Learning English is my hobby, not my job. My goal is to learn English language in a way that is simple, effective and accessible to you. In the English middle class, which is like in the classroom, you will learn English language, systematize your knowledge of grammar and expand your vocabulary. As long as others read English, you will also speak it! Find out what my students think about language and language activity of learning English speak with me.
Why does learning English from me give such good results?
Individual approach. Before I even get started, I’ll help you with the test and conversation, and I’ll help you get out of the program so that your peers know the English language and the goals you’ve set. You can learn English with me individually (Montreal, Canada) or via Skype.
I am a professional publisher of English language. I have been posting English language for more than 12 years, and in this hour I have helped more than 300 people achieve success in English language. I am constantly refining my commitment to professionalism, and in 2011 I took away what is recognized in the general world and confirms my right to speak English as an adult.
The technique is effective. The best technique is the one that gives the best results. That’s why I focus on the communicative methodology, the project method and the training approach.
Outside, it is enclosed in the Anglomovna middle. All my activities are conducted in English. Why? If only you had the opportunity to get stuck in the Anglo world. Because of this approach, you develop a better listening comprehension of English, but otherwise, there is a real need to speak only English during lessons. You are reviewing the English language.
Rozmovna practice. Over the course of my career, I realized that the most effective way to learn how to work is to work. In addition, I will be busy with the English language so that you will be able to gradually enjoy the English language. You say from the first lesson to tell on the cob level! And step by step, as a matter of regular practice, you begin to speak swedishly, your language has fewer and fewer pardons, and about the actions of your speech, you can already speak like this, no matter what you say to my dear mother.
How do you know your level of English language?
Take the test for the appropriate level of English language to qualify for a suitable language. For this test you will need 30 minutes, and after passing it you will be able to evaluate your test and select recommendations for programs in English that are best suited for you.
What schedule should I take with English language?
I currently live near Montreal, Canada. My time zone: UTC -5 (in Ukraine, for example, the difference in the hour is 7 years, if it is 19:00 for you, it is 12:00 for me). I can conduct classes after 09:00 on weekdays (after the local hour) via Skype or, for residents of Montreal, in your or my territory (I live in 15 hills of the village from the Plaza Côte-des-Neiges).
How much does English language learning cost?
The cost of one activity for one person is $30 for 90 hvilins. A job for two people costs $40 for 90 dollars (for both people). You can find out more about the ability to borrow from the English language with me.
Do you want to learn English with me?
Pass , to show your liking for English.
Sounds like me by phone: +14389364667 or by email: This email address has been stolen from spambots, you will need to enable JavaScript to view it and enter: 1.
its rhubarb of English language; 2.
It is necessary to directly learn English (business, foreign English, etc.); 3.
All possible days and hours have begun; 4.
I'll tell you the date of the trial lesson; 5.
country and place of residence (it is not necessary to adjust to your time zone). I will contact you as quickly as I can. Please note that individual English lessons take place in Montreal, Canada. For residents of other places, you can still learn English via Skype.
To begin with at your earliest convenience after the trial lesson and payment is made.
There are 26 letters in the English language. In different combinations and positions they represent 44 sounds.
In the English language, there are 24 consonant sounds, and they are represented in writing by 20 letters: Bb; Cc; Dd; Ff; Gg ; Hh; Jj; Kk; LI; mm; Nn; Pp; Qq; Rr; Ss; Tt; Vv; Ww; Xx; Zz.
In the English language, there are 12 vowel sounds and 8 diphthongs, and they are represented in writing by 6 letters: Aa; Ee; li; Oo; Uu; Yy. 
Video:
[English language. Beginner course. Maria Rarenko. First educational channel.]
Transcription and stress
Phonetic transcription is international system icons needed to show you exactly how to pronounce words. Each sound is shown with a separate icon. These icons are always written in square brackets.
The transcription indicates verbal stress (which syllable in the word the stress falls on). Accent mark [‘]
placed before the stressed syllable.
English consonants
- Features of English consonants
- English consonants expressed by letters b, f, g, m, s, v, z, are close in pronunciation to the corresponding Russian consonants, but should sound more energetic and intense.
- English consonants are not softened.
- Voiced consonants are never deafened - neither before voiceless consonants, nor at the end of a word.
- Double consonants, that is, two identical consonants next to each other, are always pronounced as one sound.
- Some English consonants are pronounced aspirated: the tip of the tongue must be pressed firmly against the alveoli (the tubercles where the teeth are attached to the gums). Then the air between the tongue and teeth will pass with force, and the result will be a noise (explosion), that is, aspiration.
Rules for reading consonant letters in English: ,
| Table of pronunciation of English consonants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phonetic transcription | Examples | |
| [b] | b ad b ox | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [b] in the word b rat |
| [p] | o p en, p et | a dull sound corresponding to the Russian [p] in the word P ero, but pronounced aspirated |
| [d] | d i d, d ay | a voiced sound similar to Russian [d] in the word d ohm, but more energetic, “sharper”; when pronouncing it, the tip of the tongue rests on the alveoli |
| [t] | t ea, t ake | unvoiced sound corresponding to Russian [t] in the word T hermos, but is pronounced aspirated, with the tip of the tongue resting on the alveoli |
| [v] | v oice, v isit | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [v] in the word V osk, but more energetic |
| [f] | f ind, f ine | a dull sound corresponding to the Russian [f] in the word f inik, but more energetic |
| [z] | z oo, ha s | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [z] in the word h ima |
| [s] | s un, s ee | a dull sound corresponding to the Russian [s] in the word With silt, but more energetic; when pronouncing, the tip of the tongue is raised towards the alveoli |
| [g] | g ive, g o | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [g] in the word G Irya, but pronounced softer |
| [k] | c at, c an | a dull sound corresponding to the Russian [k] in the word To mouth, but pronounced more energetically and aspiratedly |
| [ʒ] | vi si on, plea sur e | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [zh] in the word and macaw, but pronounced more tense and softer |
| [ʃ] | sh e, Ru ss ia | a dull sound corresponding to the Russian [ш] in the word w ina, but pronounced softer, for which you need to raise the middle part of the back of the tongue to the hard palate |
| [j] | y ellow, y ou | a sound similar to the Russian sound [th] in a word th od, but pronounced more energetically and intensely |
| [l] | l itt l e, l ike | sound similar to Russian [l] in the word l Isa, but you need the tip of the tongue to touch the alveoli |
| [m] | m an m erry | sound similar to Russian [m] in the word m ir, but more energetic; when pronouncing it, you need to close your lips more tightly |
| [n] | n o, n ame | sound similar to Russian [n] in the word n OS, but when pronouncing it, the tip of the tongue touches the alveoli, and the soft palate is lowered, and air passes through the nose |
| [ŋ] | si ng,fi ng er | a sound in which the soft palate is lowered and touches the back of the tongue, and air passes through the nose. Pronounced like Russian [ng] is incorrect; there must be a nasal sound |
| [r] | r ed, r abbit | a sound, when pronounced with the raised tip of the tongue, you need to touch the middle part of the palate, above the alveoli; tongue doesn't vibrate |
| [h] | h elp, h ow | sound reminiscent of Russian [х] as in the word X aos, but almost silent (barely audible exhalation), for which it is important not to press the tongue to the palate |
| [w] | w et, w inter | a sound similar to a very quickly pronounced Russian [ue] in a word Ue ls; in this case, the lips need to be rounded and pushed forward, and then vigorously moved apart |
| j ust, j ump | sound similar to [j] in a Russian loanword j inces, but more energetic and softer. You cannot pronounce [d] and [ʒ] separately | |
| ch eck, mu ch | sound similar to Russian [ch] in a word h ac, but harder and more intense. You cannot pronounce [t] and [ʃ] separately | |
| [ð] | th is, th ey | a ringing sound, when pronounced, the tip of the tongue must be placed between the upper and lower teeth and then quickly removed. Do not clamp the flat tongue between your teeth, but slightly push it into the gap between them. This sound (since it is voiced) is pronounced with the participation of the vocal cords. Similar to Russian [z] interdental |
| [θ] | th ink, seven th | a dull sound that is pronounced in the same way as [ð], but without a voice. Similar to Russian [s] interdental |
English vowel sounds
- The reading of each vowel depends on:
- from other letters standing next to it, in front of it or behind it;
- from being in a shock or non-stress position.
Rules for reading vowels in English: ,
| Pronunciation table for simple English vowel sounds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phonetic transcription | Examples | Approximate matches in Russian |
| [æ] | c a t,bl a ck | a short sound, intermediate between the Russian sounds [a] and [e]. To make this sound, when pronouncing Russian [a], you need to open your mouth wide and place your tongue low. Simply pronouncing Russian [e] is wrong |
| [ɑ:] | ar m, f a ther | a long sound, similar to Russian [a], but it is much longer and deeper. When pronouncing it, you need to yawn, but do not open your mouth wide, while pulling your tongue back |
| [ʌ] | c u p, r u n | a short sound similar to the Russian unstressed [a] in the word With A yes. To make this sound, when pronouncing Russian [a], you need to almost not open your mouth, while slightly stretching your lips and moving your tongue back a little. Simply pronouncing Russian [a] is wrong |
| [ɒ] | n o t, h o t | short sound similar to Russian [o] in the word d O m, but when pronouncing it you need to completely relax your lips; for Russian [o] they are slightly tense |
| [ɔ:] | sp o rt, f ou r | a long sound, similar to Russian [o], but it is much longer and deeper. When pronouncing it, you need to yawn, as if with your mouth half-open, and your lips tense and rounded |
| [ə] | a bout, a lias | a sound that is often found in the Russian language is always in an unstressed position. In English, this sound is also always unstressed. It does not have a clear sound and is referred to as an unclear sound (it cannot be replaced by any clear sound) |
| [e] | m e t, b e d | a short sound similar to Russian [e] under stress in words such as uh you, pl e d etc. English consonants before this sound cannot be softened |
| [ɜː] | w or k, l ear n | this sound does not exist in the Russian language, and it is very difficult to pronounce. Reminds me of Russian sound in words m e d, St. e cla, but you need to pull it out much longer and at the same time stretch your lips strongly without opening your mouth (you get a skeptical smile) |
| [ɪ] | i t, p i t | a short sound similar to the Russian vowel in a word w And t. You need to pronounce it abruptly |
| h e, s ee | a long sound, similar to Russian [i] under stress, but longer, and they pronounce it as if with a smile, stretching their lips. There is a Russian sound close to it in the word poem II | |
| [ʊ] | l oo k, p u t | a short sound that can be compared with the Russian unstressed [u], but it is pronounced energetically and with completely relaxed lips (lips cannot be pulled forward) |
| bl u e, f oo d | a long sound, quite similar to the Russian percussion [u], but still not the same. To make it work, when pronouncing Russian [u], you need not to stretch your lips into a tube, not to push them forward, but to round them and smile slightly. Like other long English vowels, it needs to be drawn out much longer than Russian [u] | |
| Diphthong pronunciation table | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phonetic transcription | Examples | Approximate matches in Russian |
| f i ve, ey e | diphthong, similar to the combination of sounds in Russian words ah And h ah | |
| [ɔɪ] | n oi se, v oi ce | somehow. The second element, the sound [ɪ], is very short |
| br a ve, afr ai d | a diphthong similar to a combination of sounds in a Russian word w to her ka. The second element, the sound [ɪ], is very short | |
| t ow n, n ow | a diphthong similar to a combination of sounds in a Russian word With aw on. The first element is the same as in ; the second element, the sound [ʊ], is very short | |
| [əʊ] | h o me, kn ow | a diphthong similar to a combination of sounds in a Russian word cl OU n, if you do not pronounce it deliberately syllable by syllable (in this case, the consonance resembles ew ). Pronouncing this diphthong as a pure Russian consonance [ou] is wrong |
| [ɪə] | d ea r, h e re | a diphthong, similar to the combination of sounds in the Russian word such; consists of short sounds [ɪ] and [ə] |
| wh e re, th e re | a diphthong, similar to the combination of sounds in the Russian word dlinnosheye, if you do not pronounce it syllable by syllable. Behind the sound resembling Russian [e] in the word uh That, followed by the second element, an unclear short sound [ə] | |
| [ʊə] | t ou r, p oo r | a diphthong in which [ʊ] is followed by a second element, an unclear short sound [ə]. When pronouncing [ʊ], lips should not be pulled forward |
Greetings, my dear readers.
Today we continue to talk about how to learn to read correctly, so the topic of today's article is transcription of English letters.
We have already introduced you to the concept and dealt with the pronunciation of sounds in English. Today we will figure out exactly how they are pronounced in various combinations.
I have a clear table for you. It contains letters English alphabet with transcription, Russian analogue letters and my notes, so that you can immediately get the correct pronunciation. I also added examples of words with the sounds being studied and their translation.
What else can you find on the blog:
- with letters and transcription (you can study them online, download, print and work with them);
- for children I have a complete one.
Let `s start?
Features of English transcription:
- it is always formatted with square brackets. I can’t say exactly where it came from, but I think it’s just worth taking it for granted;
- to understand where the stress is, the transcription uses the sign [‘] before the stressed syllable;
- It is important to remember that transcription is about the sound, not the spelling of words. Sometimes the spelling can be 90% different from what we pronounce;
- to show that a sound is long we use a colon.
In general, I wrote about English transcription - please!
Letters of the English alphabet and their transcription in Russian and English:
| English letter | Transcription | Russian equivalent |
| Aa | Hey | |
| Bb | Bi | |
| Cc | Si | |
| Dd | Di | |
| Ee | AND | |
| Ff | [ɛf] | Eph |
| Gg | Gee | |
| Hh | H. | |
| II | Ay | |
| Jj | Jay | |
| Kk | Kay | |
| Ll | [ɛl] | Al |
| mm | [ɛm] | Em |
| Nn | [ɛn] | En |
| Oo | [əʊ] | OU |
| Pp | Pi | |
| Q | ||
| Rr | [ɑː] or [ɑɹ] | A or Ar |
| Ss | [ɛs] | Es |
| Tt | Tee | |
| Uu | YU | |
| Vv | In and | |
| Ww | [ˈdʌb(ə)l juː] | Double |
| Xx | [ɛks] | The ex |
| Yy | Wye | |
| Zz | , | Zed, zee |
But do you know what is the most interesting thing about English?
If different letters are combined, they are pronounced differently!
That's why I prepared for you
Examples of English letter combinations in Russian and English:
| Combination | Transcription | How to pronounce | Example |
| ee | /i:/ | AND | bee - bee |
| ea | / ı:/ | AND | tea - tea |
| oo | /u/ | U | cook - to cook |
| th | / ð / / Ѳ / | Z, S (interdental) | thumb - finger |
| sh | / ʃ / | Sh | shout - shout |
| ch | /tʃ/ | H | chair - chair |
| ph | /f/ | F | phone - phone |
| ck | /k/ | TO | snack - snack |
| ng | / Ƞ / | Ng | song - song |
| wh | /w/ | Ua | why - why |
| wr | /r/ | R | write - write |
| qu | /kw/ | Kua | queen - queen |
| igh | /aı/ | Ay | high - high |
| all | /Ɔ:l/ | Ol | tall - tall |
| ai | /eı/ | Hey | Spain - Spain |
| ay | /eı/ | Hey | May - May |
| oi | /oı/ | Oh | point - point |
| oh | /oı/ | Oh | toy - toy |
| ow | /oƱ/ | OU | grow - grow |
| ou | /aƱ/ | Ay | out - outside |
| ew | /ju:/ | YU | knew - knew |
| aw | / Ɔ: / | Ooo | draw - draw |
| ee+r | / ıə / | Eeyore | engineer - engineer |
| ou+r | /aƱə/ | Aue | our - ours |
| oo+r | / Ɔ: / | Ooo | door - door |
| wo+r | / ɜ: / | Y/O | work - work |
| ai+r | /eə/ | Ea | chair - chair |
| oa+r | / Ɔ: / | Ooh | roar - scream |
| might | /Ʊd/ | Oud | could - could |
| ound | /aƱnd/ | Aund | round - round |
| eigh | /eı/ | Hey | eight - eight |
| -y | / ı / | AND | tiny - tiny |
| au | / Ɔ: / | Oo | Paul - Paul |
| gh | /f/ | F | laugh - laugh |
| aught | /Ɔ:t/ | From | taught - taught |
I know this table seems huge right now. Surely you think that remembering all this is unrealistic. I'll tell you this: at a certain point, when you have enough, you won't even pay attention to these combinations. Your brain will learn to quickly remember how exactly these letters sound. Moreover, even when you come across a word that is completely unfamiliar to you, you will be able to read it correctly. The only question is the amount of practice on your part.
How to remember combinations of letters?
- Use cards. Visual perception is better developed in most people.
- Read. Pay attention to combinations of letters when or just texts.
- Don't get hung up. It is not necessary to immediately memorize these combinations and only then move directly to English. Learn as you go!
- Buy paper or download a good e-book in order to quickly learn to recognize combinations and pronounce them correctly. Even if you, an adult, need it, don’t hesitate to take books for children - everything there is explained in detail and is not without interest.
- Take the course « English from scratch» . This will make your path easier.
That's all, my dears. I hope you found it useful and understandable. I provide even more similar materials in the blog newsletter - subscribe and receive a dose of useful information regularly.
The phonetic system of many European languages is generally the same and has a certain structure.
Of course, intonation plays a big role in the pronunciation of vowels in English words. Exist certain rules leading it up and down, as well as for individual revolutions, for example, there is and there are.
However, in phonology in English the presentation of English letters and their corresponding phonemes is organized properly.
Let's try to process and structure the existing extensive material for compact and easy assimilation, applying the principle of comparative studies - comparison with the phonetics of the Russian language where possible.
There are 6 vowels in English:
If you look closely at the capital and uppercase versions of the same letter, you will notice that vowels such as O and U have identical spellings.
Transcription of vowels in English
Absolutely everyone who has encountered the study of English phonetics experiences difficulties in correctly understanding the transcription of vowel sounds.
The fact is that in the transcriptional embodiment the pronunciation of English vowels is not similar to the pronunciation, for example, of identical Russian vowels. This circumstance is explained primarily by the different history of origin.
Thus, the system of English vowel phonemes goes back to diphthong combinations of sounds.
For reference: diphthong combinations (diphthongs) are a combination of two or more sounds. At the same time, they can have different overtones and are designated by one letter.
Graphically, a transcribed sound is indicated by enclosing it in either square brackets () or slashes (/ /)
Let's look at the transcription of English letters:
| Letter | Designated sound |
| — A a | |
| — E e | * |
| —I i | |
| — O o | |
| — U u | |
| — Y y |
The sign “:” after a vowel sound denotes the so-called longitude. This means that the sound must be pronounced in a somewhat drawn-out manner.
Rules for reading vowels in English
However, the table above does not yet indicate that all sounds designated by five in English letters transcribed in the same way.
As you know, there are only six vowel letters, but there are much more sounds that can graphically represent these letters - about 24.
To make it easier to learn the rules for reading such sounds, scientists have come to the conclusion that reading vowels depends on the type of syllable.
There are two types of syllable:
- open,
- closed.
Speaking about the openness/closedness of a syllable, it should be understood that this is a uniquely organized phonetic system of phonemes in one word.
A word can have from one to several syllables, and can also contain both open and closed ones. According to statistics, almost all English words end with a closed syllable.
The theory of dividing a word into syllables in almost all languages is based precisely on vowels. When studying our native language, we always say to ourselves or out loud when we have to divide a word into syllables: “The number of vowels in a word, the number of syllables.” This is indeed true and fits well with the division of English words into syllables.
So, to determine the number of syllables in a syllable:
- find the vowels in the word,
- Mentally or graphically draw vertical lines after each vowel. How many cut off sectors there are is the number of syllables in a word.
For example, take the word independent:
- count the vowels: 4 (i, e, e, e)
- draw perpendicular lines: in-de-pen-dent
- It also turned out to be 4 segments, therefore 4 syllables containing 4 vowels.
Vowels in an open syllable type
An open syllable is a syllable that either consists of a single vowel or ends with a vowel.
For example: the word bar has only one syllable, the word ru-ler has two syllables, the first of them is an open syllable, since it ends with the vowel u.
| Letter | Designated sound |
| — A a | |
| — E e | |
| —I i | |
| — O o | |
| — U u | |
| — Y y |
Vowels in a closed syllable type
A closed syllable is a syllable that ends with a consonant.
For example: in the word book there is one syllable, ending with the consonant k, in the word dif-fi-cult there are three syllables, the first and third of them are closed (on f and t), the second is open.
Peculiarities of vowel pronunciation in English
Depending on the type of syllable, vowels are read differently. The letter R r stands apart in the reading rules. It greatly affects reading in both syllables.
For example, in an open type of syllable, the sound [r] seems to merge with a diphthong and sounds neutral - [ǝ]. And in the closed type, the so-called short vowels are combined with the semi-consonant sound [r].
The result is the following combination:
- [a] — ,
- [ɔ] — [ɔ:] ,
- [e], [i], [u] — [ǝ:] .
That is, short ones turn into long ones.
As for the rules for reading stressed vowels in a syllable, the letters u, a, o acquire the ability to be reduced (that is, become super-short) and even drop out completely. Produces a neutral sound [ǝ].
For example: in words like sofa [‘soufǝ] or today. Letters i,e,y, being reduced, pronounced as sound [i]. For example: enemy [‘enimi].
If the vowel is unstressed, then the corresponding vowel sound may manifest itself in shortening its length. Therefore, you can often observe (especially in colloquial speech), as pronouns she, he, we, me often pronounced not with long , and with a short [i].
Also, the absolute loss of sounds (when it is not heard at all) can be observed in such examples as: lesson [‘lesn], open [‘oupn], pencil [‘pensl].
Short vowels in English, examples
Before characterizing short and long vowels, it should be noted that they differ from each other not only in the time of pronunciation, but in articulation - those means of the oral cavity that are involved in their formation.
Under stress, vowel sounds are read in a truncated form, that is, they are closely adjacent to the consonant sound that follows them.
Short sounds (otherwise reduced sounds) may differ in quality and quantity. They mainly manifest themselves in prepositions and other service units speech.
There they are usually unstressed, so theoretically they cannot take on longitude. But depending on the pronunciation situation, they can be pronounced drawn out or when emphasized in a rhythmic manner (phrase stress).
Qualitative reduction is a weakening of a vowel, accompanied by a change in its quality and transformation into a sound of a neutral type.
Quantitative reduction is accompanied by a reduction in the duration of the vowel sound.
There is also a zero (complete) reduction, when the vowel is completely dropped.
So everything reduced forms can be called weak.
For example:
weak forms - you, at [әt].
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Long vowels in English, examples
There are much more long vowel sounds in the language. For the most part, they are pronounced in monophthongs - the articulation does not change throughout the entire duration of the sound.
As already mentioned, in transcription such vowels are indicated by the sign “:”.
For example:
- Good
- Arduous
- Green
Diphthongs in English, examples
Diphthongs (or two-vowel sounds) are not peculiar to the Russian language, so it is not so easy to learn them.
They are complex (composite) sounds that consist of two vowel sounds that must be pronounced as closely as possible. It turns out that two sounds simply merge into one.
The stressed and syllabic sound is the first of the sounds to be merged. This is the nucleus of a diphthong. The second vowel in a diphthong is called a glide. It complements the core, making the combination more harmonious and easy to pronounce.
Due to the fact that the core is a long sound, and the glide is a short sound, the pronunciation of a diphthong in terms of the degree of pronunciation effort and duration is approximately equal to the classic English monophthong. Although in general we can say that diphthongs are not pronounced long, but drawn out.
Affects the pronunciation of the diphthong and its position in the word in relation to the consonants. So, before voiced consonants it is pronounced briefly, and if the consonant is voiceless, then very briefly
For example: sofa (affected by the voiceless consonant f).
Table of English Diphthongs
So, there are 8 diphthongs: [ͻi] [ʊə] [əʊ].
They read more than clearly - as in the above transcription. However, there are words, for example, dear (dear) and deer (deer), in which the combinations of vowels ea and ee are pronounced the same way - .
Such cases must be remembered. Thus, we see that phonemic difficulties in the English language lie in wait for the student at every turn.
There can only be one piece of advice: compiling a “cheat sheet” for yourself with tables of English vowels, as well as tireless practice in pronouncing sounds. This can be achieved by reading texts out loud.
It is best to consult an experienced tutor about the correct pronunciation of certain vowels or diphthongs, who will carefully and painstakingly show how certain sounds are pronounced in different types of syllables.
It is not easy to learn to read English correctly, because the rules for reading each individual letter in this language directly depend on its position in the word. For example, the vowel letter “a”, depending on its “neighbors”, can convey two different sounds: a - date or a [ǽ] - bag. Letter combinations can also be pronounced differently. Today we will look at the basic living rules for reading English, including vowel letters and combinations. How to read English correctly There are a lot of words in English, the use of which you just need to remember, since they do not follow the rules. There are also many exceptions, including from the rules of pronunciation, How to pronounce English sounds correctly, which also need to be memorized. Plus, you also need to learn how to pronounce phonemes, which have no analogues in the Russian language. However, for almost a billion people on Earth, English is a foreign language that they have studied and learned.
This huge number of people have learned to read foreign languages correctly and pronounce “foreign” sounds. With persistence and diligence, it is not difficult to acquire any skill. Therefore, tune in to fascinating videos or text lessons and interesting exercises to learn not only the living rules of reading English, but also be able to acquire good British or American pronunciation.
As I already said, vowels can convey several phonemes at once, depending on what type of syllable they are included in. It is very difficult to trace these patterns. And yet their reading can be divided into two categories: stressed vowels and unstressed vowels. Drum pronunciation rules:
- In an open (go) or conventionally open (polea) syllable, vowels are read in the same way as they are called in the alphabet
- IN closed syllable vowels convey short sounds
- When a vowel is followed by the letter “r” or “r” and a consonant, a long sound is pronounced
- When a vowel is followed by “re” or “r” and a vowel, it is read as a triphthong or diphthong
This table will demonstrate these rules to you most clearly:
| Letter | Open syllable | Closed sound | "r" or "r"+ acc. | “re” or “r”+vowel. |
| A | date | [æ] bag | car | [εə] care |
| O | [əu] nose | [ɔ] got | [ɔ:] north | [ɔ:] more |
| U | tube | [ʌ] stuff | [ɜ:] purlin ["p∂:®lin] | pure |
| E | she [∫i] | [e] shelf [∫elf] | [ɜ:] her | here |
| I | five | [i] big | [ɜ:] girl | fire |
| Y | bye | [i] myth | [ɜ:] myrtle ["m∂:®tl] | tire |
Download this worksheet and print it out. It will be a good help for you when doing practical exercises. 
Reading rules Rules for pronunciation of unstressed words:
- The letters “e”, “y”, “i” are pronounced as [i] unless they are followed by an “r”: divide
- Vowels “a”, “u”, “o” without stress, as well as in prefixes and suffixes, are read as the sound [∂]: glorious
- The letter “i” before a vowel is pronounced [j]: union [`ju:nj∂n]
- Vowels before “r” convey the sound [∂]: player [`plei∂ ®]
Do not forget to consolidate all acquired knowledge with the help of practical exercises. Watch an educational video demonstrating the position of the tongue and lips when pronouncing various phonemes.
Living rules for reading English
In fact, “Living Rules for Reading the English Language” is one of the best book guides on foreign reading and pronunciation from Yu. A. Ivanova. This tutorial clearly and simply explains the various English laws of pronunciation and reading. Each short lesson is immediately followed by exercises for practical work and self-tests with examples.
In the text and exercises you will see tasks that you need to listen to or watch a video, and at the end of each page there is a link where you can get these additional materials. To make the exercises more interesting and exciting, the author diluted the rules with funny rhymes and funny tongue twisters to practice pronunciation, which will be possible not only for adults, but also for children.
The book contains many practical, exciting and varied exercises designed to teach a beginner or child the basic laws of reading and to distinguish by ear sounds that are not characteristic of the Russian language. The self-instruction manual can be used by students who have just begun to master the language and want to comprehend its basic postulates. The publication is recommended for both group classes and self-study.
For comfortable further study foreign language, it is very important to acquire reading skills, basic pronunciation laws, know the foreign alphabet and