difference might be between the vowel in the first and second word of each word pair.
Write down in your Pronunciation Portfolio what you think the difference is, then go on to exercise 4.2.